Intestinal variation of serotonin, melatonin, and digestive enzymes activities along food passage time through GIT in Salmo salar fed with supplemented diets with tryptophan and melatonin.

In teleosts, peripheral serotonin (5-HT) and melatonin (MEL) are synthesised in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and regulate secretion and motility processes. Their production is regulated by diet and the passage of food through the GIT. This study aimed to evaluate how intestinal 5-HT, melatonin, and the activity of digestive enzymes varied with food passage time through GIT in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). We fed fish diets supplemented with tryptophan and melatonin (L-Trp 2.5% and MEL 0.01%) and measured the activity of digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase, and total protease) in the pyloric caeca, midgut, and hindgut at different times after feeding. 5-HT levels increased in all GIT portions and diets at 120 min post-intake and were highest in the pyloric caeca. Intestinal enzymatic activity was varied with diet, post-intake time and in different intestinal portions. In conclusion, food passage time directly affects GIT 5-HT secretion and digestive enzyme activity in S. salar, and diet composition regulates S. salar GIT function.

Phosphorus digestibility and bioavailability in soybean meal, spray-dried plasma protein, and meat and bone meal determined using different methods.

Three experiments were conducted to determine phosphorus (P) digestibility and bioavailability using different methods. The objective of the first experiment was to determine ileal P digestibility of soybean meal (SBM), meat and bone meal (MBM), and spray-dried plasma protein (SDPP) using a precision-fed broiler chick assay. This assay involved feeding 8 g of SBM, MBM, or SDPP to broiler chicks at 21 D of age. At 6 h after feeding, ileal digesta were collected. Ileal P digestibility of SBM, MBM, and SDPP was 64, 42, and 94%, respectively. In the second experiment, ileal P digestibility and excreta P retention of SBM, SDPP, and MBM were determined using an ad libitum fed chick assay. On day 17 of age, chicks were placed on 1 of 12 dietary treatments that consisted of diets containing increasing levels of SBM, SDPP, or MBM. On day 21, ileal digesta and excreta were collected. True ileal P digestibility and true excreta P retention estimated using regression of ileal P or excreta P output on dietary P content yielded true ileal P digestibility values for SBM, SDPP, and MBM (2 diet methods for MBM) to be 83, 98, 61, and 23%, respectively. True excreta P retention values for SBM, SDPP, and MBM (2 methods) were determined to be 51, 99, 32, and 53%, respectively. The third experiment determined bioavailability of P in SBM, SDPP, and MBM relative to KH2PO4 using a chick bone ash bioassay. Dietary treatments included a P-deficient cornstarch-dextrose-SBM diet supplemented with 2 increasing levels of P from KH2PO4, SBM, SDPP, or MBM. Bioavailability of P based on tibia ash estimated using the multiple regression slope ratio method was 36, 125, and 76% for SBM, SDPP, and MBM, respectively, relative to KH2PO4. The results of this study indicated the digestibility/relative bioavailability of the P in SDPP was very high for all 3 methods, but values for SBM and MBM varied greatly among different methods.

Effects of a high-fat-diet supplemented with probiotics and ω3-fatty acids on appetite regulatory neuropeptides and neurotransmitters in a pig model.

The pig is a valuable animal model to study obesity in humans due to the physiological similarity between humans and pigs in terms of digestive and associated metabolic processes. The dietary use of vegetal protein, probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids is recommended to control weight gain and to fight obesity-associated metabolic disorders. Likewise, there are recent reports on their beneficial effects on brain functions. The hypothalamus is the central part of the brain that regulates food intake by means of the production of food intake-regulatory hypothalamic neuropeptides, as neuropeptide Y (NPY), orexin A and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), and neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. Other mesolimbic areas, such as the hippocampus, are also involved in the control of food intake. In this study, the effect of a high fat diet (HFD) alone or supplemented with these additives on brain neuropeptides and neurotransmitters was assessed in forty-three young pigs fed for 10 weeks with a control diet (T1), a high fat diet (HFD, T2), and HFD with vegetal protein supplemented with Bifidobacterium breve CECT8242 alone (T3) or in combination with omega-3 fatty acids (T4). A HFD provoked changes in regulatory neuropeptides and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the hypothalamus and alterations mostly in the dopaminergic system in the ventral hippocampus. Supplementation of the HFD with B. breve CECT8242, especially in combination with omega-3 fatty acids, was able to partially reverse the effects of HFD. Correlations between productive and neurochemical parameters supported these findings. These results confirm that pigs are an appropriate animal model alternative to rodents for the study of the effects of HFD on weight gain and obesity. Furthermore, they indicate the potential benefits of probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids on brain function.

Research Note: Phosphorus digestibility in conventional canola meal determined using different balance assays.

Three experiments were conducted to determine ileal P digestibility and excreta P retention values for canola meal (CM) using 3 different types of balance assays. The first experiment was an ad libitum-fed chick experiment which evaluated the effect of phytase on ileal P digestibility and excreta P retention values. Chicks were fed a P-deficient cornstarch-dextrose-45% CM basal diet (0.13% nonphytate P) as diet 1 or that diet plus 125 or 250 FTU/kg of phytase, respectively, from 8 to 21 D of age. The digestibility/retention of P was 38% and phytase linearly increased both ileal digestibility and excreta retention of P (P < 0.05). The second experiment was a precision-fed chick assay conducted to determine ileal digestibility of P in CM at 21 D. Mean ileal P digestibility was determined to be 47.5% in chicks fed 6 g and 40.0% in chicks fed 9 g of CM and the values were not significantly different. Experiment 3 was an ad libitum-fed chick assay to determine ileal P digestibility and excreta P retention for CM with and without increasing levels of dietary supplemental Ca. The chicks were fed P-deficient - dextrose - CM diets containing increasing levels of 13.5, 27, 40.5, or 54% CM, respectively, with Ca:nonphytate P ratio maintained at 2:1 in diets 1-4 and 6:1 in diets 5-8. Based on regression analysis of ileal digesta or excreta P output on dietary P concentration, digestibility/retention of P in CM was 30%. Ileal P digestibility (and to a lesser extent excreta P retention) at 21 D was reduced by increased Ca:P ratio. The results of this study indicated that the 3 balance assays yielded reasonably consistent values of 30-40% for P digestibility/retention and ileal P digestibility was greatly affected by Ca:P ratio.

Phosphorus retention in corn, spray dried plasma protein, soybean meal, meat and bone meal, and canola meal using a precision-fed rooster assay.

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the precision-fed rooster assay for determining excreta phosphorus retention values for 5 feed ingredients in which roosters were precision-fed the ingredients and excreta were collected quantitatively for 48 h. The first rooster assay determined the effects of increasing P intakes on excreta P retention values for corn. This assay involved feeding either 20 g of corn or 20 g of corn supplemented with increasing amounts of KH2PO4 to provide total P intakes of 51 to 351 mg and non-phytate P intakes of 16 to 316 mg. The excreta P retention value for corn fed alone was 75% but decreased greatly when non-phytate P intakes were 76 mg or higher for the corn diets containing added KH2PO4. The second precision-fed rooster assay involved feeding increasing amounts of spray dried plasma protein (SDPP) (5 to 20 g) which provided non-phytate P intakes of 61 to 242 mg. Excretion of P increased and excreta P retention values decreased from 94 to 60% as SDPP intake increased from 5 to 20 g. Experiment 3 determined excreta P retention values for solvent extracted dehulled soybean meal (SBM) (24 g intake) and also the effect of increasing intakes of SDPP (5 to 10 g) and meat and bone meal (MBM) (1.5 to 10 g) on their excreta P retention values. The excreta P retention value for SBM was 41%. Excreta P retention values for SDPP again decreased as P intake increased. Excreta P retention values for MBM were low (27 to 35%) at all intakes. In Experiment 4, roosters were tube-fed 8, 16, or 24 g of canola meal and excreta P retention values varied from 23 to 35% among intake levels. The results of this study indicated that excreta P retention values often varied greatly among different levels of ingredient and non-phytate phosphorus intake and suggest that the precision-fed assay may be useful for determining bioavailability of P only if non-phytate P intakes are low. In addition, the assay may not be accurate for ingredients which contain high Ca levels such as MBM.

Nutritional Therapy in Chronic Pancreatitis.

Malnutrition is a frequent complication in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Maldigestion as a consequence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is the major cause of malnutrition in these patients. Together with that, toxic habits and alterations of the gastroduodenal transit may play a relevant role. Malnutrition in chronic pancreatitis is associated with osteoporosis, sarcopenia, poor quality of life, and increased mortality. An adequate nutritional evaluation including anthropometric, biochemical, and morphologic parameters is recommended in these patients. Nutritional advice and support together with an adequate pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy are indicated.

U-Th dating of carbonate crusts reveals Neandertal origin of Iberian cave art.

The extent and nature of symbolic behavior among Neandertals are obscure. Although evidence for Neandertal body ornamentation has been proposed, all cave painting has been attributed to modern humans. Here we present dating results for three sites in Spain that show that cave art emerged in Iberia substantially earlier than previously thought. Uranium-thorium (U-Th) dates on carbonate crusts overlying paintings provide minimum ages for a red linear motif in La Pasiega (Cantabria), a hand stencil in Maltravieso (Extremadura), and red-painted speleothems in Ardales (Andalucía). Collectively, these results show that cave art in Iberia is older than 64.8 thousand years (ka). This cave art is the earliest dated so far and predates, by at least 20 ka, the arrival of modern humans in Europe, which implies Neandertal authorship.

Aspectos metodológicos de los procesos asistenciales integrados (PAI) / Methodological aspects of integrated care pathways

Un proceso asistencial integrado (PAI) es una herramienta cuyo propósito es aumentar la efectividad de las actuaciones clínicas a través de una mayor coordinación y garantía de continuidad asistencial. Los PAI sitúan al paciente como el eje central de la organización asistencial. Se definen como el conjunto de actividades que realizan los proveedores de la atención sanitaria con la finalidad de incrementar el nivel de salud y el grado de satisfacción de la población que recibe los servicios. La elaboración de un PAI precisa analizar el flujo de actividades, la interrelación entre profesionales y dispositivos asistenciales y las expectativas del paciente. En este artículo se presenta y se discute la metodología para la elaboración de un PAI, así como los factores de éxito para su definición y su efectiva implantación. Se explica también, a modo de ejemplo, el reciente PAI para hipoglucemias en personas con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 elaborado por un equipo multidisciplinar y avalado por varias sociedades científicas (AU)

An Integrated Healthcare Pathway (PAI) is a tool which has as its aim to increase the effectiveness of clinical performance through greater coordination and to ensure continuity of care. PAI places the patient as the central focus of the organisation of health services. It is defined as the set of activities carried out by the health care providers in order to increase the level of health and satisfaction of the population receiving services. The development of a PAI requires the analysis of the flow of activities, the inter-relationships between professionals and care teams, and patient expectations. The methodology for the development of a PAI is presented and discussed in this article, as well as the success factors for its definition and its effective implementation. It also explains, as an example, the recent PAI for Hypoglycaemia in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus developed by a multidisciplinary team and supported by several scientific societies (AU)

[Methodological aspects of integrated care pathways]. / Aspectos metodológicos de los procesos asistenciales integrados (PAI).

An Integrated Healthcare Pathway (PAI) is a tool which has as its aim to increase the effectiveness of clinical performance through greater coordination and to ensure continuity of care. PAI places the patient as the central focus of the organisation of health services. It is defined as the set of activities carried out by the health care providers in order to increase the level of health and satisfaction of the population receiving services. The development of a PAI requires the analysis of the flow of activities, the inter-relationships between professionals and care teams, and patient expectations. The methodology for the development of a PAI is presented and discussed in this article, as well as the success factors for its definition and its effective implementation. It also explains, as an example, the recent PAI for Hypoglycaemia in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus developed by a multidisciplinary team and supported by several scientific societies.

A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial in the Gingivitis Prevention with an Oligomeric Proanthocyanidin Nutritional Supplement.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness on tissue response of the new nutritional supplement made of oligomeric proanthocyanidins in induced gingivitis after 21 days of use. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial was carried out on 20 patients; it is divided into an experimental group and a control group after fulfilling the selection criteria. Patients had to come 4 times during the study to register the Silness and Löe index, the gingival bleeding index, the plaque index, the inflammatory crevicular fluid study (IL6), and the changes in the brightness of the gingiva. No complementary hygiene methods were allowed during the 21 days. RESULTS: The Silness and Löe index was higher in the control group than in the experimental group, reaching a twofold difference between the groups (p < 0.0001). The gingival bleeding index also supports this fact, since the bleeding was lower in the experimental group (p < 0.005). However, the dental plaque on the tooth surface according to the plaque index was 33% higher in the experimental group (p < 0.006). Some differences in the IL-6 were found in the crevicular fluid (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Oligomeric proanthocyanidins have an effect on the periodontal tissue's health. No effects on the accumulation of plaque on the tooth surface were found, so further studies are needed to determine the nature of the plaque.

Analyzing the research in Integrative & Complementary Medicine by means of science mapping.

OBJECTIVES: The research in the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) field is analyzed according to the journals indexed in ISI Web of Science. Science Mapping Analysis (SMA) is used to provide and overview of the conceptual evolution of the CAM field. METHODS: The software SciMAT is used to detect and visualize the hidden themes and their evolution over a consecutive span of years. It combines SMA and performance analysis. Twenty one journals related to CAM were analyzed, in four consecutive periods from 1974 to 2011. RESULTS: Strategic diagrams and the thematic evolution of CAM, together with performance indicators (h-index), were obtained. The results show that CAM research has focused on seven main thematic areas: MEDICINAL-PLANTS, CHIROPRACTIC-AND-LOW-BACK-PAIN, ACUPUNCTURE-AND-PAIN, CELL-PROCESSES-AND-DISEASES, LIPID-PEROXIDATION and DIABETES-AND-INSULIN. CONCLUSION: The research output could be used by the scientific community to identify thematic areas on which interest is focused.

Assessment of radiological hazard of commercial granites from Extremadura (Spain).

The term "commercial granite" comprises different natural stones with different mineralogical components. In Extremadura, western Spain, "commercial granites" can be classified in three types: granite s.s. (sensus stricti), granodiorite, and diorite. The content of naturally occurring radionuclides depended of the mineralogy. Thus, the (40)K content increased as the relative content of alkaline feldspar increased but decreased as the plagioclase content increased. The radioactive content decreased in the following order: granite s.s. > granodiorite > diorite. In this work, the radiological hazard of these granites as building material was analyzed in terms of external irradiation and radon exposure. External irradiation was estimated based on the "I" index, ranged between 0.073 and 1.36. Therefore, these granites can be use as superficial building materials with no restriction. Radon exposure was estimated using the surface exhalation rates in polished granites. The exhalation rate in granites depends of their superficial finishes (different roughness). For distinct mechanical finishes of granite (polish, diamond sawed, bush-hammered and flamed), the surface exhalation rate increased with the roughness of the finishes. Thermal finish presented the highest exhalation rate, because the high temperatures applied to the granite may increase the number of fissures within it. The exhalation rates in polished granites varied from 0.013 to 10.4 Bq m(-2) h(-1).

Oral administration of melatonin counteracts several of the effects of chronic stress in rainbow trout.

To assess a possible antistress role of melatonin in fish, we orally administered melatonin to rainbow trout for 10 d and then kept the fish under normal or high stocking density conditions during the last 4 d. Food intake; biochemical parameters in plasma (cortisol, glucose, and lactate concentrations); liver (glucose and glycogen concentrations, and glycogen synthase activity); enzyme activities of amylase, lipase, and protease in foregut and midgut; and content of the hypothalamic neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, as well as their oxidized metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 5-hydroxy-3-indoleacetic acid, were evaluated under those conditions. High stocking density conditions alone induced changes indicative of stress conditions in plasma cortisol concentrations, liver glycogenolytic potential, the activities of some digestive enzymes, and the 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid-to-dopamine and 5-hydroxy-3-indoleacetic acid-to-serotonin ratios in the hypothalamus. Melatonin treatment in nonstressed fish induced an increase in liver glycogenolytic potential, increased the activity of some digestive enzymes, and enhanced serotoninergic and dopaminergic metabolism in hypothalamus. The presence of melatonin in stressed fish resulted in a significant interaction with cortisol concentrations in plasma, glycogen content, and glycogen synthase activity in liver and dopaminergic and serotoninergic metabolism in the hypothalamus. In general, the presence of melatonin mitigated several of the effects induced by stress, supporting an antistress role for melatonin in rainbow trout.

Transhepatic anterograde biliary drainage using a self-expandable metallic stent: a therapeutic alternative after hepaticojejunostomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction / Drenaje biliar transhepático anterógrado usando una prótesis metálica autoexpandible: Una alternativa terapéutica tras la hepaticoyeyunostomía con reconstrucción en Y en Roux

Endoscopic drainage is the procedure of choice in cases of obstructive jaundice. However, in patients with a surgical biliary reconstruction, this technique cannot be often satisfactorily used. In these cases, the best alternative has usually been the percutaneous biliary drainage. Since the introduction of endoscopic ultrasoundguided therapy, some new techniques have been proposed to solve these technical problems related to postsurgical disturbed anatomy. In this case report, we describe our successful experience in the performance of a transhepatic anterograde biliary drainage using a self-expandable metallic stent in the context of a patient who previously had undergone a hepaticojejunostomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction because of a resected hilar cholangiocarcinoma (AU)

Complementary and alternative medicine in inflammatory bowel disease patients: frequency and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: The use of complementary and alternative medicine in inflammatory bowel disease patients is progressively increased. AIM: To evaluate the use of complementary and alternative medicine in inflammatory bowel disease patients and to know potential risk factors for their use. The subjective response of these therapies and the impact on treatment adherence were also evaluated. METHODS: Prospective, descriptive and transversal study. Inflammatory bowel disease patients were classified according to demographic and clinical characteristics. A questionnaire about the use of complementary and alternative medicine was collected. RESULTS: 705 patients were included. 126 patients (23%) had used complementary and alternative medicine. The most commonly used was herbal remedies (n=61), homoeopathy (n=36), acupuncture (n=31), kefir (n=31) and aloe vera (n=25). Factors associated with its use were extraintestinal manifestations (OR 1.69, CI 95% 1.11-2.57) and long-term evolution of the disease (OR 2.08, CI 95% 1.44-2.99). Most patients (74%) had the subjective feeling that use of complementary and alternative medicine had not improved their condition, 11 had adverse events related to its use and 11% of patients discontinued their conventional drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Use of complementary and alternative medicine in inflammatory bowel disease patients is frequent, especially in those with extraintestinal manifestations and long-term evolution. The use of these therapies was not perceived as a benefit for patients.

NOD2, CD14 and TLR4 mutations do not influence response to adalimumab in patients with Crohn’s disease: a preliminary report

Introduction: adalimumab is a recombinant fully-human monoclonal immunoglobulin (IgG1) antibody utilized in the treatment of Crohn´s disease. Unfortunately no clinical or genetic markers exist to predict response to anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between selected genes involved in cytokine regulation and response to adalimumab treatment in Crohn’s disease. Methods: twenty-four patients with Crohn’s disease either naïve (n = 8) or had lost response or were unable to tolerate the chimeric anti-TNF antibody infliximab (n=16) were enrolled in the study. Patients were genotyped for main polymorphisms in NOD2, CD14 and TLR4 genes. Response to adalimumab treatment was defined as a decrease of Crohn’s disease activity index of at least 100 points or a closure of at least 50% of fistulas in case of fistulizing Crohn’s disease. Results: overall, 75% of patients did respond to treatment. However, no statistically significant association was found between any of the genotypes and the response to adalimumab. Conclusions: in our small study group no association between the studied polymorphisms and response to adalimumab was apparent. Systematic studies to search for genetic markers of response to anti-TNF therapy are necessary(AU)

[Intraoperative complications of corticosubcortical mapping]. / Complicaciones intraoperatorias del mapeo corticosubcortical.

By looking through our cases and literature, an analysis of the surgical complications derived from direct cerebral stimulation under general anesthesia and local anesthesia and sedation was made. A retrospective descriptive study was performed including patients who were intervened in our centre from 2004 to 2008 and had the cortico-subcortical mapping technique. Common pre-operation variables were as follow: Age, sex, tumor localization and tumor's pathology; On patients intervened while awake, we collected the ASA, BMI and duration of the intervention. Afterwards, variable like epileptic attacks and cerebral edema were included in two groups. In addition, on those awake, respiratory and circulatory complications, local anesthesia toxicity, poor level of sedation, nausea and vomiting, pain and feeling uncomfortable with body posture were collected as well. A total of 20 patients had surgery. 10 of them were operated under local anesthesia and sedation with a mean age of 41 years, mean BMI of 26.8 and a pre-operatory ASA score of I or II ( except one patient with ASA III). The mean time duration of the surgical procedure was 5 hours and 20 minutes. On the other side, 10 patients were intervened with general anesthesia with a mean age of 55 years. There were no cases of cerebral edema in either group, although in 4 patients had epileptic attacks which resolved with cold saline irrigation. Five patients with local anesthesia and sedation did not have any complication, 2 patients showed desaturation episodes without further complications, three manifested hypertension episodes and two signs of feeling uncomfortable with body posture. None of the intra-operatory complications registered interfered wit the overall surgical procedure. This is a safe technique if performed following recommended indications and parameters. Regarding complications, respiratory complications are the most common and the most dangerous, as they can influence in the surgical procedure for difficult cases.

Complicaciones intraoperatorias del mapeo corticosubcortical / Intraoperative complications of corticosubcortical mapping

Mediante una revisión de nuestra casuística y dela literatura analizamos las complicaciones intraoperatoriasderivadas del uso de las estimulaciones cerebralesdirectas bajo anestesia general y anestesialocal y sedación. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivodescriptivo de los pacientes intervenidos (2004-2008)en que se utilizó la técnica del mapeo corticosubcortical.Se determinaron como variables preoperatoriascomunes: edad, sexo, localización tumoral, anatomíapatológica, y en los pacientes operados despiertos, seregistró el ASA, IMC y duración de la intervención.En los dos grupos se constataron la aparición de edemacerebral o crisis comiciales. En los pacientes despiertosse registró además las complicaciones respiratorias,hemodinámicas, toxicidad por anestésico local, nivelinadecuado de sedación, náuseas/vómitos, dolor eincomodidad postural. Bajo anestesia local y sedaciónse operaron 10, de 41 años de edad media, IMC mediode 26,8 y un ASA preoperatorio de I o II . La duraciónmedia de la intervención fue de 5 horas y 20 minutos.Mediante anestesia general se intervinieron 10 pacientes,de 55 años de media. En ningún caso de los dosgrupos se constató edema cerebral, 4 pacientes presentaroncrisis comiciales (autolimitadas con irrigación desuero frío). En 5 pacientes con anestesia local y sedaciónno registramos ninguna complicación, 2 pacientes episodiosde desaturación sin complicaciones, 3 episodiosde hipertensión y 2 incomodidad postural. Ninguna delas complicaciones intraoperatorias que registramosinterfirió en el desarrollo de la cirugía. Es una técnicasegura si se realiza siguiendo las indicaciones y losparámetros recomendados. Las crisis y complicacionesrespiratorias son las complicaciones más frecuentes ya su vez las más temidas, puesto que pueden influir encasos problemáticos en el proceso de la cirugía (AU)

By looking through our cases and literature, ananalysis of the surgical complications derived fromdirect cerebral stimulation under general anesthesiaand local anesthesia and sedation was made. A retrospectivedescriptive study was performed includingpatients who were intervened in our centre from 2004to 2008 and had the cortico-subcortical mapping technique.Common pre-operation variables were as follow:Age, sex, tumor localization and tumor’s pathology; Onpatients intervened while awake, we collected the ASA,BMI and duration of the intervention. Afterwards,variable like epileptic attacks and cerebral edema wereincluded in two groups. In addition, on those awake,respiratory and circulatory complications, local anesthesiatoxicity, poor level of sedation, nausea and vomiting,pain and feeling uncomfortable with body posturewere collected as well. A total of 20 patients had surgery.10 of them were operated under local anesthesia andsedation with a mean age of 41 years, mean BMI of 26.8and a pre-operatory ASA score of I or II ( except onepatient with ASA III). The mean time duration of thesurgical procedure was 5 hours and 20 minutes. On theother side, 10 patients were intervened with generalanesthesia with a mean age of 55 years. There were nocases of cerebral edema in either group, although in 4patients had epileptic attacks which resolved with coldsaline irrigation. Five patients with local anesthesiaand sedation did not have any complication, 2 patientsshowed desaturation episodes without further complications,three manifested hypertension episodes and (..) (AU)

Studies on sorption, desorption, regeneration and reuse of sugar-beet pectin gels for heavy metal removal.

This work reports the effectiveness of sugar-beet pectin xerogels for the removal of heavy metals (cadmium, lead and copper) after multiple batch sorption-desorption cycles, with and without a gels regeneration step. Metals were recovered from xerogel beads without destroying their sorption capability and the beads were successfully reused (nine cycles) without significant loss in both biosorption capacity and biosorbent mass. Metals uptake levelled off or increased after using a 1M CaCl(2) regeneration step after each desorption. Calcium, as a regenerating agent, increased the stability and reusability of the gels repairing the damage caused by the acid and removing the excess protons after each elution providing new binding sites. Because of their excellent reusability, pectin xerogels are suitable for metal remediation technologies.