Random number generation by coherent detection of quantum phase noise.

In 2010 Qi et al. [Opt. Lett.35(3), 312 (2010)] demonstrated a random number generator based on the drift of the phase of a laser due to spontaneous emission, The out-of-the-lab implementation of this scheme presents two main drawbacks: it requires a long and highly unbalanced interferometer to generate a random phase with uniform probability distribution, or alternatively, a shorter and slightly unbalanced interferometer that notwithstanding requires active stabilization and does not generate a uniform probability distribution without randomness extraction. Here we demonstrate that making use of the random nature of the phase difference between two independent laser sources and two coherent detectors we can overcome these limitations. The two main advantages of the system demonstrated are: i) it generates a probability distribution of quantum origin which is intrinsically uniform and thus in principle needs no randomness extraction for obtaining a uniform distribution, and ii) the phase is measured with telecom equipment routinely used for high capacity coherent optical communications. The speed of random bit generation is determined by the photodetector bandwidth and the linewidth of the lasers. As a by-product of our method, we have obtained images of how phase noise develops with time in a laser. This provides a highly visual alternative way of measuring the coherence time of a laser.

Management of congenital cytomegalovirus infection: an evidence-based approach.

UNLABELLED: Abstract Despite cytomegalovirus being the most common congenital infection leading to psychomotor impairment and sensori-neural hearing loss, little is known about early identification and management of congenitally infected neonates. This article reviews the literature and devises an algorithm for identification and management of these neonates. CONCLUSION: Application of the current knowledge in the management of congenital cytomegalovirus infected neonates could be beneficial, until further evidence is available.

Electrical and optical properties of C46H22N8O4KM (M=Co, Fe, Pb) molecular-material thin films prepared by the vacuum thermal evaporation technique.

In this work, the synthesis of new materials formed from metallic phthalocyanines (Pcs) and double potassium salt from 1,8-dihydroxianthraquinone is reported. The newly synthesized materials were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), infrared (IR) and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. The powder and thin-film samples of the synthesized materials, deposited by vacuum thermal evaporation, show the same intra-molecular bonds as in the IR spectroscopy studies, which suggests that the thermal evaporation process does not alter these bonds. The effect of temperature on conductivity and electrical conduction mechanism was measured in the thin films (approximately 137 nm thickness). They showed a semiconductor-like behaviour with an optical activation energy arising from indirect transitions of 2.15, 2.13 and 3.6eV for the C(46)H(22)N(8)O(4)KFe, C(46)H(22)N(8)O(4)KPb and C(46)H(22)N(8)O(4)KCo thin films.

Recommendations from SPNS/GEAM/SENBA/SENPE/AEDN/SEDCA/GESIDA on nutrition in the HIV-infected patient.

OBJECTIVE: to make recommendations on the approach to nutritional problems (malnutrition, cachexia, micronutrient deficiency, obesity, lipodystrophy) affecting HIV-infected patients. METHODS: these recommendations have been agreed upon by a group of expertes in the nutrition and care of HIV-infected patients, on behalf of the different groups involved in drafting them. Therefore, the latest advances in pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical care presented in studies published in medical journals or at scientific meetings were evaluated. RESULTS: there is no single method of evaluating nutrition, and diferent techniques--CT, MRI, and DXA--must be combined. The energy requirements of symptomatic patients increase by 20-30%. There is no evidence to support the increase in protein or fat intake. Micronutrient supplementation in only necessary in special circumstances (vitamin A in children and pregnant woman). Aerobic and resistance excercise is beneficial both for cardiovascular health and for improving lean mass and muscular strength. It is important to follow the rules of food safety at every stage in the chain. Therapeutic intervention in anorexia and cachexia must be tailored, by combining nutritional and pharmacological support (appetite stimulants, anabolic steroids, and, in some cases, testosterone). Artificial nutrition (oral supplementation, enteral or parenteral nutrition) is safe and efficacious, and improves nutritional status and response to therapy. In children, nutritional recommendations must be made early, and are a necessary component of therapy. CONCLUSION: appropriate nutritional evaluation and relevant therapeutic action are an essential part of the care of HIV-infected patients.

[Unusual cervical cyst. Adenocarcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma of a minor salivary gland]. / Quiste cervical inusual. adenocarcinoma ex-adenoma pleomorfo de glándula salival menor.

Cysts with an origin in a malignant tumour of the cervical region are rare. It is even more uncommon that the malignant tumour has its origin in a minor salivary gland as it is the malignant transformation of a pleomorphic adenoma. Some considerations are made regarding its localization, histopathology, diagnosis and therapeuthic attitude, as well as some advices to take into account in order to arrive to the diagnosis and correct treatment in similar cases to the one shown.

Epidemiologic aspects and results of applying the TRISS methodology in a Spanish trauma intensive care unit (TICU).

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of epidemiologic aspects in a trauma intensive care unit (TICU) and assessment of predicted outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective study. Samples collected over a 2-year period. SETTING: A Spanish TICU at a tertiary care centre. PATIENTS: A group of 404 trauma patients. INTERVENTIONS: TRISS methodology was applied. MAIN RESULTS: Mean age was 35.8 +/- 17 years. Mortality was 19.6% over a median ISS = 17. Blunt trauma was more frequent than penetrating trauma (90.1% versus 9.9%). Car accident was the major aetiological factor (32.4%) and the highest mortality was among struck pedestrians (26.4%). The cranial region showed the highest incidence of lesion (57.9%) and the neurological complications on stage were the commonest reported on the discharge forms (49.7%). Mechanical ventilatory support (MVS) was applied in 53.2% of patients, with a relative mortality of 35.8%. Survivors differed significantly from nonsurvivors in terms of age, Glasgow Coma Scale rating, RTS, ISS, TRISS, stage and number of complications reported. The risk factors found to be associated with mortality were injury to cranial and abdominal/pelvic regions and age over 65. The TRISS total accuracy was 0.88 (sensitivity = 0.67; specificity = 0.93; area under the ROC curve = 0.85 +/- 0.03). Forward stepwise logistic regression analysis selected age, ISS and RTS as the best predictors of survival. When our TRISS results were compared with those anticipated on the basis the MTOS, an injury severity mismatch appeared (z = 0.02; M = 0.78). CONCLUSIONS: We found a 19.6% mortality in the TICU. Cranial and abdominal/pelvic injury and age over 65 were the main risk factors on admittance. Clinically, we finally agreed with the majority of TRISS outcome predictions. However, we could not statistically validate the apparent clinical goodness of the TRISS methodology.

Ion-pair extraction and fluorimetric determination of potassium with 18-crown-6 and eosin.

A highly sensitive and selective fluorimetric determination of potassium is proposed, based on solvent extraction of the ion-pair formed between a large anion and the cationic complex of K(+) with a crown ether. Sensitivity is achieved by selection of a highly fluorescent counter-ion of the fluorescein group (eosin). A linear working range from 0.01 to 1 ppm of potassium is obtained, which gives a higher sensitivity than any similar method for potassium determination. The relative standard deviation is 4-5%. Selectivity is achieved by matching the radius of the cavity of the 18-crown-6 to the ionic radius of potassium. The system used is exceptionally selective for extraction of potassium in the presence of alkali or alkaline-earth metal cations. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of potassium in blood serum.

Clinical experience with the Ionescu-Shiley xenograft valve: four to five-year follow-up.

Between January 1977 and July 1981, 132 Ionescu-Shiley xenografts were implanted in 124 patients. Early and late mortality was 13.7% (17/124) and 9.2% (10/107), respectively. Cumulative survival rates at 4 to 5 years were 76% (aortic) and 84% (mitral). Thromboembolic analysis showed 0.72 episodes per 100 patients per year, without chronic anticoagulation. The thromboembolism free rates were 96.8% (mitral) and 100% (aortic); 75% of the mitral patients were in atrial fibrillation. No primary valve dysfunction was detected. In the aortic position (8 patients with valve stent diameter from 19 to 25 mm), the mean peak systolic gradient pressure was 10 +/- 5.5 mm Hg, and calculated valve surface areas were 1.6 +/- 0.5 cm2 at rest and 2 +/- 0.1 cm2 after exercise. A satisfactory correlation between catheterization-derived valve area (from hemodynamic data) and valve stent diameter was obtained (r = 0.94). In the mitral position, the mean diastolic gradient pressure was 4.7 +/- 3.1 mm Hg at rest and 13.8 +/- 0.9 after exercise with the 27 mm xenograft. The corresponding calculated surface areas were 2.8 +/- 6 cm2 and 3 +/- 0.8 cm2. The present data show minimal thrombogenicity without chronic anticoagulation, even in patients with atrial fibrillation or enlarged left atrium and advantageous hemodynamic characteristics, particularly in those with small aortic annuli.

[Small cell lung carcinoma in the form of multiple lung nodules]. / Carcinoma pulmonar de células pequeñas en forma de nódulos pulmonares múltiples.

Small cell carcinoma of the lung occasionally presents as a single pulmonary nodule, but its expression in the form of multiple pulmonary nodules has not been reported in the literature. We describe a single case of small cell carcinoma of the lung presenting as multiple pulmonary nodules that seems to have been cured by chemotherapy.

[Installation of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics units in Spanish hospitals and the presence of dietitians in the same]. / Implantación de unidades de Nutrición Clínica y Dietética en los hospitales españoles y presencia de dietistas en las mismas.

GOALS: The appropriate nutritional status of hospitalized patients bears a close relationship with the existence of specialized Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics units or departments at health centres. The presence at these units of professionals with specific training to carry out tasks in the sphere of nutrition and dietetics, as is the case of dietitians, implies and evident strengthening of their capacity and operation. The main goal of the present paper to identify the number of Nutrition and Dietetics Units in the leading Spanish hospitals and also the presence of graduates in dietetics or nutrition specialists. SCOPE: Spanish hospital installations selected from the national hospital index. RESULTS OF THE TRIAL: It can be inferred that the implementation of the said services is not as complete as might be desired, and the presence of specifically qualified professionals (dietitians or nutritionists) is even lower. In this context, one is struck by the growing number of outsourced catering services at Spanish hospitals and the hiring of dietitians by these private companies, often at the request of the hospital itself. CONCLUSIONS: All of the data obtained show an ever greater importance of dietitians in hospital nutrition, with an uneven geographical distribution and implementation in Spain because of the peculiar policy adopted by the health authorities with regard to the recognition of these professionals. In Spain, these departments continue to be scorned and the role of the dietitian ignored.

[Beer and cardiovascular disease. Systematic bibliographic review (meta-analysis)]. / Cerveza y enfermedad cardiovascular. Revisión bibliográfica sistemática (metaanálisis).

MAIN OBJECTIVES: The aims of the present study are: To carry out a systematic revision of the printed literature on beer consumption and its possible effects on human health. To analyze the possibility of applying techniques used in epidemiological studies considering meta-analysis as the most important element. Meta-analysis is a set of different statistical techniques that aim to get a quantitative and qualitative synthesis of the results of different independent studies on the same subject. METHODS: First we proceed to carry out the bibliographical search and compilation by means of the following Date-Bases: Medline, Embase and Toxline. Beer is used as key word, specifying the time period between January, 1998 and May, 2000. A total of 403 reference works are obtained and subjected to the corresponding criteria of inclusion and exclusion. RESULTS: The meta-analysis of the selected studies related to cardiovascular disease provides an OR of 0.89 (0.89-0.97) which shows that the group of risk falls ill in less cases than the non-exposed. CONCLUSIONS: Beer consumption: possible factor of cardiovascular protection. Nevertheless we must take this consideration with as much caution as possible. It is necessary to determine the effects of beer consumption on the Spanish population.

[Morbidity in hospital admission for stroke]. / Morbilidad por hospitalización en el ictus.

INTRODUCTION: In spite of advances in the prevention and treatment of ischemic vascular disease, this continues to be one of the main causes of disablement and prolonged hospitalization in developed countries. Also, hospitalization itself leads to complications which have a negative effect on the morbi-mortality of these patients during the time spent in hospital. OBJECTIVE: We decided to study the effect of systemic complications during the period of hospital stay, on the functional recovery of patients which ictusl. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was made of 47 patients admitted to our unit for neurological deficit of more than 24 hours evolution and of cerebrovascular aetiology. Functional recovery was evaluated by means of the index of Barthel on discharge and after a period of 3 months with respect to the degree of neurological involvement (Canadian scale on admission), glycemia on admission, time spent in hospital and the occurrence of systemic complications in hospital. RESULTS: These were no differences between the groups of patients with and without systemic complications regarding age, glycemia and Canadian scale on admission. Nor wes there any difference between the groups regarding the number of patients with significant deterioration of their neurological condition (decrease > 20% in the EC). Functional recovery on hospital discharge was worse in the group with systemic complications (IB: 43.05 +/- 34.1: as compared with IB: 72.8 +/- 22.7 in the group without complications). This difference persisted after 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic complications related to hospitalization have a negative effect on the functional recovery of patient with ictus and also prolong the time spent in hospital.

[Hepatitis B vaccination. Indications of the post-vaccine serologic test and booster doses]. / Vacunación de la hepatitis B. Indicaciones del test serológico postvacunal y la dosis de refuerzo.

The standard anti-HBV vaccination elicits protective anti-HBs levels (above 10 UI/l) in most people. However, the effective duration of immunologic memory is not well-known. Consequently, the recommendations on the postvaccination follow-up are not uniform: from vaccination with no follow-up blood test (anti-HBs levels) to regular follow-up blood tests for all vaccines. In unresponsive subjects a booster dose has been demonstrated to be effective. However, the optimal procedure for management depending anti-HBs levels has not been well established. Postvaccination antibody testing and regular testing for antibodies is recommended only to high-risk subjects, especially to health care workers and subjects with immunodeficiency. In these cases, the booster dose should be administered in nonresponders, and might include double doses. Unanimous consensus does not exist about to the appropriate timing for booster dose administration.

[Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus infection at the time of entry to prison in the prison population in the north-east of Spain]. / Seroprevalencia de infección por virus C de la hepatitis en población reclusa del noroeste de España a su ingreso en prisión. Grupo Noroeste para el estudio de la Hepatitis por Virus C en el medio penitenciario.

BACKGROUND: Spanish prisons have a high number of inmates whose behaviour puts them at risk of being infected by hepatitis C virus (HCV). The object of this study was to establish the prevalence of this infection and its associated factors in the prison population of the north-east of Spain. METHODS: Inmates in seven prisons in the north-east of Spain were studied. Socio-demographic and prison variables were gathered, as well as risk factors for infection by HCV. Antibodies against HCV were determined (EIA and INNO-LIA HCV III), Hepatitis B virus (VHB) (EIA), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (EIA and Western-Blott). The analysis of associated factors was based on logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the total number of inmates studied, 47.9% presented HCV antibodies. There was greater prevalence in the case of the following: UDVP (89.6%); those who shared needles (94%); those infected by HIV (92.7%); carriers of Australia antigen (65.1%) and antibodies to the HBV core antigen (79.8%); those who had been in prison before (60.9%); unmarried men (54.8%); gypsies (52%); unqualified workers (50.4%); those who had no basic school qualifications (50.9%); those with tattoos (66.7%); and those with a background of self-inflicted injuries (79.3%). In the logistic regression analysis the variables associated to infection by HCV were: UDVP (OR = 33.3; I.C. 95% = 25-50), HBcAc (+) (OR = 4.1; I.C. 95% = 1.1-5.3), age (OR = 0.98; I.C. 95% = 0.96-1.00), months in prison (OR = 1.011; I.C. 95% = 1.004-1.019) and a background of previous prison sentences (OR = 2.3; I.C. 95% = 1.5-3.6). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of infection by HCV in prison inmates is very high. It is therefore recommended that preventive measures be increased (harm reduction programmes) and that clinical and analysis protocols be drawn up for those infected and for treatment in cases of chronic active hepatitis in order to control this serious public health problem.

[Clinical forms and prognostic criteria in alcoholic hepatitis]. / Formas clínicas y criterios pronósticos en la hepatitis alcohólica.

The biological and clinical features and prognostic factors of 65 patients affected by alcoholic hepatitis were studied. All patients had an ethanol intake higher than 80 gr/day during at least 3 years. 22 patients were female and 43 male with a mean age of 45 +/- 11.7 years. 19 had acute hepatitis (29.2%), 2 had acute hepatic insufficiency (3%), one had acute cholestasis (1.5%), 14 had chronic hepatopathy (21.5%). 29 patients had the diagnosis (44.6%) confirmed by histologic analysis. All patients had liver enlargement, 25 had jaundice and 4 had fever. The hepatic biopsies showed steatosis in 53 cases, centrilobular sclerosis in 32 cases and cirrhosis in 19.8 patients developed hepatic encephalopathy, 3 had renal insufficiency, and 4 died. The levels of albumin (P = 0.0043), total bilirubin (P = 0.0003), prothrombin (P = 0.0001) and the development of hepatic encephalopathy or/and renal insufficiency were the parameters to define the group of patients with bad evolution, the IgA also being significant. The low mortality of our studied (6.1%) can be justified by the diagnosis at non-symptomatic stage. We recommend a liver biopsy in all patients with chronic alcoholism and liver enlargement, or biologic markers suggesting alcoholic hepatopathy.

[Percutaneous endoscopic gastrotomy (GEP): designed reusable (NAGEP) for one time endoscopic technique. Experimental study in dogs]. / Gastrostomía endoscópica percutánea (GEP): dispositivo diseñado reutilizable (NAGEP) en técnica endoscópica de un tiempo. Estudio experimental en perros.

INTRODUCTION: This aim of our experimental study was to demonstrate the versatility of our designed reusable device for PEG and its future application in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 mongrel dogs received enteral nutrition by a Foley tube placed by a single endoscopic technique using a reusable stainless steel designed device, three reusable stainless steel designed device, three reusable stainless steel dilators, an Olympus XQ20 video gastrointestinal endoscope, basic surgical equipment and surgical material. RESULTS: The procedure was successfully performed in all dogs under general anaesthesia. The duration of the whole procedure ranged from 10 to 18 min. The complications regardless by the PEG procedure were minimal. The Foley tube was retained by 15 days. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the stainless steel reusable designed device for the PEG is safe, and presents several advantages. This technique for PEG placement could be used in the future due the characteristics of the designed device: durable and reusable for unlimited number of procedures.

[Measurement of pulmonary function in laryngectomized patients]. / Medición de la función pulmonar en pacientes laringectomizados.

Comparative study upon clinic, radiological and spirometric parameters in 30 laryngectomees, which were spirometric tested by means of a device either simple, cheap, speed and efficient, designed by the AA. These are the conclusions drown out: 1st. There is a poor correlation clinic-functional in patients with obstructive pathology (which command, in the AA's opinion an exploration of the respiratory function in all laryngectomees). 2nd. On the contrary, there are a good radiological and functional correlation in patients suffering for restrictive disease (here the assessment functional means the quantification of the restrictive process). And 3rd. The laryngectomees show a higher functional affectation and can be expected if related to the age and sex. The explanation is to be found in the intercurrent diseases and also in the infections following the larynx removal.

[National survey on school lunches and demand of special diets]. / Encuesta nacional sobre comedores escolares y demanda de dietas especiales.

INTRODUCTION: It is well known that to improve the feeding of the students it would improve its health and wellbeing, contributing to the reduction of the risk of chronic diseases in adults. In Spain, this is especially important considering the data of prevalence of infantile obesity. OBJECTIVES: To know the number of users of school cafeterias in Spain as well as different considerations on its management, nutritional supervision and the number of special diets served to students with specific requirements due to pathologies or other causes. RESULTS: The II national Survey has been realized on school cafeterias: 7,710 used daily by 678,587 users. They provide near the 2.8% of special diets (allergies 38.9%, other pathologies 23.2%, religious causes 26.7% causes and celiac disease 11.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The numbers of prevalence of obesity and infantile overweight indicate that it is necessary to improve the diet of the students.

[Dietary fats and cardiovascular health]. / Grasas de la dieta y salud cardiovascular.

Although dietary fat and its role in cardiovascular prevention has been one of the most extensively studied nutritional topics, it continues to be an ever-expanding research area. Particularly thanks to studies on Mediterranean diet, we now know that fat quality is more relevant than the amount of fat we eat in the diet. Thus, saturated and trans fats have been found to increase the risk of atherogenic disease. This is why it is recommended to substitute complex carbohydrates or unsaturated fat for unsaturated and trans fats with the aim of reducing saturated and trans fat intake to <10% and <1%, respectively, of the total calorie intake. Recent population studies, particularly that conducted in Kuopio, Finland, and those on Mediterranean diet, stress the important role of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats as key nutrients in preventing cardiovascular disease in modern societies. Furthermore, a special type of polyunsaturated fatty acids, i.e. those of the omega-3 (n-3) series, is increasingly becoming essential nutrients for a healthy diet, especially in the case of children. Therefore, there is a rationale for four the Scientific Societies that are strongly committed to disseminate the benefits of a healthy diet in preventing cardiovascular disease, and to prepare a joint statement with the purpose of spreading improved knowledge on the importance of changing to a healthy diet with a well-balanced fat intake for industrialized populations. Accordingly, a multidisciplinary panel of experts from the following institutions has developed the present joint statement targeted at both adults and children of different ages: Spanish Society of Arteriosclerosis, Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine, Spanish Association of Paediatrics, Spanish Society of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Paediatric Nutrition and Dietetics, and Spanish Society for Food Sciences.

Human neuroblastoma cultures for biorobotics.

This paper introduces a new biorobotic system using human neuroblastoma cultures and centre of area learning for basic robotic guidance. Multielectrode Arrays Setups have been designed for direct culturing neural cells over silicon or glass substrates, providing the capability to stimulate and record simultaneously populations of neural cells. The main objective of this work will be to control a robot using this biological neuroprocessor and a new simple centre of area learning scheme. The final system could be applied for testing how chemicals affect the behaviour of the robot or to establish the basis for new hybrid optogenetic neuroprostheses based on stimulating optically genetic-modified neurons.