High efficiency of magnetite nanoparticles for the arsenic removal from an aqueous solution and natural water taken from Tambo River in Peru.

Water is an essential compound on earth and necessary for life. The presence of highly toxic contaminants such as arsenic and others, in many cases, represents one of the biggest problems facing the earth´s population. Treatment of contaminated water with magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) can play a crucial role in arsenic removal. In this report, we demonstrate arsenic removal from an aqueous solution and natural water taken from the Peruvian river (Tambo River in Arequipa, Peru) using magnetite NPs synthesized by the coprecipitation method. XRD data analysis of Fe3O4 NPs revealed the formation of the cubic-spinel phase of magnetite with an average crystallite size of ~ 13 nm, which is found in good agreement with the physical size assessed from TEM image analysis. Magnetic results evidence that our NPs show a superparamagnetic-like behavior with a thermal relaxation of magnetic moments mediated by strong particle-particle interactions. FTIR absorption band shows the interactions between arsenate anions and Fe-O and Fe-OH groups through a complex mechanism. The experimental results showed that arsenic adsorption is fast during the first 10 min; while the equilibrium is reached within 60 min, providing an arsenic removal efficiency of ~ 97%. Adsorption kinetics is well modeled using the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation, suggesting that the adsorption process is related to the chemisorption model. According to Langmuir's model, the maximum arsenic adsorption capacity of 81.04 mg·g- 1 at pH = 2.5 was estimated, which describes the adsorption process as being monolayer, However, our results suggest that multilayer adsorption can be produced after monolayer saturation in agreement with the Freundlich model. This finding was corroborated by the Sips model, which showed a good correlation to the experimental data. Tests using natural water taken from Tambo River indicate a significant reduction of arsenic concentration from 356 µg L- 1 to 7.38 µg L- 1, the latter is below the limit imposed by World Health Organization (10 µg L- 1), suggesting that magnetite NPs show great potential for the arsenic removal.

Detección de enfermedad renal crónica oculta en pacientes de las unidades de salud familiar de loma Pyta- asunción / Detection of occult chronic kidney disease in family health units hospital loma Pyta

Introducción: La Enfermedad Renal Crónica (ERC) es una epidemia de salud pública a nivel mundial y su prevalencia aumentó en los últimos años, en relación al aumento de la prevalencia de diabetes, hipertensión arterial y obesidad. Objetivo: Identifcar la frecuencia de Enfermedad Renal Crónica oculta en la población que asiste a control en Atención Primaria de Salud, en las Unidades de Salud Familiar del Hospital Loma Pyta-Asunción y determinar los estadios y las patologías concomitantes. Material y Métodos:Estudio descriptivo de corte transverso en 173 sujetos, >18 años y de ambos sexos. Se analizaron: Edad, Sexo, Antecedentes de consumo crónico de antiinflamatorio y de exposición a agrotóxicos, presión arterial, glicemia, creatinina plasmática, perfl lipídico y proteinuria. Se calculó Indice de Masa Corporal, y Filtrado Glomerular por ecuación MDRD. Resultados: Se encuentran con ERC el 25,5%.El FG fue normal en el 74,5%; en Estadio 1: 15,6% en Estadio 2: 9,2% y en Estadio 3: 0,6%. Se halló HTA y DM como patologías asociadas a ERC, en Estadio1: HTA: 51,8%, DM el 33,3%, con IVU 11,1%. En Estadio 2 con HTA: 12,4%; con DM: 18,5%; solo Obesidad: 18,8% y con proteinuria aislada el 50% y un paciente en Estadio 3 con HTA. Proteinuria en el 32% de los hipertensos y el 24% de los diabeticos y un grupo de pacientes obesos en un 24%. Conclusiones: El hallazgo fue 25,5% de ERC en estadios iniciales, etapa ideal para tratar y evitar la progresión a diálisis, alta frecuencia de DM, HTA y obesidad que son factores de riesgo de enfermedad renal y cardiovascular. Palabras claves: Factores de Riesgo- Enfermedad renal crónica- Atención Primaria de Salud

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health epidemic worldwide and its prevalence has increased in recent years, probably related to the increased prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity.Objective: To determine frequency of Occult CKD population attending family health units Loma Pyta Hospital, and determine the different stages and comorbidities. Material and Methods: Transverse sectional descriptive study. Universe of 19,100 people; sample of 173,> 18 years and of both sexes. They were analyzed: age, sex, past medical history of chronic inflammatory consumption and exposure to pesticides, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood creatinine and lipid profle. Proteinuria dipstick. Body Mass Index, and glomerular fltration rate calculated by MDRD equation 4.Results: The glomerular fltration rate was normal in 74.5%. The study group, whith CKD are 25.5%, of which in Stage 1: 15.6% (n = 27) in Stage 2 9.2 Stage 3% and 0.6%. Arterial hypertension and Mellitus diabetes was found as pathologies associated with CKD. In Estadio1: hypertension: 51.8%, and 33.3% DM. In Stage 2 with hypertension: 12.4%; and DM: 18.5%; Obesity 18.8% and 50% isolated proteinuria and one patient in stage 3 with hypertension. 32% of hypertensive patients and 24% of diabetics with proteinuria, and there is a group of obese patients, who are not diabetic or hypertensive patients who presented proteinuria 24%, the possibility of rapid progression of renal insuffciency higher in this group of patients. Conclusions: The fnding was 24.5% of ERC ideal to treat and prevent progression to dialysis stage early stages, the high frequency of DM, hypertension and obesity are risk factors for renal and cardiovascular disease is confrmed. Keywords: Risk Factors- occult chronic kidney disease, family health units

Impact of gender and menopausal status on metabolic parameters in chronic hepatitis C infection.

Hepatitis C infection (HCV) and menopause are associated with insulin resistance (IR), and IR accelerates HCV-induced liver disease. The relationship between menopause and IR has not been studied in this population. This study aimed to assess the impact of menopause on IR and metabolic syndrome in HCV. One hundred and three (69 men, 16 premenopausal, 18 postmenopausal women) noncirrhotic, nondiabetic HCV-infected adults underwent IR measurement via steady-state plasma glucose during a 240-min insulin suppression test. Metabolic syndrome was defined by at least three of five standard laboratory/clinical criteria. The patient characteristics were as follows: mean age 48 years, waist circumference 94.4 ± 12.4 cm and 37.9% Caucasian. SSPG was higher in postmenopausal than premenopausal women or men (mean difference 18, 95% CI -41 to 76 and 35, 95% CI -3 to 72 mg/dL; respectively). After adjusting for waist circumference, female gender, nonwhite race and triglycerides were positively associated and high-density lipoprotein negatively associated with steady-state plasma glucose. Compared to men, both pre- (Coef 48, 95% CI 12-84) and postmenopausal women (Coef 49, 95% CI 17-82) had higher steady-state plasma glucose. Compared to premenopausal women, men (OR 2.0, 95% CI 0.38-10.2) and postmenopausal women (OR 2.9, 95% CI 0.46-18.8) had higher odds of metabolic syndrome, but this was statistically nonsignificant. Both liver inflammation (OR 7.9) and nonwhite race (OR 6.9) were associated with metabolic syndrome. We conclude that women are at inc-reased risk for IR in HCV. There may also be an increased risk of metabolic syndrome postmenopause. Along with lifestyle modification and weight loss, women with metabolic abnormalities represent an especially at-risk group warranting HCV treatment to prevent adverse metabolic outcomes.

Alternative method of oral administration by peanut butter pellet formulation results in target engagement of BACE1 and attenuation of gavage-induced stress responses in mice.

Development of novel therapeutic agents aimed at treating neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases require chronic and preferentially oral dosing in appropriate preclinical rodent models. Since many of these disease models involve transgenic mice that are frequently aged and fragile, the commonly used oro-gastric gavage method of drug administration often confounds measured outcomes due to repeated stress and high attrition rates caused by esophageal complications. We employed a novel drug formulation in a peanut butter (PB) pellet readily consumed by mice and compared the stress response as measured by plasma corticosterone levels relative to oral administration via traditional gavage. Acute gavage produced significant elevations in plasma corticosterone comparable to those observed in mice subjected to stress-induced hyperthermia. In contrast, corticosterone levels following consumption of PB pellets were similar to levels in naive mice and significantly lower than in mice subjected to traditional gavage. Following sub-chronic administration, corticosterone levels remained significantly higher in mice subjected to gavage, relative to mice administered PB pellets or naive controls. Furthermore, chronic 30day dosing of a BACE inhibitor administered via PB pellets to PSAPP mice resulted in expected plasma drug exposure and Aß40 lowering consistent with drug treatment demonstrating target engagement. Taken together, this alternative method of oral administration by drug formulated in PB pellets results in the expected pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics with attenuated stress levels, and is devoid of the detrimental effects of repetitive oral gavage.

Test-retest reliability of the BOLD pharmacological MRI response to ketamine in healthy volunteers.

The pharmacological MRI (phMRI) technique is being increasingly used in both pre-clinical and clinical models to investigate pharmacological effects on task-free brain function. Ketamine, an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, induces a strong phMRI response and represents a promising pharmacological model to investigate the role of glutamatergic abnormalities in psychiatric symptomatology. The aim of this study was to assess whether the brain response to ketamine is reliable in order to validate ketamine phMRI as a mechanistic marker of glutamatergic dysfunction and to determine its utility in repeated measures designs to detect the modulatory effect of other drugs. Thus we assessed the test-retest reliability of the brain response to ketamine in healthy volunteers and identified an optimal modelling approach with reliability as our selection criterion. PhMRI data were collected from 10 healthy male participants, at rest, on two separate occasions. Subanaesthetic doses of I.V. ketamine infusion (target plasma levels 50 ng/mL and 75 ng/mL) were administered in both sessions. Test-retest reliability of the ketamine phMRI response was assessed voxel-wise and on pre-defined ROIs for a range of temporal design matrices including different combinations of nuisance regressors designed to model shape variance, linear drift and head motion. Effect sizes are also reported. All models showed a significant and widespread response to low-dose ketamine in predicted cerebral networks and as expected, increasing the number of model parameters improved model fit. Reliability of the predefined ROIs differed between the different models assessed. Using reliability as the selection criterion, a model capturing subject motion and linear drift performed the best across two sessions. The anatomical distribution of effects for all models was consistent with results of previous imaging studies in humans with BOLD signal increases in regions including midline cingulate and supracingulate cortex, thalamus, insula, anterior temporal lobe and ventrolateral prefrontal structures, and BOLD signal decreases in the subgenual cingulate cortex. This study represents the first investigation of the test-retest reliability of the BOLD phMRI response to acute ketamine challenge. All models tested were effective at describing the ketamine response although the design matrix associated with the highest reliability may represent a robust and well-characterised ketamine phMRI assay more suitable for repeated-measures designs. This ketamine assay is applicable as a model of neurotransmitter dysfunction suitable as a pharmacodynamic imaging tool to test and validate modulatory interventions, as a model of NMDA hypofunction in psychiatric disorders, and may be adapted to understand potential antidepressant and analgesic effects of NMDAR antagonists.

Alcohol consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes in European men and women: influence of beverage type and body size The EPIC-InterAct study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between alcohol consumption and type 2 diabetes, and determine whether this is modified by sex, body mass index (BMI) and beverage type. DESIGN: Multicentre prospective case-cohort study. SETTING: Eight countries from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. SUBJECTS: A representative baseline sample of 16 154 participants and 12 403 incident cases of type 2 diabetes. INTERVENTIONS: Alcohol consumption assessed using validated dietary questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Occurrence of type 2 diabetes based on multiple sources (mainly self-reports), verified against medical information. RESULTS: Amongst men, moderate alcohol consumption was nonsignificantly associated with a lower incidence of diabetes with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.90 (95% CI: 0.78-1.05) for 6.1-12.0 versus 0.1-6.0 g day(-1) , adjusted for dietary and diabetes risk factors. However, the lowest risk was observed at higher intakes of 24.1-96.0 g day(-1) with an HR of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.75-0.98). Amongst women, moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a lower incidence of diabetes with a hazard ratio of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72-0.92) for 6.1-12.0 g day(-1) (P interaction gender <0.01). The inverse association between alcohol consumption and diabetes was more pronounced amongst overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg m(-2) ) than normal-weight men and women (P interaction < 0.05). Adjusting for waist and hip circumference did not alter the results for men, but attenuated the association for women (HR=0.90, 95% CI: 0.79-1.03 for 6.1-12.0 g day(-1) ). Wine consumption for men and fortified wine consumption for women were most strongly associated with a reduced risk of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes amongst women only. However, this risk reduction is in part explained by fat distribution. The relation between alcohol consumption and type 2 diabetes was stronger for overweight than normal-weight women and men.

Long-lasting neuroprotection and neurological improvement in stroke models with new, potent and brain permeable inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSES: Thienyl-isoquinolone (TIQ-A) is a relatively potent PARP inhibitor able to reduce post-ischaemic neuronal death in vitro. Here we have studied, in different stroke models in vivo, the neuroprotective properties of DAMTIQ and HYDAMTIQ, two TIQ-A derivatives able to reach the brain and to inhibit PARP-1 and PARP-2. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Studies were carried out in (i) transient (2 h) middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO), (ii) permanent MCAO (pMCAO) and (iii) electrocoagulation of the distal portion of MCA in conjunction with transient (90 min) bilateral carotid occlusion (focal cortical ischaemia). KEY RESULTS: In male rats with tMCAO, HYDAMTIQ (0.1-10 mg·kg(-1)) injected i.p. three times, starting 4 h after MCAO, reduced infarct volumes by up to 70%, reduced the loss of body weight by up to 60% and attenuated the neurological impairment by up to 40%. In age-matched female rats, HYDAMTIQ also reduced brain damage. Protection, however, was less pronounced than in the male rats. In animals with pMCAO, HYDAMTIQ administered 30 min after MCAO reduced infarct volumes by approximately 40%. In animals with focal cortical ischaemia, HYDAMTIQ treatment decreased post-ischaemic accumulation of PAR (the product of PARP activity) and the presence of OX42-positive inflammatory cells in the ischaemic cortex. It also reduced sensorimotor deficits for up to 90 days after MCAO. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Our results show that HYDAMTIQ is a potent PARP inhibitor that conferred robust neuroprotection and long-lasting improvement of post-stroke neurological deficits.

Effect of red maca (Lepidium meyenii) on prostate zinc levels in rats with testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia.

Lepidium meyenii (maca) is a plant that grows exclusively above 4000 m in the Peruvian central Andes. Red maca (RM) extract significantly reduced prostate size in rats with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) induced by testosterone enanthate (TE). Zinc is an important regulator of prostate function. This study aimed to determine the effect of RM on prostate zinc levels in rats with BPH induced by TE. Also, the study attempted to determine the best marker for the effect of RM on sex accessory glands. Rats treated with RM extract from day 1 to day 14 reversed the effect of TE administration on prostate weight and zinc levels. However, RM administered from day 7 to day 14 did not reduce the effect of TE on all studied variables. Finasteride (FN) reduced prostate, seminal vesicle and preputial gland weights in rats treated with TE. Although RM and FN reduced prostate zinc levels, the greatest effect was observed in TE-treated rats with RM from day 1 to day 14. In addition, prostate weight and zinc levels showed the higher diagnosis values than preputial and seminal vesicle weights. In conclusion, RM administered from day 1 to day 14 reduced prostate size and zinc levels in rats where prostatic hyperplasia was induced with TE. Also, this experimental model could be used as accurately assay to determine the effect of maca obtained under different conditions and/or the effect of different products based on maca.

Competing roles of TGFbeta and Nma/BAMBI in odontoblasts.

Nma/BAMBI is a novel pseudoreceptor with homology to a TGFbeta type I receptor that lacks a serine/threonine kinase domain. Nma/BAMBI functions as a dominant-negative protein that regulates reciprocal epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during organogenesis. Therefore, we hypothesized that Nma/BAMBI regulates TGFbeta signaling and downstream gene expression during dentinogenesis. To test this hypothesis, we examined the downstream gene expression profiles of major dentin extracellular matrix proteins in response to Nma/BAMBI, and we examined the roles of Nma/BAMBI and TGFbeta-1 during dentinogenesis. Overexpression of Nma/BAMBI in the mouse odontoblast-like cell line MD10-A2 down-regulated expression of DSPP by 66% and up-regulated expression of DMP1 four-fold. TGFbeta treatment reversed Nma/BAMBI's negative effect on DSPP expression. Furthermore, we demonstrated that TGFbeta negatively regulates Nma/BAMBI's expression levels in MD10-A2 odontoblast-like cells. Analysis of these data, together, indicates that TGFbeta and Nma/BAMBI are inversely regulated and that the sequence of expression determines the net effect on downstream gene expression.

Children's blood lead and standardized test performance response as indicators of neurotoxicity in metropolitan New Orleans elementary schools.

This study analyzes pre-Katrina variation in aggregate student performance and children's blood lead (BPb) in 117 elementary school districts in metropolitan New Orleans. Fourth grade student achievement on Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) tests were analyzed as a function of BPb for children 1-6 years old within school districts, controlling for student-teacher ratios, percent of students eligible for a free or discounted lunch, and school racial demography. Measures of performance across subject areas (English Language Arts, Science, Mathematics, and Social Studies) include school Achievement Test Scores (ATS) and indices of agreement and variation in student achievement. ATS are measured on a 5-point scale, corresponding to achievement categories of advanced=5 to unsatisfactory=1. Regression results show that median BPb (microg/dL) and percent of children with BPb > or =10 microg/dL are significantly associated with reductions in test scores across all subjects and depress variation in student performance across achievement categories. These data suggest that assisting children with improved school performance requires alleviation of pre-school Pb exposure and its associated neurotoxic damage. Cost-benefit calculations suggest that it is more cost effective to pay for onetime primary prevention instead of paying continuous expenses focused on reversing neurotoxic damage.

25-Gauge vitrectomy for paediatric vitreoretinal conditions.

UNLABELLED: This is a retrospective study of 56 eyes of 49 children undergoing vitrectomy with 25-gauge instrumentation. There were no cases of endophthalmitis, wound leaks or hypotony requiring treatment. A modified approach in which the conjunctiva and sclera is sutured was used for young babies requiring a pars plicata approach. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of 25-gauge vitrectomy for various vitreoretinal indications in the paediatric population. METHODS: Consecutive patients aged 18 years or less undergoing vitrectomy for various vitreoretinal indications over a 5-year period were studied retrospectively. Two different surgical techniques were used: a modified 25-gauge approach in which the sclerotomies and conjunctiva were sutured as described previously for most children under the age of 1 year, and a transconjunctival 25-gauge approach for older children RESULTS: 56 eyes in 49 children (16 girls and 33 boys) were included. Intraoperative unplanned events or complications included: conversion to 20-gauge vitrectomy (four), conversion of one port to a 20-gauge sclerotomy (two), suspected lens damage (one) and intraoperative bleeding from a vascular ridge (one). Postoperative complications included cataract (five), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (four) and vitreous haemorrhage (three). The four retinal detachments were either recurrent or occurred in eyes with complex ocular pathology and were not felt to be related to the surgical technique. There were no cases of postoperative hypotony requiring intervention, choroidal detachment, endophthalmitis or sclerotomy-related retinal breaks. CONCLUSIONS: 25-gauge vitreoretinal techniques can be used in various paediatric vitreoretinal conditions and facilitate easy access to small spaces in the paediatric eye. To avoid postoperative hypotony, a modified technique is recommended for younger babies in which the conjunctiva and sclera is sutured.

Detección precoz de enfermedad renal en escolares asintománticos de 5-12 años en el centro Educativo 6097 "Mateo Pumacahua" en Surco - Lima * Setiembre - Octubre 2007 / Early detection of renal disease in school children 5-12 years of asintománticos at school 6097

El nuevo enfoque para el tratamiento de pacientes pediátricos renales se orienta a la detección temprana de la enfermedad renal. El objetivo fue identificar la presencia de patología urinaria precoz en pacientes sin síntomas renales y determinar su factibilidad para prevenir el desarrollo de insuficiencia renal crónica terminal, en escolares asintomáticos de 5-12 años del CE. 6097 "Mateo Pumacahua" en el distrito de Surco en Lima. Se realizó un exámen de orina mediante tiras reactivas. A los resultados positivos para leucocituria se les tomó una muestra adicional el mismo día para realizar un sedimento y urocultivos. Las muestras positivas para hematuria y proteinuria fueron incluidos en una segunda toma de muestras dos semanas después. De persistir éstas, se procedió a realizar un sedimento urinario. Durante la primera toma de muestra se encontraron: Hematíes positivos (2,84%), nitritos positivos (1,54%), proteinas positivas (1,03%) y leucocitos positivos (0,77%). Se encontró que el 75% de las hematurias y el 100% de las proteinurias y leucociturias correspondían a pacientes de sexo femenino. Además se halló una mayor incidencia de resultados patológicos en el grupo etáreo de 9-12 años que en el de 5-8 años. Los porcentajes de leucocituria, hematuria y proteinuria (5,41%) fueron menores que en la bibliografía consultada. Un mayor (4,12%) al reportado por anteriores investigaciones, persistió con una muestra patológica al realizar una nueva toma de muestras y sedimento. Es recomendable realizar campañas preventivas de detección de patología renal precoz ya que se enncuentran un alto porcentaje de niños con resultados persistentes patológicos.

The new approach for treating pediatric kidney patients is aimed at early detection of kidney disease. Our goal was to identify the presence of patology early urinary symptoms in patients without kidney and determine their feasibility to prevent the development of chronic renal failure terminal, asymptomatic school children 5-12 years of Estatal Center. 6097 "Matthew Pumacahua" of Surco district. A review was conduted using urine test strips. The positive result for leucocituria they took and additional sample the same day for a urine culture and sediment. Positive samples for hematuria and proteinuria were included in a second sampling two weeks later. Of these persist, it proceeded to conduct a urine sediment. During the first sampling were found: red cells positive (2.84%) and nitrates positive (1.54%), proteins positive (1.03%) and positive leukocytes (0.77%) was found that 75% from hematuria and 100% of proteinuria and leucocituria corresponded to female patients. Also found was a higter incidence o pathological findieng in the age group 9-12 years than in the rates of 5-8 years. The percents of leucocituria, hematuria and proteinuria (5.41%) were lower than in the literature. A higher percentage (4.12%) reported by previous investigations, pathological persisted with a sample to make a new sampling and sediment. We recommend preventive campaigs to detect early kidney disease because there is a high percentage of children with persistent pathological results.

Tropaeolum tuberosum (Mashua) reduces testicular function: effect of different treatment times.

Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruiz & Pavon, along with other several species, is an edible-tuber crop that grows in the Andean region. Folk medicine describes the use of mashua to reduce reproductive function in men. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of mashua (1 g kg(-1)) on sperm production in rats during 7, 12, 21 and 42 days of treatment. The following parameters were assessed: reproductive organ weights, spermatid count and daily sperm production (DSP), sperm count in epididymis and sperm transit and serum testosterone levels. Freeze-dried extract of mashua had 3.7 g 100 g(-1) of benzyl glucosinolate. Mashua-treated rats showed a reduction in testicular spermatid number and DSP from day 12 to day 42; meanwhile, the effect of mashua was noted in epididymal sperm count after 12 and 42 days of treatment. In addition, epididymal sperm transit time was delayed at day 7 and it was accelerated on days 12 and 21 of treatment. No differences in serum testosterone levels were found between rats treated with vehicle and mashua after 42 days of treatment. Finally, mashua reduces testicular function after one spermatogenic cycle by reducing spermatid and sperm number, DSP and epididymal sperm transit time.

Caracterización de diez cultivares forrajeros de Leucaena leucocephala basada en la composición química y la degradabilidad ruminal / Chemical composition and ruminal degradability of ten fodder cultivars of Leucaena leucocephala

Objetivo. Estudiar las variaciones en la composición química y la degradabilidad ruminal dediez cultivares de Leucaena leucocephala Lam. de Wit. mediante el análisis de componentesprincipales (ACP). Materiales y métodos. Se tomaron muestras durante tres años paraevaluar la composición química, los niveles de metabolitos secundarios y la degradabilidadruminal en ovinos. Los datos fueron analizados con el paquete estadístico SPSS y medianteel diagrama tridimensional se obtuvieron las agrupaciones de las accesiones en dependenciade sus características nutritivas. Resultados. Con los primeros tres componentes del ACPse explicó el 85.83 % de la variabilidad. La concentración de proteínas, fracción fibrosa,minerales, polifenoles, fitatos y la degradación ruminal presentaron las mayores fluctuaciones.Las agrupaciones formadas permitieron identificar seis grupos con características químicasdiferentes (G1: elevada cantidad de proteínas, baja proporción de fibra y de metabolitossecundarios y elevada degradación -cv. CNIA-250 y cv. K-28-; G-2: elevado contenido demateria seca, proteínas y fenoles, poca fracción de fibra y taninos y baja degradabilidadruminal -cv. Ipil-Ipil-; G-3: composición nutricional promedio -cv. México-; G-4: bajo contenidode materia seca, fenoles, mimosina y elevada degradación ruminal -cv. Cunningham, cv. 7 ycv. América-; G-5: elevado contenido de materia seca, fenoles y valor nutritivo medio -cv.K-8 y cv. K-67-; G-6: elevado porcentaje de materia seca y taninos, y baja degradabilidad -cv. Perú-). Conclusiones. La biomasa comestible de los cultivares Cunningham, América, 7,México, CNIA-250 y K-28 constituyen las mejores opciones para la alimentación de rumiantes.

Combined 25- and 23-gauge surgery: a new sutureless vitrectomy technique.

The 25- and 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy techniques decrease the surgical trauma and improve patients' postoperative comfort. The disadvantages of the 25-gauge system include pliable instrument and slower gel removal. The 23-gauge system provides faster speed of vitrectomy and the instruments have stiffer shafts, but it requires a larger incision. To circumvent some of these limitations, a new sutureless transconjunctival vitrectomy technique that combines 23- and 25-gauge cannulas and instruments was studied. Fifty-three patients underwent vitreoretinal surgery using two 25-gauge ports for the infusion and light probe and one 23-gauge port for the vitreous cutter and various instruments. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were noted and no cases required conversion to another technique.

Cranberry juice improved antioxidant status without affecting bone quality in orchidectomized male rats.

BACKGROUND: We reported that drinking citrus juice improves bone quality in orchidectomized senescent male rats. Because cranberry juice, like citrus, is rich in nutrients and phenolic compounds, beneficial effects of citrus juice might also be seen with cranberry juice. An experiment evaluated effect of drinking cranberry juice on bone quality in orchidectomized rats. METHODS: Thirty-two 1-year-old male rats were randomized to two groups: a sham-control group (n=8) and an orchidectomized group (n=24). The treatments for the 4 months duration of the study were SHAM, orchidectomy (ORX), ORX+drinking either 27% or 45% cranberry juice concentrate added to drinking water. At the termination of the study, the rats were euthanized, blood was collected for plasma antioxidant status and IGF-I. The femur, tibia and the 4th lumbar were evaluated for bone quality. Total calcium and magnesium concentration in the femurs were also evaluated. RESULTS: ORX did not affect red blood cell (RBC)-induced hemolysis despite lowering (p<0.05) plasma antioxidant capacity; reduced (p<0.05) plasma IGF-I, femoral density, femoral strength, time-induced femoral fracture, bone mineral content, bone mineral area; numerically (p=0.07) lowered 4th lumbar density; decreased (p<0.05) trabecular connectivity, trabecular number, femoral ash; increased (p<0.05) trabecular separation in comparison to the SHAM group. Drinking cranberry juice increased (p<0.05) plasma antioxidant status, protected RBC against hemolysis, but had no positive effect on bone quality or bone mineral status. CONCLUSIONS: Cranberry juice increases plasma antioxidant status without affecting bone quality.

AMPA potentiator treatment of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of the positive alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid modulator LY451395 in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease (AD) (Mini-Mental State Examination scores 14 to 26). METHODS: One hundred eighty-one patients were randomized to treatment in an 11-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients received either LY451395 0.2 mg BID for 28 days and 1.0 mg BID thereafter (n = 90) or placebo (n = 91). The primary outcome measurement was the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) with several secondary outcome measurements: Clinician's Interview-Based Impression of Change, Trail Making Part A, Stylus Tapping Test, Single Digit Modality Test, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). RESULTS: Baseline demographics were similar between the two groups. Patients did not show any mean change from baseline in the ADAS-Cog after treatment with LY451395 for 4 weeks (p = 0.60) or 8 weeks (p = 0.83). The only secondary outcome measurement that showed changes from baseline compared with placebo was the NPI Total Score: p = 0.06 (marginal significance) after 4 weeks of treatment and p = 0.03 after 8 weeks of treatment. Ninety-two percent of LY451395-treated patients and 95% of placebo-treated patients completed the trial. Adverse events were experienced by 83% of LY451395-treated patients and 86% of placebo-treated patients, the majority of which were rated mild in severity. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with LY451395 did not show a statistically significant separation from patients taking placebo on the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale, the primary outcome measure.