Unusual Magnetic Hysteresis and Transition between Vortex and Double Pole States Arising from Interlayer Coupling in Diamond-Shaped Nanostructures.

Controlling the magnetic ground states at the nanoscale is a long-standing basic research problem and an important issue in magnetic storage technologies. Here, we designed a nanostructured material that exhibits very unusual hysteresis loops due to a transition between vortex and double pole states. Arrays of 700 nm diamond-shaped nanodots consisting of Py(30 nm)/Ru(tRu)/Py(30 nm) (Py, permalloy (Ni80Fe20)) trilayers were fabricated by interference lithography and e-beam evaporation. We show that varying the Ru interlayer spacer thickness (tRu) governs the interaction between the Py layers. We found this interaction mainly mediated by two mechanisms: magnetostatic interaction that favors antiparallel (antiferromagnetic, AFM) alignment of the Py layers and exchange interaction that oscillates between ferromagnetic (FM) and AFM couplings. For a certain range of Ru thicknesses, FM coupling dominates and forms magnetic vortices in the upper and lower Py layers. For Ru thicknesses at which AFM coupling dominates, the magnetic state in remanence is a double pole structure. Our results showed that the interlayer exchange coupling interaction remains finite even at 4 nm Ru thickness. The magnetic states in remanence, observed by magnetic force microscopy (MFM), are in good agreement with corresponding hysteresis loops obtained by the magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) and micromagnetic simulations.

Cerebrospinal and blood levels of amino acids as potential biomarkers for Parkinson's disease: review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The present systematic review and meta-analysis aims to establish the possible value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum/plasma levels of amino acids as markers of Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: This is a review of four databases (PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE and Web of Science - Core Collection) from 1966 to 14 March 2020, with identification of references of interest for the topic. The meta-analysis of eligible studies was done using R software package meta, following the PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. RESULTS: Compared with age- and sex-matched controls, PD patients showed decreased CSF levels of glutamate and taurine and increased CSF levels of tyrosine; decreased serum/plasma levels of aspartate, serine, tryptophan and lysine, and increased serum/plasma proline and homocysteine levels. CONCLUSION: Despite the limitations of this study due to the important variability of results between different series, our findings suggest the value of CSF or serum/plasma levels of several amino acids in the discrimination of PD patients from healthy subjects, related to the levels of some amino acids.

Improving the Josephson energy in high-Tc superconducting junctions for ultra-fast electronics.

We report the electrical transport of thin vertically-stacked Josephson tunnel junctions. The devices were fabricated using 16 nm thick GdBa2Cu3O7-δ electrodes and 1-4 nm SrTiO3 as an insulating barrier. The results show Josephson coupling for junctions with SrTiO3 barriers of 1 and 2 nm. Subtracting the residual current in the Fraunhofer patterns, energies of 3.1 mV and 5.7 mV at 12 K are obtained for STO barriers of 1 nm and 2 nm, respectively. The residual current may be related to the contribution of pinholes and thickness fluctuations in the STO barrier. These values are promising for reducing the influence of thermal noise and increasing the frequency operation rate in superconducting devices using high-temperature superconductors.

Safety and efficacy of an oxycodone vaccine: Addressing some of the unique considerations posed by opioid abuse.

Among vaccines aimed at treating substance use disorders, those targeting opioids present several unique medication development challenges. 1) Opioid overdose is a common complication of abuse, so it is desirable for an opioid vaccine to block the toxic as well as the addictive effects of opioids. 2) It is important that an opioid vaccine not interfere with the action of opioid antagonists used to reverse opioid overdose or treat addiction. 3) Some opioids are immunosuppressive and chronic ongoing opioid use could interfere with vaccine immunogenicity. 4) Although antibody-bound oxycodone is unable to enter the brain because of its size, it might still be able to activate peripheral opioid receptors. To assess vaccine impact on opioid toxicity, rats vaccinated with oxycodone conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin subunit dimer (OXY-dKLH) adsorbed to alum or controls vaccinated with dKLH were compared with regard to oxycodone-induced hotplate analgesia and oxycodone-induced respiratory depression and bradycardia. Vaccination shifted the dose-response curves to the right, representing protection, for each of these endpoints. Naloxone was equally effective in both OXY-dKLH and control groups, providing complete and rapid reversal of respiratory depression. The administration of a long-acting naltrexone formulation during vaccination did not impair vaccine immunogenicity in mice. Similarly, serum anti-oxycodone antibody titers were not altered by continuous morphine infusion during vaccination compared to opioid-naïve controls. Competitive ELISA assay showed negligible or low affinity of immune antiserum for endogenous opioids or opioid antagonists. In vitro receptor binding assays showed that antibody-bound oxycodone does not activate mu opioid receptors. These data support further study of OXY-dKLH as a potential treatment for oxycodone abuse and suggest that vaccination might also reduce the severity of oxycodone overdose.

Metástasis vaginal de carcinoma urotelial de vía urinaria superior / Vaginal metastasis of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

Las metástasis vaginales de carcinomas uroteliales han sido descritas en raras ocasiones. Presentamos un caso de carcinoma urotelial de vía urinaria superior, metastatizado en vagina, en una paciente que comenzó con un cuadro de dolor en fosa renal izquierda y hematuria. La paciente fue sometida a nefroureterectomía izquierda y escisión de la lesión vaginal. Este caso revela la variabilidad en el mecanismo de diseminación de los carcinomas uroteliales

Vaginal metastases from urothelial carcinomas have been reported in rare cases. We present a case of vaginal metastasis of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma in a patient who presented with pain in the left renal Fossa and haematuria. The patient underwent left nephroureterectomy and excision of the vaginal injury. This case reveals variability in the mechanism of spread of urothelial carcinomas

Gold glyconanoparticles coupled to listeriolysin O 91-99 peptide serve as adjuvant therapy against melanoma.

Dendritic cell-based (DC-based) vaccines are promising immunotherapies for cancer. However, several factors, such as the lack of efficient targeted delivery and the sources and types of DCs, have limited the efficacy of DCs and their clinical potential. We propose an alternative nanotechnology-based vaccine platform with antibacterial prophylactic abilities that uses gold glyconanoparticles coupled to listeriolysin O 91-99 peptide (GNP-LLO91-99), which acts as a novel adjuvant for cancer therapy. GNP-LLO91-99, when used to vaccinate mice, exhibited dual antitumour activities, namely, the inhibition of tumour migration and growth and adjuvant activity for recruiting and activating DCs, including those from melanoma patients. GNP-LLO91-99 nanoparticles caused tumour apoptosis and induced antigen- and melanoma-specific cytotoxic Th1 responses (P ≤ 0.5). We propose this adjuvant nanotherapy for preventing the progression of the first stages of melanoma.

Lupus eritematoso sistémico en escolar de 9 años, reporte de un caso / Systemic lupus erythematosus in a 9 years old student, case report

INTRODUCCIÓN: El Lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) es una enfermedad que afecta a múltiples sistemas corporales, caracterizada por la presencia de autoanticuerpos. El inicio del LES en edad pediátrica corresponde aproximadamente al 10-20 por ciento del total de pacientes con LES. PRESENTACIÓN DEL CASO: Escolar de sexo femenino, nueve años y seis meses de edad. Cuadro caracterizado por gonalgia bilateral y eritema malar polimorfo que desapareció espontáneamente. Luego de un mes de evolución se agregó poliartralgia además de compromiso progresivo del estado general, anorexia, pérdida ponderal importante, fiebre, gingivorragia y epistaxis. Dentro de los exámenes realizados destacaban: pancitopenia y transaminasas elevadas. Se descartó leucemia aguda con realización de mielograma. Se continuó estudio con la hipótesis diagnóstica de mesenquimopatía. En exámenes realizados destacaban: Anti DNA (+), ANA (+). Amilasa: 422 UI/L, Hematocrito: 31 por ciento, Hemoglobina: 10,7 g/dl, Tiempo de Tromboplastina Parcial Activado: 71,8 segundos, Protrombina: 10,9 segundos. Ante el diagnóstico de LES se inició tratamiento con corticoides sistémicos. Se agregó posteriormente tratamiento con Hidroxicloroquina y Azatioprina de mantención. Evolucionó favorablemente, con mejoría de los parámetros clínicos y de laboratorio. DISCUSIÓN: El diagnóstico de LES pediátrico no es fácil. La mayoría de los niños debutan con síntomas inespecíficos por lo que se requiere tener un alto nivel de sospecha diagnóstica, además de exámenes de laboratorio para comprobar o descartar la patología. Respecto al tratamiento del LES pediátrico existe consenso de que éste debe incluir Hidroxicloroquina ya que disminuye las complicaciones derivadas de la enfermedad y mejora la sobrevida y el pronóstico.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a pathology that affects multiple corporal systems, it is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies. Pediatric onset lupus accounts for about 10-20 percent of all patients with SLE. CASE REPORT: Female student, normal weight, nine years and six months old. Clinical picture characterized by bilateral knee ache and malar rash that disappeared spontaneously. One month later appeared polyarthralgia, fatigue, anorexia, important weight loss, fever, gums bleeding and epistaxis. Laboratory tests showed pancytopenia and elevated transaminases. The diagnosis of acute leukaemia was excluded by the realization of a myelogram. By the probable diagnostic of mesenchymal pathology, more laboratory tests were done to continue the study of the case. These tests showed: Anti DNA antibodies (+), ANA test (+). Amylases: 422 UI/L, Hematocrit: 31 percent, Haemoglobin: 10.7 g/dl, Activated Partial Thromboplastin time: 71.8 seconds, Prothrombin: 10.9 seconds. The treatment started with systemic steroids after SLE was diagnosed. Later Hydroxychloroquine and Azathioprine was added permanently. The patient evolved favorably with improvement of clinical and laboratory parameters. DISCUSSION: Diagnosing SLE in children is not always easy. Most children present non-specific symptoms, that is why is required an accurate clinical suspicion. Furthermore, laboratory tests are needed to confirm or exclude the pathology. There is consensus about pediatric SLE treatment, it must include Hydroxychloroquine because it decreases complications of SLE and improves the prognosis

Extrofia vesical y vejiga rectal / No disponible

No disponible

Combined treatment with bexarotene and rosuvastatin reduces angiotensin-II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm in apoE(-/-) mice and angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a degenerative vascular disease associated with angiogenesis. Bexarotene is a retinoid X receptor (RXR) ligand with anti-angiogenic activity. Statins also exert anti-angiogenic activity and activate PPARs. Because RXR ligands form permissive heterodimers with PPARs and a single anti-angiogenic drug may not be sufficient to combat the wide array of angiogenic factors produced during AAA, we evaluated the effect of combined low doses of bexarotene and rosuvastatin in a mouse model of AAA. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The effect of the combined treatment was investigated in a murine model of angiotensin II-induced AAA in apoE(-/-) mice. This combination therapy was also evaluated in in vivo (Matrigel plug assay) and in vitro (endothelial cell differentiation assay) models of angiogenesis as well as the underlying mechanisms involved. KEY RESULTS: Co-treatment with bexarotene plus rosuvastatin reduced aneurysm formation, inflammation and neovascularization compared with each single treatment. In HUVEC, the combination of suboptimal concentrations of bexarotene and rosuvastatin inhibited angiotensin II-induced morphogenesis, proliferation and migration. These effects were accompanied by diminished production of pro-angiogenic chemokines (CXCL1, CCL2 or CCL5) and VEGF, and seemed to be mediated by RXRα/PPARα and RXRα/PPARγ activation. This combined therapy reduced the activation of members of the downstream PI3K pathway (Akt/mTOR and p70S6K1) in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The combination of RXR agonists with statins at low doses synergistically interferes with the signalling pathways that modulate inflammation and angiogenesis and may constitute a new and safer therapeutic treatment for the control of AAA.

[The opinion of teachers about tutorial problem based learning]. / Aspectos relevantes en el desarrollo del tutorial en aprendizaje basado en problemas desde la perspectiva de los tutores de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de La Frontera.

BACKGROUND: In 2004 the Faculty of Medicine of Universidad de La Frontera in Chile implemented curricular changes, incorporating small group problem based learning in different carriers. AIM: To explore aspects that hamper or facilitate tutorial problem based learning from the perspective of tutors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six in depth interviews and a focus group with tutors were carried out in 2010 and 2011. Data were analyzed through constant comparisons using the program ATLAS ti, guaranteeing credibility, reliance, validation and transferability. RESULTS: Five hundred and twenty eight (528) significance units were identified and 25 descriptive categories emerged. The categories of tutor motivation, methodological domain, tutor responsibility, tutor critical capacity, disciplinary domain, student participation and tutor-student interaction were emphasized. Three qualitative domains were generated, namely tutor skills, transformation of student roles and institutional commitment. CONCLUSIONS: Tutorial teaching is favored by teachers when the institutions train them in the subject, when there is administrative support and an adequate infrastructure and coordination.

Aspectos relevantes en el desarrollo del tutorial en aprendizaje basado en problemas desde la perspectiva de los tutores de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de La Frontera / The opinion of teachers about tutorial problem based learning

Background: In 2004 the Faculty of Medicine of Universidad de La Frontera in Chile implemented curricular changes, incorporating small group problem based learning in different carriers. Aim: To explore aspects that hamper or facilitate tutorial problem based learning from the perspective of tutors. Material and Methods: Six in depth interviews and a focus group with tutors were carried out in 2010 and 2011. Data were analyzed through constant comparisons using the program ATLAS ti, guaranteeing credibility, reliance, validation and transferability. Results: Five hundred and twenty eight (528) significance units were identified and 25 descriptive categories emerged. The categories of tutor motivation, methodological domain, tutor responsibility, tutor critical capacity, disciplinary domain, student participation and tutor-student interaction were emphasized. Three qualitative domains were generated, namely tutor skills, transformation of student roles and institutional commitment. Conclusions: Tutorial teaching is favored by teachers when the institutions train them in the subject, when there is administrative support and an adequate infrastructure and coordination.

Collateral urethral duplication in an adult.

OBJECTIVE: Congenital anomalies or malformations of the urethra that involve number are extremely rare and only 7 cases of trifurcation of the urethra and under 500 cases of urethral duplication have been described. METHODS: In the case we present, urethral duplication was diagnosed in adulthood, even though glans malformation with 2 urethral orifices was clearly evident and only 1 was functional. RESULTS: The condition is usually diagnosed in childhood due to the presence of 2 urethral meatus or from double stream if both are functional; at other times, the condition is diagnosed from complications that trigger infections or obstruction or if it is associated with more extensive malformations. CONCLUSIONS: Urethral duplication is an extremely rare birth defect, and diagnosis in adulthood is even more uncommon. No single embryologic argument explains all the anatomic variants of urethral duplication. The treatment of the urethral duplication should be individualized according to the type of duplication and the clinical symtoms.

Duplicidad uretral colateral en un adulto / Collateral urethral duplication in an adult

OBJETIVO: Las anomalías o malformaciones congénitas uretrales de número son muy escasas; así, se han descrito solo siete casos de trifurcación uretral 1 y no llega a quinientos de duplicación. METODOS: En el caso que presentamos el diagnóstico se hizo en edad adulta, a pesar de que era muy evidente la malformación del glande con dos orificios uretrales, aunque solo uno de ellos funcional. RESULTADOS: Suele diagnosticarse en la infancia cuando existen dos meatos uretrales, o si son ambas funcionales por efectuar micciones con doble chorro; otras veces se diagnostican por las complicaciones que pueden desencadenar, especialmente infecciosas u obstructivas o por estar asociadas a malformaciones más extensas. CONCLUSIONES: La duplicación uretral es una malformación congénita de muy escasa frecuencia, y su diagnóstico en el adulto todavía más. No existe un argumento embriológico único que explique las diferentes variantes anatómicas de duplicidad uretral. El tratamiento de la duplicidad uretral deberá ser individualizado y dependerá del tipo de duplicidad y de la clínica que provoque (AU)

OBJECTIVE: Congenital anomalies or malformations of the urethra that involve number are extremely rare and only 7 cases of trifurcation of the urethra and under 500 cases of urethral duplication have been described. METHODS: In the case we present, urethral duplication was diagnosed in adulthood, even though glans malformation with 2 urethral orifices was clearly evident and only 1 was functional. RESULTS: The condition is usually diagnosed in childhood due to the presence of 2 urethral meatus or from double stream if both are functional; at other times, the condition is diagnosed from complications that trigger infections or obstruction or if it is associated with more extensive malformations. CONCLUSIONS: Urethral duplication is an extremely rare birth defect, and diagnosis in adulthood is even more uncommon. No single embryologic argument explains all the anatomic variants of urethral duplication. The treatment of the urethral duplication should be individualized according to the type of duplication and the clinical symtoms (AU)

SYNTHETIC OBSERVATIONS OF WAVE PROPAGATION IN A SUNSPOT UMBRA.

Spectropolarimetric temporal series from Fe i λ6301.5 Å and Ca ii infrared triplet lines are obtained by applying the Stokes synthesis code NICOLE to a numerical simulation of wave propagation in a sunspot umbra from MANCHA code. The analysis of the phase difference between Doppler velocity and intensity core oscillations of the Fe i λ6301.5 Å line reveals that variations in the intensity are produced by opacity fluctuations rather than intrinsic temperature oscillations, except for frequencies between 5 and 6.5 mHz. On the other hand, the photospheric magnetic field retrieved from the weak field approximation provides the intrinsic magnetic field oscillations associated to wave propagation. Our results suggest that this is due to the low magnetic field gradient of our sunspot model. The Stokes parameters of the chromospheric Ca ii infrared triplet lines show striking variations as shock waves travel through the formation height of the lines, including emission self-reversals in the line core and highly abnormal Stokes V profiles. Magnetic field oscillations inferred from the Ca ii infrared lines using the weak field approximation appear to be related with the magnetic field strength variation between the photosphere and the chromosphere.

Fused in Sarcoma (FUS) gene mutations are not a frequent cause of essential tremor in Europeans.

FUS/TLS (denoting fused in sarcoma/translocated in liposarcoma [MIM 137070]) codifies an RNA binding protein. Mutations in this gene cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; MIM 608030). Essential tremor (ET [MIM 190300]) is the most frequent movement disorder. Despite its strong familiar aggregation, recently a whole exome sequencing study has identified FUS mutations as a cause of familial ET. To determine whether mutations in FUS are also common in other populations, we sequenced FUS gene in 178 unrelated Spanish subjects with ET. We detected only an intronic single-pair nucleotide deletion (c.1293-37delC), which was predicted to affect mRNA splicing. However, leukocyte mRNA analysis showed no changes in FUS expression. In conclusion, coding or splicing FUS mutations are not a frequent cause of ET in the Spanish population.

Update on genetics of essential tremor.

Despite the research, few advances in the etiopathogenesis on essential tremor (ET) have been made to date. The high frequency of positive family history of ET and the observed high concordance rates in monozygotic compared with dizygotic twins support a major role of genetic factors in the development of ET. In addition, a possible role of environmental factors has been suggested in the etiology of ET (at least in non-familial forms). Although several gene variants in the LINGO1 gene may increase the risk of ET, to date no causative mutated genes have been identified. In this review, we summarize the studies performed on families with tremor, twin studies, linkage studies, case-control association studies, and exome sequencing in familial ET.

High-resolution far-field integral-imaging camera by double snapshot.

In multi-view three-dimensional imaging, to capture the elemental images of distant objects, the use of a field-like lens that projects the reference plane onto the microlens array is necessary. In this case, the spatial resolution of reconstructed images is equal to the spatial density of microlenses in the array. In this paper we report a simple method, based on the realization of double snapshots, to double the 2D pixel density of reconstructed scenes. Experiments are reported to support the proposed approach.