Interface-inspired formulation and molecular-level perspectives on heat conduction and energy storage of nanofluids.

Aiming for the introduction of stability requirements in nanofluids processing, an interface-based three-step method is proposed in this work. It is theory-based design framework for nanofluids that aims for a minimum tension at the solid-liquid interface by adjusting the polar and dispersive components of the base fluid to meet those of disperse nanomaterial. The method was successfully tested in the preparation of aqueous nanofluids containing single-walled carbon nanotubes that resulted to be stable and to provide good thermal properties, i.e. thermal conductivity increases by 79.5% and isobaric specific heat by 8.6% for a 0.087 vol.% load of nanotubes at 70 °C. Besides, a system for these nanofluids was modelled. It was found to be thermodynamically consistent and computationally efficient, providing consistent response to changes in the state variable temperature in a classical Molecular Dynamics environment. From an analysis of the spatial components of the heat flux autocorrelation function, using the equilibrium approach, it was possible to elucidate that heat conduction through the host fluid is enhanced by phonon propagation along nanotubes longitudinal axes. From an analysis of the structural features described by radial distribution functions, it was concluded that additional heat storage arises from the hydrophobic effect.

Trypanosoma cruzi heparin-binding proteins present a flagellar membrane localization and serine proteinase activity.

Heparin-binding proteins (HBPs) play a key role in Trypanosoma cruzi-host cell interactions. HBPs recognize heparan sulfate (HS) at the host cell surface and are able to induce the cytoadherence and invasion of this parasite. Herein, we analysed the biochemical properties of the HBPs and also evaluated the expression and subcellular localization of HBPs in T. cruzi trypomastigotes. A flow cytometry analysis revealed that HBPs are highly expressed at the surface of trypomastigotes, and their peculiar localization mainly at the flagellar membrane, which is known as an important signalling domain, may enhance their binding to HS and elicit the parasite invasion. The plasmon surface resonance results demonstrated the stability of HBPs and their affinity to HS and heparin. Additionally, gelatinolytic activities of 70 kDa, 65·8 kDa and 59 kDa HBPs over a broad pH range (5·5-8·0) were revealed using a zymography assay. These proteolytic activities were sensitive to serine proteinase inhibitors, such as aprotinin and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, suggesting that HBPs have the properties of trypsin-like proteinases.

On-line thermal dependence study of the main solar cell electrical photoconversion parameters using low thermal emission lamps.

This paper presents a non-conventional methodology and an instrumental system to measure the effect of temperature on the photovoltaic properties of solar cells. The system enables the direct measurement of the evolution of open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current intensity in relation to a continuously decreasing temperature. The system uses a high-intensity white light-emitting diode light source with low emissions of radiation in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, resulting in a reduced heating of the photovoltaic devices by the irradiation source itself. To check the goodness of the system and the methodology designed, several measurements were performed with monocrystalline silicon solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, and thin-film amorphous silicon solar cells, showing similar tendencies to those reported in the literature.

Prolactin activation of the long form of its cognate receptor causes increased visceral fat and obesity in males as shown in transgenic mice expressing only this receptor subtype.

To date the best defined function of prolactin (PRL) is its action on the ovary and mammary gland, although it has also been shown to have an effect on lipid metabolism. Using mice engineered to express only the long form of the prolactin receptor (PRL-RL), we demonstrate that PRL acting through PRL-RL alone causes severe adipose accumulation in visceral fat of males at 6 months of age. The increase in visceral fat accumulation is attributed to loss of adipose-derived leptin, which results in diminished lipolysis. The reduction in leptin also corresponds to decreased activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which further results in diminished fatty acid oxidation and increased fatty acid synthesis. Interestingly, the blunted AMPK response was only observed in adipose tissue and not in liver suggesting that this PRL mediated effect is tissue specific. A glucose tolerance study inferred that PRL-RL mice may suffer from insulin resistance or a reduction in insulin production that is not due to aberrant expression of glucose transporter 4 (Glut4). Collectively, our findings demonstrate that PRL signaling through the long form receptor causes reduced fatty acid oxidation, increased lipid storage, glucose intolerance, and obesity. These findings are of great importance towards understanding the etiology of obesity associated with hyperprolactinemia in humans as well as the role of PRL as a metabolic regulator in adipose tissue.

Cambios asistenciales derivados de la implantación de una unidad de histeroscopia ambulatoria / Changes in clinical practice after the implementation of an office hysteroscopy unit

Objetivo. Mostrar las repercusiones que la implantación de una unidad de histeroscopia en consulta ha tenido en el uso del quirófano para histeroscopia. Material y método. Estudio descriptivo de las técnicas histeroscópicas realizadas en consulta y en quirófano en los últimos años, sus complicaciones y su evolución en el tiempo en función de la implementación de nuevas tecnologías y de la experiencia del endoscopista. Resultados. Se analizan 4.026 histeroscopias ambulatorias y 1.103 en quirófano. La tasa de histeroscopias fallidas en ambos grupos es similar (el 2,5 frente al 2,6%, respectivamente); las complicaciones son muy diferentes, mientras en histeroscopia ambulatoria predominan el dolor y el síndrome vagal, en la histeroscopia en quirófano destacan las lesiones del cérvix y las perforaciones. Conforme aumenta la experiencia en histeroscopia ambulatoria se realizan más técnicas quirúrgicas, fundamentalmente polipectomías y biopsia dirigidas, disminuyendo de forma significativa la actividad en quirófano, que pasa a estar constituida principalmente por miomectomías. Conclusiones. La histeroscopia en consulta o ambulatoria es una técnica que permite diagnosticar y tratar gran parte de la patología uterina intracavitaria en un solo acto, dejando para el quirófano casos muy seleccionados (AU)

Objective. To analyze the effects of establishing an outpatient hysteroscopy unit on the use of operating room hysteroscopy. Material and method. We performed a descriptive study of office and operating room hysteroscopic techniques in the last few years. The complications associated with these procedures and outcomes were analyzed in relation to the introduction of new technologies and endoscopic experience. Results. A total of 4,026 outpatient hysteroscopies and 1,103 operating room hysteroscopies were analyzed. The failure rate was similar in both groups (2.5 versus 2.6% respectively). Intra-operative complications differed between the two groups: pain and vaso-vagal syndrome predominated in outpatient hysteroscopy while perforations and cervical lesions were more frequent in the inpatient setting. As experience of hysteroscopy has increased, more surgical techniques, mainly polypectomies and directed biopsy, have been performed. The use of operating room procedures has significantly decreased, being mainly reserved for the performance of myomectomy. Conclusions. Office hysteroscopy allows the diagnosis and management of most uterine intracavitary pathology in a single act, reserving the operating room setting for highly selected patients (AU)

Nest and nest-site reuse within and between breeding seasons by three neotropical flycatchers (Tyrannidae).

Nest and or nest site reuse within and between breeding seasons was reported by the Euler's Flycatcher (Lathrotriccus euleri), the Sepia-capped Flycatcher (Leptopogon amaurocephalus) and the Gray-hooded Flycatcher (Mionectes -rufiventris) in forest fragments from southeastern Brazil. Nest and or nest site reuse between some years was frequent within a single breeding season by the Sepia-capped Flycatcher. Nest reuse, however, was not related to nesting success in the previous breeding attempt. Nest turnover rates (movement to a new site between years) were low for L. amaurocephalus, intermediate for L. euleri and high for M. rufiventris.

Nest and nest-site reuse within and between breeding seasons by three neotropical flycatchers (Tyrannidae)

Nest and or nest site reuse within and between breeding seasons was reported by the Euler's Flycatcher (Lathrotriccus euleri), the Sepia-capped Flycatcher (Leptopogon amaurocephalus) and the Gray-hooded Flycatcher (Mionectes -rufiventris) in forest fragments from southeastern Brazil. Nest and or nest site reuse between some years was frequent within a single breeding season by the Sepia-capped Flycatcher. Nest reuse, however, was not related to nesting success in the previous breeding attempt. Nest turnover rates (movement to a new site between years) were low for L. amaurocephalus, intermediate for L. euleri and high for M. rufiventris.

Foram registrados vários eventos de reutilização de ninho ou do sítio de nidificação dentro e entre estações reprodutivas por Lathrotriccus euleri, Leptopogon amaurocephalus e Mionectes rufiventris em fragmentos de floresta do sudeste do Brasil. A reutilização do ninho ou do sítio de nidificação ocorreu entre estes tiranídeos e foi freqüente dentro de uma única estação reprodutiva para L. amaurocephalus. A reutilização do ninho, contudo, não foi relacionada ao sucesso das tentativas anteriores. As taxas de retorno ao ninho foram baixas para L. amaurocephalus, intermediárias para L. euleri e altas para M. rufiventris.

[Past, present, and future of clinical nutrition in Spain]. / Pasado, presente y futuro de la nutrición clínica en España.

The author, from his privileged position of nearly forty years dedicated to artificial nutrition, makes an excellent review of the origins, development and evolution of artificial nutrition in Spain. All the people involved, the birth of scientific societies, journals and Clinical Units, both in Spain and abroad, are perfectly described in this conference dictated at the XIX National Congress of the Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, held in Murcia in May 2003.

Pasado, presente y futuro de la nutrición clínica en España / Past, present and future of clinical nutrition in Spain

El autor, desde su posición privilegiada de casi cuarenta años dedicados a la nutrición artificial, hace una magnífica revisión de los orígenes, el desarrollo y la evolución de la nutrición artificial en España. Todos los personajes involucrados, el nacimiento de sociedades científicas, revistas y unidades de nutrición, tanto en España como en el extranjero son magistralmente descritos en esta conferencia dictada durante el XIX Congreso Nacional de la Sociedad Española de Nutrición Parenteral y Enteral, que tuvo lugar en Murcia en Mayo de 2003 (AU)

The author, from his privileged position of nearly forty years dedicated to artificial nutrition, makes an excellent review of the origins, development and evolution of artificial nutrition in Spain. All the people involved, the birth of scientific societies, journals and Clinical Units, both in Spain and abroad, are perfectly described in this conference dictated at the XIX National Congress of the Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, held in Murcia in May 2003 (AU)

The differential effect of haloperidol and repetitive induction on four immobility responses in mouse and guinea pig.

The modification by haloperidol and repetitive induction on four immobility responses -- tonic immobility, cataleptic immobility, immobility by clamping the neck and dorsal immobility -- were compared in mice and guinea pigs. Without drug, three out of four responses (cataleptic, neck clamp and dorsal immobility) were induced in mice; guinea pigs displayed all four responses. Haloperidol (5 mg/kg i.p.) potentiated the three responses shown by mice, but did not potentiate the four responses in guinea pigs. In both undrugged and haloperidol-treated mice, only the cataleptic immobility response was potentiated by repetition. In guinea pigs, none of the four immobility responses was affected due to repetition, haloperidol or a combination of both. These data are discussed, considering that, although these immobility responses could be mediated by the same neurotransmitters (e.g. dopamine), they are possibly expressed in a differential manner as a function of the kind of stimulus used to trigger the response, characteristics of the species and, in some immobility responses such as cataleptic immobility, as a function of their interaction with habituation or another learning-like process.

Estado de avance de la descentralización en seis silais y propuestas para su implementación / Current of advance of the descentralitation in six SILAIS and proposals for their implementation

Presenta proyecto de PROSILAIS en los SILAIS de Chinandega, Estelí, León, Madríz, Nueva Segovia y la RAAS. Es un proyecto que se desarolla desde el año 1992, dirigido a la atención primaria de salud y ejecutado por los SILAIS y municipios en el primer nivel de atención , aborda en forma integral los problemas de salud del nivel local. Este estudio incluye un plan y medidas a implementar para la descentralización del PROSILAIS a partir de una evaluación previa del proceso de descentralización del MINSA y de la capacidad de los SILAIS y Municipios de Salud para asumir las responsabilidades que implica la descentralización

[A new species of Euphyllia (Scleractinia: Caryophylliidae) in the limestones of Barra Honda, Costa Rica]. / Una especie nueva de Euphyllia (Scleractinia: Caryophylliidae) en las calizas de Barra Honda (Paleógeno), Costa Rica.

A new species of scleractinian coral is described: Euphyllia donatoi. This is the first report of this genus from Central America. The outcrop is located on the north-west of Costa Rica. It consists of large colonies (1.2 m high by 0.5 m in diameter), from a patch reef which had a dendroid habit. They are part of a very distintive facies in a micritic limestones of the Barra Honda Formation (Paleogene). The finding is important because these are the only macrofossils found in Barra Honda Formation. The growth took place under unstable ecological conditions resulting in a low diversity autocthonous community. It probably developed in very shallow water with a high sedimentation rate.

[Multiple trauma and burns]. / Politraumatismos y quemados.

Patients with multiple injuries and burns are the paradigm of critically-ill patients. Their cases are acute, severe and, fortunately, reversible in a large number of situations. The severe aggressions leading to this kind of condition is the rigger for a maelstrom of inflammatory mediators, metabolic and neuro-endocrinal response, leading to an acceleration in the combustion of the injured organ. This "internal combustion" process takes nourishment from organic reserves, using them up and thus producing dysfunctions in various organs. This is where nutritional support has a role, always remedying the metabolic response to inflammation and attempting to modify it. For this reason, nutritional support plays an undisputed part in the treatment of such patients. This nutritional support, so necessary in situations with a high degree of stress, must be individually tailored in terms of quantity and quality to the process and to the patient in question. Thus, adapting the support to requirements appears as a priority of nutritional assessment. While it is important to provide nourishment to needy patients, it is just as important if not more so to avoid over-nourishment. Indirect calorimetry continues to be the most accurate indicator for determining the needs of each patient and, in view of the lack of knowledge of this technique mainly as a result of economic factors, many different methods and formulas have been proposed to attempt to carry out these adjustments. The characteristics and distribution of the macronutrients will be connected with the pathologies to be treated. And finally, the route for providing this nourishment seems ever more clearly to be as prompt first-line administration through the digestive tube. There are situations in which parenteral support will complement or replace the enteral route when the latter is insufficient or unavailable; in certain circumstances, the parenteral route even seems to be superior to enteral support, as in the case of pure head injury. As these patients are particularly prone to suffer from infections, another aspect of increasing interest in the nutritional support of these patients is the use of immunity-modulating diets, where a better response can be expected. The components of the immunity-modulating diets have been shown to be able to modify the immune response in different ways, sometimes favouring the replication of lymphocytes and at other times stimulating the production of certain types of cytokines and attenuating the release of others, in short balancing the inflammatory response.

Memoria tecnica firma constitutiva iniciativa Managua Municipio Saludables Managua, 27 de marzo de 1998 / Memory technical signature record constituent initiative Managua municipality healthy Managua 27 of March of 1998

En esta memoria se presenta brevemente la evoluación del movimiento de la salud de Managua, Nicaragua desde 1995, haciendo el mayor Únfasis en el evento de lanzamiento oficial del mismo el 27 de marzo de 1998. Presenta el momento de la firma del acta constitutiva por diferentes autoridades involucradas en el proyecto de ciudades saludable, este es financiado por el Gobierno de Holanda y ejecutado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se dividio en dos etapas: La primera que es la sensibilización y concientización de las organismos participantes cuya función principal es la promoción, facilitación y conducción del proceso que lleve a Managua a ser un Municipio Saluble. La segunda etapa comprende la organización, tiene como principales tareas alcanzar la aprobación y compromiso de la AlcadÝa de Managua, la oficilización y la propuesta en funcionamiento del equipo local, la preparación de un Plan municipal de salud y la gestión financiera de los proyectos prioritarios. El progreso alcanzado en esta etapa fue la consolidación del Equipo Local, la incorporación oficial de la AlcaldÝa de Managua en el Equipo Local, la creación de la oficina de la IMMS. Fue realizado un diagnóstico de 6 aspectos de salud y ambiente de Managua, sobre el manejo y disposición final de los desechos sólidos, cobertura y calidad de los servicios agua y alcantarillado, contaminación ambiental creciente, ordenamiento urbano y territorial, legislación insuficiente, baja disponibilidad de recursos, los aspectos sociales pobreza, desempleo, desnutrición, violencia y otros y por último el bajo nivel de conciencia y educación sanitaria y ambiental

[Acute respiratory distress syndrome. Nutritional and metabolic support]. / Síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo. Soporte nutro-metabólico.

The application of artificial nutritional treatment in critical patients, nowadays is a completely accepted fact. To a large degree this is due to the advances made in the understanding of the metabolic response shown by patients against a severe and persistent aggression. One of the entities which presents the highest mortality in critical patients, is the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), which one understands as the pulmonary response to different types of aggression. To understand the metabolic implications in the face of the development of this syndrome, would permit a better understanding of the need to treat these patients and to establish the nutritional standards which are most adequate to each different metabolic alteration. It would not only be important to understand the most effective method for calculating the caloric needs of these patients, but we shall also have to deepen our understanding of possible harmful effects of the different substrates, which undoubtedly could condition morbidity. This is why in this review we focus on the intimate pulmonary mechanism, both in healthy conditions as in those of disease, in order to extrapolate conclusions which are potentially applicable to patients suffering from an acute pulmonary lesion, as those suffering from ARDS: A main role shall be played the assessment of the administration of macronutrients in the form carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acid particles, due to the implications which each of these may have on the lesioned lung and its ventilatory capacity.

Activation of HIV-1 coreceptor (CXCR4) mediates myelosuppression.

Chemokines are cytokines that activate and induce the migration of leukocytes. Stroma-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is a novel chemokine that blocks the entry of T-tropic HIV-1 mediated by fusin/CXCR4/LESTR (leukocyte-derived seven-transmembrane domain receptor). In this work we demonstrate that SDF-1 triggers increases in intracellular calcium and inhibits the proliferation of myeloid progenitor cell line 32D. By contrast, SDF-1 neither triggers a calcium response nor affects the proliferation of the myeloid progenitor cell line 32D-GR that is deficient in CXCR4. Responsiveness to SDF-1 was rescued by transfection of 32D-GR cells with a cDNA encoding the human CXCR4. The data indicate that SDF-1 induces myelosuppression by activation of CXCR4. The constitutive production of SDF-1 by bone marrow stromal cells argues for a major role of SDF-1 on the regulation of myelopoiesis.

Effects of Plasmodium berghei infection on arteether metabolism and disposition.

Arteether (AE) is primarily deethylated to dihydroqinghaosu (DQHS) in rats and humans. Conversion of AE to DQHS was impaired in microsomes from rats infected with Plasmodium berghei. The Km for AE was 175.1 +/- 49.1 and 124.4 +/- 115.1 mumol/l, and Vmax was 2.24 +/- 0.45 and 1.22 +/- 0.67 nmol AE formed/mg protein/min in control and infected microsomes (p < 0.05), respectively. Calculated intrinsic clearance (CLint = initial Vmax/Km) for AE was only 4% lower in infected microsomes. Apparent pharmacokinetic parameter estimates for AE using the isolated perfused rat liver demonstrated no differences (p > 0.05) in volume of distribution, clearance, and half-life between normal and infected animals. Malaria infection resulted in decreased biliary excretion of free AE and DQHS. The majority of AE is eliminated via biliary excretion of conjugated DQHS, which is approximately 500-fold higher than free DQHS and 75-fold higher than free AE on a molar basis.

Intrauterine growth curves of weight, length, and head circumference for a predominantly Hispanic infant population.

The purpose of this study was to develop intrauterine growth curves in a predominantly Hispanic population of low socioeconomic status near sea level and to compare them with published intrauterine growth curves. Infants born at Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center provided the study population. Gestational age was determined by maternal history and confirmed by Ballard clinical assessment in 6,100 infants. Growth curves were developed for weight, length, and head circumference from 24 through 44 weeks gestation. The intrauterine curves were similar to those developed from white non-Hispanic births in California and from white middle class infants born in Portland, OR. The Los Angeles curves differed from other curves developed in Denver, CO, where the infants were significantly smaller from the 34th week of gestation. The authors found no adverse effects on intrauterine growth by race or socioeconomic status. The curves presented in this paper are more appropriate than the Denver curves for white populations born near sea level regardless of socioeconomic status.