Pre-harvest treatments of pepper plants with nitrophenolates increase crop yield and enhance nutritive and bioactive compounds in fruits at harvest and during storage.

Pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L. cv Lamuyo) were treated with a mix of nitrophenolates either by foliar spray or in the irrigation system, and its effect on crop yield and the content of nutritive and bioactive compounds in fruit were analysed at harvest and after post-harvest storage. Treatments were applied at 2-week intervals from the development of first floral bunch (1 March) to end of August. Pepper fruits were harvested at commercial ripening stage (red surface colour) along the growth cycle (from May to September). Total yield (cumulative kilogram per plant) was increased ( 4.5% more) by nitrophenolate treatments due to significant increases in fruit mass, although the number of fruits per plant was unaffected. Pepper fruit quality (weight, firmness and pericarp thickness), its content in nutritive (sugars and organic acids) and bioactive compounds (vitamin C and total phenolics) and antioxidant activity were also enhanced by nitrophenolate treatments at the three harvested dates assayed (end May, mid July and end August). In addition, all these parameters were maintained at higher levels in treated peppers during storage, while diminutions in these parameters occurred generally in control fruit. Thus, nitrophenolate treatments were able to improve crop yield as well as the nutritional value and antioxidant properties of peppers at harvest and after fruit storage.

Dog-Assisted Therapy (DAT) for the management of anxiety during paediatric dental care. A scoping review.

AIM: Distraction techniques in paediatric dentistry can be effective in decreasing the child's attention span from an unpleasant or stressful procedure. Distraction is achieved through imagination, audio, and/or visual stimuli. It has been shown that the accompaniment and participation of animals or pets, specifically dogs (Dog-Assisted Therapy or DAT), during medical, oral, and therapeutic activities can improve the physical and mental health of patients, especially children. However, there is limited information available regarding the impact of incorporating a certified therapy dog into the paediatric dental environment as a distraction strategy to alleviate anxiety levels during dental procedures. METHODS: This scoping review aimed to identify and review published articles concerning the use of DAT in paediatric dentistry. The article discusses indications, benefits, and potential risks to human health and safety in clinical settings. Eligible sources encompass clinical trials, observational studies, and narrative reviews written in either English or Spanish and published over the last two decades, sourced from four electronic databases. Ultimately, seven pertinent studies were included in the review. CONCLUSION: DAT presents itself as a promising alternative in managing anxiety and stress among children during dental visits. The integration of a therapy dog and its handler into the paediatric oral care team should be thoughtfully considered by clinicians as a means to enhance the comfort and compliance of apprehensive patients.

Barriers to the development of palliative care in Western Europe.

UNLABELLED: The Eurobarometer Survey of the EAPC Task Force on the Development of Palliative Care in Europe is part of a programme of work to produce comprehensive information on the provision of palliative care across Europe. AIM: To identify barriers to the development of palliative care in Western Europe. METHOD: A qualitative survey was undertaken amongst boards of national associations, eliciting opinions on opportunities for, and barriers to, palliative care development. By July 2006, 44/52 (85%) European countries had responded to the survey; we report here on the results from 22/25 (88%) countries in Western Europe. ANALYSIS: Data from the Eurobarometer Survey were analysed thematically by geographical region and by the degree of development of palliative care in each country. RESULTS: From the data contained within the Eurobarometer, we identified six significant barriers to the development of palliative care in Western Europe: (i) lack of palliative care education and training programmes; (ii) lack of awareness and recognition of palliative care; (iii) limited availability of/knowledge about opioid analgesics; (iv) limited funding; (v) lack of coordination amongst services; and (vi) uneven palliative care coverage. CONCLUSION: Findings from the EAPC Eurobarometer Survey suggest that barriers to the development of palliative care in Western Europe may differ substantially from each other in both their scope and context and that some may be considered to be of greater significance than others. A number of common barriers to the development of the discipline do exist and much work still remains to be done in the identified areas. This paper provides a road map of which barriers need to be addressed.

Health questionnaire analysis and development of satisfaction questionnaire for patients treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SATISLIT). / Análisis de cuestionario de salud y desarrollo de cuestionario de satisfacción en pacientes tratados con litotricia extracorpórea por ondas de choque (SATISLIT).

INTRODUCTION: Due to the absence of specific instruments to study the psychosocial sphere of patients undergoing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), the objective of this study is to develop a satisfaction questionnaire regarding the SWL treatment from a health questionnaire which was already designed and had been previously validated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The design of the satisfaction questionnaire was carried out in 5 phases, based on a previously validated health scale in patients treated with SWL (ESPTL), including a total cohort of 135 patients treated at our center who received a phone interview. Phase 1: descriptive analysis of the series and scores of the 8 items of ESPTL. Phase 2: U-Mann Whitney comparison of ESPTL based on the patients' sex. Phase 3: study of ESPTL correlation with age using Spearman's Rho. Phase 4: grouping by factors of ESPTL, comparison by sex and correlation with age, as performed in phases 2 and 3 with the global score. Phase 5: obtaining the satisfaction subscale -SATISLIT-, descriptive analysis, comparison according to sex, correlation with age and linear regression model of SATISLIT with respect to ESPTL. RESULTS: 135 patients, 85(63%) men, 50(37%) women. Median (minimum-maximum) age 56 (27-79) and ESPTL score 31 (8-39). Differences in global ESPTL score between men and women (p <.001), as well as in items 1 (p =.029), 3 (p =.002), 6 (p =.006), 7 (p =.005) and 8 (p =.025). Non-significant correlation of ESPTL regarding age. Significant correlation in items 2, 4, 5 and 8 but, very weak (<0.2). 4 factors, each one with 2 items, with statistically significant differences regarding sex in F2 (p =.001), F3 (p =.007) and F4 (p =.001). Significant correlation with age only in F1 and F3, but very weak (<0.2). Median (minimum-maximum) SATISLIT 18 (4-20). Statistically significant differences regarding patients' sex (p =.001). Non- significant correlation with age (p =.836). Significant linear regression of SATISLIT with respect to ESPTL (p <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on validated health questionnaire, the present work has provided a new instrument called SATISLIT for assessing patients' satisfaction after treatment with SWL. Future studies with external and temporal validation will be necessary to contrast its real clinical usefulness.

Knowledge of open angle glaucoma questionnaire: Design and validation in Spanish-speaking patients of Peru. / Conocimientos sobre glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto: diseño y validación de un cuestionario en pacientes hispanohablantes de Perú.

OBJECTIVE: To design and validate a questionnaire on the knowledge of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in Spanish-speaking patients. METHODS: An observational study was conducted on adults with diagnosis of POAG and who received outpatient medical care in a national reference health care institute of Peru. The questionnaire was based on a literature review and expert judgment. A pilot study was carried out on 60 patients. The items were classified and weighted according to the expert judgment. The final questionnaire was completed by 314 patients and its overall score was scaled by tertiles. RESULTS: A total of 72 items were found by primary searching. The initial questionnaire was made up of 20 items, which was tested in a pilot study. A total of 14 items were selected that were then classified into 3weighted domains: risk factors (10%), clinical aspects (36%), and treatment (54%). The questionnaire has a score range from 0 to 100 points (lowest to highest level). In patients, the mean score was 62.6±14.1. The overall score was classified into 3categories of knowledge level: low (0 to 55 points), medium (56 to 69 points), and high (70 to 100 points). CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaire provides evidence of validity to assess knowledge of POAG in Peruvian Spanish-speaking patients.

Post-traumatic intraocular ophthalmomyasis due to Phormia sp. / Oftalmomiasis intraocular postraumática por Phormia sp.

CLINICAL CASE: An 18 year-old male patient presented with an injury to the left eye caused by a firearm. He remained unconscious for 2 days in an agricultural area, had a visual acuity of non-perception of light, wounds with loss of substance in upper and lower eyelid, atalamia, hypotonia, corneal oedema, wound with uveal exposure and exit of larvae in zone II. He was subjected to evisceration of the left eye. DISCUSSION: An untreated open ocular traumatism is a risk factor for intraocular ophthalmomyiasis.

Thiazolinium and imidazolium chiral ionic liquids derived from natural amino acid derivatives.

Starting from commercially available amino acid derivatives, two novel families of chiral ionic liquids having either a thiazolinium or an imidazolium cation were prepared by simple and straightforward procedures in good overall yields. The properties of these new salts can be finely tuned by careful selection of the anion and the cation.

Charge transfer emission of ytterbium-doped oxyborates.

The ultraviolet spectroscopic properties of trivalent ytterbium have been studied at low temperature in one borate and two oxyborates in the ternary diagram Li(2)O-Y(2)O(3)-B(2)O(3). The UV luminescence was detected in the two ytterbium-doped oxyborates. The evolution of these emissions was studied as a function of the temperature. A determination of the configurational coordinate diagrams based on the Struck and Fonger model is proposed to calculate the position in energy of the charge transfer band afforded by the simulation of spectral distribution of these excitation and emission bands. The strong correlation between the luminescent properties and the environments of the rare earth is pointed out.

Photodarkening and photobleaching of an ytterbium-doped silica double-clad LMA fiber.

We studied the temporal evolution of the photodarkening effect in an Yb-doped silica LMA fiber. The absorption spectra exhibit an increase in absorption in the visible and in the near infrared spectral range when the fiber is exposed to pump light around 980 nm. We show the influence of the photodarkening on the cw lasing properties of the fiber, and demonstrate photobleaching of the same fiber by exposure to UV light at 355 nm. The corresponding absorption spectra and lasing performances are shown and are entirely comparable to those of a new fiber.

[Unnecessary radiology in primary care]. / Radiología innecesaria en Atención Primaria.

BACKGROUND: The request for diagnostic tests proceeding from primary care shows a progressive increase over time and a great interpersonal variety in the requests, which suggests that ineffective services are being applied. The aim is to determine the characteristics of the those making requests for radiological tests (general radiology and echography) and to quantify the unnecessary tests in primary care. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of a cluster sample of 23 health centres of Navarre in the month of March 2004. A specific questionnaire was designed to be completed by the doctor requesting the diagnostic test. Logistic regression to study the association between unnecessary tests and the other variables of the study was used. RESULTS: Tests were asked for on 9 per thousand of the population studied. The inter-professional variability in the request for tests oscillated between 0 and 33.3 per 1,000 health cards of children's age. The radiological studies requested with greatest frequency were osseous (48.9%, IC: 42.4-55.5). In 63.2% of the requests no modifications were made to the treatment prior to the request for a test and 57% (IC: 52.4-61.7) of the tests carried out were requested to rule out pathologies. Twenty-four point seven percent (IC: 17.1-29.2) were unnecessary tests and in 15.2% (IC: 10.7-18.2) there was pressure from the patient in the request. In the multivariant analysis significant differences were observed for thorax Rx, changes in the treatment and pressure from the patient. After adjustment for the other variables, the request for an unnecessary test is 12.55 times greater if the doctor feels under pressure from the patient. CONCLUSIONS: The correct indication for radiology must be analysed, especially in osseous radiology, and the role of the radiologist in the final decision on carrying out the test must be strengthened.

[Delayed response to rituximab of cold agglutinin haemolytic disease]. / Respuesta diferida a rituximab de una enfermedad hemolítica por crioaglutininas.

The anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab has shown benefit in some patients diagnosed of severe cold agglutinin disease. Here we report our experience with rituximab in a patient with chronic haemolysis due to refractory cold agglutinin disease. An increase in the haemoglobin level was observed seven months later from rituximab administration and with a follow-up of 17 months, the patient maintains the haematological response. We suggest that rituximab can play an important role in the treatment of adult patients with refractory cold agglutinin disease with anaemia requiring transfusion. However only a few case reports of rituximab treatment in this haemolytic disease is available and there is need of large prospective studies that allow elucidate the better schedule of administration, the duration of the clinical effect, factors predictive of clinical outcome, the possible benefit of the association with other drugs and the possibility to achieve delayed and maintained responses.

[Prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in pregnant women in the Lanzarote health sanitary area]. / Prevalencia de hemoglobinopatías en mujeres gestantes en el área sanitaria de Lanzarote.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to analyze the global prevalence of carriers of heterozygous hemoglobinopathies among pregnant women settled in Lanzarote. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A epidemiologic cross-sectional observational investigation was undertaken to study the prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in 2,436 pregnant women in Lanzarote. The techniques of primary screening were hemoglobin electrophoresis on cellulose acetate at alkaline pH for the detection of hemoglobin variants, and the quantification of HbA2 and HbF for the diagnosis of b thalassemia trait. The study to confirm the diagnosis of structural hemoglobinopathies was based on hemoglobin electrophoresis on citrate agar at acid pH, isolectric focusing and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The molecular characterization of b thalassemia trait (HbA2 >3.5%) was carried out by techniques using a real time PCR procedure with specific fluorescently labelled hybridization probes and allele-specific amplification (PCR-ARMS). RESULTS: The global prevalence of hemoglobinopathies was 11.90 corresponding to 9.44 for structural hemoglobinopathies and 2.46 for heterozygous b thalassemias. A variant hemoglobin was detected on 23 women and the distribution was as follows: thirteen carriers of hemoglobin S, seven HbC trait, two HbD trait and one "unstable" hemoglobin. 82.6% of the variant hemoglobins found were from migrant population from Africa and America. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of carriers of structural hemoglobinopathies in Lanzarote justifies the initiation of programs for screening for hemoglobinopathies to prevent the emergence of severe states causing disease.

[Disparities in food consumption and nutrient intake among in relation to smoking]. / Diferencias en el consumo de alimentos y nutrientes según el hábito tabáquico.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional habits and smoking are well known to be two of the most important risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The aim of this study was to assess disparities in food consumption and nutrient intake in relation to smoking in the population of Pamplona, Spain. METHODS: A cross study by postal survey was carried out on a representative sample (n=875; 29.3% of the theoretical sample) of Pamplona's population aged between 18 and 65 years. Food consumption was evaluated by a food consumption frequency questionnaire. The survey also contained questionnaires about consumption of tobacco and alcohol, physical activity, as well as a sociodemographic record. A bivariant analysis was carried out (p<0.05) by Kruskal Wallis and chi2 Pearson tests. RESULTS: Male smokers consume less fruit, vegetables and chicken than other groups, while male ex-smokers seem to have healthier food consumption patterns. Female smokers have a less healthy diet as well, although differences are less marked. In both genders, smokers consume more alcohol. With respect to nutrients, smokers consume less folate, niacin and antioxidants (vitamin C). Female non-smokers consume more fibre than other groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the prevalence of a healthier diet among non-smokers and ex-smokers, who share similar diet patterns that are healthier than those of smokers. It would also be desirable for smokers to have healthier food consumption habits in order to reduce the effects of tobacco and to meet the additional demand for some nutrients required by this group.

Expression of Pleurotus eryngii aryl-alcohol oxidase in Aspergillus nidulans: purification and characterization of the recombinant enzyme.

Aryl-alcohol oxidase (AAO) is an extracellular flavoenzyme involved in lignin biodegradation by some white-rot fungi. The enzyme catalyzes the extracellular oxidation of aromatic alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes. The electron acceptor is molecular oxygen yielding H(2)O(2) as the product. Herein we describe, for the first time, the expression of AAO from Pleurotus eryngii in the ascomycete Aspergillus nidulans. The activity of the recombinant enzyme in A. nidulans cultures is much higher than found in the extracellular fluid of P. eryngii. The recombinant enzyme showed the same molecular mass, pI and catalytic properties as that of the mature protein secreted by P. eryngii. The enzymic properties are also similar to those reported from other Pleurotus and Bjerkandera species.

Mitochondrial gene expression and respiratory enzyme activities in cardiac diseases.

Respiratory enzyme activities and steady-state level of two mitochondrial-encoded transcripts were quantified in heart muscle biopsies from patients suffering various types of cardiomyopathies unrelated to mitochondrial primary disorders. We have found that although the mitochondrial DNA copy number and the concentration of COI and ND4 transcripts remain fairly constant, there is an important increase (up to 6-fold) in respiratory enzyme activities affecting to several oxidative phosphorylation complexes. Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy shows the greatest increase, followed by ischemic heart and ventricular hypertrophy due to aortic stenosis. The results suggest an energetic compensatory mechanism in the heart muscle, in the absence of mitochondrial proliferation or activation of mitochondrial gene expression.

Myocardial carnitine and carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiencies in patients with severe heart failure.

We studied myocardial tissue from 25 cardiac transplant recipients, who had end-stage congestive heart failure (CHF), and from 21 control donor hearts. Concentrations of total carnitine (TC), free carnitine (FC), short-chain acylcarnitines, long-chain acylcarnitines (LCAC) as well as carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) activities were measured in myocardial tissue homogenates and referred to the concentration of non-collagen protein. Compared to controls, the concentrations of TC and FC as well as total CPT activities were significantly lower in patients. LCAC levels and the LCAC to FC ratio values were significantly greater in patients than in controls. While the malonyl-CoA sensitive fraction of CPT, which represents CPT I activity, was similar in patients and controls, the residual CPT activity after inhibition by malonyl-CoA, representing CPT II activity, was significantly reduced in patients compared to controls. Moreover, the activity of CPT in the presence of Triton X-100, which also represents the activity of CPT II, was significantly lower in patients than in controls. Malonyl-CoA concentrations required for half-maximal inhibition of CPT activity were significantly greater in patients than in controls. There was a linear relationship between ejection fraction (EF) values and concentrations of TC, FC, or total CPT activities. Values for LCAC and the LCAC to FC ratio were inversely related to EF values. We conclude that failing heart shows decreased total CPT and CPT II activities and carnitine deficiency that may be related to ventricle function.

Ligninolytic ability and potential biotechnology applications of the South American fungus Pleurotus laciniatocrenatus.

The extracellular ligninolytic enzyme system of Pleurotus laciniatocrenatus, grown under different culture conditions, was characterized and the ability of this strain to degrade different components of Eucalyptus globulus wood was determined. In shaken liquid cultures grown on a C-limited medium supplemented with yeast extract (0.1%) and peptone (0.5%), the fungus produced extracellular aryl-alcohol oxidase (Aao), laccase (Lac), manganese-dependent peroxidase (MnP) and manganese-independent peroxidase (MiP) activities, their maximum levels being, respectively, about 600, 50, 1360, and 920 pkat/mL. The supplementation of 1 mmol/L vanillic acid and 150 micromol/L CuSO4 produced an increase of Lac activity levels up to 4-fold and 68.3-fold, respectively. No significant differences were found in the levels of the other ligninolytic enzyme activities when compared to the basal medium. Solid-state fermentation cultures on E. globulus wood chips revealed Lac and MiP activities. These cultures showed degradative activity on lignin and lipophilic wood extractives.

Expression of activation antigens by T cells infiltrating basal cell carcinomas.

The association of T lymphocytes and dendritic cells with the stromal mononuclear cell response to basal cell carcinomas has led to speculation that cellular immunity may, in part, regulate the growth and development of this neoplasm. It has not been established, however, whether these T cells are functionally competent, or simply coincidental bystanders. We examined the immunologic phenotypes of mononuclear cells in 32 lesions of basal cell carcinoma obtained from 26 patients. The majority of infiltrating mononuclear cells were T cells that were equally distributed between the helper/inducer (Leu 3a+) and cytotoxic/suppressor (Leu 2a+) subtypes; a minority of cells were dendritic and expressed Leu 6 antigen. Virtually all T cells and dendritic cells were HLA-DR+, and many (greater than 30%) of the T cells expressed antigens consistent with stages of ongoing activation (T9, T10). TS2/7, a novel monoclonal antibody recently documented to identify activation-specific subcomponents of 210/165/130 kD glycoprotein complex present on the surface of mitogen- or alloantigen-stimulated human T cells, was also used. Greater than 50% of the T cells observed were TS2/7+. These observations provide in situ immunomorphologic evidence of stromal T cell activation in association with basal cell carcinomas, and suggest a role for active and ongoing cellular immune mechanisms as a determinant of local biological behavior of this neoplasm.

Cutaneous acute graft-versus-host disease to minor histocompatibility antigens in a murine model: histologic analysis and correlation to clinical disease.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) can occur in bone marrow-transplant recipients even when donor and host are identically matched at the major histocompatibility complex. GVHD in this context presumably arises because of differences in minor histocompatibility antigens. Murine GVHD to minor histocompatibility antigens has been studied in an effort to determine whether skin is a target of the immune response in this model system. T cell-depleted marrow cells (10(7)) from B10.BR (H-2k) mice were supplemented with varying numbers of nylon wool-enriched splenic B10.BR T cells and transplanted intravenously into irradiated (1100 R) CBA (H-2k) mice. Sequential biopsies of ear skin were obtained at weekly intervals over a 7-week period. Histopathologic evaluation revealed basal cell layer vacuolization, exocytosis, and satellitosis of mononuclear cells in the epidermis. Dyskeratosis was observed only in animals receiving T cells, and proved to be the most reliable histologic parameter of disease with the number of dyskeratotic cells per linear millimeter of epidermis correlating both with severity of clinical disease and with the number of transplanted T cells. Ultrastructural examination revealed exocytosis of mononuclear cells into the epidermis where they were frequently apposed to degenerating and necrotic keratinocytes. These data indicate that the skin is an informative target organ for study of experimental GVHD to minor histocompatibility antigens.

Evidence that large granular lymphocytes of donor origin mediate acute graft-versus-host disease.

We have studied the phenotype of mononuclear cells infiltrating target organs of mice with acute graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplantation from H-2-identical donors. Infiltrating mononuclear cells with characteristics of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) were frequently found in close association with dead or dying epithelial cells in the skin, liver, and colon. The phenotype of these putative effector cells was Thy-1+, ASGM1+, Mac-1+, Lyt-1-, Lyt-2-, Ia-, which is characteristic of LGL. Differences in the Thy-1 allele between donor and host were used to demonstrate that these cells were of donor origin. Analysis of cytolytic function in GVHD splenocytes indicated high natural killer activity and low cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity. These findings suggest that an important effector cell in systemic acute graft-versus-host disease is a large granular lymphocyte of donor origin.