Impact of music on the dynamic perception of coffee and evoked emotions evaluated by temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) and emotions (TDE).

The aim of the present work was to study the temporal effect of music on sensory perception and on the emotional changes while drinking coffee. Two different commercial filter coffees were evaluated by a group of 48 consumers using the Temporal Dominance of Sensations (TDS) method. The description was performed in silence and also while listening to two different musical fragments: one with a "sweet" connotation and the other with a "bitter" one. Under the same conditions (drinking coffee with and without musical stimuli), a different group of 72 consumers evaluated their perceived emotions (joy, fear, neutral, rejection, disgust, surprise, sadness and anger) by Temporal Dominance of Emotions (TDE). Data was analyzed by dominance curves and by ANOVA and MANOVA of the durations of dominance (for emotions and sensations). Coffee perception, in both cases, was modified by the musical stimuli. The duration of dominance of bitter was increased in the presence of "bitter" music, while it decreased with the "sweet" music. Moreover, the sweet attribute was practically not chosen for describing the coffee on its own, but its choice and duration as dominant increased while listening to the "sweet" musical fragment. Music had a larger impact on the perceived emotions. The "sweet" music was related to the emotion of joy, which was accompanied by surprise and also some sadness when drinking coffee (regardless of the type of coffee being drunk). The "bitter" music was linked to the emotions anger and fear. The effect of "sonic seasoning" and translation of emotions with a familiar product was observed.

Short-term hybridisation activates Tnt1 and Tto1 Copia retrotransposons in wild tuber-bearing Solanum species.

Interspecific hybridisation in tuber-bearing species of Solanum is a common phenomenon and represents an important source of variability, crucial for adaptation and speciation of potato species. In this regard, the effects of interspecific hybridisation on retrotransposon families present in the genomes, and their consequent effects on generation of genetic variability in wild tuber-bearing Solanum species, are poorly characterised. The aim of this study was to analyse the activity of retrotransposons in inter- and intraspecific hybrids between S. kurtzianum and S. microdontum, obtained by controlled crosses, and the effects on morphological, genetic and epigenetic variability. For genetic and epigenetic analysis, S-SAP (sequence-specific amplification polymorphism) and TMD (transposon methylation display) techniques were used, respectively, with specific primers for Tnt1 and Tto1 retrotransposon families (Order LTR, Superfamily Copia). The results indicate that at morphological level, interspecific hybrid genotypes differ from their parental species, whereas derived intraspecific hybrids do not. In both cases, we observed significant reductions in pollen grain viability, and a negative correlation with Tnt1 mobility. Both retrotransposons, Tto1 and Tnt1, were mobilised in the genotypes analysed, with mobility ranging from 0 to 7.8%. Furthermore, at the epigenetic level, demethylation was detected in the vicinity of Tnt1 and Tto1 in the hybrids compared with the parental genotypes. These patterns were positively correlated with the activity of the retrotransposons. The results suggest a possible mechanism through which hybridisation events generate genetic variability in tuber-bearing species of Solanum through retrotranposon activation.

Study on the interaction between gelatin and polyurethanes derived from fatty acids.

In this study, gelatin was blended to proprietary noncytotoxic polyurethanes (PU) derived from vegetable oils with different weight ratios, as material for the preparation of novel biomedical products. The PU/gelatin blends were characterized for their morphology through scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical and thermal properties, chemical interactions between components, degradation behavior, surface properties, cell adhesion, and bioactivity were investigated as a function of the protein content. Higher blend miscibility was observed for the amorphous PUs, derived from oleic acid. Properties of PU/gelatin films were strongly influenced by the concentration of gelatin in the films. Gelatin enhanced the hydrophilicity, bioactivity, and cell adhesion of PUs.

Advanced oxidation processes for the treatment of olive-oil mills wastewater.

In this work, the treatment of an actual industrial waste with three advanced oxidation processes (AOP) has been studied: conductive-diamond electrooxidation (CDEO), ozonation and Fenton oxidation. The wastewater comes from olive-oil mills (OMW) and contains a COD of nearly 3000 mg dm(-3). CDEO allowed achieving the complete mineralization of the waste with high current efficiencies. Likewise, both ozonation and Fenton oxidation were able to treat the wastes, but they obtained very different results in terms of efficiency and mineralization. The accumulation of oxidation-refractory compounds as final products excludes the use of ozonation and Fenton oxidation as a sole treatment technology. This confirms that besides the hydroxyl-radical mediated oxidation, CDEO combines other important oxidation processes such as the direct electro-oxidation on the diamond surface and the oxidation mediated by other electrochemically formed compounds generated on this electrode.

[Therapeutic recommendations in the oncohematological patient]. / Recomendaciones nutricionales en el paciente oncohematológico.

More than 10 million new cancer cases are detected each year worldwide, 95% of which are caused by predisposing factors, and of those, more than one third are linked to dietary factors as the main cause. The ability of maintaining an adequate nutritional status in oncohematologic patients is a common problem since the disease itself and the therapy may lead to a protein-caloric hyponutrition state that influence their quality of life and survival. For that reason, in this section we will focus on the prevalence and etiology of hyponutrition in oncologic patients, assessing the possible causes related with the tumor itself, with the patient and with administered therapies. We will also discuss performing a correct nutritional assessment in this type of patients and thus determining the main effects derived from hyponutrition status; finally, we will discuss the objectives of nutritional support and the best nutritional plan that will have to be adjusted to each patient.

Recomendaciones nutricionales en el paciente oncohematológico / Therapeutic recommendations in the oncohematological patient

Globalmente, en el mundo, se producen cada año más de 10 millones de casos nuevos de cáncer, el 95% de los cuales están causados por factores ambientales y, de ellos, más de la tercera parte están ligados a factores dietéticos como causa principal. La capacidad para mantener un estado nutricional adecuado en el paciente oncohematológico es un problema común; ya que tanto el desarrollo de la propia enfermedad como su tratamiento, pueden dar lugar a un estado de desnutrición calórico proteico, que afecta a su calidad de vida y su supervivencia. Por ello en este apartado, abordaremos la prevalencia y la etiología de la desnutrición en el paciente oncológico, valorando las posibles causas relacionadas con el propio tumor, con el paciente o con los tratamientos administrados. Pero también se mencionarán las pautas para realizar una correcta evaluación nutricional en este tipo de pacientes y determinar así los principales efectos derivados del estado de desnutrición, y por último se abordarán los objetivos del soporte nutricional así como un plan nutricional óptimo que deberá ser ajustado a cada paciente (AU)

More than 10 million new cancer cases are detected each year worldwide, 95% of which are caused by predisposing factors, and of those, more than one third are linked to dietary factors as the main cause. The ability of maintaining an adequate nutritional status in oncohematologic patients is a common problem since the disease itself and the therapy may lead to a protein-caloric hyponutrition state that influence their quality of life and survival.For that reason, in this section we will focus on the prevalence and etiology of hyponutrition in oncologic patients, assessing the possible causes related with the tumor itself, with the patient and with administered therapies.We will also discuss performing a correct nutritional assessment in this type of patients and thus determining the main effects derived from hyponutrition status; finally, we will discuss the objectives of nutritional support and the best nutritional plan that will have to be adjusted to each patient (AU)

Compound cardiac toxicity of oral erythromycin and verapamil.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of complete atrioventricular (AV) block and QTc prolongation following coadministration of high-dose verapamil and erythromycin. CASE SUMMARY: A 79-year-old white woman was admitted to the hospital due to extreme fatigue and dizziness. On admission, heart rate was 40 beats/min and blood pressure was 80/40 mm Hg. An electrocardiogram showed complete atrioventricular (AV) block, escape rhythm of 50 beats/min, and QTc prolongation 583 msec. This event was attributed to concomitant treatment with verapamil 480 mg/d and erythromycin 2,000 mg/d, which was prescribed one week before admission. DISCUSSION: This is the first case published describing complete AV block and prolongation of QTc following coadministration of erythromycin and verapamil. CYP3A4 is the main isoenzyme responsible for metabolism of erythromycin and verapamil. Both drugs are potent inhibitors of CYP3A4 and of P-glycoprotein; this may be the basis for the pharmacokinetic interaction between erythromycin and verapamil. In addition to being a woman, our patient had other risk factors for QT prolongation: slow baseline heart rate (probably induced by verapamil), left-ventricular hypertrophy, and possibly ischemic heart disease. CONCLUSIONS: This life-threatening arrhythmia was probably the result of a pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic interaction of high-dose verapamil and erythromycin.

[Evaluation of the effectiveness of a new vaccine against human leptospirosis in groups at risk]. / Evaluación de la efectividad de una nueva vacuna contra la leptospirosis humana en grupos en riesgo.

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of a new vaccine against human leptospirosis, a prospective cohort study was done with persons in the Cuban province of Holguín who were at risk of becoming ill with leptospirosis. The study included 118,018 persons from 15 to 65 years old who were considered to face either permanent or temporary risk. The vaccinated cohort consisted of 101,137 persons. They received two vaccine doses, 6 weeks apart, of 0.50 mL via deep intramuscular injection into the deltoid muscle of the nondominant arm. The unvaccinated cohort consisted of 16,881 persons. Epidemiological surveillance began 21 days after the application of the second vaccine dose and continued for 1 year. The same criteria for suspected and confirmed cases were maintained throughout the study period. At the end of the surveillance period effectiveness was calculated as being higher than 97%. It is estimated that the vaccination program prevented eight out of ten cases that would have otherwise occurred. Vaccine reactogenicity was also measured in a subsample of 1,500 persons between 15 and 65 years old. The observed symptomatology was low. Slight pain at the injection site was the most frequent symptom (25%). The results of the study indicate the usefulness of the vaccine for disease prevention among people at risk, and its use is thus recommended.

Acute hyperphosphatemia caused by sodium phosphate enema in a patient with liver dysfunction and chronic renal failure.

We report a case of acute hyperphosphatemia secondary to rectal administration of sodium phosphate and sodium biphosphate (Fleet enema). Parathyroid hormone and calcitonin levels were measured along with phosphate clearance and the tubular reabsorption of phosphate.

Oral clindamycin and ciprofloxacin versus intramuscular ceftriaxone and oral doxycycline in the treatment of mild-to-moderate pelvic inflammatory disease in outpatients.

This multicenter, prospective, double-blind study compared the safety and efficacy of clindamycin and ciprofloxacin versus ceftriaxone and doxycycline in the treatment of outpatients with mild to moderate pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) diagnosed by laparoscopy. Samples taken from the endocervix, endometrium, and abdominal cavity before treatment and from the endocervix after treatment were cultured for aerobes, anaerobes, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Chlamydia trachomatis. Of the 138 patients enrolled, 131 were evaluable for efficacy. The most prevalent bacteria were streptococci, staphylococci, and Escherichia coli (among aerobes) and Bacteroides species and peptostreptococci (among anaerobes). N. gonorrhoeae was present in 2% (3) of the 131 evaluable patients, and C. trachomatis was in 11% (15). The clinical cure rate was 97% (65 of 67) in the clindamycin and ciprofloxacin group and 95% (61 of 64) in the ceftriaxone and doxycycline group. Side effects were similar in both groups. In conclusion, the two regimens for the outpatient treatment of mild to moderate PID were similarly effective and safe.

A lactogenic-immune-deficiency-syndrome in cows: unexplained phenomenon.

The majority of adult cows in a certain dairy herd, were found to have very low levels of immunoglobulins (Igs) in their colostrum. This phenomenon was defined by us as Lactogenic-Immune-Deficiency-Syndrome (LIDS). The mean IgG levels were 44.5 and 57.2 mg ml-1 respectively (on two different occasions) as compared to that of a control group which was 103.4 mg ml-1. The levels of Igs in the colostra of heifers from the same herd were found to be higher than those of adult cows. The degree of LIDS was found to be closely related to the age of cows in the herd. The low levels of Igs in the colostra were not directly linked to their concentrations in the sera of the affected cows. The relatively low amount of IgA in the affected colostra suggests that the local production in the lymph tissue associated with the mammary glands is impaired as well. In order to investigate the etiology of the phenomenon, tests were carried out to reveal whether bovine leucosis virus (BLV) infection or immune complexes were involved in the pathogenesis of LIDS. The results were negative. The etiology of LIDS remains for the time being unknown.

EEG, transmission computed tomography, and positron emission tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose 18F. Their use in adults with gliomas.

We evaluated the relationship between findings from EEG, transmission computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography in 23 adults with gliomas. The cortical metabolic rate was suppressed in patients with and without focal slowing. Focal delta activity was not related to involvement of gray or white matter. Rhythmic delta activity and focal attenuation of background amplitude on EEG, however, were correlated with involvement of the thalamus.