Moderate consumption of a soluble green/roasted coffee rich in caffeoylquinic acids reduces cardiovascular risk markers: results from a randomized, cross-over, controlled trial in healthy and hypercholesterolemic subjects.

PURPOSE: Coffee is rich in bioactive compounds with health beneficial properties, with green coffee presenting higher phenol content than roasted. We evaluated the effects of regularly consuming realistic amounts of a green/roasted coffee blend on cardiovascular health-related biomarkers. METHODS: A randomized, cross-over, controlled study was carried out in 25 normocholesterolemic [total cholesterol (TC) < 200 mg/dL] and 27 hypercholesterolemic (TC 200-240 mg/dL) subjects. During 8 weeks, volunteers consumed 6 g/day of soluble green/roasted (35:65) coffee or a control beverage (water or an isotonic drink). Blood pressure, heart rate and body weight were monitored at the end of each intervention, and serum lipids [TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, triglycerides and phospholipids], cytokines and chemokines (IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, G-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, MIP-1ß, TNF-α, INF-γ), adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1), and C-reactive protein were measured. Plasma antioxidant capacity (FRAP, ORAC and ABTS methods), and lipid (malondialdehyde, MDA) and protein (carbonyl groups, CG) oxidation were also determined. RESULTS: Attending to the general lineal model of variance for repeated measures, after the green/roasted coffee intervention significant reductions in TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C and triglycerides levels (p = 0.006, 0.001, 0.003 and 0.017, respectively), and a significant group effect were observed (0.001, < 0.001, 0.019 and 0.027, respectively). Only within the hypercholesterolemic group, attending to the Bonferroni test, the aforementioned lipid parameters were significantly lower after regular green/roasted coffee intake compared to baseline values. Moreover, after the coffee stage, plasma antioxidant capacity improved, according to the increase in ORAC and FRAP values (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) and decrease of MDA (p = 0.015) and CG (p < 0.001) levels, without differences between groups. Systolic (p = 0.001) and diastolic (p < 0.001) blood pressure, heart rate (p = 0.035), and body weight (p = 0.017) were reduced in both normo- and hypercholesterolemic groups. CONCLUSION: Regular consumption of moderate amounts of a soluble green/roasted (35:65) coffee blend may contribute to improve cardiovascular health in moderately hypercholesterolemic people, as reducing serum lipids, blood pressure and body weight effects, as well as increasing plasma antioxidant capacity, have been observed. Moreover, positive influences on blood pressure, body weight, and plasma antioxidant capacity were obtained in the healthy group. Therefore, incorporation of green coffee beans into the coffee brew can be recommended as part of a dietary strategy to protect from cardiovascular disease.

Evaluation of the efficacy of therapeutic endoscopy in gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to angiodysplasias. / Evaluación de la eficacia terapéutica endoscópica en hemorragia digestiva secundaria a angiodisplasias.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal angiodysplasias are defined as vascular dilations that communicate capillaries and veins in the walls of the digestive tract. The clinical presentation of these lesions varies from chronic occult bleeding to severe gastrointestinal hemorrhage. AIM: The primary aim of our study was to analyze lesion location, the efficacy of therapeutic endoscopy with argon plasma coagulation, and the factors associated with rebleeding in patients with gastrointestinal angiodysplasias. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 32,042 endoscopies was carried out within the time frame of January 2012 and December 2013 at our hospital center. Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia was the diagnosis in 331 of the endoscopies. The procedures included upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and enteroscopy. RESULTS: The most frequent location of the angiodysplasias was the cecum (49%), followed by the ascending colon (17%) and the sigmoid colon (16%). They were most frequently found in the duodenum (60%) and gastric body (49%) at upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Therapeutic endoscopy was performed in 163 cases (49.8%) and the most predominant methods were fulguration with argon (90%) and combination treatment (argon plasma coagulation and injection sclerotherapy) (6.7%). The macroscopic rebleeding rate after therapeutic endoscopy was 7.4%. Patients that had rebleeding presented with a lower hemoglobin concentration, higher mean age, and the presence of multiple angiodysplasias at endoscopy (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic endoscopy was performed in 49.8% of the patients with angiodysplasias. The macroscopic rebleeding rate after treatment was 7.4%. There were statistically significant differences in the patients with rebleeding in relation to mean age, hemoglobin values, and the presence of multiple angiodysplasias.

[Spinal cord stimulation in refractory complex regional pain syndrome. A prospective study]. / Estimulación medular en el síndrome de dolor regional complejo refractario. Un estudio prospectivo.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The objective of treatment of complex regional pain syndrome is to relieve pain and restore function in the affected limb. The aim of this study is to evaluate spinal cord stimulation as a therapy for patients diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome, for whom adequate pain control could not be achieved with other previous treatments. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted from 2018 to 2020. We included patients diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome refractory to other treatments or techniques, classified by demographic data. Efficacy, functionality and opioid dependence in each patient were subsequently monitored for one year. RESULTS: Seven of the 13 patients (53.84%) included in the study achieved significant pain relief with spinal cord stimulation. Improvements in pain and functionality were obtained, and both were statistically significant (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). Improvement in the Oswestry Disability Index/Neck Disability Index (ODI/NDI) was significantly associated with body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.011) and was lower as BMI increased. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that spinal cord stimulation is an effective therapeutic option for patients with CRPS refractory to other treatments. BMI and ODI/NDI also showed a significant correlation.

TITLE: Estimulación medular en el síndrome de dolor regional complejo refractario. Un estudio prospectivo.Introducción y objetivos. En el tratamiento del síndrome de dolor regional complejo se pretende aliviar el dolor y restaurar la función de la extremidad afectada. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la estimulación de la médula espinal como terapia para pacientes a quienes se les diagnosticó síndrome de dolor regional complejo, en los que no se ha podido conseguir un control adecuado del dolor con otros tratamientos previos. Pacientes y métodos. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo de 2018 a 2020. Se incluyó a pacientes diagnosticados de síndrome de dolor regional complejo refractario a otros tratamientos o técnicas, clasificados por datos demográficos. Posteriormente, se hizo seguimiento de la eficacia, la funcionalidad y la dependencia de opioides de cada paciente durante un año. Resultados. Siete de los 13 (53,84%) pacientes incluidos en el estudio consiguieron un alivio significativo de su dolor con la estimulación medular. Se obtuvo mejoría del dolor y de la funcionalidad, y ambas fueron estadísticamente significativas (p < 0,001 y p = 0,003, respectivamente). La mejoría en el Oswestry Disability Index/Neck Disability Index (ODI/NDI) se asoció significativamente con el índice de masa corporal (IMC) (p = 0,011) y fue menor cuanto mayor era el IMC. Conclusiones. Los resultados sugieren que la estimulación de la médula espinal es una opción terapéutica eficaz para pacientes con SDRC refractario a otros tratamientos. Además, el IMC y el ODI/NDI mostraron una correlación significativa.

[Identifying and prioritising adverse episodes and failures related to patient safety in Pain Treatment Units]. / Identificación y priorización de episodios adversos y fallos relacionados con la seguridad del paciente en las Unidades de Tratamiento del Dolor.

OBJECTIVES: An expert group coordinated by the Andalusian School of Public Health identified the most serious and frequent adverse events in Pain Treatment Units (PTU), as well the failures and underlying causes, as a prior step to preparing preventive actions. The aims of the project were to identify potential adverse events in Pain Treatment Units, identify failures and their underlying causes, and prioritise these failures according to a failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) tool. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The method employed consisted of a literature search, the selection of an expert group with experience in PTU, creating a catalogue of adverse events using the generation of ideas technique, and putting the FMEA and Risk Priority Index tools into practice. RESULTS: Up to 66 types of adverse events were identified associated with; medication (30), invasive techniques (15), care process (10), patient information and education (6), and clinical practice (5). It was found that up to 101 failures could be triggered by these adverse events, and that 242 causes could lead to these failures. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated the need to work principally in two directions, improving the care process in the PTU (the health care organisation), and the professional work, this latter having two aspects, improving the clinical practice, and increase professional skills by means of specific training. Communication, whether inter-professional or inter-department, or with the patient and their family, is identified as a key aspect for improvement.

Prevalence and European comparison of dementia in a ≥75-year-old composite population in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate dementia prevalence in Spain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine probabilistic and geographically defined samples participated. A screening design based on the MMSE was implemented. Positively screened individuals underwent clinical evaluation. The total number of cases in Spain was estimated. Prevalence was confronted to that of other European countries. RESULTS: Five hundred and forty-six persons aged ≥75 participated, 49 had dementia (35 with Alzheimer's disease [AD], 10 with vascular dementia [VD], 4 other; 25 first diagnosed in the study). Age- and sex-adjusted prevalence and estimated nationwide cases were 7.5% (95% CI 5.4-9.7), 5.6 (95% CI 3.7-7.5) and 1.4 (95% CI 0.5-2.3), and 290,000 (95% CI 208,000-372,000), 214,000 (95% CI 141,000-288,000) and 54,000 (95% CI 20,000-88,000) for dementia, AD and VD, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Dementia prevalence in Spain is comparable to other European populations, while a high number of undiagnosed cases live in the community. The potential impact of Mediterranean diet, hypertension control and decreasing vascular risk factors is discussed.

A short-form version of the Boston Naming Test for language screening in dementia in a bilingual rural community in Galicia (Spain).

BACKGROUND: Aphasia, one of the core symptoms of cortical dementia, is routinely evaluated using graded naming tests like the Boston Naming Test (BNT). However, the application of this 60-item test is time-consuming and shortened versions have been devised for screening. The hypothesis of this research is that a specifically designed shortened version of the BNT could replace the original 60-item BNT as part of a mini-battery for screening for dementia. The objective of this study was to design a short version of the BNT for a rural population in Galicia (Spain). METHODS: A clinic group of 102 patients including 43 with dementia was recruited along with 78 healthy volunteers. The clinic and control groups were scored on the Spanish version of the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and BNT. In addition, the clinic group was tested with standard neuropsychological instruments and underwent brain investigations and routine neurological examination. BNT items with specificity and sensitivity above 0.5 were selected to compose a short battery of 11 pictures named BNTOu11. ANOVA and mean comparisons were made for MMSE and BNT versions. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and internal consistency were calculated. RESULTS: Areas under ROC curves (AUC) did not show statistically significant differences; therefore BNTOu11's AUC (0.814) was similar to the 60-item BNT versions (0.785 and 0.779), to the short versions from Argentina (0.772) and Andalusia (0.799) and to the Spanish MMSE (0.866). BNTOu11 had higher internal consistency than the other short versions. CONCLUSIONS: BNTOu11 is a useful and time-saving method as part of a battery for screening for dementia in a psychogeriatric outpatient unit.

Preparation and antioxidant activity of tyrosyl and homovanillyl ethers.

Preparation of tyrosyl and homovanillyl lipophilic derivatives was carried out as a response to the food industry's increasing demand for new synthetic lipophilic antioxidants. Tyrosyl and homovanillyl ethers were synthesized in high yields by a three-step procedure starting from tyrosol (Ty) and homovanillic alcohol (HMV). The antioxidant activity of these new series of alkyl tyrosyl and homovanillyl ethers was evaluated by the Rancimat test in a lipophilic food matrix and by the FRAP, ABTS and ORAC assays and compared to free Ty and HMV as well as two antioxidants widely used in the food industry, butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) and α-tocopherol. The results pointed out the higher activity of homovanillyl series in comparison with tyrosyl series with all the assayed methods. However, while both synthetic series were less antioxidant than BHT and α-tocopherol in a lipophilic matrix after their Rancimat test evaluation, homovanillyl alkyl ethers showed the best reducing power and radical scavenging activity of all evaluated compounds. This batch of synthetic lipophilic compounds, derived from biologically active compounds such as Ty and HMV, provide interesting and potentially bioactive compounds.

Bioconversion of polyphenols and organic acids by gut microbiota of predigested Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyces and Agave (A. tequilana Weber) fructans assessed in a dynamic in vitro model (TIM-2) of the human colon.

The present work aimed at understanding gut microbiota bioconversion of phenolic compounds (PC) and organic acids in predigested Hibiscus sabdariffa (Hb) calyces and the mixture of Hb and Agave (Agave tequilana Weber) fructans (AF). With this purpose, dried Hb and Hb/AF were predigested with enzymatic treatment, and then fermented in a dynamic in vitro model of the human colon (TIM-2). After HPLC-ESI-QToF-MS analysis of samples taken at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h of fermentation, it was observed that hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols, flavonols, and anthocyanins were mainly transformed into derivatives of hydroxyphenylpropionic, hydroxyphenylacetic and hydroxybenzoic acids. Moreover, organic acids, such as hydroxycitric and hibiscus acids, were formed along with unidentified lactones and reduced compounds. Interestingly, no differences were observed between microbial-derived metabolites formed after the fermentation of Hb and Hb/AF. In conclusion, colonic fermentation of polyphenol-rich Hb yields a wide range of microbial phenolic metabolites with potential effects on health.

Effect of perfluorohexane sulfonate on pig oocyte maturation, gap-junctional intercellular communication, mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA damage in cumulus cells in vitro.

Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) is one of the most abundant perfluorinated compounds in the environment. Exposure to this compound has been correlated to a decrease in human fertility, although the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this correlation have not been described. The adverse reproductive effects of PFHxS could be based on alterations in oocyte maturation, the process rendering oocytes competent for fertilization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of PFHxS on porcine oocyte viability and maturation in vitro, as well as on gap-junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), oocyte mitochondrial membrane potential (mΔΨ) and DNA damage in cumulus cells, as possible mechanisms of action. PFHxS caused cytotoxicity (medium lethal concentration, LC50 = 329.1 µM) and inhibition of oocyte maturation (medium inhibitory concentration, MIC50 = 91.68 µM). GJIC was not affected in exposed COCs. However, the mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly decreased in PFHxS-exposed oocytes at the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) stage. In addition, exposure to PFHxS induced DNA damage in cumulus cells. Thus, inhibition of oocyte maturation by PFHxS could be attributed to a decreased oocyte mΔΨ at the GVBD and to DNA damage of the cumulus cells that support the oocyte.

Pre-surgical risk assessment in patients with cirrhosis.

Over the last decades, significant improvements in the clini- cal management of patients with cirrhosis have increased their life expectancy. Thus, indications for surgical procedures other than liver transplantation are becoming more frequent. However, patients with advanced liver disease are at high risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality. This is the consequence of multiple factors that include the presence of portal hypertension, alterations on hemostasis and coagulation, the immune dysfunction that entails an increased risk of infections, and the impaired synthesis of proteins that impacts on the nutritional status and the wound healing. Surgical outcomes are not only determined by the severity of the liver disease, but also by the type of surgery and the presence of other comorbidities. Different models to predict mortality have been proposed, including the MELD score, the Child-Pugh classification, the hepatic venous pressure gradient, and the Mayo postoperative mortality risk calculator, among others. Multidisciplinary committees including surgeons, anesthesiologists, hepatologists, critical care physicians and other specialties involved in each case, should assess individually the risk-benefit of the surgical procedure, also considering patient`s expectations and will.

Experimental confounding factors affecting stability, transport and metabolism of flavanols and hydroxycinnamic acids in Caco-2 cells.

Studying bioavailability of polyphenols is essential to understand the health effects of these compounds. Human epithelial cells are commonly used in intestinal absorption and transport experiments but the changes polyphenols undergo during incubation, due to their chemical instability under the cell culture conditions, are scarcely known and might lead to inaccurate conclusions. Based on abundance of flavanols and hydroxycinnamic acids in the diet, epicatechin, epicatechin-3-gallate and procyanidin B2 as flavanols along with 5-caffeoylquinic and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acids as hydroxycinnamic acids were selected to comparatively evaluate their absorption and metabolism using an in vitro Caco-2 cell model. Special emphasis was paid to the structure-stability relationship of these phenolic compounds in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) under the cell culture conditions. The tested compounds were scarcely absorbed and minimally metabolized by the intestinal epithelium cells. The cell transport study showed prevalent efflux for flavanols opposite to absorption for hydroxycinnamates. Intestinal metabolism revealed that hydroxycinnamates were preferentially hydrolyzed and subsequently methylated, whereas hydrolysis of flavanols could not be confirmed, being mostly conjugated to sulfate, methyl- and methyl-sulfate derivatives. It is noteworthy that methyl derivatives of procyanidin-B2 were detected inside Caco-2 cells, confirming its absorption. In addition, culture medium influenced phenol isomerization to a higher extent than cells. In conclusion, hydroxycinnamates were better absorbed than flavanols although their bioavailability was limited in this intestinal cell model.

Influence of Dietary Supplementation of Ensiled Devil Fish and Staphylococcus saprophyticus on Equine Fecal Greenhouse Gases Production.

The present context was designed to investigate the efficacy of devil fish (DF; Plecostomus sp.) silage and Staphylococcus saprophyticus on fermentation characteristics as well as greenhouse gases production mitigation attributes in horses. Four levels of ensiled DF at 0 (control DF0), 6 (DF6), 12 (DF12), and 18 (DF18) % were added into the diet. Moreover, three doses of S. saprophyticus (0, 1, and 3 mL/g dry matter [DM]) were used for in vitro fecal fermentation. The use of ensiled DF resulted in increased (P < .0001) pH during fermentation. The asymptotic gas production was the highest (P < .0001) in DF6, whereas other supplementation caused lower production than that of control. Lag time for the asymptotic gas production decreased (P < .05) with increasing dietary DF doses. Inclusion of S. saprophyticus resulted in the lowest (P < .05) gas production and mL/0.5 g DM incubated and thus, the reduced gas production up to 23.17% than that of control. The interaction of DF × S. saprophyticus showed the lowest gas production at DF18, whereas the highest production was estimated at DF6 without S. saprophyticus after 48 hours. The lowest emission of CO2 (P < .0001) was observed in DF18 inclusion, which was 15.25% lower than that of control at 48 hours of fermentation. In contrast, the lowest hydrogen (H2) production was estimated in DF0, whereas DF18 exhibited the highest. Inclusion of DF12 and DF18 reduced (P < .05) methane (CH4) emission by 58.24% and 59.33%, respectively. However, DF, S. saprophyticus, and DF × S. saprophyticus interaction had no significant effect (P > .05) on CH4 production. In conclusion, ensiled DF and S. saprophyticus could be supplemented in equine diet as promising alternatives to corn for mitigating the emission of greenhouse gases effectively.

Antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of green coffee and yerba mate extracts, their main hydroxycinnamic acids, methylxanthine and metabolites in different human cell lines.

This work aimed at studying the effects of green coffee bean (GCBE) and yerba mate (YME) extracts, their main phenolic components (5-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-CQA; 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-DCQA) and metabolites (ferulic acid, FA; caffeic acid, CA; dihydrocaffeic acid, DHCA; and dihydroferulic acid, DHFA) along with caffeine (CAF) on the viability and proliferation of different human cell lines. Extracts (10-1000 µg/mL) and standards (10-1000 µM) were assayed in colon (Caco-2), lung (A549), oesophageal (OE-33), urinary bladder (T24) human carcinoma cells, and a non-cancer cell line (CCD-18Co). YME significantly reduced viability of cancer cells at all assayed concentrations, the higher doses also reducing cell proliferation. GCBE effects on cell viability were more effective at 100 and 1000 µg/mL, showing modest effects on cell proliferation. The highest doses of 5-CQA and 3,5-DCQA reduced cell viability and proliferation in all cell lines, whereas FA, DHCA and DHFA had lower and variable effects. Caffeine had no effect. Dietary-attainable concentrations (0.1, 1 and 10 µg/mL) of YME were tested for cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species generation, showing no cytotoxic effect. Low concentrations of all tested compounds were non-cytotoxic to CCD-18Co cells. CONCLUSION: YME and to a lower degree GCBE, their phenolic components and metabolites may decrease cancer cell viability and proliferation.

[Characterization of cocoa fiber and its effect on the antioxidant capacity of serum in rats]. / Caracterización de la fibra de cacao y su efecto sobre la capacidad antioxidante en suero de animales de experimentación.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterize the physico-chemical properties of cocoa fibre (CF), to analyze its polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity in vitro, and to investigate the effect of the administration of a polyphenolic extract of this cocoa fiber on the antioxidant capacity of the serum in rats. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Dietary fiber (DF) composition and polyphenolic (PP) content of the cocoa fiber were analyzed. The antioxidant capacity of the CF was determined by means of its reduction power (FRAP) and the capacity to scavenge free radicals (ABTS). To evaluate the bioavailability and the antioxidant capacity in vivo of the phenolic compounds of CF, an extract of these compounds was administred in the stomach of the rats with a gastric probe (100 mg PP/kg), taking blood samples at different time intervals. Sera were analyzed by HPLC to determine the presence/absence of PP or PP-metabolites. In orther to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of the serum FRAP and ABTS methods were used. RESULTS: Cocoa fiber was an excellent source of DF, with a high content of total dietary fiber (TDF), over 60% of the dry matter, made up mainly of insoluble dietary fiber (IDF; 83% of TDF). This fiber had just 1.15% of polyphenols, with low antioxidant activity. After intragastric administration of the PP-rich fraction a fast and measurable absorption of the CF polyphenols was observed, being epicatechin the main PP in blood. The absorption of this PP confers a significant, although transitory increase of the serum antioxidant capacity 10-45 minutes post-gavage; after this time, the antioxidant capacity progressively decreased reaching basal levels after 6 h. CONCLUSIONS: Cocoa fiber can be considered as an excellent source of DF, mainly insoluble dietary fiber; therefore, it could be used as an ingredient in fiber-rich functional foods. Besides the benefits derived from its high fiber content, the CF would provide protection against oxidative damage by means of its content in phenolic compounds (epicatechin) wich are absorbed maintaining the antioxidant properties in vivo.

[Evoked potentials in a population of children below 1,500 grams at birth: a description and probabilities]. / Potenciales evocados en una población de niños menores de 1.500 gramos: descripción y probabilidades.

INTRODUCTION: Bioelectrical behaviour was studied in a group of low birth weight children. AIM: To evaluate whether the characteristics of the waves of the brain potentials in these children, who weighed less than 1500 g at birth and experienced anomalous circumstances and events during their perinatal period, would help reach an early diagnosis of the possible developmental disorders they might suffer later on in life. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Both visual and auditory cerebral evoked potentials were recorded in a group of children born underweight and the results were compared with the findings from another group of healthy children who were born in normal physiological conditions and were apparently free of any kind of pathology. RESULTS: In the waves and locations that were examined, the problem group displayed latencies that were longer than those of the control group; in contrast, no statistically significant differences were found in the amplitude, regardless of the location. Low gestational age and lower weight made latencies longer, but no relationship was found between latencies and the other perinatal features that were studied. CONCLUSIONS: Children with low weight at birth have slower wave latencies than normal children. This slowing, which is inversely proportional to the weight and weeks of gestation, is considered to be an anomalous sign that could be related to brain immaturity, delayed development or to disorders affecting myelination. Moreover, the amplitude, which has received far less attention from researchers, is usually shorter in these processes, although in our study we found no differences with the group of healthy children--only very slightly in the P300, in the weeks and the weight, and the N100 only in one location with respect to weight. Since these children usually have developmental disorders, the use of evoked potentials could be a very useful tool in their detection and ensuing therapy.

A phenolic extract from grape by-products and its main hydroxybenzoic acids protect Caco-2 cells against pro-oxidant induced toxicity.

Grape/wine industry produces large amounts of by-products, however knowledge on their health-promoting qualities is limited. This study investigated the effects of a grape phenolic extract (GPE) and its phenolic compounds, gallic acid (GA) and syringic acid (SA) on human intestinal Caco-2 cells, directly or after cytotoxicity induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BOOH). Direct treatment with 0.1-10 µg/mL GPE, or 0.1-10 µM GA and SA produced no major cytotoxic effect, either changes in antioxidant defences (glutathione content, glutathione peroxidase and reductase activities) or protein damage (carbonyl groups). However, 10 µg/mL GPE, 1 and 10 µM GA and 10 µM SA decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Pre-treatment with GPE, SA and GA at the same concentrations for 20 h showed that 10 µg/mL GPE and 10 µM GA or SA significantly counteracted ROS increase induced by t-BOOH. 10 µg/mL GPE and 1-10 µM GA or 10 µM of SA significantly reduced pro-oxidant-induced cytotoxicity. 1-10 µg/mL GPE, 1-10 µM GA and 10 µM SA significantly recovered both depleted glutathione and enhanced glutathione reductase and peroxidase activities, and reduced protein oxidative damage. Therefore, treatment with realistic concentrations of GPE and its main hydroxybenzoic acids protected Caco-2 cells against induced oxidative stress.

Scaling-up of membraneless microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) for domestic wastewater treatment: Bottlenecks and limitations.

Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) have the potential to become a sustainable domestic wastewater (dWW) treatment system. However, new scale-up experiences are required to gain knowledge of critical issues in MEC designs. In this study we assess the ability of two twin membraneless MEC units (that are part of a modular pilot-scale MEC) to treat dWW. Batch tests yielded COD removal efficiencies as high as 92%, with most of the hydrogen (>80% of the total production) being produced during the first 48h. During the continuous tests, MECs performance deteriorated significantly (energy consumption was relatively high and COD removal efficiencies fell below 10% in many cases), which was attributed to an inadequate configuration of the anodic chamber, insufficient mixing inside this chamber, inefficient hydrogen management on the cathode side and finally to dWW in itself. Some alternatives to the current design are suggested.

Slow femoral venous flow and venous thromboembolism following inguinal hernioplasty in patients without or with low molecular weight heparin prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Prosthetic material (mesh) is commonly used to repair inguinal hernias. Its implantation close to the common femoral vein (CFV) can induce slow flow and favor the appearance of venous thromboembolism (VTE) events. AIM: To investigate the speed of flow, diameter and area of the CFV after inguinal hernioplasty. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty patients receiving open hernioplasty with a non-resorbable mesh for the repair of a unilateral, primary, simple inguinal hernia were prospectively investigated. Patients were stratified, by consensus, into a low or a moderate risk of VTE group. The moderate-risk group (n = 163) received low molecular weight heparin. On day 10 post-operation a blinded Echo-Doppler was carried out, and repeated 7 days later in patients with a venous flow of <15 cm/s. The speed of flow (cm/s), diameter (cm), and area (cm(2)) of the ipsilateral and contralateral CFV of the groin operated upon were measured. RESULTS: No event symptomatic of VTE was documented. One case of asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (1/163, 0.6%) was found in the moderate-risk group. In 29 patients (2 and 27 in the low- and moderate-risk groups, respectively; p < 0.001) a maximum blood flow velocity of <15 cm/s was found in the ipsilateral CFV; these flows were close to normal in the second measurement. Taking the entire sample into account, the maximum venous blood flow found in the ipsilateral CFV of the operated groin was less than that measured in the contralateral CFV (20.88 vs. 24.01 cm/s; p < 0.001); this difference was significant in both VTE risk groups. The diameter and area of the CFV were both greater in the ipsilateral than the contralateral CFV (p < 0.01); this finding proved to be significant only in hernias of the left groin (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the immediate postoperative period, inguinal hernioplasty with mesh induces a temporarily slow venous flow in the ipsilateral CFV. However, this does not lead to an increase in the incidence of VTE.

Hepatocyte growth factor is elevated in amniotic fluid from obese women and regulates placental glucose and fatty acid metabolism.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the impact of the pro-inflammatory cytokine hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the regulation of glucose and lipid placental metabolism. METHODS: HGF levels were quantified in amniotic fluid and placenta from control and obese women. 2-deoxy-glucose (2-DOG) uptake, glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation (FAO), fatty acid esterification, de novo fatty acid synthesis, triglyceride levels and carnitine palmitoyltransferase activities (CPT) were measured in placental explants upon addition of pathophysiological HGF levels. RESULTS: In obese women, total- and -activated-HGF levels in amniotic fluid were elevated ∼24%, and placental HGF levels were ∼3-fold higher than in control women. At a similar dose to that present in amniotic fluid of obese women, HGF (30 ng/mL) increased Glut-1 levels and 2-DOG uptake by ∼25-30% in placental explants. HGF-mediated effect on 2-DOG uptake was dependent on the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway. In addition, HGF decreased ∼20% FAO, whereas esterification and de novo fatty acid synthesis increased ∼15% and ∼25% respectively, leading to 2-fold triglyceride accumulation in placental explants. In parallel, HGF reduced CPT-I activity ∼70%. DISCUSSION: HGF is a cytokine elevated in amniotic fluid and placental tissue of obese women, which through its ability to stimulate 2-DOG uptake and metabolism impairs FAO and enhances esterification and de novo fatty acid synthesis, leading to accumulation of placental triglycerides.

Mind the model for end-stage liver disease: model for end-stage liver disease score as an indicator of hemoderivate transfusion and survival in liver transplantation.

The scarcity of liver donors has increased the necessity to closely select recipients to improve liver transplantation outcomes. If we were able to recognize those recipients with the best outcomes, then this could result in a better and more accurate selection of our donors. Hemoderivate transfusion is one of the main important factors to analyse. We reviewed the data of all of our liver transplant recipients from May 1998 to December 2013 and selected 888 patients with complete records. We divided these patients into 5 groups to get a better selection. We found differences between these groups with respect to the following: recipient age at the time of transplantation, percentage of patients with hepatocarcinoma, and those with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related etiology. Also, intensive care unit (ICU) time and the need for retransplantation were distinctive factors with observable differences between our groups. With respect to model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, the groups were clearly defined by their mean MELD score, finding significant statistical differences between these groups with respect to this score. We also found a significant relationship between MELD scores and survival in the different groups. This is also the first review in which the MELD score and intraoperative transfusion requirements are well associated with patient and graft survival.