Silver nanoparticles modified ZnO nanocatalysts for effective degradation of ceftiofur sodium under UV-vis light illumination.

Light-induced photocatalytic degradation of ceftiofur sodium (CFS) has been assessed in the presence of plasmonic zinc oxide nanostructures (ZnONSTs), like, ZnO nanoparticles, ZnO nanorods (ZnONRs) and ZnO nanoflowers (ZnONFs). Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) loaded ZnO nanostructures (Ag-ZnONSTs) are obtained through seed-assisted chemical reaction followed by chemical reduction of silver. The surface modification of ZnO nanostructures by Ag NPs effectually altered their optical properties. Further, the surface plasmonic effect of Ag NPs facilitates visible light absorption by ZnONSTs and improved the photogenerated electron and hole separation, which makes the ZnONSTs a more active photocatalyst than TiO2 (P25) nanoparticles. Especially, Ag-ZnONRs showed higher CFS oxidation rate constant (k' = 4.6 × 10-4 s-1) when compared to Ag-ZnONFs (k' = 2.8 × 10-4 s-1) and Ag-ZnONPs (k' = 2.5 × 10-4 s-1), owing to their high aspect ratio (60:1). The unidirectional transport of photogenerated charge carriers on the Ag-ZnONRs may be accountable for the observed high photocatalytic oxidation of CFS. The photocatalytic oxidation of CFS mainly proceeds through •OH radicals generated on the Ag-ZnONRs surface under light illumination. In addition, heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulfate by Ag-ZnONRs accelerates the rate of photocatalytic mineralization of CFS. The quantification of oxidative radicals supports the proposed CFS oxidation mechanism. Stability studies of plasmonic Ag-ZnONSTs strongly suggests that it could be useful to clean large volume of pharmaceutical wastewater under direct solar light irradiation.

Estudio morfométrico del punto asterional y su relación con los senos venosos durales / Morphometric study of the asterional point and its relationship with the dural venous sinuses

INTRODUCCIÓN: la importancia de conocer las diferentes reparaciones anatómicas que involucran la parte ósea de la fosa posterior con estructuras neurovasculares, disminuye la incidencia de complicaciones relacionadas con su acceso dentro del procedimiento neuroquirúrgico. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: estudio descriptivo basado en la evaluación de 90 hemicráneas secas, del Museo de Anatomía de la Universidad Mayor de San Andrés. RESULTADOS: la prevalencia de asterión tipo I fue de 28.9%, mientras que la de tipo II fue de 71.1%. La prevalencia del número de venas emisarias fue: una vena 54.4%, dos venas 42.2% y tres venas 3.3%. Los promedios para las características morfométricas son los siguientes: de Asterion a protuberancia occipital externa de 68.8 mm, de Asterion a cresta suprameatal de 50.1 mm, de Asterion a vena emisaria de 54.1 mm, de Asterion a Vértice del proceso mastoideo de 54.1 mm y de asterion a plano horizontal de Francfort 14.6 mm. La ubicación del asterión en el seno transverso fue la siguiente: al mismo nivel del seno, 47.8% de los casos, en el codo en 13.3%, superior al seno 31.1% e inferior a este en el 7.8%. CONCLUSIONES: hay una diferencia en algunos resultados morfométricos del asterión con respecto a otros autores, lo que podría determinar una configuración craneal diferente para nuestra población. Esto debe considerarse para evitar complicaciones durante el período transoperatorio en una cirugía de fosa posterior. Estos resultados reflejan la necesidad de realizar un estudio con una población más grande para obtener resultados reales, estableciendo así parámetros de corte que nos permitirán tener nuestra propia bibliografía sobre cómo proceder en nuestra actividad quirúrgica.

INTRODUCTION: the importance of knowing the different anatomical repairs that involve the bony part of the posterior fossa with neurovascular structures, decreases the incidence of complications related to its access within the neurosurgical procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: descriptive study based on the evaluation of 90 dry hemicranial, from the Anatomy Museum of the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés. RESULTS: the prevalence of asterion type I was 28.9%, while that of type II was 71.1%. The prevalence of the number of emissary veins was: One vein 54.4%, Two veins 42.2% and Three veins 3.3%. The averages for morphometric characteristics are as follows: from Asterion to external occipital protuberance 68.8 mm, from Asterion to suprameatal crest 50.1 mm, from Asterion to emissary vein 54.1 mm, from Asterion to Vertex from the mastoid process 54.1 mm and from asterion to horizontal plane of Frankfurt 14.6 mm. The location of asterion in the transverse sinus was the following: at the same level of the sinus 47.8% of the cases, in the elbow in 13.3%, superior to the sinus 31.1% and inferior to this in the 7.8%. CONCLUSIONS: there is a difference in some morphometric results of the asterion with respect to other authors, which could determine a different cranial configuration for our population. This should be considered to avoid complications during the transoperative period in a posterior fossa surgery. These results reflect the need to carry out a study with a larger population, in order to have real results, thus establishing cutting parameters that will allow us to have our own bibliography on how to proceed in our surgical activity.

Neurotoxicidad de la anestesia general, niños menores de 3 años y la FDA: ¿cuál es el alcance de la alarma? / Neurotoxicity of general anaesthesia in children younger than 3 years and FDA: how far is the warning?

No disponible

Inducción de tolerancia en modelo de autotrasplante / Induction of tolerance in allogeneic transplant model

Introduction: Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) involves the transplantation of complex anatomical structures including different kinds of tissue. The aim was to study the effect of a treatment with immature dendritic cells in a model of VCA. Materials and Methods: The rat hind limb allotransplantation model was used. Due to the high antigenic mistmatch Brown Norway rats were used as donors and Lewis rats as recipients. The bone marrow derived immature dendritic cells were cultured under GM-CSF stimuli and donor tissue. The rejection grade and the survival of the graft were assessed. Experimental groups: group I (n = 3): no treatment; Group II (n = 6): tacrolimus 10 mg/kg one day before the transplantation (day -1); Group III (n = 3): tacrolimus 10 mg/kg on day -1 and 6 mg/kg from day 0 to 14, plus intravenous saline infusion on days 7 and 14; Group IV (n = 3): tacrolimus 10 mg/kg on day -1 and 6 mg/kg from day 0 to 14, plus intravenous immature dendritic cells on days 7 and 14. Results: All 15 allografts developed rejection. The mean allograft survival was 14 days in group I, 15 days in group II, 34 days in group III and 58 days in groups IV (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In the rat hind limb allotransplantation model under tacrolimus monotherapy, the treatment with immature bone marrow derived dendritic cells pulsed with alloantigens increases the survival of the graft.

Introducción: El alotrasplante compuesto vascularizado (ACV) involucra el trasplante de estructuras anatómicas complejas que pueden contener distintos tipos de tejidos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto del tratamiento con células dendríticas inmaduras derivadas de médula ósea del receptor y cargadas con aloantígenos como potencial inductor de tolerancia en un modelo de ACV. Animales y Métodos: Para realizar el modelo de alotrasplante de extremidad posterior de la rata, se utilizaron como donantes ratas Brown Norway y como receptoras ratas Lewis. Las células dendríticas se diferenciaron a partir de precursores de médula ósea que se cargaron con lisado de tejido del donante. Grupos experimentales: Grupo I (n = 3): sin tratamiento; Grupo II (n = 6): tacrolimus 10 mg/kg vía oral el día previo al trasplante (día -1); Grupo III (n = 3): tacrolimus 10 mg/kg el día -1 y 6 mg/kg desde el día 0 al 14 post operatorio como mantención; Grupo IV (n = 3): mismo esquema de tacrolimus que grupo III, pero además infusión intravenosa de células dendríticas los días 7 y 14. Se evaluó la sobrevida de los implantes y el grado de rechazo. Resultados: Los 15 animales trasplantados presentaron rechazo. La sobrevida media del ACV fue de 14 días en el grupo I, 15 días en el grupo II, 34 días en el grupo III y 58 días en el grupo IV (p < 0,05). Conclusión: En un modelo de ACV bajo tratamiento con tacrolimus, la infusión de células dendríticas inmaduras derivadas de médula ósea y pulsadas con aloantígeno aumentan la sobrevida del implante.

Methylphenidate amplifies long-term potentiation in rat hippocampus CA1 area involving the insertion of AMPA receptors by activation of ß-adrenergic and D1/D5 receptors.

Methylphenidate (MPH, Ritalin©) is widely used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and recently as a drug of abuse. Although the effect of MPH has been studied in brain regions such as striatum and prefrontal cortex (PFC), the hippocampus has received relatively little attention. It is known that MPH increases the TBS-dependent Long Term Potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 area. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in this process are still unknown. Using field potential recordings and western blot analysis in rat hippocampal slices of young rats, we found that acute application of MPH enhances LTP in CA3-CA1 synapses in a dose-dependent manner with an EC50 of 73.44±6.32 nM. Using specific antagonists and paired-pulse facilitation protocols, we observed that the MPH-dependent increase of LTP involves not only ß-adrenergic receptors activation but also post-synaptic D1/D5 dopamine receptors. The inhibition of PKA with PKI, suppressed the facilitation of LTP induced by MPH consistent with an involvement of the adenyl cyclase-cAMP-PKA dependent cascade downstream of the activation of D1/D5 receptors. In addition, samples of CA1 areas taken from slices potentiated with MPH presented an increase in the phosphorylation of the Ser845 residue of the GluA1 subunit of AMPA receptors compared to control slices. This effect was reverted by SCH23390, antagonist of D1/D5 receptors, and PKI. Moreover, we found an increase of surface-associated functional AMPA receptors. We propose that MPH increases TBS-dependent LTP in CA3-CA1 synapses through a polysynaptic mechanism involving activation of ß-adrenergic and D1/D5 dopaminergic receptors and promoting the trafficking and insertion of functional AMPA receptors to the plasma membrane.

Prototipo de una Prótesis Mioeléctrica para la Emulación de una Articulación de Codo / Prototype of a Myoelectric Prosthesis for the Emulation of an Elbow Joint

En este trabajo se describe el desarrollo de un prototipo de prótesis mioeléctrica para la articulación de codo. Se dividió en tres partes, en la primera se describe el acondicionamiento de la señal mioeléctrica (SME) donde se propuso un circuito que está formado por una etapa de pre-amplificación, seguida de una etapa de filtrado, otra etapa de amplificación y por último la etapa de rectificación. Este circuito cumple con las especificaciones para la detección de la SME según el estado del arte. En la segunda parte se describe el procesamiento de la SME basado en el método TKEO, este se implementó en MatLAB (MathWorks- Natick, Massachusetts, USA) con la finalidad de detectar la actividad muscular, y resultó robusto y eficiente. La tercera parte se enfoca al diseño y construcción del prototipo, para el sistema de transmisión se usó un par de engranes y para el sistema de actuación los actuadores eléctricos; ambos se definieron según los criterios que se describen en este trabajo. Finalmente, se integraron las tres partes para la emulación de los movimientos flexión y extension del prototipo, haciendo uso del microprocesador (Arduino UNO) y del módulo de control de motores (Controlador de servo 1350 de Pololu).

In this paper the development of a prototype for a myoelectric prosthesis elbow joint is described. It is divided into three parts; the first is the conditioning of the myoelectric signal (SME) which proposed a circuit that is formed by a stage of pre-amplification, followed by a stage of filtering, another stage of amplification and finally a stage of rectification. This circuit complies with the specifications for the detection of the SME according to the state of the art. The second part is the processing of the SME based on the method TKEO, this was implemented in MatLAB (MathWorks - Natick, Massachusetts, USA) in order to detect if the muscle is active or not, and proved to be robust and efficient. The third part focuses on the design and realization of the prototype, in the system of transmission was used a couple of gears and for the system of actuation were electrical actuators; both were defined considering several criteria referred to in this work. Finally, the three parts were joined for the emulation of flexion and extension movements of the prototype, using the microprocessor (Arduino UNO) and control module (controller servo Pololu 1350).

Efectos del kinesio tape en la rehabilitación de pacientes con síndrome de dolor patelofemoral: una revisión sistemática / Effects of kinesio tape in rehabilitation of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: A systematic review

Objetivo: Evaluar los efectos del kinesio tape en la rehabilitación de pacientes con síndrome de dolor patelofemoral. Estrategia de búsqueda: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en las bases de datos Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, Biomed Central, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, MEDLINE/Pubmed, Pubmed Central, SAGE publications, Springer, Science Direct, Wiley-Blackwell, e IOS Press, desde el 1 de enero de 1995 hasta el 12 de mayo del 2012. Selección de estudios: Se seleccionaron 6 artículos. Los estudios fueron evaluados a través de la escala PEDro. Síntesis de los resultados: El promedio de calidad de los estudios fue 4 (calidad baja) y el número total de participantes fue 111 sujetos (107 mujeres y 4 hombres). Solo un estudio de calidad baja señala que el kinesio tape, en menor tiempo, disminuye la tensión de isquiotibiales y aumenta la longitud del complejo banda iliotibial/tensor de la comparado con un grupo de ejercicios. No se observaron diferencias significativas al comparar el kinesio tape frente a otras intervenciones (ejercicio, electroestimulación más ejercicios, kinesio tape placebo y tape McConnell). El kinesio tape, al ser analizado pre y postratamiento, ejerce diferencias significativas en las variables: dolor, funcionalidad, rango articular, flexibilidad de tejidos blandos, sensación de posición articular, balance, fuerza y activación muscular. Conclusión: El kinesio tape no tiene suficiente evidencia clínica de calidad que respalde sus múltiples aplicaciones en pacientes con síndrome de dolor patelofemoral

Objective: To assess the effects of kinesio tape in rehabilitation of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Search strategy: Bibliographic was searched in the following databases: Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, Biomed Central, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, MEDLINE/Pubmed, Pubmed Central, SAGE publications, Springer, Science Direct, Wiley-Blackwell and IOS Press from January 1 1995 to May 12, 2012. Study selection: Six articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected. Validity of the articles were evaluated according to criteria PEDro. Summary of results: Average quality of the studies was 4 (low quality) A total of 111 patients were included in the reviews (107 women and 4 men). Only one low quality study indicated that the kinesio tape, used in less time, decreases hamstring tension and increases length of the complex Iliotibial band/tensor fascia lata compared to the exercise group. No significant differences were observed when comparing the kinesio tape versus other intervention (exercise, electrostimulation more exercises, placebo kinesio tape and tape McConnell). When the kinesio tape was analyzed pre- and post- treatment, significant differences were seen in the variables: pain, functionality, join range, flexibility of soft tissues, joint position sense, balance, strength and muscle activation. Conclusion There is not sufficient evidence of quality regarding Kinesio tape to support its many applications in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Viable dark matter via radiative symmetry breaking in a scalar singlet Higgs portal extension of the standard model.

We consider the generation of dark matter mass via radiative electroweak symmetry breaking in an extension of the conformal standard model containing a singlet scalar field with a Higgs portal interaction. Generating the mass from a sequential process of radiative electroweak symmetry breaking followed by a conventional Higgs mechanism can account for less than 35% of the cosmological dark matter abundance for dark matter mass M(s)>80 GeV. However, in a dynamical approach where both Higgs and scalar singlet masses are generated via radiative electroweak symmetry breaking, we obtain much higher levels of dark matter abundance. At one-loop level we find abundances of 10%-100% with 106 GeV80 GeV detection region of the next generation XENON experiment.

Central obesity and altered peripheral adipose tissue gene expression characterize the NAFLD patient with insulin resistance: Role of nutrition and insulin challenge.

OBJECTIVE: Insulin resistance (IR) and white adipose tissue (WAT) dysfunction frequently are associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, the pathogenic mechanisms contributing to their clustering are not well defined. The aim of this study was to define some nutritional, anthropometric, metabolic, and genetic mechanisms contributing to their clustering. METHODS: Forty-five (20 men, 25 women) patients (age 45.7 ± 11.1 y) with recent diagnosis of NAFLD were grouped according to IR state. Energy balance was assessed using a food questionnaire and indirect calorimetry, and body composition with anthropometry and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Biochemical and hormonal parameters combined with adipose tissue gene expression were determined. Microarray analysis of gene expression was performed in a subset of WAT samples from IR patients (n = 9), in the fasted state, after specific test meals (monounsaturated fatty acid [MUFA], saturated fat [SAT], and carbohydrate-rich) and after being challenged with insulin. RESULTS: IR patients exhibited higher trunk fat to leg fat ratio (P < 0.05) and had a higher ratio of SAT/MUFA fat intake (P < 0.05) than insulin-sensitive (IS) individuals. Deposition of fat in the trunk but not in the leg was directly related to liver enzyme levels (P < 0.05). IR patients also had lower adiponectin serum levels and leptin (LEP) mRNA expression in WAT compared with IS patients (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Microarray analysis after insulin challenge confirmed that insulin treatment induces the expression of PPARG gene and LEP and decreases GCGR gene (P < 0.05 for all) in WAT. No changes in these genes were observed in the postprandial state induced after the acute effect of specific diets. CONCLUSIONS: Patients exhibiting NAFLD and IR had preferential central fat deposition directly related to their serum alanine aminotransferase levels. These patients showed peripheral adipose tissue dysfunction and exhibited inappropriately low LEP biosynthesis that could be partially restored after anabolic conditions induced by insulin signaling.

Entrenamiento microquirúrgico básico para realizar un modelo animal de alotrasplante compuesto vascularizado / Basic microsurgical training for a vascularized composite allotransplantation animal model

Introduction: rat hind limb transplantation is a complex animal model of vascularized composite allo-transplantation (VCA). A basic microsurgical training is required prior to the implementation of this model. Aim: to propose a training program for the acquisition of basic skills to perform a microsurgical VCA model. Animals and Methods: the training program was conducted in two stages. First, at the dry lab, basic suturing skills with 9-0 to 11-0 nylon sutures were practiced, reproduced from surgical videos performed by experts. In a second stage, at the wet lab using 13 Lewis rats, 6 hind limb microsurgical dissections were performed and the important steps for transplantation were identified: 10 end to end femoral artery anastomoses with 10-0 nylon interrupted suture; 10 end to end femoral vein anastomoses with 10-0 nylon suture; 3 femoral vein interposition in the femoral artery; 6 end to end sciatic nerve neurorrhaphy; 4 femur osteosynthesis with 21g needle and wire cerclage. Anastomotic patency rate and anastomotic surgical time were recorded. Results: arterial and venous patency rate was 100 and 90 percent respectively. Surgical time decreased from 49 to 24 minutes on arterial anastomoses and from 55 to 25 minutes on venous anastomoses after completion of the training program. When a vein interposition was performed, an immediate patency rate of 100 percent was obtained. Conclusion: a successful staged training model of basic microsurgical skills was performed, in order to perform a VCA model.

Introducción: el trasplante de extremidad posterior de la rata es un modelo microquirúrgico de alotras-plante compuesto vascularizado (ACV), que requiere para su implementación de un entrenamiento microquirúrgico básico sistematizado. Objetivo: comunicar un modelo de entrenamiento microquirúrgico básico para adquirir las habilidades y destrezas que permitan realizar un modelo microquirúrgico de ACV Animales y Métodos: el entrenamiento se realizó en 2 etapas: la primera, en laboratorio en seco. A partir de vídeos de microcirugía, se practicó las destrezas para maniobrar suturas de nylon de 9-0 a 11-0. En la segunda etapa in vivo con animales, (13 ratas Lewis), se realizaron: 6 disecciones microquirúrgicas de extremidad posterior para reconocimiento de estructuras anatómicas; 10 anastomosis término-terminal (T-T) de arteria femoral con sutura interrumpida 10-0; 10 anastomosis T-T de vena femoral; 3 interposiciones de vena femoral en arteria femoral; 6 neurorrafias T-T de nervio ciático; 4 fijaciones óseas de fémur con aguja 21 g y cerclaje con alambre. Se evaluó la permeabilidad de las anastomosis y los tiempos quirúrgicos. Resultados: anastomosis arteriales: la permeabilidad inmediata fue de un 100 por ciento. Los tiempos de anastomosis disminuyeron de 49 a 24 min con el entrenamiento. Anastomosis venosas: la permeabilidad inmediata fue de un 90 por ciento. Los tiempos de anastomosis disminuyeron paulatinamente de 55 a 25 min. Interposiciones venosas: se logró una permeabilidad de 100 por ciento. Conclusión: una estrategia de entrenamiento por etapas, es una forma factible de entrenamiento en microcirugía. Este entrenamiento permite obtener una aceptable permeabilidad anastomótica, paso crítico para realizar modelos de ACV.

Validación del índice de Lattinen para la evaluación del paciente con dolor crónico / No disponible

Fundamentos y objetivo: el índice de Lattinen (IL) es una herramienta muy utilizada para la evaluación del dolor en el mundo hispanoparlante, tanto en la práctica clínica como en trabajos de investigación. Sin embargo, hasta la fecha, no existía en la literatura ninguna validación del cuestionario. El presente estudio pretende abordar la validación del IL al castellano como instrumento de evaluación del dolor crónico. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio multicéntrico, transversal, no intervencionista, incluyendo datos de 283 pacientes con dolor crónico (> 3 meses de duración) en el cual se analizó la validez y fiabilidad del Índice de Lattinen para su validación. En una primera visita, los pacientes cumplimentaron el cuestionario del IL junto con otras escalas habituales de valoración del dolor (Escala Visual Analógica [EVA], Cuestionario de Dolor McGill y tres escalas de Likert para el Consumo de Analgésicos, Grado de Incapacidad y Horas de Sueño), seleccionadas como medidas de referencia o gold standard para el análisis de validez. Un subgrupo de 83 pacientes con características clínicas estables fue citado para retomar las pruebas iniciales en un análisis de Test-Retest para comprobar la estabilidad temporal de las respuestas iniciales. Resultados: se estableció una relación positiva estadísticamente significativa entre la puntuación total obtenida con el IL y el grado de intensidad del dolor, medido a través de la escala EVA. Los distintos ítems del cuestionario, por separado: Intensidad del dolor, Frecuencia del dolor, Consumo de analgésicos, Grado de incapacidad y Horas de sueño; mostraron una correlación entre moderada y alta con las medidas gold standard de referencia equivalentes. Los análisis de consistencia interna y temporal mostraron coeficientes alfa > 0,7 y coeficiente de correlación intraclase > 0,85, respectivamente. Conclusiones: la validez del IL quedó probada tanto para la puntuación global como para las puntuaciones por dimensiones, al correlacionarse estas con las medidas estándar respectivas. Asimismo, se confirmó la fiabilidad del IL a través de los resultados del análisis de consistencia interna y de consistencia temporal, indicativos de una alta homogeneidad de los ítems (AU)

Background and objectives: the Lattinen Index (LI) is a widely used tool for pain assessment in Spanish speaking countries, both in clinical practice and research. Nevertheless, despite its extensive use, no validation of the Spanish language version of the questionnaire has been published yet. This study intends to validate LI as a tool for measuring chronic pain. Materials and methods: a multicentre, cross-sectional, non-interventional study, including 283 chronic pain patients (> 3 months duration), from 6 different centres, was performed. Validity and reliability analysis were performed in order to validate the IL. On a first visit patients completed the IL questionnaire and other conventional pain scales (Visual Analogic Scale [VAS], McGill Pain Questionnaire and three Likert scales evaluating Analgesic Consumption, Functional Ability, and Hours of Sleep), which acted as gold standards validity measurements . A sub-set of 83 patients, with stable clinical characteristics, was asked to retake the initial tests after 15 days, to measure test-retest reliability. Results: a statistically significant positive correlation was found between the total IL score and the degree of pain measured by VAS. The measurements from the individual items in the questionnaire: Pain intensity, Pain frequency, Analgesic consumption, Functional Ability and Hours of Sleep correlated from moderately to strongly, with the respective gold standards measurements. Internal consistency and test-retest assays showed coefficient values of: alpha > 0.7 and intraclass correlation > 0.85, respectively. Conclusions: IL validity was established both for the overall score as for the individual dimensions, proving a correlation with standard measurements. Reliability of IL was demonstrated with the results from internal consistency and test-retest analysis, which indicated a high homogeneity between items (AU)

New insights in the dihydroxybenzenes-driven Fenton reaction: electrochemical study of interaction between dihydroxybenzenes and Fe(III).

It has been reported that the dihydroxybenzene (DHB) driven Fenton reaction is more efficient to degrade recalcitrant substrates than the simple Fenton reaction. The enhanced reactivity of the DHB driven Fenton reaction is not clear, but it could be explained by the formation of oxidant species different from the ones formed by classical Fenton reaction or by the shift of the redox potential of the complex formed by DHB and Fe(III). The redox reaction between Fe(III) and the DHBs 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (catechol, CAT), 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3-DHBA), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4-DHBA), and 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-benzenedisulfonate (TIRON) was studied by cyclic voltammetry to better understand the enhanced reactivity of the DHB driven Fenton reaction. It was determined that the amount of Fe(II) produced by the redox reaction between Fe(III) and DHBs was insufficient to explain the enhanced reactivity. Cyclic voltammograms (CV) of the DHBs/Fe(III) systems show a quasi-reversible or irreversible behavior and also shifting and splitting the anodic peaks. This effect can be related to DHBs oxidation by Fe(III), but not to a real interaction.

The Sda/GM2-glycan is a carbohydrate marker of porcine primordial germ cells and of a subpopulation of spermatogonia in cattle, pigs, horses and llama.

Spermatogonia are a potential source of adult pluripotent stem cells and can be used for testis germ cell transplantation. Markers for the isolation of these cells are of great importance for biomedical applications. Primordial germ cells and prepubertal spermatogonia in many species can be identified by their binding of Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA). This lectin binds to two different types of glycans, which are α-linked N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNac) and ß-linked GalNac, if this is part of the Sda or GM2 glycotopes. We used the MAB CT1, which is specific for the trisaccharides motif NeuAcα2-3(GalNAcß1-4)Galß1-, which is common to both Sda and GM2 glycotopes, to further define the glycosylation of DBA binding germ cells. In porcine embryos, CT1 bound to migratory germ cells and gonocytes. CT1/DBA double staining showed that the mesonephros was CT1 negative but contained DBA-positive cells. Gonocytes in the female gonad became CT1 negative, while male gonocytes remained CT1 positive. In immunohistological double staining of cattle, pig, horse and llama testis, DBA and CT1 staining was generally colocalised in a subpopulation of spermatogonia. These spermatogonia were mainly single, sometimes paired or formed chains of up to four cells. Our data show that the Sda/GM2 glycotope is present in developing germ cells and spermatogonia in several species. Owing to the narrower specificity of the CT1 antibody, compared with DBA, the former is likely to be a useful tool for labelling and isolation of these cells.

Effectiveness of different kidney exchange mechanisms to improve living donor transplantation in Chile.

INTRODUCTION: Chile has a low cadaveric organ donation rate; at the same time, living donor transplantation activity is also low. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact on the number and quality of transplants using various mechanisms for kidney exchange from living donors to patients on Chile's waiting list. METHODS: A computerized model was developed to simulate five options for living kidney donation: (1) direct donation; (2) direct donation plus pairwise and three-way exchanges; (3) pairwise exchange; (4) three-way exchange; and (5) allocation of donors based on the top trading cycles (TTC) mechanism. We calculated the projected number of transplantations, adjusting for the risk of a positive crossmatch, as well as the average quality in terms of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match. RESULTS: If all patients on the waiting list have a willing direct donor, 47.7% of patients will receive a transplant. Allowing for incompatible pairs or pairs with a positive crossmatch an exchange of kidneys, can increase the number to 51.8%. This figure rises to 60% or 61% for pairwise or three-way exchanges, respectively. Although TTC ensures that 55% of the patients could be transplanted, the graft quality is better with an average HLA match of 3.5 versus 1.25. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that kidney exchange mechanisms can increase the number of living donor transplantations by 4% and 13%.

Análisis de efectividad del citrato de fentanilo sublingual en pacientes con dolor irruptivo: estudio Sublime / No disponible

Introducción: la literatura científica indica que dos de cada tres pacientes con dolor crónico sufren con cierta frecuencia exacerbaciones puntuales del mismo debido a diferentes causas, en ocasiones previsibles, y en otras inesperadas. Además del sufrimiento que conllevan, estos episodios constituyen un problema importante para el paciente pues generan ansiedad y añaden incapacidad funcional, lo cual se traduce en una mayor dificultad para controlar el dolor basal y una menor calidad de vida. En 1990 se acuñó en Estados Unidos el término “breakthrough pain”, para definir a las exacerbaciones transitorias de un dolor oncológico, que está bien controlado con la utilización de opioides mayores. En el año 2002, la Sociedad Española de Oncología Médica (SEOM), la Sociedad Española de Cuidados Paliativos (SECPAL) y la Sociedad Española del Dolor (SED), establecieron un documento de consenso en el que asumieron el término “dolor irruptivo”, para definir una exacerbación del dolor de forma súbita y transitoria, de gran intensidad (EVA > 7) y de corta duración (usualmente inferior a 20-30 minutos), que aparece sobre la base de un dolor persistente estable, cuando este se encuentra reducido a un nivel tolerable (EVA < 5) mediante el uso fundamental de opioides mayores...(AU)

Introduction: the scientific literature suggests that two in every three patients with chronic pain every so often suffer from transient exacerbations because of various causes, some of them predictable and some unexpected. In addition to the suffering they bring about, these episodes represent a relevant issue for patients as they trigger anxiety and add functional disability, which translates into greater difficulties in controlling baseline pain and lower quality of life. In 1990 the term “breakthrough pain” was coined in the United States to define transient cancer pain exacerbations under appropriate pain management with major opioids. In 2002, Sociedad Española de Oncología Médica (SEOM), Sociedad Española de Cuidados Paliativos (SECPAL), and Sociedad Española del Dolor (SED) defined a consensus document wherein the term “dolor irruptivo” (irruptive pain) was adopted to define sudden, transient (usually less than 20- 30 minutes), severe (VAS > 7) pain breakouts on the background of stable, persistent pain that remains tolerable (VAS < 5) under primarily major opioids. Overall, three etiologies are recognized for irruptive pain: incidental irruptive pain; idiopathic or spontaneous irruptive pain, and irruptive pain from end-of-dose medication failure. Objectives: the main goal of this work was to retrospectively study the effectiveness of sublingual fentanyl citrate in 180 patients treated for irruptive pain in Andalusian pain units during 1 month. Secondary goals included a description of the clinical indications and epidemiologic features of patients with irruptive pain under sublingual fentanyl citrate; understanding sublingual fentanyl citrate regimens for patients with irruptive pain; and a research of adverse events potentially associated with the use of sublingual fentanyl citrate in patients with irruptive pain. Material and methods: a retrospective, observational study of 180 patients, of whom 173 completed the study. Inclusion criteria (patients had to meet one of the following two) were: IP episodes with VAS > 5 during the last 12-24 hours and/or undesired side effects arising from the current therapy for irruptive pain. Within the primary goal an analysis of the results for each VAS follow-up, the number of irruptive pain events, and pain relief onset was performed. Similarly, an analysis was also performed to compare these variables in the cancer pain group versus the non-cancer pain group, and in the idiopathic pain group versus the incidental pain group. Regarding secondary goals, age, gender, patient profile (adverse effects and irruptive pain episodes), active substance for baseline pain management, percentage of patients taking an additional 100 mcg dose of sublingual fentanyl, fentanyl dose per episode, mean fentanyl dose a day, and adverse effects were also analyzed...(AU)

Reconstrucción de partes blandas de la planta del pie: retrospective analysis of 12 patients / Soft tissue reconstruction of the sole: retrospective analysis of 12 patients

Background: An adequate reconstruction of foot soft tissue, specially in the sole, is crucial to restore functional capacity. Aim: To report the experience with reconstruction of sole soft tissues. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 12 patients aged 19 to 72 years (seven males), subjected to reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the sole. Results: The lesions were secondary to excisions of malignant melanomas in seven patients, old traumatisms in two patients, a burn lesion in one patient and a diabetic ulcer in one patient. The reconstruction techniques used were skin grafts in one patient, local flaps in eight and free flaps in three patients. Five patients experienced complications and one of these required a new reconstructive surgery. Functional recovery was adequate in 11 patients. Conclusions: Reconstructive surgery of the sole can achieve an adequate functional recovery in most operated patients.

Se presenta una casuística de 12 pacientes que requirieron reconstrucción de la planta del pie en el Hospital de la Universidad Católica entre los años 2005 y 2008. La etiología principal fueron lesiones tumorales en 7 casos; las técnicas de reconstrucción fueron: injerto de piel (1 paciente), colgajos locales (8 pacientes) y colgajos libres (3 pacientes). Hubo complicaciones en 5 pacientes, uno de los cuales requirió una nueva cirugía reconstructiva. La recuperación funcional fue adecuada en 11 de los 12 pacientes.

Creencias, actitudes y percepciones de médicos, farmacéuticos y pacientes acerca de la evaluación y el tratamiento del dolor crónico no oncológico / Beliefs, attitudes and perceptions of physicians, pharmacists and patients regarding the evaluation and treatment of chronic nononcologic pain

Objetivo: conocer las actitudes, creencias, vivencias y opiniones acerca del dolor crónico no oncológico, desde la perspectiva de los profesionales de la salud (médicos y farmacéuticos de oficina de farmacia) y de los pacientes, para profundizar en sus actitudes frente a la elección y dispensación del analgésico, o el seguimiento terapéutico. Material y métodos: diseño: estudio descriptivo, transversal dirigido a 3 poblaciones; se han realizado 3 cuadernos de recogida de datos (CRD) comparables entre sí, y adaptados a cada subgrupo: 316 farmacéuticos y 838 pacientes fueron entrevistados por teléfono, mientras que 697 médicos de 5 especialidades cumplimentaron un CRD autoadministrado. Variables: sociodemográficas en cada grupo, descriptivas del dolor (prevalencia entre sus pacientes, características del dolor [localización, intensidad —escala visual analógica, EVA, de 0 “no dolor” a 10 “máximo dolor tolerable”—, frecuencia, duración, consecuencias y otras]), características acerca del tratamiento analgésico (objetivos, elección de fármacos, prescripción, información ofrecida y recibida, satisfacción y reticencias).Análisis de datos: se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las características de cada grupo, seguido de un análisis de diferencias intergrupo. Resultados: a) médicos: el 60% afirma medir habitualmente el dolor en la consulta, usando la EVA (68%) o escala verbal simple (EVS) (36%). El 47% de los pacientes atendidos semanalmente presenta dolor, de los cuales un 63% tiene dolor no controlado (EVA ≥ 4).El objetivo que persiguen con el tratamiento analgésico es mejorar la calidad de vida del paciente más que el alivio de dolor. Sólo se prescriben opiáceos mayores al 17%, con más frecuencia en las unidades del dolor (UD), donde atienden mayor proporción de pacientes con dolor crónico no oncológico y con intensidades mayores. En las UD son más conscientes de la repercusión del dolor sobre la cotidianeidad del paciente (...) (AU)

Aim: to identify patients’, physicians’ and pharmacists’ attitudes, personal beliefs, experiences and opinions regarding chronic non oncological pain and to determine how these attitudes influence the choice and follow-up of analgesic strategies. Material and methods: design: we performed a descriptive, cross-sectional survey that included three distinct but comparable questionnaires for data collection, adapted to each subgroup: 316 pharmacists and 838 patients were interviewed by telephone, and697 physicians from different specialties completed a self-administered questionnaire. The variables analyzed included sociodemographic data from each group, descriptive pain variables (prevalence of pain among their patients, pain characteristics [e.g. localization, intensity —visual-analog pain scale, VAS, from 0 “no pain” to 10 “maximum tolerable pain”— frequency, duration, consequences, among others]), and questions related to analgesic treatment (objectives, drug choice and prescription, information provided and received on analgesic drugs, and satisfaction and concerns). Data analysis consisted of a descriptive analysis of the characteristics of each group, followed by analysis of intergroup differences. Results: a) physicians: 60% reported that they usually assessed pain intensity in their patients, using VAS (68%) or verbal rating scales (VRS) (36%). Forty-seven percent of the patients attended weekly had pain, which was uncontrolled (VAS score ≥ 4 points) in 63%.The goal of treatment was to improve patients’ quality of life rather than to relieve pain (...) (AU)

N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor antagonist-induced frequency oscillations in mice recreate pattern of electrophysiological deficits in schizophrenia.

INTRODUCTION: Electrophysiological responses to auditory stimuli have provided a useful means of elucidating mechanisms and evaluating treatments in psychiatric disorders. Deficits in gating during paired-click tasks and lack of mismatch negativity following deviant stimuli have been well characterized in patients with schizophrenia. Recently, analyses of basal, induced, and evoked frequency oscillations have gained support as additional measures of cognitive processing in patients and animal models. The purpose of this study is to examine frequency oscillations in mice across the theta (4-7.5 Hz) and gamma (31-61 Hz) bands in the context of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction and dopaminergic hyperactivity, both of which are thought to serve as pharmacological models of schizophrenia. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES: Electroencephalograms (EEG) were recorded from mice in five treatment groups that consisted of haloperidol, risperidone, amphetamine, ketamine, or ketamine plus haloperidol during an auditory task. Basal, induced and evoked powers in both frequencies were calculated. RESULTS: Ketamine increased basal power in the gamma band and decreased the evoked power in the theta band. The increase in basal gamma was not blocked by treatment with a conventional antipsychotic. No other treatment group was able to fully reproduce this pattern in the mice. CONCLUSIONS: Ketamine-induced alterations in EEG power spectra are consistent with abnormalities in the theta and gamma frequency ranges reported in patients with schizophrenia. Our findings support the hypothesis that NMDAR hypofunction contributes to the deficits in schizophrenia and that the dopaminergic pathways alone may not account for these changes.

[Relation between some techniques of hypospadias repair and complications: Universitary San Vicente de Paul Hospital 1986-2005]. / Relación entre algunas técnicas de reparación de hipospadias y complicaciones en el Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paul 1986-2005.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of hypospadias has been increasing in the last decades. Successful hypospadias repair depends on patient factors and surgical technique, a factor closely related to the surgeon's experience. The aim of this descriptive, retrospective study was to determine the preferred technique and its association with postoperative complications. METHODS: Charts of 207 patients who had had hypospadias repair performed between January 1986 and December 2005, in the San Vicente de Paul University Hospital, were reviewed. RESULTS: Hypospadias repair was performed in patients between 1 and 14 years of age. Duckett technique was performed in 38.7%, Mathiew technique in 30% MAGPI technique in 11.6%, Snodgrass in 6.3% and other techniques in 14% of the patients. Postoperative complications included hemorrhagic complications (1.9%), infectious complications (1.9%), urethral diverticular dilatation (3.9%), residual ventral chordee (5.8%), failure of urethroplasty, (8.7%), strictures (23%), and fistulas (41%). Strictures was the most important risk factor for postoperative fistulas (p>0.05). Patients with hypospadias repair with PDS sutures had a lower incidence of postoperative fistulas (p<0.05). Tissue layer over the suture line, age of patient, and number of days with urethral stent was not related to the presence of postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: The importance of known and accepted protective factors in hypospadias repair, like tissue layer over the suture line, age of patient and more or less days with urethral stent, in terms of avoidance of postoperative complications after hypospadias repair, may have to be re-evaluated.

Photocatalyzed degradation of flumequine by doped TiO2 and simulated solar light.

Titanium dioxide was obtained in its pure form (TiO2) and in the presence of urea (u-TiO2) and thiourea (t-TiO2) using the sol-gel technique. The obtained powders were characterized by BET surface area analysis, Infrared Spectroscopy, Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy and the Rietveld refinement of XRD measurements. All the prepared catalysts show high anatase content (>99%). The a and b-cell parameters of anatase increase in the order TiO2u-TiO2>TiO2. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were determined on flumequine under solar-simulated irradiation. The most active catalysts were u-TiO2 and t-TiO2, reaching values over 90% of flumequine degradation after 15 min irradiation, compared with values of 55% for the pure TiO2 catalyst. Changing simultaneously the catalyst amount (t-TiO2) and pH, multivariate analysis using the response surface methodology was used to determine the roughly optimal conditions for flumequine degradation. The optimized conditions found were pH below 7 and a catalyst amount of 1.6 g L(-1).