Displasia fibromuscular y síndrome de ligamento arcuato medio. Infrecuentesy simultáneos / Fibromuscular dysplasia and median arcuate ligament syndrome. Rare and simultaneous findings

Introducción: la displasia fibromuscular (DFM) es una patología poco frecuente de la capa muscular de las arterias. El síndrome de ligamento arcuato medio (SLAM) es una entidad infrecuente causada por la compresión extrínseca del tronco celíaco por el diafragma. Caso clínico: presentamos el caso de una mujer joven con DFM diagnosticada de afectación a nivel del tronco celíaco y de la arteria hepática común. Ante clínica de dolor abdominal, se solicita angio TC, que describe un SLAM asociado a la DFM. Se decide sección quirúrgica del ligamento arcuato y descompresión del tronco celíaco mediante abordaje robótico. Discusión: en ambas entidades la angiografía es el trataminto de referencia para el diagnóstico. El tratamiento de primera línea de la DFM es el endovascular mediante angioplastia, y del SLAM, el quirúrgico, seccionando el ligamento arcuato.(AU)

Introduction: fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a rare disorder that affects the muscular layer of the arteries. The medianarcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is also a rare disorder due to the extrinsic compression of the celiac trunk by thediaphragm.Case report: we report the case of a young woman with FMD and splachnic involvement of the celiac trunk and thecommon hepatic artery level. After presenting with abdominal pain, a CCTA was performed that revealed the presenceof FMD-related MALS. The surgical section of the arcuate ligament and decompression of celiac trunk were decided andperformed through robotic approach.Discussion: the gold standard for the diagnosis of both entities is angiography. However, while the first-line therapy ofFMD is endovascular, in the case MALS the best alternative is surgical treatment sectioning the arcuate ligament.(AU)

The Influence of the Socioeconomic Status and the Density of the Population on the Outcome After Peripheral Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: Low socioeconomic status (SES) and living in a rural environment are associated with poorer health and a higher number of amputations among the population at large. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of low SES and of the degree of urbanization on the short-term and long-term results of patients after revascularization for peripheral artery disease. METHODS: An observational retrospective follow-up study of 770 patients operated on for peripheral artery disease at three university centers in north-western Spain from January 2015 to December 2016. The events studied were Rutherford classification of severity upon admission, direct amputation, amputations in the follow-up period, new revascularization procedures, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and overall mortality. Mean personal income and income of the household associated with the street in which each patient lived and the degree of urbanization in three areas as per Eurostat criteria: densely populated areas, intermediate density areas, and thinly populated areas. Comorbidity, surgical, and follow-up variables were also collected. Descriptive analysis and Cox regression were used. Approval was obtained from the regional ethics committee. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 47.5 months. MACE occurred in 21.5% of the series and overall mortality was 47.0%. Living in a thinly populated area is associated with a lower risk of MACE (adjusted subhazard ratio = 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39-0.91). Overall survival is lower in intermediate density area patients (adjusted Hazard Ratio = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.07-2.00). The third quartile of mean personal and household income is associated with a higher risk of major amputation at follow-up (adjusted Odds Ratio 1.92, 95% CI: 1.05-3.52 and adjusted Odds Ratio 1.93, 95% CI: 1.0.3-3.61, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who live in a densely populated area run a higher risk of MACE. SES is neither associated with worse outcomes after surgery nor with MACE in long-term follow-up.

Results of Surgical Treatment for Popliteal Aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Evaluate the results of open surgery treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs), performed in our department for over 25 years, comparing those treated with a medial approach with those treated with a posterior approach. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis of a total of 88 PAAs, performed between January 1994 and December 2018, with an average of 65 months follow-up, comparing the results of 59 patients operated by a medial approach (group 1) in which aneurysm exclusion and femoro-popliteal bypass below the knee was carried out, with 29 cases treated by a direct posterior approach (group 2) - aneurismectomy and graft interposition-. The postoperative complications, immediate and long term patency, limb salvage and mortality rate were studied. RESULTS: In group 1 the chosen material for the bypass was reversed greater saphenous vein (GSV) in 45 cases (76.3%), expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts in 12 (20.3%) and Dacron grafts on 2 (3.4%), while in group 2, a 6 mm diameter ringed ePTFE graft was used in 27 cases (93.1%) and reversed GSV in 2 (6.9%). There were eight (13.6%) postoperative graft thrombosis in group 1, 5 (8.9%) of them needing amputation, and 1 (3.4%) graft thrombosis in group 2 (P = 0.077). During the follow up, major amputation was necessary in 2 cases (3.7%) in group 1, while there were no cases of major amputation in group 2. Mortality was 61% (36 patients) in group 1 and 27% (8 patients) in group 2 (p = 0.003), at the end of surveillance. CONCLUSION: In our experience, in the open surgical treatment of PAAs, the posterior approach could be considered as the first choice in selected cases.

Conceptual similarities between zeolites and artificial enzymes.

By using a Diels-Alder (DA) reaction as a base case, we show that a pure silica zeolite acting as an entropy-trapping scaffold can be synthesized with an organic structure directing agent (OSDA) analogue of the transition state (TS) of the DA reaction. A cavity stabilization of the TS is observed with the corresponding decrease in the activation energy of the reaction. A lower enthalpy of activation and a larger decrease in entropy are obtained with the zeolite synthesized with the analogue of the DA TS when compared with other zeolitic structures. Those differences are maintained, while catalytic activity is increased, when active sites are introduced in the zeolite. The catalytic zeolitic system synthesized with the OSDA analogue of the TS shows conceptual similarities with "de novo design" of an artificial enzyme to perform DA reactions, in where a suitable scaffold of existing proteins is chosen, and computationally designed active sites able to catalyze the cycloaddition reaction are introduced.

Outdoor air monitoring: Performance evaluation of a gas sensor to assess episodic nuisance/odorous events using active multi-sorbent bed tube sampling coupled to TD-GC/MS analysis.

In order to evaluate the performance of a commercially available metal oxide semiconductor gas sensor (TGS 2602, Figaro Engineering Inc.) for activating a monitoring system when a nuisance/odorous pollution episode of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) occur, a widely used active sampling methodology based on multi-sorbent bed tubes (Carbotrap, Carbopack X and Carboxen 569) and analysis through automatic thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used. Daily 24 h samples of multi-sorbent bed tubes were taken over a period of 14 days using an air collector pump sampler specially designed in the LCMA-UPC laboratory. Simultaneously, daily episodic samples were taken according to the activation of another LCMA-UPC sampler by the metal oxide semiconductor gas sensor. Sampling was done throughout January-February 2019 at El Morell (Tarragona, Spain), near the petrochemical area. All episode samples present higher concentrations of VOCs than 24 h samples, with an average ratio of 3.5 times for Total VOCs. VOC familial distributions present very similar values in 24 h and episode samples (r2 = 0.7466), correlating significatively (F-Snedecor, p < 0.05). A higher level of VOCs in the atmosphere in general, not derived from a specific compound or a VOC/s family/ies, seems to be the trigger of the activation of the sampler by the sensor. On the other hand, no significant correlations are observed between alcohols concentrations and relative humidity (F-Snedecor, p < 0.05). Additionally, Total VOCs concentrations in episode samples are in agreement with higher percentages of NE-SSE wind directions, coming from the petrochemical complex. Hence, these aspects validate the use of the evaluated sensor for its application for the activation of samplers in air quality evaluations when episodic events occur, an interesting and innovative technique. Thus, this study is an important contribution to the understanding of the performance of gas sensors and proposes an expansion of their field of use.

Nanosized MCM-22 zeolite using simple non-surfactant organic growth modifiers: synthesis and catalytic applications.

Non surfactant cyclic alkylammonium can selectively decrease the rate of crystal growth along the x-y crystal axes during the synthesis of MWW zeolite. This results in an ∼60 nm nanocrystalline zeolite that shows remarkable catalytic properties for the production of cumene.

Making Nanosized CHA Zeolites with Controlled Al Distribution for Optimizing Methanol-to-Olefin Performance.

From theoretical calculations and a rational synthesis methodology, it has been possible to prepare nanocrystalline (60-80 nm) chabazite with an optimized framework Al distribution that has a positive impact on its catalytic properties. This is exemplified for the methanol-to-olefin (MTO) process. The nanosized material with the predicted Al distribution maximizes the formation of the required MTO hydrocarbon pool intermediates, while better precluding excessive diffusion pathways that favor the rapid catalyst deactivation by coke formation.

Outdoor air 1,3-butadiene monitoring near a petrochemical industry (Tarragona region) and in several Catalan urban areas using active multi-sorbent bed tubes and analysis through TD-GC/MS.

1,3-Butadiene is a carcinogenic compound that can be emitted to the atmosphere from several sources, such as the combustion of organic matter or traffic. However, petrochemical industry is one of the main origins of this compound. Several campaigns (2013-2017) were conducted in twelve Catalan urban areas to determine 1,3-butadiene concentrations in outdoor air, five of which were close to Tarragona petrochemical region. 1,3-Butadiene was dynamically sampled in multi-sorbent bed tubes (Carbotrap, Carbopack X and Carboxen 569) using portable pump equipment. The analysis was performed by automatic thermal desorption coupled with capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry detector. El Morell, Perafort and Puigdelfí, located near petrochemical facilities, were the most impacted locations, with average concentrations up to 15±33, 33±41 and 27±39µgm-3, respectively. Maximum 24h concentrations of 125µgm-3 were observed in Puigdelfí. However, 1,3-butadiene average and maximum concentrations in the Tarragona petrochemical region diminished significantly (p≤0.05) in a drastic way (40-80%) since the first monitoring program in 2013. On the other hand, average concentrations in the rest of studied Catalan urban areas generally presented average values below 1µgm-3, ranging from 0.07-1.1µgm-3. Spain does have neither a monitoring strategy nor standard regulations related to 1,3-butadiene. Taking into account that relevant values can be found in locations near petrochemical facilities, a regulation should be implemented as soon as possible, at least in this specific areas.

"Ab initio" synthesis of zeolites for preestablished catalytic reactions.

Unlike homogeneous catalysts that are often designed for particular reactions, zeolites are heterogeneous catalysts that are explored and optimized in a heuristic fashion. We present a methodology for synthesizing active and selective zeolites by using organic structure-directing agents that mimic the transition state (TS) of preestablished reactions to be catalyzed. In these zeolites, the pores and cavities could be generated approaching a molecular-recognition pattern. For disproportionation of toluene and isomerization of ethylbenzene into xylenes, the TSs are larger than the reaction products. Zeolite ITQ-27 showed high disproportionation activity, and ITQ-64 showed high selectivity for the desired para and ortho isomers. For the case of a product and TS of similar size, we synthesized a catalyst, MIT-1, for the isomerization of endo-dicyclopentane into adamantane.

Simple organic structure directing agents for synthesizing nanocrystalline zeolites.

The synthesis of the ZSM-5 and beta zeolites in their nanosized form has been achieved by using simple alkyl-substituted mono-cationic cyclic ammonium cations as OSDA molecules. The particular combination of a cyclic fragment and a short linear alkyl-chain group (preferentially C4) within the monocationic OSDA molecules allows directing the crystallization of nanosized zeolites with excellent solid yields (above 90%). Interestingly, the formation of the nanosized ZSM-5 and beta zeolites mostly depends on the size and nature of the cyclic fragment of the OSDA molecule, resulting in all cases in nanocrystalline solids with homogeneous distributions of particle sizes (∼10-25 nm) and controlled Si/Al molar ratios (∼15-30). The achieved nanosized ZSM-5 and beta zeolites have been extensively characterized by different techniques to study their physico-chemical properties, such as chemical composition, pore accessibility or Brønsted acidity, among others. Moreover, the catalytic properties of the nanosized ZSM-5 and beta zeolites have been evaluated for different chemical reactions, including methanol-to-olefins (MTO) in the case of ZSM-5, and alkylation of benzene with propylene to obtain cumene and oligomerization of light olefins to liquid fuels in the case of beta, observing in all cases improved catalytic activity and product selectivity towards target products when compared to related catalysts.

Clinical Outcomes after Carotid Endarterectomy in Patients with Contralateral Carotid Occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Severe carotid stenosis is typically treated with carotid endarterectomy (CEA), but there is debate about the safety of this procedure in patients with contralateral carotid occlusion (CCO). To compare 30-day outcomes after CEA in patients with severe carotid stenosis or without CCO. METHODS: This retrospective, single-institution analysis included 434 patients who underwent CEA. All CEAs were performed under general anesthesia, and carotid shunts were used in 32 patients. Patients were categorized into 2 groups according to patency of the contralateral carotid artery: groups I (no CCO, n = 394) and II (with CCO, n = 40). Demographics, preoperative symptomatic status, and frequency of early (<30 days) symptomatic neurologic complications and death were compared. RESULTS: Total mortality after CEA was 1.6% (n = 7), 7 and 0 in groups I and II, respectively (P = 0.39). Overall stroke rate was 3.5% (n = 15), 15 and 0 in groups I and II, respectively (P = 0.20). Rate of transient ischemic attacks was 1.4% (n = 6), 5 and 1 in groups I and II, respectively (P = 0.37). Symptomatic group I patients had a higher rate of stroke and/or death (6.7% vs. 0%) (P = 0.85). In asymptomatic patients, the stroke and/or death rate was higher in group II (3.4% vs. 8.3%, P < 0.05). In group II, the frequency of shunt placement was higher (3% vs. 53%, P = 0.001). At mean follow-ups of 75.4 ± 47.5 months (group I) and 72.7 ± 49.9 months (group II), 157 and 13 additional deaths had occurred in groups I and II, respectively (P = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CCO who undergo CEA do not appear to be at increased risk for perioperative incidence of stroke and/or death, or any neurologic event.

Background fish feminization effects in European remote sites.

Human activity has spread trace amounts of chemically stable endocrine-disrupting pollutants throughout the biosphere. These compounds have generated a background level of estrogenic activity that needs to be assessed. Fish are adequate sentinels for feminization effects as male specimens are more sensitive than humans to exogenous estrogenic compounds. High mountain lakes, the most distant environments of continental areas, only receive semi-volatile compounds from atmospheric deposition. We analyzed the expression levels of estrogen-regulated genes in male fish from these mountain lakes in Europe. Incipient feminization involving expression of estrogen receptor and zona radiata genes revealed a widespread diffuse estrogenic impact. This effect was correlated with the concentrations of some organochlorine compounds in fish and was consistent with the persistent occurrence of these tropospheric pollutants in the most remote planet regions. These results should be of general concern given the increasing endocrine disruption effects in human populations.

Elaboración de una herramienta para la estimación del riesgo de mortalidad a corto y medio plazo tras el alta de una Unidad de Hospitalización de Agudos de Geriatría / Development of a risk-mortality index for elderly patients discharged from a Geriatric Acute Care Unit

Objetivo. Desarrollar un índice capaz de estimar el riesgo individual de muerte a los 6 meses y un año, de los pacientes dados de alta de una Unidad de Agudos de Geriatría. Metodología y análisis. Estudio cohorte, prospectivo. Pacientes mayores de 70 años que ingresaron en una Unidad de Agudos de Geriatría y sobrevivieron al alta hospitalaria. El índice se construirá con el 75% de la muestra obtenida de forma aleatorizada y se validará con el 25% restante. La variable dependiente es la mortalidad a los 6 y 12 meses del alta hospitalaria. Las variables independientes incluyen datos sociodemográficos, estado funcional, comorbilidades, características clínicas y de laboratorio. Se utiliza el modelo de regresión logística multivariante para analizar la relación entre los factores de riesgo y mortalidad. Para construir el índice, la puntuación de cada factor de riesgo se determinará dividiendo cada coeficiente beta por el menor, y la puntuación de riesgo de cada paciente se hará sumando los puntos de cada factor. La precisión de este modelo predictivo se analizará comparando la mortalidad predicha versus la observada en la población de validación y calculando el área bajo las curvas ROC tanto en la población de construcción del índice como en la validación. Conclusiones. El índice predictor de mortalidad desarrollado nos permitirá estimar de forma sencilla el riesgo individual de fallecer a los 6 y 12 meses siguientes al alta de una Unidad de Agudos de Geriatría, con la finalidad de establecer planes de cuidados e individualizar tratamientos, según los objetivos realistas (AU)

Objectives. To identify predictive factors for 6 and 12-months mortality after discharge from a geriatric acute care unit, and from these, derive a mortality-risk index. Methods and analysis. Prospective cohort study will be conducted on patients over 70 years-old admitted to a geriatric acute care unit and survived to hospital discharge. The main outcome measure will be mortality at 6 months and 12 months after discharge. Independent variables include sociodemographics, functional status, comorbidities, and clinical and laboratory characteristics. Risk factors associated with mortality will be constructed using multivariate logistic regression models. To build the mortality index, points will be assigned to each risk factor by dividing each beta coefficient in the logistic model by the lowest beta coefficient. A score will be assigned to each subject by adding up the points for each risk factor present in the model. The predictive accuracy of the model will be determined by comparing the predicted versus observed mortality in the study population and calculating the area under the ROC curves in both populations. Conclusions. The risk-mortality index developed would allow an easy estimate to be made of individual risk of death at 6 months and 12 months after discharge from a geriatric acute care unit, with the purpose of establishing care plans and individualising treatment, according to real objectives (AU)

[Development of a risk-mortality index for elderly patients discharged from a geriatric acute care unit]. / Elaboración de una herramienta para la estimación del riesgo de mortalidad a corto y medio plazo tras el alta de una Unidad de Hospitalización de Agudos de Geriatría.

OBJECTIVES: To identify predictive factors for 6 and 12-months mortality after discharge from a geriatric acute care unit, and from these, derive a mortality-risk index. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Prospective cohort study will be conducted on patients over 70 years-old admitted to a geriatric acute care unit and survived to hospital discharge. The main outcome measure will be mortality at 6 months and 12 months after discharge. Independent variables include sociodemographics, functional status, comorbidities, and clinical and laboratory characteristics. Risk factors associated with mortality will be constructed using multivariate logistic regression models. To build the mortality index, points will be assigned to each risk factor by dividing each beta coefficient in the logistic model by the lowest beta coefficient. A score will be assigned to each subject by adding up the points for each risk factor present in the model. The predictive accuracy of the model will be determined by comparing the predicted versus observed mortality in the study population and calculating the area under the ROC curves in both populations. CONCLUSIONS: The risk-mortality index developed would allow an easy estimate to be made of individual risk of death at 6 months and 12 months after discharge from a geriatric acute care unit, with the purpose of establishing care plans and individualising treatment, according to real objectives.

La importancia de recuperarse del trabajo: Una revisión del dónde, cómo y por qué / No disponible

El objetivo del presente trabajo es realizar una revisión de la literatura científica de la recuperación del trabajo destacando, desde una perspectiva psicológica, su importancia para el bienestar psicosocial de las personas. La recuperación del trabajo es el proceso por el cual la persona disminuye sus niveles de estrés y renueva sus recursos y energías perdidas en la situación laboral. En esta revisión argumentamos que una adecuada recuperación diaria del estrés laboral es crucial para el mantenimiento del bienestar psicosocial de las personas. Iniciaremos, presentando la definición y las teorías psicológicas que pueden ayudar a explicar el proceso de recuperación. Seguidamente, expondremos las perspectivas desde las cuales se ha estudiado este constructo: escenarios, procesos y resultados. Por último, reflexionaremos sobre las implicaciones teóricas y prácticas de la recuperación del trabajo que nos animen, como psicólogos, al desarrollo de futuros estudios e intervenciones al respecto (AU)

The aim of this paper is to review the scientific literature highlighting the recovery work, from a psychological perspective, its importance for psychosocial well-being of people. Recovery from work refers to the process by which a person reduces their stress levels and renews its resources and energies lost during work situation. In this review we argue that an adequate daily recovery from work stress is crucial for the maintenance of well-being. We start establishing the recovery definition and theories that help us to understand the process of recovery. Subsequently, we discuss the perspectives from which recovery can be assessed: scenarios, processes and outcomes. Finally, we reflect on theoretical and practical implications of recovery from work in order to promote, as psychologists, the development of future research and interventions grounded on the psychological perspective (AU)

Altitudinal and thermal gradients of hepatic Cyp1A gene expression in natural populations of Salmo trutta from high mountain lakes and their correlation with organohalogen loads.

The biomarker of xenobiotic exposure cytochrome p450A1 (Cyp1A) was used to analyze the biological response to chemical pollution in Salmo trutta (brown trout) from nine high mountain European lakes in Norway, Tatras, Tyrol, and central Pyrenees. Hepatic Cyp1A mRNA levels correlated both with the reciprocal of absolute annual average air temperatures of the sampled lakes and with muscle concentrations of several hydrophobic organohalogen compounds (OC), including chlorinated polychlorobiphenyls (PCB), DDE, and DDT. The correlation between Cyp1A expression and OC content was observed across the whole temperature range (between -0.7 degrees C and +6.2 degrees C), but also in the absence of any thermal gradient. We concluded that airborne pollutants accumulate in high mountain lake fish at concentrations high enough to increase Cyp1A expression, among other possible effects. As geographical distribution of semi-volatile OC is strongly influenced by air temperatures, future climate modifications will potentially enhance their physiological effects in lake ecosystems.

Determinación del gen aac(6´)-aph(2´´) asociado con resistencia a aminoglucósidos en cepas de Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa en una unidad neonatal en Bogotá / Detection of gene aac(6´)-aph(2´´) in associated with aminoglucosides resistance in Staphylococcus coagulase-negative strains isolates from one neonatal unit in Bogota

Antecedentes. La causa más común de resistencia a antibióticos aminoglucósidos en bacterias Gram positivas, especialmente en S. epidermidis, es la enzima modificante AAC(6’)-APH(2"), capaz de acetilar y fosforilar un amplio rango de antibióticos. Objetivo. Determinar la presencia del gen aac(6’)-aph(2") en cepas de Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa aisladas en infecciones neonatales, e investigar la concordancia con las pruebas de sensibilidad in-vitro.Material y métodos. Se determinó la presencia del gen aac(6’)-aph(2") en 63 cepas de estafilococos coagulasa negativa provenientes de hemocultivos y puntas de catéter, de la Unidad de Neonatología del Instituto Materno Infantil, en Bogotá. Resultados. Staphylococcus epidermidis fue el germen más frecuente y el gen aac(6’)-aph(2") estaba presente en 55 (87,3%) cepas; de éstas, 42 (73,4%) cepas provenían de hemocultivos y 13 (23,6%) cepas de punta de catéter. La susceptibilidad a gentamicina se determinó mediante concentración inhibitoria mínima y para amikacina por difusión en disco. No se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa entre la presencia del gen aac(6’)-aph(2") y la resistencia a gentamicina y amikacina. Conclusión. La presencia del gen aac(6’)-aph(2") de resistencia a aminoglucósidos es muy alta en cepas de Staphylococcus epidermidis. Diferencias en la expresión del gen pueden explicar parcialmente la falta de consistencia con las pruebas de susceptibilidad utilizadas en la clínica.

Background. The most common cause of resistance to aminoglucosides is the acetilation and phosphorilation of the antibiotic by the enzyme AAC(6’)APH(2"). Objetive. To determine the presence of the gene aac(6’)-aph(2") in strains of coagulase-negative Staphylococci isolated from infected neonates and to investigate the concordance with the susceptibility tests in-vitro. Materials and methods. the aac(6’)-aph(2") gene was determined in 63 coagulase-negative Staphylococci strains isolated from blood cultures and catheter tips obtained from the neonatal care unit at the Instituto Materno Infantil in Bogotá, Colombia. Results. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most frequently identified microorganism. The aac(6’)-aph(2") gene was detected in 55 out of 63 strains (73,43%), 42 strains (87,5%) isolated from blood cultures, and 13 strains (23,6%) isolated from catheter tips. Susceptibility to gentamycin was determined by minimum inhibitory concentration, and susceptibility to amikacin by the disk diffusion antibiotic sensitivity test. There was no a significant statistical association between the presence of the gene and the microbial susceptibility to either gentamycin or amikacin. Conclusion. The presence of the aac(6’)-aph(2") gene in strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis is very high. Differences in the expression of the gene might explain some cases of inconsistency with the susceptibility tests.

Determining indoor air quality and identifying the origin of odour episodes in indoor environments.

A methodology for identifying volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and determining air quality of indoor air has been developed. The air samples are collected using pump samplers by the inhabitants when they perceive odorous and/or discomfort episodes. Glass multi-sorbent tubes are connected to the pump samplers for the retention of VOC. The analysis is performed by automatic thermal desorption (ATD) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). This methodology can be applied in cases of sick building syndrome (SBS) evaluation, in which building occupants experience a series of varied symptoms that appear to be linked to time spent in the building. Chemical pollutants concentrations (e.g., VOC) have been described to contribute to SBS. To exemplify the methodology, a qualitative determination and an evaluation of existing VOC were performed in a dwelling where the occupants experienced the SBS symptoms. Higher total VOC (TVOC) levels were detected during episodes in indoor air (1.33 +/- 1.53 mg/m3) compared to outdoor air (0.71 +/- 0.46 mg/m3). The concentrations of individual VOCs, such as ethanol, acetone, isopropanol, 1-butanol, acetic acid, acetonitrile and 1-methoxy-2-propanol, were also higher than the expected for a standard dwelling. The external source of VOC was found to be an undeclared activity of storage and manipulation of solvents located at the bottom of a contiguous building.

Hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates in the cortex and hippocampus of transgenic mice with mutant human FTDP-17 Tau and lacking the PARK2 gene.

Mutations in the PARK2 gene encoding parkin cause autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism, but have also been found in patients diagnosed with certain tauopathies. Conversely, mutations in the MAPT gene encoding tau are present in some types of parkinsonism. In order to investigate the possible relationship between these two proteins, we generated a double mutant mouse that is deficient in PARK2 and that over-expresses the hTauVLW transgene, a mutant form of the tau protein present in FTDP-17. Independent deletion of PARK2 or over-expression of the hTauVLW transgene produces mild phenotypic alterations, while a substantial increase in parkin expression is observed in hTauVLW transgenic mice. However, double mutant mice present memory and exploratory deficits, and accumulation of PHF-1 and AT8 hyperphosphorylated tau epitopes in neurons. These phenomena are coupled with reactive astrocytosis, DNA fragmentation, and variable cerebral atrophy. Here, we show that cortical and hippocampal neurons of double mutant mice develop argyrophilic Gallyas-Braak aggregates of phosphorylated tau from 3 months of age. Their number decreases in old animals. Moreover, numerous phosphorylated tau aggregates were identified with the conformation-dependent Alz-50 antibody and the S-Thioflavin staining. Ventral motor nuclei of the spinal cord also present Alz-50, AT8, and PHF1 hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates when parkin is deleted in mice over-expressing the hTauVLW transgene, begining at early ages. Thus, the combination of PARK2 gene deletion with hTauVLW over-expression in mice produces abnormal hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates, similar to those observed in the brain of patients diagnosed with certain tauopathies. In the light of these changes, these mice may help to understand the molecular processes responsible for these diseases, and they may aid the development of new therapeutic strategies to treat neurodegenerative diseases related to tau and parkin proteins.