Comparison of dehydration systems in quality and chemical effects on sunflower seeds.

The present work investigates the quality and the chemical effects of dehydration, using a novel dehydration system based on an electromagnetic induction and low pressures technique, comparing it with the thermo-solar drying system. High oleic sunflower seeds, which are an important oil seed crop, were used due to the fact that they have a special place in the food industry. The seed samples were exposed to electromagnetic induction and low pressures by 0.5 and 1 h, then several chemical characterizations were carried out, in the electrophoresis study, it was found that most proteins in the hull were degraded or denatured, some of them were lost during the time in the thermosolar dryer while in kernel keeps 94.9% of the concentration in control proteins. Otherwise, the electromagnetic induction dryer did not lose the most of proteins in the kernel keeping 99.1% in 0.5 h and 98.4% in 1 h, just degrading its concentration. Germination viability results did not show changes after 0.5 h in the electromagnetic fields, but they decreased in 1 h from 66 to 40% until the thermosolar method fell to 24% in 4 h, both analysis results change proportionally with the treatment time and moisture content and the amount of the oxygen.

Psychological profiles and prescription opioid misuse, craving, and withdrawal in people with chronic pain.

BACKGROUND: The negative consequences of prescription opioid misuse and opioid use disorder make it relevant to identify factors associated with this problem in individuals with chronic pain. This cross-sectional study aimed at identifying subgroups of people with chronic pain based on their psychological profiles, prescription opioid misuse, craving, and withdrawal. METHODS: The sample comprised 185 individuals with chronic pain. We performed hierarchical cluster analysis on impulsivity, anxiety sensitivity, pain acceptance, pain intensity, opioid misuse, craving, and withdrawal. RESULTS: The four-cluster solution was the optimal one. Misuse, craving, and anxiety sensitivity were higher among people in the Severe-problems cluster than among people in the other three clusters. Withdrawal was the highest in the High-withdrawal cluster. Impulsivity was higher among people in the Severe-problems and High-withdrawal clusters than those in the Moderate-problems and Mild-problems clusters. Pain acceptance was higher among people in the Mild-problems cluster than among people in the other three clusters. Anxiety sensitivity and misuse were higher among people in the Moderate-problems cluster than among people in the Mild-problems cluster. CONCLUSIONS: These results support that impulsivity, anxiety sensitivity, and pain acceptance are useful constructs to identify subgroups of people with chronic pain according to their level of prescription opioid misuse, craving, and withdrawal. The results of this study may help in selecting the early intervention most suitable for each of the identified profiles. SIGNIFICANCE: The psychological profile of individuals with chronic pain, prescription opioid misuse, craving, and withdrawal is characterized by fearing anxiety-related symptoms due to the catastrophic interpretation of such symptoms and reacting impulsively to negative moods. In contrast, participants with high pain acceptance had less prescription opioid misuse, craving, and withdrawal. The profiles identified in this study could help clinicians select targets for intervention among profiles with similar needs and facilitate early interventions to prevent opioid misuse onset or aggravation.

[Recurrent stroke, acrocyanosis and livedo racemosa: is it always Sneddon's syndrome?] / Ictus recidivante, acrocianosis y livedo racemosa: ¿siempre síndrome de Sneddon?

TITLE: Ictus recidivante, acrocianosis y livedo racemosa: ¿siempre síndrome de Sneddon?

The Key Role of Pain Catastrophizing in the Disability of Patients with Acute Back Pain.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the role of anxiety sensitivity, resilience, pain catastrophizing, depression, pain fear-avoidance beliefs, and pain intensity in patients with acute back pain-related disability. METHOD: Two hundred and thirty-two patients with acute back pain completed questionnaires on anxiety sensitivity, resilience, pain catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs, depression, pain intensity, and disability. RESULTS: A structural equation modelling analysis revealed that anxiety sensitivity was associated with pain catastrophizing, and resilience was associated with lower levels of depression. Pain catastrophizing was positively associated with fear-avoidance beliefs and pain intensity. Depression was associated with fear-avoidance beliefs, but was not associated with pain intensity. Finally, catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs, and pain intensity were positively and significantly associated with acute back pain-related disability. CONCLUSION: Although fear-avoidance beliefs and pain intensity were associated with disability, the results showed that pain catastrophizing was a central variable in the pain experience and had significant direct associations with disability when pain was acute. Anxiety sensitivity appeared to be an important antecedent of catastrophizing, whereas the influence of resilience on the acute back pain experience was limited to its relationship with depression.

An examination of the structural link between post-traumatic stress symptoms and chronic pain in the framework of fear-avoidance models.

BACKGROUND: The tendency to respond with fear and avoidance can be seen as a shared vulnerability contributing to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain. Although several studies have examined which specific symptoms of PTSD (re-experiencing, avoidance, emotional numbing and hyperarousal) are associated with chronic pain, none has considered this association within the framework of fear-avoidance models. METHODS: Seven hundred fourteen patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain were assessed. Of these, 149 patients were selected for the study based upon the following inclusion criteria: exposure to a traumatic event before the onset of pain (with scores equal to or higher than 8 points on the fear and hopelessness scales of the Stressful Life Event Screening Questionnaire Revised) and scores equal to or higher than 30 on the Davidson Trauma Scale. RESULTS: Structural equation modelling was used to test the association between PTSD symptoms and pain outcomes (pain intensity and disability) using the mediating variables considered in the fear-avoidance models. The results show that emotional numbing and hyperarousal symptoms, but neither re-experiencing nor avoidance, affected pain outcome via anxiety sensitivity (AS), catastrophizing and fear of pain. PTSD symptoms increased the levels of AS, which predisposes to catastrophizing and, in turn, had an effect on the tendency of pain patients to respond with more fear and avoidance. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides empirical support for the potential role of PTSD symptoms in fear-avoidance models of chronic pain and suggests that AS is a relevant variable in the relationship between both disorders.

Comparing the crystallization and rheological behavior of organogels developed by pure and commercial monoglycerides in vegetable oil.

We investigated the crystallization and rheological behavior of organogels developed with commercial (MSGC) and pure (MSGP) monoglycerides in safflower oil solutions (0.5% to 8% wt/wt). The MSGC was composed of 1-mono-stearoyl-glycerol (1-MSG, 37.7%) and 1-mono-palmitoyl-glycerol (1-MPG, 54.0%), and the MSGP essentially by 1-MSG (93.51%). The elastic (G') and loss (G″) moduli of the MSGC and MSGP-oil solutions were measured from 80°C until achieving 5°C, and then during isothermal conditions. The d(G')/d(time) rheograms, where d(G')/d(time) is the difference in G' between subsequent time-temperature conditions during cooling, followed closely the phase transition observed by the monoglycerides (MG). The d(G')/d(time) profile showed that the formation of the inverse lamellar α mesophase provided a limited structure to the vegetable oil. In contrast, the crystallization of the sub-α phase in the MSGC-oil system, and of the sub-α1 and sub-α2 phases in the MSGP-oil system structured the vegetable oil through the uptake and retention of oil within their microstructure. Additionally, smaller crystals formed the three-dimensional crystal structure in the MSGC organogels. This is in comparison with the larger crystal size observed in MSGP organogels. Nevertheless, for a similar MG concentration the MSGC organogels showed higher G' and solid fat content (SFC) than the MSGP organogels, and the differences were greater as the MG concentration increased. We consider that the mixed sub-α structure developed by 1-MSG and 1-MPG in the MSGC-oil systems favored the incorporation and retention of higher amounts of oil, in comparison with the sub-α1 and sub-α2 structures developed just by 1-MSG in the MSGP-oil systems.

Empirical evidence of the validity of the Spanish version of the pain vigilance awareness questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The Spanish version of the Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire has not been validated. PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to examine the factor structure of the Spanish version of the Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire and present empirical evidence regarding its validity. METHOD: A sample of 468 chronic back pain patients completed a battery of instruments to assess fear-avoidance beliefs, pain anxiety, pain catastrophizing, pain vigilance and awareness, pain acceptance, depression, anxiety, disability, and pain intensity. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the validity of a nine-item version with two subscales: Active Vigilance and Passive Awareness. Both subscales and the total score were positively and significantly correlated with other fear-related constructs: fear-avoidance beliefs, pain anxiety, and pain catastrophizing. Regression analyses showed that Active Vigilance and the two subscales of the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire were significantly associated with higher anxiety and that the Acceptance Activity Engagement subscale was significantly associated with lower anxiety. The Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire-Physical subscale was associated with higher disability and the Acceptance Pain Willingness subscale was associated with lower disability. The Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire-Work subscale was significantly associated with higher pain intensity and depression; the Acceptance Activity Engagement and Pain Willingness subscales were significantly associated with lower pain intensity and depression. CONCLUSION: The Spanish version of the Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument. Pain Acceptance and Fear Avoidance beliefs are better predictors of adjustment to pain than pain hypervigilance.

Experiential avoidance and anxiety sensitivity as dispositional variables and their relationship to the adjustment to chronic pain.

Anxiety sensitivity has been included in the fear-avoidance model as a vulnerability factor to explain individual differences in fear of pain. Several studies have suggested that the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and some psychopathological disorders is mediated by experiential avoidance, an affect-related regulatory process that involves unwillingness to endure private experiences. The role of these constructs as vulnerability variables has not been investigated in chronic pain patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of anxiety sensitivity and experiential avoidance as dispositional variables in pain fear-avoidance. Two alternative hypothetical models were tested: one in which anxiety sensitivity and experiential avoidance would be independently associated with pain fear-avoidance; and second, one in which experiential avoidance would mediate the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and pain fear-avoidance. The sample was composed of 299 patients with chronic back pain. The postulated relationships were tested using LISREL 8.20 software (Scientific Software International, Chicago, IL, USA) and the generally weighted least squares. The structural equation modelling analyses showed that experiential avoidance and anxiety sensitivity were independently associated with pain fear-avoidance and that anxiety sensitivity had a stronger association with pain fear-avoidance than experiential avoidance. The alternative model, in which experiential avoidance mediates the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and pain fear-avoidance, gave a much worse fit. These results highlight the importance of both anxiety sensitivity and experiential avoidance as variables which could explain individual differences in pain fear-avoidance. Thus, in terms of prevention, it should be a priority to identify patients with increased anxiety sensitivity and experiential avoidance during the first stages of the development of chronic pain conditions.

Bioengineering RNA silencing across the life kingdoms.

RNA silencing negatively regulates gene expression at transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels, guided by small RNA molecules. It modulates core regulatory pathways across the eukaryotes, such as developmental processes or stress responses. The widespread existence of this phenomenon and the key pathways regulated have led to the development of a new technology based on the modification of gene expression, which has been applied successfully in different areas such as medicine or agriculture. Here we review the most important patents related to RNA silencing across the life kingdoms, including biotechnological applications into medicine, crop science and bioengineering.

[Cap myopathy: a case report]. / Miopatía en gorra: a propósito de un caso.

AIM: To report a new case of a little-known congenital myopathy. Cap myopathy is a rare congenital disease caused by an alteration in the structure of the fibre, with disorganised myofibrils at the edges. Since it was first described, only a few cases have been reported in the literature. CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a 16-year-old patient with a history of neonatal hypotonia and psychomotor retardation. At the age of 4 years, the patient presented myopathic facies with atrophied pectoral muscles, winged scapula and lumbar hyperlordosis. A myopathic pattern was observed in the electromyogram. A muscle biopsy showed a very marked predominance of type I fibres, atrophy in part of the population of this type and 20% of them had cap-shaped subsarcolemmal accumulations, which were intensely positive with DPNH and SDH; in the ultrastructural study they correspond to disorganised peripheral myofibrils with preservation of the Z band and the absence of A bands. These alterations are similar to those described in what is known as cap disease or cap myopathy. Today, the patient has mild proximal tetraparesis and moderate restrictive respiratory failure.

[Neurogenic stunned myocardium]. / Aturdimiento miocáirdico neurogénico.

The existence of stunned myocardium and reversible myocardial dysfunction is widely described and accepted in patients suffering ischemic heart disease. However, it cannot be exclusive to coronary disease. Classically, the appearance of electrocardiographic changes in the critical neurological disease has been described. However, at present, it seems to be observed that some of these patients with critical neurological disease could have variable grades of myocardial dysfunction, which is generally reversible in the surviving patients. This myocardial dysfunction, which could affect critically ill neurological patients, has traits similar to stunned myocardium generated in coronary patients since: a) it is generally associated to electrocardiographic changes, b) it can be accompanied by segmental contractility disorders and even c) it may be accompanied by a certain increase of cardiac biomarkers. Although its etiopathogeny is unknown, it could be related with the severity of the primary neurological disease. Its prophylaxis and prognosis are also unknown. It could be related with neurogenic edema, with hemodynamic instability, and could also play a very important role in brain death and in organ donation.

[Factors that influence the non prescription of beta-blockers in patients with acute myocardial infarction]. / Factores que intervienen en la no prescripción de betabloqueantes en los pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio.

OBJECTIVE: To study the factors that influence the non prescription of beta-blockers in patients discharged with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHOD: A retrospective study was done of all patients discharged from our Service in the year 1998, with a diagnosis of AMI. The variables considered were age, sex, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, left ventricle dysfunction and COPD. RESULTS: 60 patients with AMI were included in the study, 18 of whom (30%) were discharged without beta-blockers. The average age of these patients was 77 years, while the average age of those discharged with these pharmaceutical agents was 60 years (p < 0.0001). Likewise, left ventricle dysfunction (p < 0.031) and female gender (p < 0.016), also negatively influenced the use of these drugs. It was observed with multivariable regression analysis that age was the main predictor for the use of beta-blockers (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Age is the main factor that influences the non prescription of beta-blockers in patients with AMI in our Service. In spite of the potential adverse effects of the drugs in the advanced age population, the data so far obtained demonstrates a clear benefit in the subgroups at risk (advanced age, heart failure,...). Therefore it's use should be extended to this group of population as long as there are no absolute contraindications.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy: a case series.

OBJECTIVES: We describe our experience with peripartum cardiomyopathy. DESIGN AND SETTING: A case series in intensive care units (ICU) of a district hospital and a referral center. PATIENTS: Six patients who required admission to an ICU after the onset of peripartum cardiomyopathy. RESULTS: Five of the six patients survived, with total recovery of ventricular function. After 1 year of follow-up all five survivors were symptom free with a normal ventricular function. CONCLUSIONS: There is a low rate of ICU admissions for peripartum cardiomyopathy, which has a potentially fatal prognosis. However, this disease can be detected by echocardiography among patients without the semiology.

The limb field mesoderm determines initial limb bud anteroposterior asymmetry and budding independent of sonic hedgehog or apical ectodermal gene expressions.

We have analyzed the pattern of expression of several genes implicated in limb initiation and outgrowth using limbless chicken embryos. We demonstrate that the expressions of the apical ridge associated genes, Fgf-8, Fgf-4, Bmp-2 and Bmp-4, are undetectable in limbless limb bud ectoderm; however, FGF2 protein is present in the limb bud ectoderm. Shh expression is undetectable in limbless limb bud mesoderm. Nevertheless, limbless limb bud mesoderm shows polarization manifested by the asymmetric expression of Hoxd-11, -12 and -13, Wnt-5a and Bmp-4 genes. The posterior limbless limb bud mesoderm, although not actually expressing Shh, is competent to express it if supplied with exogenous FGF or transplanted to a normal apical ridge environment, providing further evidence of mesodermal asymmetry. Exogenous FGF applied to limbless limb buds permits further growth and determination of recognizable skeletal elements, without the development of an apical ridge. However, the cells competent to express Shh do so at reduced levels; nevertheless, Bmp-2 is then rapidly expressed in the posterior limbless mesoderm. limbless limb buds appear as bi-dorsal structures, as the entire limb bud ectoderm expresses Wnt-7a, a marker for dorsal limb bud ectoderm; the ectoderm fails to express En-1, a marker of ventral ectoderm. As expected, C-Lmx1, which is downstream of Wnt-7a, is expressed in the entire limbless limb bud mesoderm. We conclude that anteroposterior polarity is established in the initial limb bud prior to Shh expression, apical ridge gene expression or dorsal-ventral asymmetry. We propose that the initial pattern of gene expressions in the emergent limb bud is established by axial influences on the limb field. These permit the bud to emerge with asymmetric gene expression before Shh and the apical ridge appear. We report that expression of Fgf-8 by the limb ectoderm is not required for the initiation of the limb bud. The gene expressions in the pre-ridge limb bud mesoderm, as in the limb bud itself, are unstable without stimulation from the apical ridge and the polarizing region (Shh) after budding is initiated. We propose that the defect in limbless limb buds is the lack of a dorsal-ventral interface in the limb bud ectoderm where the apical ridge induction signal would be received and an apical ridge formed. These observations provide evidence for the hypothesis that the dorsal-ventral ectoderm interface is a precondition for apical ridge formation.

[The first year of life of children with myelodysplasia: a multicenter study of 393 cases]. / El primer año de la vida del niño con mielodisplasia. Estudio multicéntrico sobre 393 casos.

A multicentric study about the first year of life of myelodisplastic children, was done. Family, pregnancy, delivery, newborn somatometry, and anatomical-pathological and terapeuthical aspects were review in 393 patients born before july 1992. Annual prevalence vary from 6 (1973) to 28 (1984). The families clinical history was not significant. There were 9 (2,3%) gemelar pregnancies, but both children were affected only in one case. Prenatal ultrasound was not diagnostic in 61%-84% of patients are meningomyeloceles, the anatomical level of myelodisplasia was lumbar and or sacral in 98%. There was hydrocephalus in 59%, hip dislocation in 24%, feet deformities in 50%, upper urinary tract dilatation in 12%, vesicoureteral reflux in 15%. In total 825 surgical procedures were performed (M = 2); the neurosurgery was 94% of them.