Rapid assessment of high-dose radiation exposures through scoring of cell-fusion-induced premature chromosome condensation and ring chromosomes.

Analysis of premature chromosome condensation (PCC) mediated by fusion of G0-lymphocytes with mitotic CHO cells in combination with rapid visualization and quantification of rings (PCC-Rf) is proposed as an alternative technique for dose assessment of radiation-exposed individuals. Isolated lymphocytes or whole blood from six individuals were γ-irradiated with 5, 10, 15 and 20Gy at a dose rate of 0.5Gy/min. Following either 8- or 24-h post-exposure incubation of irradiated samples at 37°C, chromosome spreads were prepared by standard PCC cytogenetic procedures. The protocol for PCC fusion proved to be effective at doses as high as 20Gy, enabling the analysis of ring chromosomes and excess PCC fragments. The ring frequencies remained constant during the 8-24-h repair time; the pooled dose relationship between ring frequency (Y) and dose (D) was linear: Y=(0.088±0.005)×D. During the repair time, excess fragments decreased from 0.91 to 0.59 chromatid pieces per Gy, revealing the importance of information about the exact time of exposure for dose assessment on the basis of fragments. Compared with other cytogenetic assays to estimate radiation dose, the PCC-Rf method has the following benefits: a 48-h culture time is not required, allowing a much faster assessment of dose in comparison with conventional scoring of dicentrics and rings in assays for chemically-induced premature chromosome condensation (PCC-Rch), and it allows the analysis of heavily irradiated lymphocytes that are delayed or never reach mitosis, thus avoiding the problem of saturation at high doses. In conclusion, the use of the PCC fusion assay in conjunction with scoring of rings in G0-lymphocytes offers a suitable alternative for fast dose estimation following accidental exposure to high radiation doses.

Within-city contrasts in PM composition and sources and their relationship with nitrogen oxides.

The present work is part of the INMA (INfancia y Medio Ambiente -'Environment and Childhood') project, which aims at assessing the adverse effects of exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and early in life. The present study was performed in the city of Sabadell (Northeast Spain) at three sampling sites covering different traffic characteristics, during two times of the year. It assesses time and spatial variations of PM(2.5) concentrations, chemical components and source contributions, as well as gaseous pollutants. Furthermore, a cross-correlation analysis of PM components and source contributions with gaseous pollutants used as a proxy for exposure assessment is carried out. Our data show the influence of traffic emissions in the Sabadell area. The main PM sources identified by Positive Matrix Factorisation (PMF) were similar between the two seasons: mineral source (traffic-induced resuspension, demolition/construction and natural background), secondary sulphate (higher in summer), secondary nitrate (only during winter), industrial, and road traffic, which was the main contributor to PM(2.5) at two of the sites. The correlation of concentrations of nitrogen oxides was especially strong with those of elemental carbon (EC). The relatively weaker correlations with organic carbon (OC) in summer are attributed to the variable formation of secondary OC. Strong correlations between concentration of nitrogen oxides and PM(2.5) road traffic contributions obtained from source apportionment analysis were seen at all sites. Therefore, under the studied urban environment, nitrogen oxides can be used as a proxy for the exposure to road traffic contribution to PM(2.5); the use of NO(x) concentrations being preferred, with NO and NO(2) as second and third options, respectively.

Donor-specific antibody detection: comparison of single antigen assay and Luminex crossmatches.

Luminex bead-based assays are routinely used in the study of anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) donor-specific antibodies (DSA). Single antigen (SA) assays use beads coated with recombinant antigens whereas Luminex crossmatch (Xm-DSA) tests consist of beads coated with isolated donor-specific HLA molecules. The aim of this study was to compare these techniques used to detect DSA. A total of 24 sera recognizing different HLA class I (seven anti-HLA-A and seven anti-HLA-B) as well as class II (seven anti-HLA-DR and three anti-HLA DQ) specificities by complement dependent cytotoxicity were included in the study. These sera were used undiluted and in serial dilutions to perform both class I and II SA and Xm-DSA assays. In the case of Xm-DSA the same serum was checked with different lysates. A total of 42 lysates were used to perform a total of 61 crossmatches: 42 to detect anti-class I and 19 to detect anti-class II antibodies. The maximum positive dilution was higher for SA in 76% of the class I and in 90% of the class II crossmatches. Those cases with a higher sensitivity of the Xm-DSA could not be explained by a larger number of antigen targets.

[Effectiveness of tranexamic acid for decreased allogenic blood transfusion in total hip arthroplasty]. / Eficacia del ácido tranexámico para la disminución de la transfusión de sangre alogénica en la artroplastía total de cadera.

INTRODUCTION: ATC can cause considerable blood loss. To reduce the need for blood transfusion, various preoperative techniques such as administration of tranexamic acid (ATX) are used. OBJECTIVE: to demonstrate that the use of ATX decreases the need for allogeneic blood transfusion in patients operated on ATC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, observational, descriptive study, used to observe the allogeneic blood transfusion rate in patients who underwent unilateral primary ATC from May 2016 to December 2017. ATX was applied preoperatively and after 24 hours a blood count was taken and the need for blood transfusion was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients were included in the study. The average postoperative Hb 11.7 mg/dl with a range of 9.2 to 14.9 mg/dl and an average Ht of 37.1% with a range of 30.2 to 44.2%. None of the patients required allogeneic blood transfusión. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates how ATX is a transoperative strategy to reduce the need for allogeneic blood transfusion in patients undergoing primary ATC.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La artroplastía total de cadera (ATC) puede causar una pérdida considerable de sangre. Para reducir la necesidad de transfusión de sangre se utilizan diversas técnicas preoperatorias como la administración de ácido tranexámico (ATX). OBJETIVO: Demostrar que el uso de ATX disminuye la necesidad de transfusión de sangre alogénica en pacientes operados de ATC. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio prospectivo, observacional, descriptivo, utilizado para observar la tasa de transfusión de sangre alogénica en pacientes a quienes se les practicó ATC primaria unilateral de Mayo de 2016 a Diciembre de 2017. A los pacientes incluidos en el estudio se les aplicó ATX preoperatoriamente, a las 24 horas se tomó una biometría hemática y se valoró la necesidad de transfusión sanguínea. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó un total de 70 pacientes en el estudio. La Hb promedio postquirúrgica 11.7 mg/dl con un rango de 9.2 a 14.9 mg/dl y un Hto promedio de 37.1% con un rango de 30.2 a 44.2%. Ninguno de los pacientes requirió de transfusión de sangre alogénica. CONCLUSIONES: En este estudio se demuestra cómo el ATX es una estrategia transoperatoria para reducir la necesidad de transfusión de sangre alogénica en pacientes a quienes se realiza una ATC primaria.

Association between modelled traffic-related air pollution and asthma score in the ECRHS.

The aim of our analysis was to study the association between air pollution and asthma among adults. For this goal, a previously developed "asthma score" was used. Persons aged 25-44 yrs were randomly selected (1991-1993) and followed up (2000-2002) within the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS I and II, respectively). The asthma score was defined from 0 to 5, based on the positive answers to the following symptoms reported for the last 12 months: wheeze/breathlessness, chest tightness, dyspnoea at rest, dyspnoea after exercise and woken by dyspnoea. Participants' home addresses were linked to outdoor modelled NO2 estimates for 2001. Negative binomial regression was used to model the asthma score. The score from ECRHS II was positively associated with NO2 (ratio of the mean asthma score (RMS) 1.23, 95% CI 1.09-1.38, for an increase of 10 microg x m(-3)). After excluding participants with asthma and symptoms at baseline, the association remained (RMS 1.25, 95% CI 1.05-1.51), and was particularly high among those reporting a high score in ECRHS II. The latter probably reflects incident cases of asthma. Our results suggest that traffic-related pollution causes asthma symptoms and possibly asthma incidence in adults. The asthma score offers an alternative with which to investigate the course and aetiology of asthma in adults.

Total serum IgE levels are associated with ambient ozone concentration in asthmatic adults.

BACKGROUND: Effects of air pollution exposure on IgE-mediated response in asthmatics are poorly investigated. The aim was to examine the relationship between air pollution concentrations and total IgE levels in adult asthmatics. METHODS: The present study relates to the 369 asthmatic adults from the French Epidemiological study on Genetics and Environment of Asthma (EGEA), with availability of data on both total serum IgE measurements and air pollution concentrations. Geo-statistical models were performed on 4 x 4 km grids to assess individual outdoor air pollution exposure. Annual outdoor concentrations of ozone (O(3)), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), sulphur dioxide (SO(2)), and particulate matter smaller than 10 microm size (PM(10)), and concentrations of summer ozone were assigned to subject's home address. RESULTS: The geometric mean of total IgE was 161 IU/ml and the average of O(3) exposure was 44.9 +/- 9.5 microg/m(3). Ozone concentrations were positively related to total IgE levels and an increase of 10 microg/m(3) of O(3) resulted in an increase of 20.4% (95% CI = 3.0-40.7) in total IgE levels. Adjustment for age, gender, smoking habits and previous life in the countryside did not change the results, and an increase of 19.1% (2.4-38.6) in total IgE was observed with O(3). Negative associations observed between NO(2) and total IgE levels disappeared after including O(3) in the models. Neither SO(2) nor PM(10) were correlated with total IgE levels. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that O(3) or related ambient pollutants may up-regulate total IgE levels among asthmatic adults.

Kink far below the Fermi level reveals new electron-magnon scattering channel in Fe.

Many properties of real materials can be modeled using ab initio methods within a single-particle picture. However, for an accurate theoretical treatment of excited states, it is necessary to describe electron-electron correlations including interactions with bosons: phonons, plasmons, or magnons. In this work, by comparing spin- and momentum-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements to many-body calculations carried out with a newly developed first-principles method, we show that a kink in the electronic band dispersion of a ferromagnetic material can occur at much deeper binding energies than expected (Eb = 1.5 eV). We demonstrate that the observed spectral signature reflects the formation of a many-body state that includes a photohole bound to a coherent superposition of renormalized spin-flip excitations. The existence of such a many-body state sheds new light on the physics of the electron-magnon interaction which is essential in fields such as spintronics and Fe-based superconductivity.

Characteristics of arsenic adsorption to sorghum biomass.

The development of efficient and economic new adsorbent materials for the removal of arsenic from groundwater is a priority in regions where human health is directly affected by elevated arsenic concentrations. Adsorption of arsenic on sorghum biomass (SB) was investigated for the removal of arsenic from aqueous solutions. Potentiometric titrations and FTIR analysis evidenced two potential binding sites associated with carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. Batch experiments were carried out to determine the equilibrium time for arsenic adsorption to SB. The effect of pH on arsenic adsorption to SB was investigated for a pH range of 2.0-10.0. A strong influence of pH was demonstrated with a maximum removal of arsenic at pH 5.0. Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms were applied to equilibrium data. The Freundlich model fitted the equilibrium data and provided evidence for site heterogeneity at the binding surface. Column experiments were performed to obtain the breakthrough curves for both non-immobilized sorghum biomass and immobilized sorghum biomass.

Chronic bronchitis and urban air pollution in an international study.

OBJECTIVES: The chronic effects of urban air pollution are not well known. The authors' aim was to investigate the association between the prevalence and new onset of chronic bronchitis and urban air pollution. METHODS: Subjects from the general population randomly selected for the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS I) during 1991-93 in 21 centres in 10 countries were followed up from the years 2000 to 2002 (n = 3232 males and 3592 females; average response rate = 65.3%). PM2.5 and elements, with the same equipment at centre level, and home outdoor NO2 in 1634 individuals were measured. Hierarchical models were used. RESULTS: The prevalence and new onset of chronic phlegm during follow up were 6.9% and 4.5%, respectively, 5.3% in males and 3.5% in females. Smoking, rhinitis, poor education, and low social class were associated with (prevalence and new onset of) chronic phlegm in both genders, and occupational exposures in males and traffic intensity (adjusted odds ratio for constant traffic, OR = 1.86; 95% CI 1.24 to 2.77) as well as home outdoor NO2 (OR > 50 microg/m3v < 20 microg3 = 2.71; 95% CI 1.03 to 7.16) among females. PM2.5 and S content at centre level did not show any association with prevalence or new onset of chronic phlegm. Similar results were obtained with chronic productive cough. CONCLUSION: Individual markers of traffic at household level such as reported intensity and outdoor NO2 were risk factors for chronic bronchitis among females.

De novo autoimmune hepatitis following liver transplantation for primary biliary cirrhosis.

De novo autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a rare disorder first described in 1998. It appears in patients with liver transplants for non-AIH etiology. The few cases in the literature make it a little known entity due to mechanisms that are unclear. We present the case of a woman with a liver transplant whose graft developed de novo AIH. Diagnosed with primary biliary cirrhosis, the patient underwent liver transplantation for refractory pruritus. Sixteen months after transplantation, we detected alterations in the hepatic profile with hypertransaminasemia and elevated alkaline phosphatase, together with elevated antinuclear antibodies. IgG levels were normal. Histological findings indicated AIH. The patient responded rapidly to treatment with prednisolone and azathioprine. De novo AIH in patients transplanted for PBC may cause graft dysfunction. This report also analyzes the case with respect to the other four reported cases, discussing etiologic hypotheses.

Glutathione S-transferase T1 genetic mismatch is a risk factor for de novo immune hepatitis in liver transplantation.

Glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) is a drug metabolizing enzyme abundantly expressed in liver and kidney cells; it is encoded by a single gene that is absent in 20% of the Caucasian population. Our group found that some liver transplantation patients developed de novo immune hepatitis (IH) and that all of them had anti-GSTT1 antibodies. The main objective of this study was to analyze the influence of a GSTT1 mismatch between donor and recipient in the immune response and the outcome of the graft. We confirmed that only under one of the four possible genetic combinations (null recipient/positive donor) is an alloimmune response triggered with production of anti-GSTT1 antibodies. Therefore, we conclude that this genetic mismatch can be considered a risk factor for de novo IH.

Antibodies against the donor antigen glutathione S-transferase T1 after renal transplantation.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether a kidney graft expressing the glutathione S-transferase T1 enzyme (GSTT1) could cause an alloimmune response in a recipient with the null GSTT1 genotype that was similar to that observed in liver transplant. We have found anti-GSTT1 antibodies in the sera of a number of patients and confirmed that only one of the four possible genetic combinations--positive donor/null receptor--could lead to the production of these antibodies. Nevertheless, the main finding of this study is that in kidney transplantation, this mismatch was not sufficient to trigger an immune reaction. Longer follow-up of the posttransplant evolution of the patients is required in order to clarify the contribution of the factors involved in this process.

Lack of association of recipient MCP-1 gene promoter polymorphism with acute graft rejection after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Acute graft rejection after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is associated with leukocyte infiltration of the graft. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a beta-chemokine involved in the attraction and accumulation of mononuclear granulocytes toward sites of inflammation. A biallelic polymorphism (G/A) at position -2518 of the MCP-1 gene has been described. Cells obtained from individuals with the GG or AG genotypes have been found to produce more MCP-1 than those obtained from individuals with the AA genotype. The goal of this study was to assess the possible association between this polymorphism and susceptibility to acute graft rejection after OLT. One hundred fifty Caucasian liver transplant recipients from the South of Spain underwent genotyping using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). No significant differences were observed when patients with versus without acute rejection episodes were compared for the distribution of -2518 MCP-1 genotypes. The present study supports the lack of involvement of polymorphism at position -2518 (A/G) of the MCP-1 gene on the susceptibility to acute allograft rejection among OLT recipients.

Mitochondrial disease and stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It is well known that some mitochondrial disorders are responsible for ischemic cerebral infarction in young patients. Our purpose was to determine, in this prospective ongoing study, whether ischemic stroke is the only manifestation of a mitochondrial disorder in young patients. METHODS: Patients aged

A human monoclonal antibody reacting against HLA-DQ1-, DQ4-, and a subset of DQ7-bearing cells.

Human mAb 2A2 recognizes an epitope present in the HLA-DQ1 + 4 specifications and also on several DQ7-positive cells. We have investigated the extra reactions of this monoclonal reagent on a wider panel of DQ1-, DQ4-negative/DQ7-positive B-cell lines. The results obtained support the existence of two subtypes of the HLA-DQ7 specificity on the basis of their reactivity with human mAb 2A2; the DQ7/2A2-positive variant has been found in 12 of 29 BCLs positive for the DR11 antigen, and in four of eight BCLs bearing DR4-DQ7 haplotypes. It has also been detected in the DR12-positive cells assayed and in several unusual DR/DQ7 combinations not commonly found in Caucasoid populations, including the DR13-DwHAG and DR14-Dw16 haplotypes. Results from competition binding assays between 2A2 and well-characterized murine anti-DQ polymorphic mAbs suggest that the epitope recognized by human mAb 2A2 on DQ1- or DQ4-bearing haplotypes is located on the DQ beta chains of such specificities, being amino acid residues 54-55, the potential binding site of antibody 2A2, whereas the binding site on DQ7 antigens cannot be explained on the basis of known amino acid sequences.

Mitochondrial DNA point mutation in the COI gene in a patient with McArdle's disease.

We studied a 57-year-old female patient with clinical and biochemical evidences of McArdle's disease. Her muscle biopsy also revealed signs of mitochondrial proliferation, scattered RRF, and a deficit in complex I of the respiratory chain. Molecular genetic analysis showed that the patient was heterozygous for the most common mutation at codon 49 in the myophosphorylase gene. Mitochondrial DNA analysis of muscle tissue revealed an additional G-to-A transition at nucleotide position 7444 in the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene.

[The productive sector]. / El sector productivo.

In the last 25 years, the production sector in Spain has undergone important changes. Among these changes, the important growth of the services sector at the expense of the primary sector, the increasing flexibility of the labour market, and the rise in the female workforce could be considered as the most relevant ones. Spanish women have higher rates of unemployment, temporary jobs and part time contracts than Spanish men. Moreover, job access and work conditions are highly related to gender and social class. Because women are forced to compensate for the scarcity of social services for caring for young children and for dependent elderly, they become informal and socially unrecognised caregivers, preventing them from getting or holding a job, and significantly limiting their opportunities for professional development. These social conditions are closely related with the fact that work conditions for women involve higher temporality rates and shorter contracts than those of men, given the sectors and jobs in which they tend to work (due to segregation). Similarly, workers of the less privileged social classes have poorer work conditions. Thus, women of the lower income class are mainly suffering the worst job contracts and the poorest work conditions. More social services are needed to make it possible to attend to family needs and still be able to access and maintain a job contract. Policies tending to conciliate labour and family life are indispensable and should incorporate measures to equally distribute the house keeping activities between women and men.

[Fecal Streptococci in the waters of the Zaiman stream]. / Investigación de estreptococos fecales en aguas del arroyo Zaimán.

The investigation was focused on the occurrence of different species and biovarieties of fecal streptococci in Zaiman creek waters, the basin of which comprises important zones of Posadas, Misiones. The samples were collected from points near a meat-packing industrial establishment which pours its effluents in the above mentioned water course. So far, 18 sampling operations have been carried out in representative geographic locations. The methodology followed for detecting and characterizing the present species consisted in an enrichment procedure performed by incubating samples in Azida Dextrose broth at 35 degrees C during 24-48 h. Further streaks were made on KF Agar and Kanamycin Agar plates. The biochemical study of the colonies developed in Brain Heart Agar media was the one described in the American Water Standards (APHA and EPA). The isolation frequency of the different species of fecal streptococci is shown. (Table 2). The efficiency of both culture media KF Agar and Kanamycin Aesculin Azide Agar proved to be similar. (Table 1). The distribution of fecal streptococci by sampling points shows that the pollution comes not only from the pourings of effluents but also from the population settlement near the water course.

[Validity of the Hospital Emergency Suitability Protocol]. / Validez del Protocolo de Adecuación de Urgencias Hospitalarias.

BACKGROUND: Different studies rate the proportional number of visits unsuited to the HER services at 20%-80% of all. This wide range is due, in good part, to no consensus existing as to the definition of the term "emergency" and the ideal degree of assistance for dealing with each possible situation which leads to the use of subjective judgments for evaluating unsuitability. The purpose of this study is that of developing and validating an objective tools for pinpointing unsuitable hospital emergencies. METHOD: Based on a conceptual framework which included as dimensions the seriousness of the clinical condition of the patient in question, the intensity of the services rendered and some situations which would warrant spontaneous visits being suitable, the Hospital Emergency Suitability Protocol (HESP), a tool entailing explicit criteria for assessing the suitability of the visits to the HER's, and a random sample of 100 emergency room clinical histories, the reliability thereof of observers on an individual and group basis and the validity of judgment and predictive validity thereof as regarding the opinion of experts having been analyzed. RESULTS: The HESP revealed itself to provide an excellent reliability rate of observers on an individual and group basis (indexes of agreement fond of 99%-100%; kappa statistic of 0.97-1.00), and judgment validity on the borderline between moderate and low (index of agreement found of 68%, kappa statistic 0.39). This low level of agreement is due to the fact that the HESP functions like a highly specific (the inappropriate cases accord to the clinical judgment are evaluated as inappropriate) yet not highly sensitive tool (solely 59% of the cases which the HESP considered to be suitable were evaluated as such by the clinical judgments). CONCLUSIONS: The HESP acts as a highly reliable tool capable of pinpointing the most clearly unsuitable fraction of the inappropriate visits to the HER's. These characteristics make it useful for drawing comparisons among hospitals and for long-range follow-up or monitoring of actions for lowering the percentages of unsuitable use.