Random number generation by coherent detection of quantum phase noise.

In 2010 Qi et al. [Opt. Lett.35(3), 312 (2010)] demonstrated a random number generator based on the drift of the phase of a laser due to spontaneous emission, The out-of-the-lab implementation of this scheme presents two main drawbacks: it requires a long and highly unbalanced interferometer to generate a random phase with uniform probability distribution, or alternatively, a shorter and slightly unbalanced interferometer that notwithstanding requires active stabilization and does not generate a uniform probability distribution without randomness extraction. Here we demonstrate that making use of the random nature of the phase difference between two independent laser sources and two coherent detectors we can overcome these limitations. The two main advantages of the system demonstrated are: i) it generates a probability distribution of quantum origin which is intrinsically uniform and thus in principle needs no randomness extraction for obtaining a uniform distribution, and ii) the phase is measured with telecom equipment routinely used for high capacity coherent optical communications. The speed of random bit generation is determined by the photodetector bandwidth and the linewidth of the lasers. As a by-product of our method, we have obtained images of how phase noise develops with time in a laser. This provides a highly visual alternative way of measuring the coherence time of a laser.

[Myasthenia gravis and treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins. Reply]. / Miastenia grave y tratamiento con inmunoglobulinas por via intravenosa. Replica.

Miastenia grave y tratamiento con inmunoglobulinas por via intravenosa. Replica.

[National survey on school lunches and demand of special diets]. / Encuesta nacional sobre comedores escolares y demanda de dietas especiales.

INTRODUCTION: It is well known that to improve the feeding of the students it would improve its health and wellbeing, contributing to the reduction of the risk of chronic diseases in adults. In Spain, this is especially important considering the data of prevalence of infantile obesity. OBJECTIVES: To know the number of users of school cafeterias in Spain as well as different considerations on its management, nutritional supervision and the number of special diets served to students with specific requirements due to pathologies or other causes. RESULTS: The II national Survey has been realized on school cafeterias: 7,710 used daily by 678,587 users. They provide near the 2.8% of special diets (allergies 38.9%, other pathologies 23.2%, religious causes 26.7% causes and celiac disease 11.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The numbers of prevalence of obesity and infantile overweight indicate that it is necessary to improve the diet of the students.

Grasas de la dieta y salud cardiovascular / Dietary fats and cardiovascular health

La importancia de la grasa en la dieta, y su papel en la prevención cardiovascular, es uno de los tópicos nutricionales mejor estudiados y, a pesar de ello, está en continua revisión. Ahora ya conocemos, en especial gracias a los estudios relacionados con la dieta mediterránea, que es más importante la calidad de la grasa que la cantidad de su ingesta. En ese sentido, la grasa saturada y la grasa trans están implicadas en el riesgo aterogénico, por lo que se recomienda que para el diseño de una dieta sana dichos nutrientes se deben sustituir por hidratos de carbono complejos o por grasas insaturadas, manteniendo el consumo de grasa saturada en < 10% y el de trans en < 1% de la ingesta calórica. Estudios poblacionales recientes, en especial el estudio de Kuopio y los trabajos realizados con el modelo de dieta mediterránea, están afianzando cada vez más la importancia de las grasas monoinsaturadas y poliinsaturadas como nutrientes claves para la prevención de las enfermedades crónicas de las sociedades modernas. Por otra parte, un tipo especial de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados, los de la serie omega 3 (n-3), están gradualmente convirtiéndose en nutrientes claves de una dieta sana, especialmente en niños. Por ello parece razonable que 4 sociedades, fuertemente implicadas en difundir los beneficios de la dieta como herramienta para prevenir las enfermedades cardiovasculares, desarrollen un consenso para difundir los nuevos conocimientos sobre la importancia de conseguir un aporte equilibrado y adecuado de grasa en la dieta de las poblaciones industrializadas. Esto justifica este documento realizado por un grupo de expertos de la Sociedad Española de Arteriosclerosis, la Sociedad Española de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria, la Asociación Española de Pediatría, la Sociedad Española de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Nutrición Pediátrica y la Sociedad Española de Dietética y Ciencias de la Alimentación, en un esfuerzo porque resulte un trabajo multidisciplinar, orientado tanto a los adultos como a los niños en distintos tramos de edad (AU)

Although dietary fat and its role in cardiovascular prevention has been one of the most extensively studied nutritional topics, it continues to be an ever-expanding research area. Particularly thanks to studies on Mediterranean diet, we now know that fat quality is more relevant than the amount of fat we eat in the diet. Thus, saturated and trans fats have been found to increase the risk of atherogenic disease. This is why it is recommended to substitute complex carbohydrates or unsaturated fat for unsaturated and trans fats with the aim of reducing saturated and trans fat intake to <10% and <1%, respectively, of the total calorie intake. Recent population studies, particularly that conducted in Kuopio, Finland, and those on Mediterranean diet, stress the important role of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats as key nutrients in preventing cardiovascular disease in modern societies. Furthermore, a special type of polyunsaturated fatty acids, i.e. those of the omega-3 (n-3) series, is increasingly becoming essential nutrients for a healthy diet, especially in the case of children. Therefore, there is a rationale for four the Scientific Societies that are strongly committed to disseminate the benefits of a healthy diet in preventing cardiovascular disease, and to prepare a joint statement with the purpose of spreading improved knowledge on the importance of changing to a healthy diet with a well-balanced fat intake for industrialized populations. Accordingly, a multidisciplinary panel of experts from the following institutions has developed the present joint statement targeted at both adults and children of different ages: Spanish Society of Arteriosclerosis, Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine, Spanish Association of Paediatrics, Spanish Society of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Paediatric Nutrition and Dietetics, and Spanish Society for Food Sciences (AU)

Grasas de la dieta y salud cardiovascular / Dietary fats and cardiovascular health

La importancia de la grasa en la dieta, y su papel en la prevención cardiovascular es uno de los tópicos nutricionales mejor estudiados y, a pesar de ello, está en continua revisión. Ahora ya conocemos, en especial gracias a los estudios relacionados con la dieta mediterránea, que es más importante la calidad de la grasa que la cantidad de su ingesta. En ese sentido, la grasa saturada y la grasa trans están implicadas en el riesgo aterogénico, por lo que se recomienda que para el diseño de una dieta sana dichos nutrientes se deben sustituir por hidratos de carbono complejos o por grasas insaturadas, manteniendo el consumo de grasa saturada en < 10% y el de trans en < 1% de la ingesta calórica. Estudios poblacionales recientes, en especial el estudio de Kuopio y los trabajos realizados con el modelo de dieta mediterránea, están afianzando cada vez más la importancia de las grasas monoinsaturadas y poliinsaturadas como nutrientes claves para la prevención de las enfermedades crónicas de las sociedades modernas. Por otra parte, un tipo especial de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados, los de la serie omega 3 (n-3), están gradualmente convirtiéndose en nutrientes claves de una dieta sana, especialmente en niños. Por ello parece razonable que 4 sociedades, fuertemente (..) (AU)

Although dietary fat and its role in cardiovascular prevention has been one of the most extensively studied nutritional topics, it continues to be an everexpading research area. Particularly thanks to studies on Mediterranean diet, we now know that fat quality is more relevant than the amount of fat we eat in the diet. Thus, saturated and trans fats have been found to increase the risk of atherogenic disease. This is why it is recommended (..) (AU)

[Dietary fats and cardiovascular health]. / Grasas de la dieta y salud cardiovascular.

Although dietary fat and its role in cardiovascular prevention has been one of the most extensively studied nutritional topics, it continues to be an ever-expanding research area. Particularly thanks to studies on Mediterranean diet, we now know that fat quality is more relevant than the amount of fat we eat in the diet. Thus, saturated and trans fats have been found to increase the risk of atherogenic disease. This is why it is recommended to substitute complex carbohydrates or unsaturated fat for unsaturated and trans fats with the aim of reducing saturated and trans fat intake to <10% and <1%, respectively, of the total calorie intake. Recent population studies, particularly that conducted in Kuopio, Finland, and those on Mediterranean diet, stress the important role of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats as key nutrients in preventing cardiovascular disease in modern societies. Furthermore, a special type of polyunsaturated fatty acids, i.e. those of the omega-3 (n-3) series, is increasingly becoming essential nutrients for a healthy diet, especially in the case of children. Therefore, there is a rationale for four the Scientific Societies that are strongly committed to disseminate the benefits of a healthy diet in preventing cardiovascular disease, and to prepare a joint statement with the purpose of spreading improved knowledge on the importance of changing to a healthy diet with a well-balanced fat intake for industrialized populations. Accordingly, a multidisciplinary panel of experts from the following institutions has developed the present joint statement targeted at both adults and children of different ages: Spanish Society of Arteriosclerosis, Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine, Spanish Association of Paediatrics, Spanish Society of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Paediatric Nutrition and Dietetics, and Spanish Society for Food Sciences.

Human neuroblastoma cultures for biorobotics.

This paper introduces a new biorobotic system using human neuroblastoma cultures and centre of area learning for basic robotic guidance. Multielectrode Arrays Setups have been designed for direct culturing neural cells over silicon or glass substrates, providing the capability to stimulate and record simultaneously populations of neural cells. The main objective of this work will be to control a robot using this biological neuroprocessor and a new simple centre of area learning scheme. The final system could be applied for testing how chemicals affect the behaviour of the robot or to establish the basis for new hybrid optogenetic neuroprostheses based on stimulating optically genetic-modified neurons.

Management of congenital cytomegalovirus infection: an evidence-based approach.

UNLABELLED: Abstract Despite cytomegalovirus being the most common congenital infection leading to psychomotor impairment and sensori-neural hearing loss, little is known about early identification and management of congenitally infected neonates. This article reviews the literature and devises an algorithm for identification and management of these neonates. CONCLUSION: Application of the current knowledge in the management of congenital cytomegalovirus infected neonates could be beneficial, until further evidence is available.

Diagnostic value of subependymal pseudocysts and choroid plexus cysts on neonatal cerebral ultrasound: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Subependymal pseudocysts and choroid plexus cysts are seen in newborns on cerebral ultrasound. Clinicians are unsure whether these findings are related to an underlying disease which affects long-term outcome and requires medical intervention. In an attempt to establish the diagnostic value of cystic lesions on cerebral ultrasound and guide clinical management we searched the medical literature and performed a meta-analysis. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature review and summarised the data on the value of subependymal pseudocysts or choroid plexus cysts for the diagnosis of chromosomal anomalies or congenital infections. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratios were calculated for single, multiple, unilateral and bilateral cysts. RESULTS: 305 patients with cystic lesions were retrieved. Bilateral cysts, irrespective of their number, had a sensitivity of 88% and negative predictive value of 94% for a congenital infection or genetic disorder. Unilateral single cysts had a specificity of 92% for normal microbiological and genetic results. Bilateral multiple subependymal pseudocysts or choroid plexus cysts had a positive likelihood ratio of 9.1 for a chromosomal anomaly or congenital infection. Unilateral cysts had a negative likelihood ratio of 0.2 for a congenital infection or chromosomal anomaly. There was a chance of 1 in 4-5 for a congenital infection or chromosomal anomaly if bilateral multiple subependymal pseudocysts or choroid plexus cysts were found. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral multiple subependymal pseudocysts or choroid plexus cysts suggest an underlying disease. Further investigations should be undertaken even if the patient is otherwise normal. Parents of well newborns with a single cyst should be reassured.

Recommendations from SPNS/GEAM/SENBA/SENPE/AEDN/SEDCA/GESIDA on nutrition in the HIV-infected patient.

OBJECTIVE: to make recommendations on the approach to nutritional problems (malnutrition, cachexia, micronutrient deficiency, obesity, lipodystrophy) affecting HIV-infected patients. METHODS: these recommendations have been agreed upon by a group of expertes in the nutrition and care of HIV-infected patients, on behalf of the different groups involved in drafting them. Therefore, the latest advances in pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical care presented in studies published in medical journals or at scientific meetings were evaluated. RESULTS: there is no single method of evaluating nutrition, and diferent techniques--CT, MRI, and DXA--must be combined. The energy requirements of symptomatic patients increase by 20-30%. There is no evidence to support the increase in protein or fat intake. Micronutrient supplementation in only necessary in special circumstances (vitamin A in children and pregnant woman). Aerobic and resistance excercise is beneficial both for cardiovascular health and for improving lean mass and muscular strength. It is important to follow the rules of food safety at every stage in the chain. Therapeutic intervention in anorexia and cachexia must be tailored, by combining nutritional and pharmacological support (appetite stimulants, anabolic steroids, and, in some cases, testosterone). Artificial nutrition (oral supplementation, enteral or parenteral nutrition) is safe and efficacious, and improves nutritional status and response to therapy. In children, nutritional recommendations must be made early, and are a necessary component of therapy. CONCLUSION: appropriate nutritional evaluation and relevant therapeutic action are an essential part of the care of HIV-infected patients.

Electrical and optical properties of C46H22N8O4KM (M=Co, Fe, Pb) molecular-material thin films prepared by the vacuum thermal evaporation technique.

In this work, the synthesis of new materials formed from metallic phthalocyanines (Pcs) and double potassium salt from 1,8-dihydroxianthraquinone is reported. The newly synthesized materials were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), infrared (IR) and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. The powder and thin-film samples of the synthesized materials, deposited by vacuum thermal evaporation, show the same intra-molecular bonds as in the IR spectroscopy studies, which suggests that the thermal evaporation process does not alter these bonds. The effect of temperature on conductivity and electrical conduction mechanism was measured in the thin films (approximately 137 nm thickness). They showed a semiconductor-like behaviour with an optical activation energy arising from indirect transitions of 2.15, 2.13 and 3.6eV for the C(46)H(22)N(8)O(4)KFe, C(46)H(22)N(8)O(4)KPb and C(46)H(22)N(8)O(4)KCo thin films.

[Unusual cervical cyst. Adenocarcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma of a minor salivary gland]. / Quiste cervical inusual. adenocarcinoma ex-adenoma pleomorfo de glándula salival menor.

Cysts with an origin in a malignant tumour of the cervical region are rare. It is even more uncommon that the malignant tumour has its origin in a minor salivary gland as it is the malignant transformation of a pleomorphic adenoma. Some considerations are made regarding its localization, histopathology, diagnosis and therapeuthic attitude, as well as some advices to take into account in order to arrive to the diagnosis and correct treatment in similar cases to the one shown.

[Pitfalls in the diagnosis of congenital hyperinsulinism: a case report and review of the literature]. / Pitfalls bei der Diagnose des kongenitalen Hyperinsulinismus: Ein Fallbericht und Ubersicht der Literatur.

BACKGROUND: Congenital hyperinsulinism is the most common cause for recurrent hypoglycaemia in neonates and infants. Uncontrolled hypoglycaemia leads to seizures and long-term cerebral damage. Often, the diagnosis is delayed because of nonspecific symptoms and confusing laboratory results. PATIENT: We report a patient with hyperinsulinism who was initially wrongly diagnosed as having idiopathic cerebral convulsions and treated accordingly. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of congenital hyperinsulinism is based on a strong suspicion and a thorough family history. Normal random blood glucose or random insulin levels are not helpful in excluding this disease.

Regeneration of Nothofagus pumilio [Poepp. et Endl.] Krasser forests after five years of seed tree cutting.

Nothofagus pumilio [Poepp. et Endl.] Krasser is a deciduous tree species that grows in Chile and adjacent Argentina between 36 and 56 degrees S, often forming the Andean tree line. Silvicultural systems proposed for this species integrate both regeneration and intermediate level operations in an orderly process for managing forest stands. The seed-tree method of regeneration has been used to manage even-aged stands of this species. This paper investigates the effect of seed tree cuttings on the regeneration of Nothofagus pumilio [Poepp. et Endl.] Krasser forest located in the Magallanes region (Chile). The studied forest was managed on an even-aged basis using a seed tree silvicultural system for regeneration with an intensity of cutting of 65-70% of the basal area and a minimum of 15 dominant lenga trees per hectare retained. A regeneration inventory sampling was used to quantify regeneration attributes in the study area. Regeneration was found to be significantly affected by the seed tree cuttings. In fact, the number of established individuals rose from 0.39 to 26.7 plants m(-2) pre-harvest to 9.2-21.5 plants m(-2) post-harvest, depending on the particular development stage. Total regeneration ranged from 9.5 to 48.2 plants m(-2). The number of plants established over the period 1992-1997 was related to the residual basal area, coverage and number of trees. However, mean tree height was not significantly related to any regeneration variable. Significant variables were used to establish a regeneration prediction model using single and multiple linear equations (R2<0.418). Consequently, the seed tree method of regeneration can be considered feasible for commercially valuable lenga forests, although this method, in its strictest application, will create many large, irregularly shaped, even-aged groups.

[Beer and cardiovascular disease. Systematic bibliographic review (meta-analysis)]. / Cerveza y enfermedad cardiovascular. Revisión bibliográfica sistemática (metaanálisis).

MAIN OBJECTIVES: The aims of the present study are: To carry out a systematic revision of the printed literature on beer consumption and its possible effects on human health. To analyze the possibility of applying techniques used in epidemiological studies considering meta-analysis as the most important element. Meta-analysis is a set of different statistical techniques that aim to get a quantitative and qualitative synthesis of the results of different independent studies on the same subject. METHODS: First we proceed to carry out the bibliographical search and compilation by means of the following Date-Bases: Medline, Embase and Toxline. Beer is used as key word, specifying the time period between January, 1998 and May, 2000. A total of 403 reference works are obtained and subjected to the corresponding criteria of inclusion and exclusion. RESULTS: The meta-analysis of the selected studies related to cardiovascular disease provides an OR of 0.89 (0.89-0.97) which shows that the group of risk falls ill in less cases than the non-exposed. CONCLUSIONS: Beer consumption: possible factor of cardiovascular protection. Nevertheless we must take this consideration with as much caution as possible. It is necessary to determine the effects of beer consumption on the Spanish population.

[Installation of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics units in Spanish hospitals and the presence of dietitians in the same]. / Implantación de unidades de Nutrición Clínica y Dietética en los hospitales españoles y presencia de dietistas en las mismas.

GOALS: The appropriate nutritional status of hospitalized patients bears a close relationship with the existence of specialized Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics units or departments at health centres. The presence at these units of professionals with specific training to carry out tasks in the sphere of nutrition and dietetics, as is the case of dietitians, implies and evident strengthening of their capacity and operation. The main goal of the present paper to identify the number of Nutrition and Dietetics Units in the leading Spanish hospitals and also the presence of graduates in dietetics or nutrition specialists. SCOPE: Spanish hospital installations selected from the national hospital index. RESULTS OF THE TRIAL: It can be inferred that the implementation of the said services is not as complete as might be desired, and the presence of specifically qualified professionals (dietitians or nutritionists) is even lower. In this context, one is struck by the growing number of outsourced catering services at Spanish hospitals and the hiring of dietitians by these private companies, often at the request of the hospital itself. CONCLUSIONS: All of the data obtained show an ever greater importance of dietitians in hospital nutrition, with an uneven geographical distribution and implementation in Spain because of the peculiar policy adopted by the health authorities with regard to the recognition of these professionals. In Spain, these departments continue to be scorned and the role of the dietitian ignored.

Lesiones neurológicas durante la circulación extracorpórea: fisiopatología, monitorización y protección neurológica / Neurological lesions during extracorporeal circulation: physiopathology, monitoring and neurological protection

La incidencia de lesiones neurológicas graves tras la cirugía cardíaca se ha establecido en un 6,1 per cent: un 3,1 per cent de lesiones focales y un 3 per cent de lesiones difusas. Parece que su causa es multifactorial. Se ha conjeturado que ciertos factores preoperatorios, como la presencia de hipertensión, diabetes insulinodependiente, la edad avanzada y la presencia de enfermedad cerebrovascular previa, se asociarían con la aparición de estas lesiones. Sin embargo, también se relaciona con factores intraoperatorios: el tipo de manejo ácido-base, el flujo sistémico durante la circulación extracorpórea (CEC), la presión de perfusión cerebral, el hematócrito durante la CEC, la duración de ésta, el control de las glucemias y la liberación de mediadores inflamatorios. Aunque se han utilizado diversos métodos de protección neurológica durante la CEC, ninguno ha demostrado evitar completamente la aparición de estas lesiones. Habitualmente se emplea la hipotermia, la prevención del desprendimiento de placas de ateroma con ecocardiografía, la prevención de microembolismos con filtros y la hemodilución. Últimamente se han ensayado diversos fármacos con resultados dispares (AU)