Swimming pool water disinfection by-products profiles and association patterns.

The aim of this work was to determine and study the concentration of different groups of disinfection by-products (DBPs): trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, haloacetonitriles, haloacetones and combined chlorine (as an indicator of chloramine levels), in the water of 175 public swimming pools in Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain). The study included chlorinated and brominated pools, indoor and outdoor, used for recreational and sports purposes, and filled with water from calcareous and siliceous soils. The most abundant were haloacetic acids, followed by trihalomethanes, with chlorinated or brominated forms predominating depending on whether the pools were disinfected by chlorination or bromination, respectively. All the 75th percentiles of DBPs were below the limits established by the European Chemical Agency (ECHA), although the maximum values of trihalomethanes exceeded them. The same was true for dichloroacetonitrile in chlorinated pools and dibromoacetonitrile in brominated pools. All families of DBPs showed positive associations with each other, all being significant except for combined chlorine. Their mean levels were higher in outdoor pools than in indoor pools, significantly so in all except combined chlorine. Recreational pools showed higher levels of haloacetic acids and combined chlorine than sports pools. The concentrations of the different groups of DBPs were higher in the pools than in the mains water that fed them. This increase, especially that of the haloacetonitriles, as well as the high concentrations of brominated forms in the pools disinfected by bromination, make it necessary to focus on their toxicological implication. The differences in the DBP profiles of the filling network water were not transferred to the pool water.

Estudio de variables y perfil inmunohistoquímico en pacientes con carcinoma de células renales / Study of variables and immunohistochemical profile in patients with renal cell carcinoma

En el 40% de los casos de carcinoma de células renales (CCR) se desarrollan metástasis después de la nefrectomía. En estadios avanzados la sobrevida es baja y los pacientes no siempre responden a la terapia actual con inhibidores de tirosinas quinasas (TKI). Con el propósito de encontrar nuevas dianas terapéuticas estudiamos 20 casos de CCR. Se observó una mayor frecuencia en hombres (60%) y en cuanto al grupo etario, un alto porcentaje de los estudiados fueron adultos jóvenes (40%). Solamente los pacientes en estadio IV recibieron tratamiento con TKI (Sunitinib). Por inmunohistoquímica se observó que ErbB-2 de membrana se expresó en el 40% de los CCR Células Claras. Se plantea la hipótesis que, este oncogén podría servir como diana terapéutica en nuestra población

Antitumoral, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects of an octanuclear copper(II)-telmisartan complex with an hydrophobic nanometer hole.

A new Cu(II) complex with the antihypertensive drug telmisartan, [Cu8Tlm16]·24H2O (CuTlm), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and electronic, FTIR, Raman and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The crystal structure (at 120 K) was solved by X-ray diffraction methods. The octanuclear complex is a hydrate of but otherwise isostructural to the previously reported [Cu8Tlm16] complex. [Cu8Tlm16]·24H2O crystallizes in the tetragonal P4/ncc space group with a = b = 47.335(1), c = 30.894(3) Å, Z = 4 molecules per unit cell giving a macrocyclic ring with a double helical structure. The Cu(II) ions are in a distorted bipyramidal environment with a somewhat twisted square basis, cis-coordinated at their core N2O2 basis to two carboxylate oxygen and two terminal benzimidazole nitrogen atoms. Cu8Tlm16 has a toroidal-like shape with a hydrophobic nanometer hole, and their crystal packing defines nanochannels that extend along the crystal c-axis. Several biological activities of the complex and the parent ligand were examined in vitro. The antioxidant measurements indicate that the complex behaves as a superoxide dismutase mimic with improved superoxide scavenger power as compared with native sartan. The capacity of telmisartan and its copper complex to expand human mesangial cells (previously contracted by angiotensin II treatment) is similar to each other. The antihypertensive effect of the compounds is attributed to the strongest binding affinity to angiotensin II type 1 receptor and not to the antioxidant effects. The cytotoxic activity of the complex and that of its components was determined against lung cancer cell line A549 and three prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, PC-3, and DU 145). The complex displays some inhibitory effect on the A549 line and a high viability decrease on the LNCaP (androgen-sensitive) line. From flow cytometric analysis, an apoptotic mechanism was established for the latter cell line. Telmisartan and CuTlm show antibacterial and antifungal activities in various strains, and CuTlm displays improved activity against the Staphylococcus aureus strain as compared with unbounded copper(II).

Improvement of the antihypertensive capacity of candesartan and trityl candesartan by their SOD mimetic copper(II) complexes.

Two new complexes [Cu(Cand)(H2O)4] [1] and [Cu2(TCand)4(H2O)2]·4H2O [2] (Cand = candesartan; TCand = trityl candesartan) have been synthesized and thoroughly characterized. The FTIR, Raman, EPR and diffuse reflectance spectra of the solid compounds show a dimeric complex for [2] with carboxylate bridging of the type found in copper(II) acetate. Both elemental analysis and thermal measurements allow the determination of the total stoichiometries of both complexes. The stability measurements show that the compounds are stable in ethanolic solutions at least for 1h, while the preservation of the overall stochiometry for both species in solution has been determined by spectrophotometric titrations. By metal complexation the absence of antioxidant behavior of both sartans has been improved. Complexes [1] and [2] are strong superoxidedismutase mimetic compounds and complex [2] also behaves as a peroxyl radical scavenger. Furthermore, this higher antioxidant activity works in parallel with the improvement of the expansive activity over the angiotensin II-induced contracted human mesangial cells. These new complexes exhibit even higher efficiency as drugs in comparison with the free non-complexed medication with increased antioxidant ability expressing higher capacity to block the angiotensin II contractile effect. This study provides a new insight into the development of copper(II) complexes as potential drugs.

Start-up of a clinical sample processing, storage and management platform: organisation and development of the REDinREN Biobank.

BACKGROUND: The creation of the Biobank, a resource pertaining to the Spanish Renal Research Network (REDinREN) promotes advances in clinical research on kidney disease in Spain. The Biobank's aims are to generate an archive of clinical samples and associated data, furnish those samples to research teams, and coordinate with European biobanks. METHOD: Applicable legislation had to be complied with in order to launch the Biobank project (Biomedical Research Law, Data Protection Law and Biological Sample Transport Regulations). A strict work protocol and a new database for the Network's clinical data were also implemented. RESULTS: Over time, the Biobank has acquired additional infrastructure and qualified personnel. In 2010, 2953 new patient samples were collected, giving a total of 37,043 stored vials containing different types of samples. Furthermore, the Biobank is currently participating in eleven research projects. DISCUSSION: Although the Biobank was originally designed for REDinREN use, we must take joint action to make this biological sample storage system and the many possibilities it offers available to the entire nephrological community with a view to promoting kidney disease research.

Puesta en marcha de una plataforma de proceso, almacenamiento y gestión de muestras clínicas: organización y desarrollo del Biobanco de REDinREN / Start-up of a clinical sample processing, storage and management platform: organisation and development of the Biobank of REDinREN

Antecedentes: La creación del Biobanco, como una plataforma dentro de la Red de Investigación Renal (REDinREN), impulsa el avance de la investigación clínica de la enfermedad renal en España. Los objetivos del Biobanco son la generación del archivo de muestras clínicas y de datos asociados, para su cesión a los grupos de investigación, y la coordinación con biobancos europeos. Métodos: Para su puesta en marcha, fue necesaria la implementación de la normativa vigente (Ley de Investigación Biomédica y de Protección de Datos y la Normativa del Transporte de Sustancias Biológicas), un estricto protocolo de trabajo y la creación de una base de datos clínicos de la Red. Resultados: En su evolución, el Biobanco ha adquirido infraestructura y personal cualificado, lo que permitió que en el año 2010 se obtuviera un total de 2.953 pacientes, lo que hace un total de 37.043 viales almacenados con muestras de diferentes naturalezas. Además, hasta la fecha, el Biobanco está incluido en 11 proyectos de investigación. Discusión: Aunque el Biobanco fue diseñado como una plataforma de soporte de la REDinREN, es necesario con una acción conjunta poner a disposición de toda la comunidad científica nefrológica las posibilidades que otorga este sistema de almacenamiento de muestras biológicas para potenciar la investigación de la enfermedad renal (AU)

Background: The Biobank creation in Network for the Kidney Research (REDinREN) promotes the advance of kidney disease clinic research in Spain. The Biobank's aims are to generate an archive of clinical samples and associated data, furnish those samples to research teams, and coordinate with European biobanks. Methods: In the beginning were indispensable the implementation of in force normative (Bio-medic Investigation Law, Dates Protect Law and Biologic Samples Transport Normative), a work protocol and the creation of medical database of the Red. Results: The Biobank growth included infastructures and qualified personnel. In 2010 year, the patien samples increased in 2953 achieved 37,042 vials of differect nature stored. Mereover in this moment the Biobank participates in eleventh research projects. Discussion: Even if the Biobank was designed for the support to REDinREN is neccesary to opening his biologic samples to all scientific nephrology community for promote the kidney disease research (AU)

Assessing lay beliefs about generic medicines: Development of the generic medicines scale.

The aims of this study were to develop a scale to assess lay beliefs about generic medicines, and to investigate whether these beliefs differ according to demographic factors in an opportunistic general public sample. In the pilot study, the participants were 92 men and 136 women, and in the main study there were 314 men and 505 women. At both stages, the participants completed a questionnaire measuring beliefs about generic medicines, preference for medicines and demographic information. The scale has good face validity, showing a satisfactory level of internal consistency. An exploratory principal component analysis revealed a two-factor structure concerning beliefs about generic medicines, comprising two core themes (efficacy and similarity to brand medicines), in two different samples. Older participants showed a stronger belief in similarity with brand names than the younger group. Higher educated participants showed a stronger belief in the efficacy of generics. The opportunity to assess beliefs about generic medicines may have implications for adherence, for the implementation of health policies and for decision making about medicines.