Biomarkers of resistance to radiation therapy: a prospective study in cervical carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Clinical parameters and proteins have recently been suggested as possible causes of radiotherapy (RT) resistance in cervical carcinoma (CC). The objective of the present study was to validate prognostic biomarkers of radiation resistance. METHODS: The present prospective study included patients undergoing RT with curative intent for histologically proven locally advanced squamous cell CC. Tissues and blood samples were systematically collected before RT initiation. Immuno-histochemistry was performed (IGF-IR α and ß, GAPDH, HIF-1 alpha, Survivin, GLUT1, CAIX, hTERT and HKII). Response to radiation was assessed through tumour response 3 months after RT completion, through overall survival (OS) and through progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: One hundred forty nine patients with a mean age of 46 years were included, with FIGO IIB (n = 53) and FIGO IIIB (n = 96) CCs. 61 patients were treated with exclusive RT + brachytherapy and 88 underwent chemo-radiotherapy + brachytherapy. Our findings suggest an association between hemoglobin level (Hb) (>11 g/dL) and 3 months complete response (p = 0.02). Hb level < 11 g/dL was associated with decreased PFS (p = 0.05) and OS (p = 0.08). Overexpression of IGF-1R ß was correlated with a decreased OS (p = 0.007). Overexpression of GLUT1 was marginally correlated with reduced OS (p = 0.05). PFS and OS were significantly improved in patients undergoing chemoradiation versus exclusive radiotherapy (PFS: p = 0.04; OS: p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: IGF-1R ß overexpression and Hb level (≤11 g/dl) were associated with poor prognosis, and thus appear to be possible interesting biomarkers of radiation resistance. Our results corroborate previous pre-clinical studies suggesting IGF-1R and hypoxia to be part of the biological pathways leading to radio-resistance.

Postoperative analgesia with dexmedetomidine in interscalene block. Comparative study. / Analgesia postoperatoria con dexmedetomidina en bloqueo interescalénico. Estudio comparativo.

INTRODUCTION: Dexmedetomidine prolongs sensory block of ropivacaine. Our objective was to study whether this extension would produce better postoperative pain control compared to that produced by clonidine in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study comparative, longitudinal, controlled, randomized into 3 groups. Control group I: ropivacaine 0.75% clonidine group II: 0.75% ropivacaine plus clonidine 1mg/kg group iiidexmedetomidine: 0.75% ropivacaine more dexmedetomidine 1mg/kg. Interscalene block single dose ultrasound-guided. Sensory and motor blockade, pain intensity, sedation level, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure at 6, 12 and 24hours was measured. RESULTS: Pain intensity at 6hours in groups I and II moderate to severe pain, mild pain group iii. At 12hours the groups IIand II showed moderate to severe pain by more than 60% of patients, and in group iiionly 10%. At 24hours I and II group 20% of patients they continued to moderate pain. CONCLUSION: The prolonged interscalene block produced by dexmedetomidine provided better postoperative pain control during the first 24hours.

Morphological and physiological changes exhibited by a Cd-resistant Dictyosphaerium chlorelloides strain and its cadmium removal capacity.

Changes induced on freshwater microalga Dictyosphaerium chlorelloides (Dc(wt)) acclimated in the laboratory until their survival in culture media enriched with cadmium 100 µM have been studied. Cadmium removal by living cells of this Cd-resistant (Dc(CdR100)) strain was tested in cultures exposed to 100 µM Cd during 30 days. Cell dimensions were measured under light microscopy, and cell growth was studied. Photosynthetic yield (ΦPSII) was analyzed and the photosynthetic oxygen development and respiration response was obtained. Results show that Dc(CdR100) strain exhibited significant cell morphology changes in comparison to Dc(wt) cells, which affected both surface area and cell biovolume. Malthusian fitness analysis showed that Dc(CdR100) strain living in Cd-enriched culture had developed a lower capacity of nearly 50% growth, and its photosynthetic oxygen development and respiration response were significantly reduced in both light and dark photosynthetic phases. Dc(CdR100) strain showed a very high capacity to remove cadmium from the aquatic environment (over 90%), although most of the removed heavy metal (≈70%) is adhered to the cell wall. These specific characteristics of Dc(CdR100) cells suggest the possibility of using this strain in conjunction with Dc(wt) strain as bioelements into a dual-head biosensor, and in bioremediation processes on freshwater polluted with Cd.

Embryologists' health: a nationwide online questionnaire.

PURPOSE: The present study evaluates health status and its relation with occupational characteristics and with burnout syndrome among embryologists. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used to conduct an online self-assessment survey, sent to all members of the Spanish Association of Clinical Embryologists. The questionnaire contained occupational questions and two standard instruments: 'Short Form-12 Health Survey' as a measure of physical (PCS-12) and mental (MCS-12) health and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) to evaluate the degree of burnout. RESULTS: The PCS-12 obtained for the Spanish embryologists was higher than that for the reference population. However, the total MCS-12 was significantly lower than that observed in non-institutionalised males and females representative of the general Spanish population aged 35-44 years. In the linear regression model, the dependent variable PCS-12 was related indirectly with the variables number of hours worked per week, BMI, back pain, leg pain and visual discomfort. In the linear regression model, the dependent variable MCS-12 was indirectly related to the gender (male reference; female coefficient regression: -3.23), exhaustion and cynicism dimensions of the MBI-GS. A total of 87 (36.3%) embryologists presented a high score on at least one of the MBI-GS dimensions. CONCLUSION: In this sample of Spanish embryologists, a norm measure (SF-12) showed their physical health to be better than the average for the general population, but that their mental health was poorer. A significant indirect relation was observed between mental health and burnout syndrome. Strategies to reduce occupational stress and problems should form part of the training provided for clinical embryologists.

Neuroprotective effect of silymarin in a MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease secondary to the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) produces in mice and primates histopathological changes similar to PD in humans. A common feature of PD and MPTP models is neuronal death and dopamine depletion. Silymarin is a complex of flavonolignans derived from the seeds of the plant Silybum marianum and has mainly antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective and neuroprotective effects. In order to explore whether silymarin has a neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of PD we determined the concentration of striatal dopamine by HPLC, the number of apoptotic cells by in situ Tunel assay and the number of tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons by immunohistochemistry in substantia nigra of vehicle-treated, silymarin-treated, MPTP-intoxicated and MPTP-silymarin treated C57BL/6J male mice. MPTP (30 mg/kg) and silymarin doses (25, 50, 100, 200, 250, 300 or 400mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally once daily for five consecutive days. Silymarin treatment showed a non-monotonic dose-response curve and only 50 and 100mg/kg doses preserved dopamine levels (62% and 69%, respectively) after MPTP intoxication. Additionally, 100mg/kg silymarin treatment significantly diminished the number of apoptotic cells and preserved dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of MPTP-intoxicated mice. These results show the neuroprotective properties of 100mg/kg silymarin and may be of interest in the treatment of PD.

Exploring the T-Θ phase diagram of S adsorbed on Au(111) substrate on the Θ = 0.5 ML line.

Theoretical results for the adsorption of half of a monolayer of S on Au(111) are presented. The simulations were made using a density functional theory (DFT) tight binding approach combined with classical molecular dynamics at 800, 500, 300, 150 and 1 K. By considering a minimal (2 × âˆš3) unit cell, two stable adsorbed phases are found: a dimeric one and another forming a rhomboidal structure depending on the preparation of the sample at high temperatures. Optimized calculations at T = 0 K indicate that the stability of the dimeric phase is due to the increase of the binding energies between sulfur atoms. Enforcing previous results (Gómez-Carrillo et al 2011 Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 13 461) it is verified that at high temperatures (T > 300 K) sulfur atoms have a high mobility which allows migration among different adsorption sites. The mobility decreases with the temperature and, as in the previous work, a thermal barrier of 25-30 meV is found. On enlarging the unit cell new agglomerates are found, in good agreement with experimental data.

[Total shoulder arthroplasty with interscalene block. Feasibility study]. / Artroplastía total de hombro con bloqueo interescalénico. Estudio de factibilidad.

INTRODUCTION: General anesthesia is considered as the technique of choice for shoulder surgery, either alone or combined. We propose to show the feasibility of using guided interscalene block as the single anesthetic technique for total shoulder arthroplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Neurostimulation-guided interscalene block plus sedation with dexmedetomidine were used. The following were measured intraoperatively: latency time, intraoperative analgesia, motor block according to Monzo's scale, success rate, adverse events and complications. The following were measured postoperatively: duration of postoperative analgesia and pain intensity with a visual analogue scale at 6, 12 and 24 hours. Patient satisfaction was also measured. RESULTS: Intraoperative analgesia was appropriate in 100% of patients. Motor block was grade 0 in 76.4% and grade 1 in 23.6%, which is appropriate for surgery. The success rate was 100%. Mean postoperative pain at 6 hours was 0.13 +/- 0.54 points in the visual analogue scale; 1.67 +/- 1.15 at 12 hours, and 3.15 +/- 1.66 points at 24 hours. 54.5% of patients were very satisfied and 45.5% were satisfied. Complications occurred in 8.18%. CONCLUSION: This type of surgery is feasible with interscalene block plus sedation; it is a safe and efficacious technique.

Endothelial cells promote pancreatic stem cell activation during islet regeneration in mice.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes is the clinical consequence of the loss of the majority of the ß-cell population and failure to regenerate new pancreatic ß cells. The current therapies based on ß-cell replacement have failed to achieve ß-cell renewal and thus, long-term insulin freedom. We have hypothesized that early rejection of endothelial elements within the islet grafts may seriously hamper islet regeneration in both native and islet grafts. METHODS: In the present study, we analyzed the role of endothelial cells to activate pancreatic stem cells during islet regeneration. Mice were pretreated with or without endothelial pharmacological ablation of endothelial cells, followed by an acute ß-cell injury using a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. We performed comparative morphometric analyses of recovered pancreata on days 3, 7, 10, and 30 after streptozotocin injury, staining with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) for representative cell types, ß cells, endothelial elements, and stem cells. Blood glucose levels were measured continuously after the injury to monitor the capacity for metabolic control. RESULTS: Morphometric analyses revealed an increasing number of cells over time to be stained with a stem cell and BrdU markers among animals only injured with streptozotocin but not with endothelial ablation. Notably, on day 10, stem cell markers were dramatically decrease nearly to basal levels, with appearance of numerous insulin-positive cells. Intact vessels with cobblestone-shaped endothelial elements were observed in direct proportion to the better outcomes, both by morphometric and by metabolic parameters. In contrast, fewer insulin-positive cells were observed in pancreata that had been ablated of endothelial cells showing extensive collapse of endocrine functions. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that endothelial elements promoted stem cell proliferation and islet regeneration after a ß-cell insult. We believe that preservation of endothelial cells positively affects the process of pancreatic regeneration.

Asociación entre la antropometría materna y el producto de la gestación / Anthropometric nutritional evaluation of the pregnant women and its relation with the product of the gestation

Objetivo: evaluar la asociación entre el estado nutricional antropométrico materno durante su tercer trimestre de gravidez con el estado nutricional antropométrico del neonato. Método: Se evaluaron 98 binomios madre-recién nacido atendidos en el Hospital Público Universitario de Caracas y en el Hospital Privado de Clínicas Caracas, Venezuela. Las variables maternas fueron: peso pregestacional, peso gestacional, talla, circunferencia media del brazo (CMB), circunferencia de pantorrilla y pliegue del tríceps y se construyeron los indicadores antropométricos: índice de masa corporal pregestacional (IMCpg) y gestacional (IMCg), así como indicadores de composición corporal: área grasa (AG) y muscular del brazo (AM). En el recién nacido, se evaluó: peso, talla, índice ponderal (IP), y evaluación clínica del estado nutricional del neonato (ECEN). Resultados: El IMCg mostró una de las mejores correlaciones y con significancia estadística con el IP del neonato (r=0,22) observando este mismo resultado la CMB materno con el IP (r=0,21) y el puntaje de ECEN (r=0,22). En cuanto a los indicadores de composición corporal materno, únicamente se encontró correlación positiva y estadísticamente significativas entre el AM y el puntaje ECEN (r = 0,24) y el AG con el IP (r = 0,20). Conclusión: La CMB materna podría constituir una variable indicativa del estado nutricional del neonato y se recomienda la incorporación temprana en el monitoreo rutinario del control prenatal (AU)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between the anthropometric nutritional state of the pregnant women during his third trimester of pregnancy with the anthropometric state nutritional of the product of the gestation, who carried out their prenatal control in the University Hospital of Caracas and the Hospital of Caracas Clinics. The evaluated variables were: pregestacional weight, gestacional weight, chart, average circumference of the arm and fold of tríceps; the anthropometric indicators were constructed: index of corporal mass (IMC) pregestacional and gestacional and of corporal composition such as greasy and muscular area of the arm. In new born, one evaluated the weight and the stature and so the ponderal index was constructed (IP), as well as the clinical evaluation of the nutritional state of the neoborn one (ECEN). Statistical Package SPSS 13,0 for Windows, calculating statistical descriptive basic and coefficient of correlation of Pearson was used (p 0.05). The results indicate that when considering the associations between the maternal variables and anthropometric indicators with the neonatal ones is to a great extent positive correlation, of this form, cases as the average circumference of arm (CMB) maternal were statistically significant with the ponderal index and puntaje ECEN, indicating that the maternal CMB is constituted like an indicative variable of the nutritional state of the neoborn one. The early incorporation in the routine monitoring of the prenatal control, the anthropometric valuation with effective simple variables of low cost is recommended and, being able to detect nutritional alterations in which it is found opportunely to prevent adverse results in the neoborn one (AU)

The hidden face of food phenolic composition.

Plant polyphenols are extremely diverse, due to the occurrence of several basic structures, numerous substitutions and, for some groups, of polymers (tannins). Plant polyphenol composition depends on the plant species and organ, with some molecules specific of particular plant families while others are ubiquitous. The polyphenol content is classically assessed by global analysis methods, which lack specificity and accuracy. These methods have been replaced with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), that enables accurate determination of individual molecules, provided they can be unambiguously identified and calibration curves can be established. However, HPLC analysis is restricted to simple compounds and difficult to apply in the case of complex extracts. Further difficulties encountered in the case of polymers include irreversible adsorption on the stationary phases. Proanthocyanidin analysis by HPLC after acid-catalysed depolymerisation in the presence of a nucleophile permits to overcome these problems and shows that proanthocyanidins predominate in the polyphenol composition of most plants. Large varietal differences in tannin quantitative and qualitative composition were observed for all plant species studied. Moreover, analysis is usually performed after extraction, which may lead to significant underestimation of the polyphenol content, since a large proportion is not extracted by usual solvents. This may be due to covalent binding to other plant constituents and to non-covalent adsorption on plant solids. Such matrix effect also influences the taste perception of polyphenols and their fate in the digestive tract, from in-mouth interactions with salivary proteins to their metabolism by colon microflora, with potential influence on bioavailability.

[Anthropometric nutritional evaluation of the pregnant women and its relation with the product of the gestation]. / Asociación entre la antropometría materna y el producto de la gestación.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between the anthropometric nutritional state of the pregnant women during his third trimester of pregnancy with the anthropometric state nutritional of the product of the gestation, who carried out their prenatal control in the University Hospital of Caracas and the Hospital of Caracas Clinics. The evaluated variables were: pregestational weight, gestational weight, chart, average circumference of the arm and fold of triceps; the anthropometric indicators were constructed: index of corporal mass (IMC) pregestational and gestational and of corporal composition such as greasy and muscular area of the arm. In new born, one evaluated the weight and the stature and so the ponderal index was constructed (IP), as well as the clinical evaluation of the nutritional state of the newborn one (ECEN). Statistical Package SPSS 13,0 for Windows, calculating statistical descriptive basic and coefficient of correlation of Pearson was used (p 0.05). The results indicate that when considering the associations between the maternal variables and anthropometric indicators with the neonatal ones is to a great extent positive correlation, of this form, cases as the average circumference of arm (CMB) maternal were statistically significant with the ponderal index and puntaje ECEN, indicating that the maternal CMB is constituted like an indicative variable of the nutritional state of the newborn one. The early incorporation in the routine monitoring of the prenatal control, the anthropometric valuation with effective simple variables of low cost is recommended and, being able to detect nutritional alterations in which it is found opportunely to prevent adverse results in the newborn one.

Spin fluctuation effects on the conductance through a single Pd atom contact.

A controversy about the conductance through single atoms still exists. There are many experiments where values lower than the quantum unity G(0) = 2e(2)/h have been found associated to Kondo regimes with high Kondo temperatures. Specifically in the Pd single atom contact, conductance values close to G(0)/2 at room temperature have been reported. In this work we propose a theoretical analysis of a break junction of Pd where the charge fluctuation in the single atom contact is limited to the most probable one: [Formula: see text]. The projected density of states and the characteristics of the electron transport are calculated by using a realistic description of the interacting system. A Kondo regime is found where the conductance values and their dependence on temperature are in good agreement with the experimental trends observed in the conduction of single molecule transistors based on transition metal coordination complexes.

Export of nitrogen from catchments: a worldwide analysis.

This study reviews nitrogen export rates from 946 rivers of the world to determine the influence of quantitative (runoff, rainfall, inhabitant density, catchment area, percentage of land use cover, airborne deposition, fertilizer input) and qualitative (dominant type of forest, occurrence of stagnant waterbodies, dominant land use, occurrence of point sources, runoff type) environmental factors on nitrogen fluxes. All fractions (total, nitrate, ammonia, dissolved organic and particulate organic) of nitrogen export showed a left-skewed distribution, which suggests a relatively pristine condition for most systems. Total nitrogen export showed the highest variability whereas total organic nitrogen export comprised the dominant fraction of export. Nitrogen export rates were only weakly explained by our qualitative and quantitative environmental variables. Our study suggests that the consideration of spatial and temporal scales is important for predicting nitrogen export rates using simple and easy-to-get environmental variables. Regionally based modelling approaches prove more useful than global-scale analyses.

Dolor de la articulación sacroilíaca. Anatomía, diagnóstico y tratamiento / Sacroiliac joint pain. Anatomy, diagnosis and treatment

El dolor de la articulación sacroilíaca es una causa frecuente de dolor bajo de espalda, sin embargo el diagnóstico de artralgia sacroilíaca no es fácil de confirmar y la exploración física de la articulación es controvertido. Además este diagnóstico a menudo pasa inadvertido para el médico, por lo que la falta de consideración de esta posible causa de lumbalgia da lugar a tratamientos inapropiados e inadecuados. La articulaciones sacroilíacas, sinoviales del tipo anfiartrosico irregular, monoaxiales, en la cual se articulan las carillas articulares del sacro al ilion, Su innervación es cuestión de debate, pero las más recientes investigaciones refieren que deriva de L2-S2, L4-S2, L5-S2. La prevalencia del dolor de la articulación sacroilíaca no esta bien estudiado, hay numerosas etiologías para el dolor de articulación sacroilíaca, estas causas se pueden dividir en intraarticulares y extraarticulares. Para la exploración física se cuenta con una serie de 12 pruebas las cuales fueron emitidas por un comité de expertos y se concluye que encontrar 3 o más pruebas positivas es muy sugestivo de dolor de dicha. El tratamiento se puede dividir en conservador, intervencionista donde se puede utilizar desde la infiltración con anestésico local y esteroide hasta radiofrecuencia y por ultimo quirúrgico para casos seleccionados (AU)

The pain of the sacroiliac joint is a frequent cause of low back pain, however the diagnose of sacroiliac artralgia it is not easy to confirm and the physical exploration of the joint is controversial. Also this I often diagnose it happens inadvertent for the physician, for what the lack of consideration of this possible low back pain cause gives place to inappropriate and inadequate treatments. The sacroiliac joint is synovial of the type irregular anphiarthrosic, monoaxial, in which the sides joint are articulated from the sacrum one to the Ilion, Their innervation is debate question, but those but recent investigations refer that it derives of L2-S2, L4-S2, L5-S2. The prevalence of the pain of the sacroiliac joint not this well studied one, there is numerous etiology for the sacroiliac joint pain, these causes can be divided in intraarticular and extraarticular. For the physical exploration it is had a series of 12 tests which were emitted by a committee of experts and you concludes that to find 3 or but positive tests are very suggestive of pain of happiness. The treatment you can divide in conservative, interventionist where you can use from the infiltration with local anesthetic and steroid until radiofrequency and for finish surgical for selected cases (AU)

Dentina y adhesivos dentinarios: conceptos actuales / Dentin and dentin bonding agents: current concepts

La adhesión a dentina ha sido muy difícil de lograr. El logro de adhesión a estructura dental sellará la interfase diente-material restaurador, creando con esto la eliminación de la penetración de bacterias, disminuyendo el riesgo de caries secundaria, la pigmentación marginal y el daño irreversible a la pulpa. Varios sistemas de adhesión a dentina se han desarrollado a través de los años, presentando diferentes mecanismos de adhesión y utilizando diversos recursos para obtener adhesión. Se lleva a cabo una revisión de las diferentes generaciones de sistemas de adhesión con la finalidad de obtener un mejor entendimiento del pasado, presente y futuro de la adhesión a estructura dental

Capa híbrida / Hybrid layer

La capa híbrida es el resultado de la difusión e impregnación de monómeros en la superficie de los sustratos de dentina pretratada. El desarrollo de sistemas adhesivos que infiltran la superficie de dentina desmineralizada por monómero de resinas y que se combinan con el colágeno para formar una capa que es una mezcla de diente y resina, es un paradigma en odontología restauradora que podría sellar la interfase dentina-material restaurador, previniendo la presencia de hipersensibilidad y caries recurrente

Capa de detritus dentinaria / Smear layer

Después de cualquier preparación en estructura dental, la capa de detritus cubrirá la superficie dentinaria. El papel de la capa de detritus dentinario en la odontología restauradora ha sido considerada importante por su posición estratégica en la interfase del material restaurador y la matriz dentinaria. La capa de detritus se debe remover o alterar de acuerdo a las necesidades del sistema adehsivo por usar. La eliminación de la capa de detritus y la creación de una capa híbrida fuerte y estable podría promover adhesión a la estructura dental para detener la penetración bacteriana

Measurement of the D(s)+ lifetime.

A high statistics measurement of the D(s)+ lifetime from the Fermilab fixed-target FOCUS photoproduction experiment is presented. We describe the analysis of the two decay modes, D(s)+ --> phi(1020)pi+ and D(s)+ -->K*(892)0K+, used for the measurement. The measured lifetime is 507.4 +/- 5.5(stat) +/- 5.1(syst) fs using 8961 +/- 105 D(s)+ --> phi(1020)pi+ and 4680 +/- 90 D(s)+ --> K*(892)0K+ decays. This is a significant improvement over the present world average.