Changes of CD3+CD56+ γδ T cell number and apoptosis during hospital admission are related to mortality in septic patients.

Immunoparalysis and apoptosis of T cells are serious problems for the evolution of septic patients. We aimed to relate changes in the number of αß and γδ T cells during hospital stay to the poor evolution of sepsis. In this prospective study, we recruited a total of 92 septic patients from the Emergency and Intensive Care Departments of two Hospitals, according to the latest criteria for the definition and management of sepsis. According to the severity of the septic process, there was a progressive decrease in T cells, being much more intense in γδ T cells. This decrease recovered in surviving patients, but CD3+CD56+ γδ T cells continued to decreased during hospital stay in non-surviving patients. Apoptosis increased in sepsis. Cell death of CD3+CD56+ γδ T cells progressively increased according to the severity of sepsis, especially in non-surviving patients.

Tuning the size, composition and structure of Au and Co50Au50 nanoparticles by high-power impulse magnetron sputtering in gas-phase synthesis.

Gas-phase synthesis of nanoparticles with different structural and chemical distribution is reported using a circular magnetron sputtering in an ion cluster source by applying high-power impulses. The influence of the pulse characteristics on the final deposit was evaluated on Au nanoparticles. The results have been compared with the more common direct current approach. In addition, it is shown for the first time that high-power impulses in magnetron based gas aggregation sources allows the growth of binary nanoparticles, CoAu in this case, with a variety of crystalline and chemical arrangements which are analyzed at the atomic level.

Determination of Anti-Anisakis Simplex Antibodies and Relationship with αß and γδ Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Patients with Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of Crohn's disease (CD) is still unknown although new theories are based on defects in innate immunity. We have previously shown a decrease in γδ T cells in CD patients. Previous studies have shown a high prevalence of anti-A. simplex immunoglobulins in CD patients. The diminution of γδ T cells in the peripheral blood and intestinal mucosa of CD patients may create a state of immunosuppression that would facilitate A. simplex infection. AIMS: To study the antibody responses to Anisakis antigens in Crohn's disease patients and its relationship with αß and γδ T cell subsets. METHODS: We recruited 81 CD patients and 81 healthy controls. αß and γδ T cell subsets and anti-A. simplex antibodies were measured. RESULTS: Levels of anti-A. simplex IgG and IgM were significantly increased in CD patients. Almost 20% of CD patients were positive for IgG and IgM anti-A. simplex versus only 3.7 and 2.5%, respectively, in normal subjects. However, lower specific IgA levels were observed in the group of CD patients versus healthy subjects. We found an association between CD3 + CD8 + Î³Î´ subset and IgM anti-A. simplex levels. In ileal cases and stricturing behavior of CD, we observed the highest levels of specific antibodies with the exception of anti-A. simplex IgA. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship of specific antibodies with a γδ T cell deficiency makes these cell candidates to play a role in the immune response against Anisakis. In addition, anti-Anisakis antibodies could be considered as markers of risk of progression in CD.

Self-organised silicide nanodot patterning by medium-energy ion beam sputtering of Si(100): local correlation between the morphology and metal content.

We have produced self-organised silicide nanodot patterns by medium-energy ion beam sputtering (IBS) of silicon targets with a simultaneous and isotropic molybdenum supply. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies show that these patterns are qualitatively similar to those produced thus far at low ion energies. We have determined the relevance of the ion species on the pattern ordering and properties. For the higher ordered patterns produced by Xe(+) ions, the pattern wavelength depends linearly on the ion energy. The dot nanostructures are silicide-rich as assessed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and emerge in height due to their lower sputtering yield, as observed by electron microscopy. Remarkably, a long wavelength corrugation is observed on the surface which is correlated with both the Mo content and the dot pattern properties. Thus, as assessed by electron microscopy, the protrusions are Mo-rich with higher and more spaced dots on their surface whereas the valleys are Mo-poor with smaller dots that are closer to each other. These findings indicate that there is a correlation between the local metal content of the surface and the nanodot pattern properties both at the nanodot and the large corrugation scales. These results contribute to advancing the understanding of this interesting nanofabrication method and aid in developing a comprehensive theory of nanodot pattern formation and evolution.

Bladder cancer in Spain 2011: population based study.

PURPOSE: We estimate the annual incidence of bladder cancer in Spain and describe the clinical profile of patients with bladder cancer enrolled in a population based study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the structure of the Spanish National Health System as a basis, in 2011 the AEU (Spanish Association of Urology) conducted this study with a representative sample from 26 public hospitals and a reference population of 10,146,534 inhabitants, comprising 21.5% of the Spanish population. RESULTS: A total of 4,285 episodes of bladder cancer were diagnosed, of which 2,476 (57.8%) were new cases and 1,809 (42.2%) were cases of recurrence, representing an estimated 11,539 new diagnoses annually in Spain. The incidence of bladder cancer in Spain, age adjusted to the standard European population, was 20.08 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI 13.9, 26.3). Of patients diagnosed with a first episode of bladder cancer 84.3% were male, generally older than 59 years (81.7%) with a mean ± SD age of 70.5 ± 11.4 years. Of these patients 87.5% presented with some type of clinical symptom, with macroscopic hematuria (90.8%) being the most commonly detected. The majority of primary tumors were nonmuscle invasive (76.7%) but included a high proportion of high grade tumors (43.7%). According to the ISUP (International Society of Urologic Pathology)/WHO (2004) classification 51.1% was papillary high grade carcinoma. Carcinoma in situ was found in 2.2% of primary and 5.8% of recurrent cases. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of bladder cancer in Spain, age adjusted to the standard European population, confirms that Spain has one of the highest incidences in Europe. Most primary nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer corresponded to high risk patients but with a low detected incidence of carcinoma in situ.

Matrix and interaction effects on the magnetic properties of Co nanoparticles embedded in gold and vanadium.

The study of the magnetic properties of Co nanoparticles (with an average diameter of 10.3 nm) grown using a gas-phase aggregation source and embedded in Au and V matrices is presented. We investigate how the matrix, the number of embedded nanoparticles (counted by coverage percentage), the interparticle interactions and the complex nanoparticles/matrix interface structure define the magnetic properties of the studied systems. A threshold coverage of 3.5% of a monolayer was found in both studied systems: below this coverage, nanoparticles behave as an assembly of independent single-domain magnetic entities with uniaxial anisotropy. Above the threshold it is found that the magnetic behavior of the systems is more matrix dependent. While magnetic relaxation and Henkel plots measurements stress the importance of the dipolar interactions and the formation of coherent clusters in the case of the Au matrix, the magnetic behavior of cobalt clusters embedded in the vanadium matrix is explained through the formation of a spin glass-like state at the V-Co interface that screens the magnetic interactions between NPs.

Late-onset achalasia after esophageal atresia repair.

The development of achalasia in a patient with a history of esophageal atresia (EA) is rare. Here, we report a patient who had undergone surgery for EA at birth and presented achalasia at 30 years of age. He was successfully treated with laparoscopic surgery.

Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin after multiple subcutaneous and intramuscular administrations in adult ostriches.

1. The objective of the study was to evaluate the comparative pharmacokinetic behaviour of enrofloxacin in adult ostriches after single and multiple intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) administrations. In addition, tissue tolerance was evaluated. 2. Enrofloxacin was well absorbed, but showed a short permanence after both administration routes. After multiple dose administrations the maximum and minimum peak plasma concentrations were very similar for both routes, obtaining a steady state phase from the second dose that extended until the last evaluated administration. 3. There was no significant accumulation after multiple IM or SC doses; however, there were differences in a fluctuation index after multiple intramuscular administrations that could be related to muscle damage. 4. The different microbiological efficacy indicators (PK/PD indices) obtained, the pharmacokinetic behaviour and CK serum concentrations suggest that subcutaneous enrofloxacin administration of 15 mg/kg every 12 h produce and maintain an efficient concentration of antibiotic that is a safer and more effective therapeutic option than intramuscular administration.

[Epidemiological fundamentals of clinically localized prostate cancer]. / Fundamentos epidemiológicos en cancer de próstata.

Prostate cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world (in the number of new cases), the third most common cancer in men, and the most common cancer in men in Europe, North America, and some parts of Africa. Different geographical regions have varying incidence and mortality. The risk of prostate cancer is increased by African-American ethnicity, increasing age, positive family history, and other factors such as diet. Nonetheless, the causes of prostate cancer are not well understood compared with other common cancers like lung and breast cancer. The introduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening made an enormous impact on the incidence of prostate cancer, which increased in the early 1990s and is currently down to pre-PSA screening levels. Screening has caused a change in pattern of disease to an earlier stage but not lower grade. Yet we know little about what causes this disease, in the past 10 years interest in and funding for prostate cancer research have increased and several promising risk modifiers have been identified-eg, genetic predisposition, insulin growth factor (IGF) concentrations, and lycopene consumption.

Magnetic resonance as imaging diagnostic tool in prostate cancer: New evidences-The EAU Section of Uro-Technology position. / La resonancia magnética como herramienta para el diagnóstico del cáncer de próstata: nuevas evidencias y posicionamiento de la ESUT (EAU Section of Uro-Technology).

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality and the most frequently diagnosed male malignant disease among men. The manifestation of PCa ranges from indolent to highly aggressive disease and due to this high variation in PCa progression, the diagnosis and subsequent treatment planning can be challenging. The current diagnostic approach with PSA testing and digital rectal examination followed by transrectal ultrasound biopsies lack in both sensitivity and specificity in PCa detection and offers limited information about the aggressiveness and stage of the cancer. Scientific work supports the rapidly growing use of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging as the most sensitive and specific imaging tool for detection, lesion characterization and staging of PCa. Therefore, we carried out an updated review of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnostic PCa reviewing the latest papers published in PubMed.

Complex Peyronie's disease cases: surgery with or without penile prosthesis placement. / Casos complejos. Enfermedad de Peyronie: cirugía sin/con implante de prótesis de pene.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Surgery is the treatment of choice for patients with Peyronie's disease presenting difficulty in penetration or erectile dysfunction without adequate response to therapy. Several techniques have been described, and urologists must be aware of their possible complications and sequelae in order to offer the patient the best possible alternative. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three complex cases of patients with Peyronie's disease are presented. The first case exposes a complication after penile plication for the treatment of a major dorsal curve. The second case refers to difficult anal penetration secondary to a problem of erection direction after plaque incision surgery with oral mucosa grafting. The last case is a patient with a late post-operative complication of a three-piece prosthesis placement with plaque incision and equine collagen patch. RESULTS: Surgical options for each case are detailed and discussed. After patients were informed, the decision was taken in a consensual manner. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for Peyronie's disease requires the urologist's consideration of the functional, aesthetic and psychological spheres. A systematic approach to all of these avoids complications, sequels and improves results.

Gammadelta T cells as a predictor of surgical relapse of Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: We recently demonstrated a decrease in the overall lymphocyte population in the peripheral blood of patients with CD compared to healthy controls and this decrease is more evident in γδ T lymphocytes. The percentages of T cell subsets could reflect the risk of surgical relapse in CD patients. The aim of this study is to study the correlation between αß and γδ T cell subsets in the peripheral blood of patients with CD and the risk for surgery during follow up. METHODS: A prospective study of 102 patients with CD compared with 102 healthy subjects (control group) matched by age and sex was conducted. Lymphocytic populations of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD56+, and αß and γδ T cell subsets were measured in the peripheral blood of all participants. RESULTS: We found evidence of a relationship between lower γδ T cell levels and risk of surgical relapse in CD. The lowest subsets observed in CD patients with surgical relapse were CD3+γδ, CD3+CD8+γδ and CD3+CD56+γδT cells. We observed a relationship between a decrease in γδ T cells and the most severe forms of the disease. The lowest levels of CD3+γδ and CD3+CD8+γδT cells were observed in the fistulizing phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: The deficit of γδ T cells was related with the severity and the risk for surgical relapse in CD patients. Patients with CD3+γδ deficit were more prone to surgery than patients without this deficit. These results suggest that γδ T cells could be used as markers of poor prognosis of CD following the diagnosis of the disease.

Initial experience with SelectMDx® in the diagnosis of prostate cancer in a real-world evidence clinical practice setting. / Experiencia inicial del uso de SelectMDx® en el diagnóstico de cáncer de próstata en un entorno de práctica clínica habitual «real-world evidence¼.

INTRODUCTION: The use of biomarkers in the detection of prostate cancer (PC) can decrease overdiagnosis and overtreatment of non-significant PC. We analyze the usefulness and applicability of the SelectMDx® marker in a routine clinical practice setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 48 patients evaluated by the SelectMDx® test between July 2017 and April 2019. Patients were stratified into two groups according to the risk estimated by the clinically significant CP test (CS-PC): <2% or 'very low risk', and >2%. Results were expressed based on previous prostate biopsy (PB) and multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) outcomes. RESULTS: Patients with negative PB and normal/doubtful mpMRI had <2% risk in 7/9 cases. Patients without PB and normal/doubtful mpMRI had <2% risk in 12/18 cases, and 2/6 cases with a >2% risk presented CS-PC. Of the 14 patients with no previous PB or mpMRI, 9 had <2% risk, and 2 cases were diagnosed with PC from the group of patients (5) with risk >2%. The number of patients in the remaining subgroups is too small to draw any conclusions. In all cases with pathological digital rectal examination, the test showed a >2% PC risk. CONCLUSION: SelectMDx® is a promising test for detecting patients with a very low risk of CS-PC, especially in patients with suspected PC, with or without negative PB, with normal/doubtful mpMRI. The presence of a pathological digital rectal examination may condition the result of the test.

[Testicular carcinoid tumor associated with teratoma: with regard to a case]. / Tumor carcinoide testicular asociado a teratoma: a propósito de un caso.

We report a case of a carcinoid tumor originated in testicle associated with mature teratoma in a 31 years old male. Primary gonadal location of this tumor is unusual, moreover when associated with teratoma. Early diagnosis and treatment determine the prognostic of the patients affected of this neoplasm since the only curative potential treatment is surgery. Follow up must be extent for years due to the possibility of late relapse.

18F-Choline PET/CT scan in staging and biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer patients: Changes in classification and radiotherapy planning. / La PET/TC con 18F-Colina en la estadificación y recidiva bioquímica de pacientes con cáncer de próstata: cambios en la clasificación y planificación de radioterapia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the 18F-Choline PET/CT in prostate cancer management when detecting distant disease in planning radiotherapy and staging and to evaluate the therapy changes guided by PET/TC results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was performed on 18F-Choline PET/CT scans of patients with prostate cancer. Staging and planning radiotherapy scans were selected in patients with at least 9 months follow up. There was a total of 56 studies, 33 (58.93%) for staging, and 23 (41.07%) for planning radiotherapy. All scans were obtained using a hybrid PET/CT scanner. The PET/CT acquisition protocol consisted of a dual-phase procedure after the administration of an intravenous injection of 296-370MBq of 18F-Choline. RESULTS: There were 43 out of 56 (76.8%) scans considered as positive, and 13 (23.2%) were negative. The TNM staging was changed in 13 (23.2%) scans. The PET/CT findings ruled out distant disease in 4 out of 13 scans, and unknown distant disease was detected in 9 (69.3%) scans. CONCLUSIONS: 18F-Choline PET/CT is a useful technique for detecting unknown distant disease in prostate cancer when staging and planning radiotherapy. The inclusion of 18F-choline PET/CT should be considered in prostate cancer management protocols.

Identification of the Female Sex Pheromone of the Leafroller Proeulia triquetra Obraztsov (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

Proeulia triquetra Obraztsov (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is an occasional pest in fruit orchards in central-southern Chile. In order to develop species-specific lures for detection and monitoring of this species, we identified the female-produced sex pheromone. (Z)-11-Tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-14:OAc), (E)-9-dodecenyl acetate (E9-12:OAc), and (E)-11-Tetradecenyl acetate (E11-14:OAc) were identified as biologically active compounds present in female pheromone glands by solvent extraction of the gland and analysis of the extracts by gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In field tests, lures baited with synthetic Z11-14:OAc and E9-12:OAc in a 10:1 ratio were highly attractive to males of the species.

Electrochemical magneto-actuated biosensor for CD4 count in AIDS diagnosis and monitoring.

The counting of CD4(+) T lymphocytes is a clinical parameter used for AIDS diagnosis and follow-up. As this disease is particularly prevalent in developing countries, simple and affordable CD4 cell counting methods are urgently needed in resource-limited settings. This paper describes an electrochemical magneto-actuated biosensor for CD4 count in whole blood. The CD4(+) T lymphocytes were isolated, preconcentrated and labeled from 100 µL of whole blood by immunomagnetic separation with magnetic particles modified with antiCD3 antibodies. The captured cells were labeled with a biotinylated antiCD4 antibody, followed by the reaction with the electrochemical reporter streptavidin-peroxidase conjugate. The limit of detection for the CD4 counting magneto-actuated biosensor in whole blood was as low as 44 cells µL(-1) while the logistic range was found to be from 89 to 912 cells µL(-1), which spans the whole medical interest range for CD4 counts in AIDS patients. The electrochemical detection together with the immunomagnetic separation confers high sensitivity, resulting in a rapid, inexpensive, robust, user-friendly method for CD4 counting. This approach is a promising alternative for the costly standard flow cytometry and suitable as diagnostic tool at decentralized practitioner sites in low resource settings, especially in less developed countries.

Biochemical characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from spontaneous fermentation of 'Almagro' eggplants.

A total of 149 strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated from the spontaneous fermentation of 'Almagro' eggplants were characterized and identified. Of the isolates, 148 were determined as belonging to the genus Lactobacillus. A coccoid, gram-positive database-negative isolate was obtained in the early stages of fermentation. The Lactobacillus strains were divided into six groups based on sugar fermentation patterns and other physiological and morphological characteristics, and were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum biotype 1 (54.4%), Lactobacillus brevis biotype 2 (19.5%), Lactobacillus fermentum (9.4%), Lactobacillus brevis biotype 3 (5.4%), Lactobacillus pentosus (4.7%) and nine strains, which were not included in the previous species, were grouped as Lactobacillus spp. (6.0%). Fermentation was initiated by Lactobacillus brevis biotype 2 and Lactobacillus fermentum. During the fermentation Lactobacillus plantarum became the predominant species.

Influence of sodium chloride concentration on the controlled lactic acid fermentation of "Almagro" eggplants.

The effect of a commercial Lactobacillus starter and sodium chloride concentration on the fermentation of "Almagro" eggplants (Solanum melongena L. var. esculentum depressum) was studied. The results of fermentation using added starter and varying salt concentrations (4, 6, and 10% w/v) in brine were compared with the results of spontaneous fermentation taking place in brine with a salt concentration of 4%. Fresh fruits, medium in size (34-44 g), were used in all cases; all fruits were blanched under identical conditions. Temperature in the fermenters was 32+/-2 degrees C. The results obtained indicate that addition of a suitable starter shortened the fermentation process, provided the salt concentration in the brine did not exceed 6%. In the conditions tested, the eggplants obtained after fermentation were found to be of good quality though somewhat bitter which may explained by the starter employed.

[Lipid peroxidation in adult epileptic patients treated with valproic acid]. / Peroxidación lipídica en pacientes epilépticos adultos tratados con ácido valproico.

INTRODUCTION: Free radicals play an important role as regulatory mediators in cellular signalling processes; however, when overproduced or when antioxidant defence systems are weakened, they are cause of cellular damage. Excessive amount of free radical production has been related with a variety conditions, like aging, different kind of diseases, and xenobiotics biotransformation; this last process includes the metabolism of lipid soluble drugs. An increase in oxidative stress has been described in series of treated epileptic patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the susceptibility to plasma lipid peroxidation in samples from epileptic patients treated with valproic acid monotherapy, studying if the formation of lipid peroxides was related with plasma drug concentration, patients' sex or the kind of epilepsy suffered. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Peroxidated lipids (LPO) were measured by spectrofluorometry before and after induction of an oxidative Fenton reaction in 76 epileptic patients and 4 healthy subjects. RESULTS: After induction of the Fenton reaction, but not in basal conditions, lipid peroxidation showed a lineal relationship with valproate plasma levels. Oxidized LPO values were also significantly higher in samples from patients with partial epilepsies than in those with generalized epilepsies. Likewise, a significant gender effect was observed, being values from epileptic women noticeably higher than those of epileptic men. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma from epileptic patients receiving valproic acid evidences an increased vulnerability to lipid peroxidation which seems to be related with drug amount in the body, subject's sex, and epilepsy type.