Occupational injuries in workers of a Spanish bank.

BACKGROUND: In 2017, 69 108 work-related traffic injuries with medical leave were documented, constituting 12% of all occupational injuries (OI) in Spain. AIMS: The aim of this study was to describe OI within a Spanish bank company during 2017. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the company's mandatory OI records, presenting data in both absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies. The chi-square test was employed for comparisons. RESULTS: Among the company's 10 399 employees, 176 OI cases were recorded. Most were minor musculoskeletal incidents, with one severe myocardial infarction and one mild anxiety episode. Lower limb injuries were the most prevalent. Injuries of the trunk (P < 0.001), neck (P < 0.05), and upper limbs (P < 0.001) were linked to workplace factors. Approximately 62% of OI occurred outside the workplace and resulted in more extended medical leave (P < 0.01). Traffic-related injuries accounted for 39% of OI cases and caused 49% of days lost due to OI (P < 0.001).Female gender (P < 0.001) and age over 40 years (P < 0.05) were significantly associated with OI. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, musculoskeletal injuries were the most common, with a single cardiovascular event being the most severe. OI occurring outside the workplace was more frequent and led to longer medical leaves. Notably, traffic-related injuries were especially significant, exceeding official statistics 4-fold.

UAV-borne LiDAR revolutionizing groundwater level mapping.

In hydrogeological research, the systematic and periodic measurement of the piezometric level is fundamental to assess aquifer storage, identify recharge and discharge areas, define flow directions and to infer the balance between inputs and withdrawals. Furthermore, knowledge of this variable and its fluctuations is essential for the efficient management and protection of groundwater resources. In this work, a novel methodology is proposed for the remote acquisition of piezometric information from traditional large-diameter wells, using drone-borne LiDAR observations. The workflow developed consists of different stages, from flight planning and parameter setting, to point cloud generation, data processing and validation and its statistical treatment to extract piezometric information. This methodology has been applied in a small coastal aquifer with numerous wells that have served as monitoring points. The UAV-LiDAR has enabled the straightforward obtention of measurements of the piezometric level with very high vertical accuracies (RMSE of 5 cm) with minimum and maximum residuals of -8.7 and 7.9 cm respectively. Likewise, the method has shown vertical accuracies 3 times better than those inferred from the official DTM of best resolution available in Spain, which is usually used in hydrogeological works. Since the technique provides absolute values of the piezometric level, it eliminates the need for laborious levelling work prior to hydrogeological campaigns. This method has proved to be an effective alternative/complementary technique to traditional measurements of the piezometric level, allowing to monitor extensive or inaccessible areas over short periods of time and to potentially reduce gaps in hydrogeological databases.

Control médico en migraña y variables relacionadas. Resultados de la encuesta europea Trabajo y Migraña / Migraine medical control and related variables. Results of the European Work and Migraine survey

OBJETIVO: Es objetivo de este trabajo conocer las preferencias asistenciales y el uso requerido de atención médica por pacientes con migraña en distintos países de Europa y las diferencias en función de las condiciones sociales y demográficas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional transversal mediante encuesta anónima vía web a 3.342 pacientes de España, Italia, Francia, Portugal, Irlanda, Reino Unido, Alemania y un grupo mixto de países no incluidos en el diseño inicial. VARIABLES: edad, género, país, tipo de localidad, nivel de estudios y ámbito rural o urbano. Se recoge demanda asistencial por neurólogo, médico de atención primaria/de familia/médico general, médico del trabajo, enfermería, otro médico/otra especialidad, o no control médico/autocontrol. RESULTADOS: Acuden más a Neurología los pacientes de 21-60 años y alto nivel cultural. La asistencia por atención primaria/familia es mayor en áreas urbanas. Medicina del trabajo, enfermería y otras especialidades predominan en grandes ciudades. Mayor autocontrol en pacientes de 21-40 años y en mujeres. España y Alemania son los países con mayor demanda asistencial en Neurología y Atención Primaria. CONCLUSIONES: La demanda médica asistencial por migraña en Europa muestra resultados irregulares por países, siendo principalmente en Neurología y con menor participación de médicos de atención primaria, médicos del trabajo, enfermería u otras especialidades. Se observan diferencias por edad, género y nivel cultural tanto en la demanda asistencial como en la elección de especialista. Un importante porcentaje de pacientes se automedican o no llevan ningún control médico

OBJECTIVE: This purpose of this work is to determine the care preferences and the required use of medical care by migraine patients in the different countries of Europe, and the observed differences depending on their social and demographic conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study by anonymous web survey of 3,342 patients from Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany, and a mixed group of countries not included in the initial design. VARIABLES: age, gender, country, type of location, level of studies and rural or urban area. The demand for care is collected by neurologist, primary care doctors/family/general practitioners, by occupational health doctors, nurses, by other doctors/other specialists, non-medical control/self-control. RESULT: The patients more seen by a neurologist were about 21-60 years old and with a high cultural level. Primary care/family doctor care is higher in urban areas. Occupational medicine, nursing, and other specialties predominate in large cities. Self-control is greater in patients aged 21-40 years and in women. Spain and Germany are the countries with the greatest demand for care in Neurology and Primary Care. CONCLUSIONS: The medical demand for migraine care in Europe shows irregular results according to countries, with it being a priority in neurology and with less participation of Primary Care physicians, work doctors, nurses, or other specialties. Differences are observed by age, gender, and cultural level both in the demand for care and in the choice of specialist. It is important to take into account the percentage of patients who have no medical control

[Migraine medical control and related variables. Results of the European Work and Migraine survey]. / Control médico en migraña y variables relacionadas. Resultados de la encuesta europea Trabajo y Migraña.

OBJECTIVE: This purpose of this work is to determine the care preferences and the required use of medical care by migraine patients in the different countries of Europe, and the observed differences depending on their social and demographic conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study by anonymous web survey of 3,342 patients from Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany, and a mixed group of countries not included in the initial design. VARIABLES: age, gender, country, type of location, level of studies and rural or urban area. The demand for care is collected by neurologist, primary care doctors/family/general practitioners, by occupational health doctors, nurses, by other doctors/other specialists, non-medical control/self-control. RESULTS: The patients more seen by a neurologist were about 21-60years old and with a high cultural level. Primary care/family doctor care is higher in urban areas. Occupational medicine, nursing, and other specialties predominate in large cities. Self-control is greater in patients aged 21-40years and in women. Spain and Germany are the countries with the greatest demand for care in Neurology and Primary Care. CONCLUSIONS: The medical demand for migraine care in Europe shows irregular results according to countries, with it being a priority in neurology and with less participation of Primary Care physicians, work doctors, nurses, or other specialties. Differences are observed by age, gender, and cultural level both in the demand for care and in the choice of specialist. It is important to take into account the percentage of patients who have no medical control.

Tissue distribution of sprifermin (recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 18) in the rat following intravenous and intra-articular injection.

Objective: Fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) is involved in chondrogenesis and articular cartilage repair. We investigated tissue distribution and pharmacokinetics of radioactive [3H]sprifermin, a recombinant human FGF18, in rats after a single intravenous (i.v.) or intra-articular (i.a.) injection. Design: In two studies (48-96-h [n = 23] and 28-day [n = 12]), 35 male albino (Sprague Dawley) rats received single i.v. or i.a. dose [3H]sprifermin (0.24 mg/kg). Radioactivity was measured in blood, serum, and (in animals receiving i.a. administration) in the knee joint by liquid scintillation counting. Radioactivity in organs, tissues, and distribution in the whole body were measured with whole-body autoradiography. Results: After i.v. injection, radioactivity peaked in serum and whole blood after 4 and 24 h, respectively, with greater total radioactivity in serum. After i.a. injection, radioactivity peaked in serum and whole blood after 24 and 48 h, respectively; intact [3H]sprifermin was not detected in vena caval serum and systemic exposure was low, approximately 20% of that with i.v. injection. Following i.v. injection, radioactivity was mainly found in the liver, adrenal glands, kidney, and spleen; following i.a. injection, radioactivity was preferentially concentrated in articular cartilage after initial distribution in the joint capsule, and still evident in the joint after 28 days. Conclusions: After i.a. injection of [3H]sprifermin in rats, radioactivity was concentrated in the knee joint, particularly articular cartilage, with low levels in other investigated tissues. Systemic exposure to sprifermin was greater with i.v. than i.a. injection. Subsequent clinical investigation in patients with osteoarthritis has reported consistent results.

Fractionation of U and heavy metals into the colloidal fraction in acid mine drainage conditions in the Río Tinto area (SW Spain).

The Río Tinto mining area provides ideal conditions for studying the role of colloidal particles in concentrating. All the elements are present in higher concentrations respect to their content in common natural waters. 234U/238U activity ratio ranges between 2.286 ±â€¯0.149 and 2.531 ±â€¯0.151. Concentration of Fe and Al are in the order of 104-103 mg/L; Co, Zn and Cu values are three times lower than Fe and Al, but still much greater than in natural waters; U reaches values up to 40.73 µg/L. To evaluate the partitioning of these elements into the colloidal fraction, ultrafiltration (UF) experiments were made. A permeation model describing the relationship between concentration of the elements or isotopes in the permeate solution and the concentration factor (CF) was calculated. Experiments were carried out using CF from 1.5 to 25.0. The behaviour of investigated heavy metals and U can be predicted by a permeation model that provides similar permeation coefficient (Pc) for all of them (Pc = 0.95-0.97 for 50 kDa, Pc = 0.86-0.88 for 10 kDa, and Pc = 0.80-0.86 for 3 kDa). Retention for all the investigated elements occurs, resulting in up to 23% of the element associated to the 3 kDa colloidal fraction. The increase in U and heavy metals concentrations in the retentate fraction with the increasing CF is due to the retention of the colloidal fraction. The colloidal abundance of related metals increased with decreasing membrane MWCO even though the difference is small between 3 and 10 kDa fraction for some metals Characterization of colloidal material is needed to better understand the state of play in this context.

Efficacy and safety of administering oral misoprostol by titration compared to vaginal misoprostol and dinoprostone for cervical ripening and induction of labour: study protocol for a randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Among the various methods available, the administration of prostaglandins is the most effective for inducing labour in women with an unfavourable cervix. Recent studies have compared treatment with various titrated doses of oral misoprostol with vaginal misoprostol or dinoprostone, indicating that the use of an escalating dose of an oral misoprostol solution is associated with a lower rate of caesarean sections and a better safety profile. The objective of this study is to assess which of these three therapeutic options (oral or vaginal misoprostol or vaginal dinoprostone) achieves the highest rate of vaginal delivery within the first 24 h of drug administration. METHODS: An open-label randomised controlled trial will be conducted in Araba University Hospital (Spain). Women at ≥41 weeks of pregnancy requiring elective induction of labour who meet the selection criteria will be randomly allocated to one of three groups: 1) vaginal dinoprostone (delivered via a controlled-release vaginal insert containing 10 mg of dinoprostone, for up to 24 h); 2) vaginal misoprostol (25 µg of vaginal misoprostol every 4 h up to a maximum of 24 h); and 3) oral misoprostol (titrated doses of 20 to 60 µg of misoprostol following a 3 h on + 1 h off regimen up to a maximum of 24 h). Both intention-to-treat analysis and per-protocol analysis will be performed. DISCUSSION: The proposed study seeks to gather evidence on which of these three therapeutic options achieves the highest rate of vaginal delivery with the best safety profile, to enable obstetricians to use the most effective and safe option for their patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02902653 Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT02902653 (7th September 2016).

Dermatitis aerotrasportada de origen laboral en la industria química, farmacéutica y sector sanitario / Airborne contact dermatitis in chemical and pharmaceutical industry and healthcare sectors

INTRODUCCIÓN: La dermatitis de contacto aerotransportada (DCAT), es una forma de dermatitis profesional que por su manifestación clínica, localización y forma de contacto presentan característica propias, este hecho junto con la relevancia de la dermatosis dentro de la morbilidad profesional justifica la necesidad de sintetizar la evidencia científica existente mediante una revisión sistemática. OBJETIVOS: Identificar la evidencia científica sobre la DCAT, la existencia de un consenso sobre criterios diagnósticos, las medidas de prevención y la identificación de población especialmente sensible. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Revisión sistemática de la producción científica publicada entre 2006 y 20014 sobre DCAT, se realizó una búsqueda sistemática mediante términos DeCS, MeSH, en diversas bases de datos y otros recursos informáticos (MEDLINE, COCHRANE, SCOPUS, SCIELO, OVID, BNCS, OSH, UPDATE). La evidencia se evaluó con los criterios SIGN. RESULTADOS: Tras el proceso de selección el resultado final fue de 15 artículos a analizar del total recuperado de 504. Los tipos de diseño: 1 Ensayo Clínico no aleatorizado sin grupo control y 14 Series de Casos, de los cuales 7 usaron grupo control. Las sustancias químicas que produjeron DCAT no publicadas previamente fueron: TFA, fibras PP y PE, Dihidrocloruro 2 2'-azobis (2-metilpropanamida) y HBTU1 ; y los fármacos: Tilosina, Pristinamicina, Carbocromeno y Famotidina. DISCUSIÓN Y CONCLUSIONES: La limitación de los resultados es el bajo nivel de evidencia científica de los artículos analizados, lo que compromete su validez externa. Con respecto a las revisiones de Santos R, y Grosens A (2001 al 2006) encuentran 9 casos nuevos de DCAT y Swinnen I, y Grossens A (2007-2011) describen 14 casos. En nuestra revisión (2006-2014) hay 6 nuevos casos, lo que reafirma un aumento en el interés del estudio y la trascendencia de esta patología

INTRODUCTION: Due to its location, clinical signs and form of contact, the airborne contact dermatitis (ABCD) is a unique type of occupational dermatitis. It results unquestionable the need of synthetising the scientific evidence through a systematic review taking into account the dermathoses relevance in the occupational morbidity. OBJECTIVES: To identify the scientific evidence for ABCD, the existence of a consensus on diagnostic criteria, on preventive measures and on the identification of especially sensitive population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review of the scientific literature published between 2006 and 2014 about ABCD. A systematic search was performed using DeCS, MeSH, in various databases and other computer resources (MEDLINE, COCHRANE, SCOPUS, SCIELO, OVID, BNCS, OSH, UPDATE). The evidence was evaluated following a SIGN criteria. RESULTS: 15 articles were selected to be analyzed after a selecting process of 504. Types of design: 1-Non-randomized clinical trial without control group and 14 Case Series, 7 of which were using a control group. The ABCD chemicals not previously published: TFA, PP/PE fibers, Ethyl 2 2'- azobis Dihidroclorure (2- methyl propanamide) and HBTU1 , and the drugs: Tylosin, Pristinamycin, Carbocromen and Famotidine. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The limitation of the results reveals the low scientific evidence levels on the analyzed articles, compromising his external validity. Regarding the reviews of Santos R, and Grossens A. (2001-2006), 9 new cases of ABCD were found and Swinnen I, and Grossens A. (2007-2011) described 14 cases. In our review (2006-2014) there are 6 new cases, confirming an increasing interest in this study and the gravity of this disease. As it is impossible to demonstrate a particularly sensitive population, it can be concluded that the ABCD is gaining importance. The scientific production should be improved with designs which generate a higher level of evidence allowing to take preventive measures

Application of (234)U/(238)U activity ratios to investigations of subterranean groundwater discharge in the Cádiz coastal area (SW Spain).

The activity ratios of (234)U/(238)U were used to investigate processes of subterranean groundwater discharge into coastal marine waters in a study location at Bay of Cádiz (southwest Spain). Marine waters in the bay and surrounding open ocean exhibited U concentrations of 3.4 ± 0.1 µg/L and activity ratios of 1.15 ± 0.01, in agreement with the expected composition of seawater ((234)U/(238)U activity ratio = 1.148 ± 0.002). Three water samples obtained from the discharge zone of the Guadalete River exhibited activity ratios of 1.17-1.22 along with slightly lower U concentrations compared to seawater, which is likely due to mixing between seawater and a groundwater end-member. One possible source of groundwater was characterized by sampling and analyzing a well water sample collected in the neighboring village of El Puerto de Santa María; this water sample exhibited an activity ratio of 1.34 ± 0.03 and a U concentration of 1.22 µg/L. Water from the Guadelete River estuarine zone can be explained to result from a two-component mixture of seawater and groundwater from the El Puerto de Santa María well; however, if there are several groundwater reservoirs with different U activity ratios that discharge to the coastal water, then, it may be difficult and more studies are being conducted to address this issue.

Mobility of Po and U-isotopes under acid mine drainage conditions: an experimental approach with samples from Río Tinto area (SW Spain).

Under acid mine drainage (AMD) conditions, the solubilities and mobilities of many elements are vastly different from conditions prevailing in most natural waters. Studies are underway in the Río Tinto area (Iberian Pyrite Belt), in order to understand the behavior and mobility of long-lived U-series radionuclides under AMD conditions. A set of leaching experiments utilizing typical country rocks from the Tinto River basin, waste rock pile composite materials, iron-rich riverbed sediments and gossan (weathered naturally rock) were performed towards this purpose. Initial leaching experiments using distilled water kept in contact with solid material for 300, 100, 50 and 1 h resulted in very low concentrations of U with (234)U/(238)U activity ratios close to equilibrium and activity concentrations of (210)Po < 0.03 mBq/g. Leaching experiments performed with sulfuric acid media (0.1 and 0.01 M), and contact times between the solid and solution for 24 h were conducted to quantify the amount of U-isotopes and (210)Po leached, and the radioactive disequilibria generated between the radionuclides in the leachate. These experiments show that Po mobility in acidic conditions (pH around 1-2) is very low, with (210)Po activity in the leachate to be 6% in average for the solid sample. By contrast, mobility of U-isotopes is higher than that of Po, around 1.2%.

Lipoatrofia semicircular. A propósito de un caso, en un paciente muy alto / Semicircular lipoatrophy. The case of a very tall worker

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Estimation of annual effective dose due to natural and man-made radionuclides in the metropolitan area of the Bay of Cadiz (SW of Spain).

In order to investigate the radiological hazard of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) and man-made (137)Cs radionuclide in the Bay of Cádiz, 149 samples of sediments have been analysed. Activity concentration in all the samples was determined using a HPGe detection system. Activity concentrations values of (226)Ra, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs in the samples were 12.6±2.6 (2.5-40.6), 18.5±4.0 (2.8-73.4), 451±45 (105-1342) and 3.2±1.3 (0.2-16.0) Bq kg(-1), respectively. Outdoor external dose rate due to natural and man-made radionuclides was calculated to be 35.79±1.69 (4.71-119.16) nGy h(-1) and annual effective dose was estimated to be 43.89±2.27 (5.78-146.14) µSv y(-1). Results showed low levels of radioactivity due to NORM and man-made (137)Cs radionuclide in marine sediments recovered from the Bay of Cádiz (Spain), discarding any significant radiological risks related to human activities of the area. Furthermore, the obtained data set could be used as background levels for future research.

Sarampión. A propósito de un caso, en un trabajador de banca, en la Comunidad de Madrid / No disponible

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Produção animal e valor nutritivo da forragem de pastagem de coastcross consorciada com amendoim forrageiro / Animal production and nutritive value of a coastcross pasture mixed with forage peanut

Neste estudo foram utilizados os tratamentos: coastcross + amendoim forrageiro + 200kg/ha de N; coastcross + amendoim forrageiro + 100kg/ha de N; coastcross + 200kg/ha de N e coastcross + amendoim forrageiro (parcelas) no inverno, primavera, verão e outono (sub parcelas), delineados em blocos ao acaso. Novilhas foram manejadas sob lotação contínua e taxa de lotação variável em pastagem mantida a 17cm de altura. Amostras foram coletadas a cada 28 dias para determinar o valor nutritivo da forragem. Foram avaliados: ganho médio diário (GMD), ganho de peso vivo (GPV), taxa de lotação (TL) e número de animais dia (NAD). Quanto ao valor nutritivo da forragem, os piores resultados ocorreram nas pastagens sem adubação, 16,9 por cento e 6,0 por cento de PB de folha e colmo, respectivamente, e 70,1 por cento de FDN de folha. Na primavera e no verão, o GMD foi mais alto, 0,518 e 0,515kg/animal do que no inverno e outono, 0,396 e 0,293kg/animal, respectivamente. A TL foi superior nas pastagens que receberam a maior dose de nitrogênio, 5,38UA/ha em média, e no verão, 6,81UA/ha. O GPV foi mais elevado nas áreas com adubação, 1341kg de PV/ha, em relação aos pastos não adubados, 735kg/ha.

In this study, the ollowing treatments were used: coastcross + forage peanut + 200kg/ha of N; coastcross + forage peanut + 100kg/ha of N; coastcross + 200kg/ha of N and coastcross + forage peanut (plots) in the winter, spring, summer, and autumn (subplots), designed in randomized blocks. Heifers were managed under continuous stocking and variable stocking rate on pasture maintained at 17cm height. Samples were collected every 28 days determining the nutritional value of forage. Average daily gain (ADG), weight gain (WG), stocking rate (SR), and number of animals/day (NAD) were evaluated. As for forage nutritional value, the worst results were found in pasture without fertilization, 16.9 percent and 6.0 percent CP of leaf and stem, respectively, and 70.1 percent NDF in leaves. In the spring and summer, animals had a higher ADG, 0.518 and 0.515kg/animal, than 0.396 and 0.293kg/animal in the winter and autumn, respectively. SR was higher in pastures that received higher nitrogen doses, 5.38AU/ha in average; and in the summer, 6.81AU/ha. LWG was higher in fertilized areas, 1,341kg LW/ha, than in not fertilized pastures, 735kg/ha.

An alternative radiometric method for calculating the sedimentation rates: application to an intertidal region (SW of Spain).

A new method using the inventory determined for the activity of the radionuclide (137)Cs, coming from global radioactive fallout has been utilised to calculate the sedimentation rates. The method has been applied in a wide intertidal region in the Bay of Cádiz Natural Park (SW Spain). The sedimentation rates estimated by the (137)Cs inventory method ranged from 0.26 cm/year to 1.72 cm/year. The average value of the sedimentation rate obtained is 0.59 cm/year, and this rate has been compared with those resulting from the application of the (210)Pb dating technique. A good agreement between the two procedures has been found. From the study carried out, it has been possible for the first time, to draw a map of sedimentation rates for this zone where numerous physico-chemical, oceanographic and ecological studies converge, since it is situated in a region of great environmental interest. This area, which is representative of common environmental coastal scenarios, is particularly sensitive to perturbations related to climate change, and the results of the study will allow to make short and medium term evaluations of this change.

Produção e qualidade do pasto de coastcross consorciado ou não com amendoim forrageiro com ou sem aplicação de nitrogênio / Production and quality of coastcross pasture associated or not with forage peanut with or without nitrogen

Avaliaram-se a taxa de acúmulo foliar (TAF), a produção total de forragem (PTF), a composição química da forragem e os valores de digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS) do coastcross (Cynodon dactylon) e do amendoim forrageiro (Arachis pintoi) em pastagem consorciada. Foram avaliados os tratamentos (parcelas): coastcross + A. pintoi sem nitrogênio (CA0); coastcross + A. pintoi com 100kg de nitrogênio (CA100); coastcross com 200kg de nitrogênio (C200) e coastcross + A. pintoi com 200kg de nitrogênio (CA200), e as estações (subparcelas) do ano inverno, primavera, verão e outono. Utilizou-se um delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas no tempo, com duas repetições. Os tratamentos com os maiores níveis de adubação de nitrogênio apresentaram TAF mais alto que os demais (P<0,05). No verão ocorreu a maior PTF, seguida da primavera, outono e inverno, mas estes não diferiram entre si. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos para as variáveis proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro e digestibilidade in vitro de matéria seca, tanto para as frações de folhas do coastcross, como para a planta inteira do A. pintoi. A adubação nitrogenada, quando aplicada à pastagem de coastcross singular ou associada ao amendoim forrageiro, proporcionou aumento da TAF e da PTF, com maior produtividade e qualidade no verão.

Forage accumulation rate (FAR), total forage production (TFP), chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of coastcross pasture mixed with Arachis pintoi (AP) were evaluated. Treatments plots were: coastcross + A. pintoi without N (CA0); coastcross + A. pintoi with 100kg of N (CA100); coastcross with 200kg of N (C200); and coastcross + A. pintoi with 200kg of N (CA200); and seasons of the year (split-plots): winter, spring, summer, and autumn were analyzed. A randomized block design was used subdivided into time plots, with two replications. Treatments with the highest fertilizer levels presented higher FAR than others (P<0.05), with higher TFP during the summer, followed by spring, autumn, and winter, with no differences among then. There were no differences (P>0.05) among treatments for CP, NDF, and IVDMD on coastcross leaf fractions and Arachis pintoi whole plant. Nitrogen fertilization, when applied to single coastcross pasture or mixed with forage peanut, increased accumulation rate and forage accumulation, with higher productivity and quality in summer.

Marcadores biológicos emergentes de riesgo cardiovascular en población laboral / Emergent biological markers of cardiovascular risk in occupational poblation

Este estudio transversal y descriptivo se realizó sobre una población inicial de 200 trabajadores que, tras aplicar los criterios de exclusión, se redujo a 119 sujetos. Determinamos los factores de riesgo cardiovascular más prevalentes y relacionamos los marcadores emergentes (proteína C reactiva, lipoproteína (a) y homocisteina) con el valor de la clasificación de predicción de coronariopatía a los diez años de Framingham (FCRS). Finalmente valoramos la necesidad de introducirlos en el screening lipídico (prevención primaria). Resultados: la hipercolesterolemia, el tabaquismo y el estrés son los factores de riesgo más frecuentemente observados y están fuertemente relacionados con los hábitos personales, siendo por tanto, modificables. La proteína C reactiva resultó ser el mejor marcador de riesgo de los tres marcadores (aunque no significativa estadísticamente), además de ser la más eficiente y no precisar especiales cuidados en la fase preanalítica

This transversal and descriptive study was based over 200 workers, but only 119 passed the exclusion criteria. The aim of this study is to determinate the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors and to evaluate the relation between the emergent markers of cardiovascular risk (C Reactive Protein, Lipoprotein (a) and homocysteine) and the Framingham Coronary Risk Score (FCRS). We also sought the possibility of introducing these markers in the initial blood screening. Results: hypercholesterolemia, smoking and stress are the prevalent cardiovascular risk factors, and all of them can be modified. Although not statistically significant in our results, the C Reactive Protein is the best biological emergent marker of cardiovascular risk that we studied, and the less expensive, thus being very adequate as a preventive marker

The interaction of the cell-penetrating peptide penetratin with heparin, heparansulfates and phospholipid vesicles investigated by ESR spectroscopy.

An ESR investigation of the interaction of spin-labelled penetratin with heparin, heparansulfates and several phospholipid vesicle formulations is reported. Penetratin is a 16-aa peptide corresponding to the third helix of the Antennapedia homeodomain and belonging to the cell-penetrating peptide family. The present study shows that ESR spectroscopy can provide specific and reliable information about the mechanism of interaction of penetratin with polysaccharides and lipids, at a molecular level. The study showed that: (i) heparin and heparansulfates specifically interact with spin-labelled penetratin and promote peptide aggregation and concentration on their molecular surface; (ii) penetratin does not interact with neutral lipids, whereas it enters negatively charged lipid bilayers; (iii) cholesterol plays a negative effect on the insertion of penetratin into the lipid membrane; (iv) the interaction of penetratin with lipid vesicles is strongly dependent on lipid concentration. In a low lipid regime, penetratin associates with the polar heads of phospholipids and aggregates on the membrane surface; once the lipid concentration attains a threshold, the peptide enters the lipid bilayer. This step is characterized by reduced peptide mobility and partial disaggregation.It has been shown that ESR spectroscopy is a valuable investigation tool in studies related to the still unclear mechanism of the internalization process.

PEGylation of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GRF) analogues.

Synthetically produced GRF1-29 (Sermorelin) has an amino acid composition identical to the N-terminal 29 amino acids sequence of the natural hypothalamic GHRH1-44 (Figure 1). It maintains bioactivity in vitro and is almost equally effective in eliciting secretion of endogenous growth hormone in vivo. The main drawbacks associated with the pharmaceutical use of hGRF1-29 relate to its short half-life in plasma, about 10-20 min in humans, which is caused mostly by renal ultrafiltration and enzymatic degradation at the N terminus. PEGylation has been considered as one valid approach to obtain more stable forms of the peptide, with a longer in vivo half-life and ultimately with increased pharmacodynamic response along the somatotropic axis (endogenous GH, IGF-1 levels). Different PEGylated GRF conjugates were obtained and their bioactivity was tested in vitro and in vivo by monitoring endogenous growth hormone (GH) serum levels after intravenous (i.v.) injection in rats, and intravenous and subcutaneous (s.c.) injection in pigs. It was found that GRF-PEG conjugates are able to bind and activate the human GRF receptor, although with different potency. The effect of PEG molecular weight, number of PEG chains bound and position of PEGylation site on GRF activity were investigated. Mono-PEGylated isomers with a PEG5000 polymer chain linked to Lys 12 or Lys 21 residues, showed high biological activity in vitro, which is similar to that of hGRF1-29, and a higher pharmacodynamic response as compared to unmodified GRF molecule.