Artificial recharge by means of careo channels versus natural aquifer recharge in a semi-arid, high-mountain watershed (Sierra Nevada, Spain).

The acequias de careo are ancestral water channels excavated during the early Al-Andalus period (8th-10th centuries), which are used to recharge aquifers in the watersheds of the Sierra Nevada mountain range (Southeastern Spain). The water channels are maintained by local communities, and their main function is collecting snowmelt, but also runoff from rainfall from the headwaters of river basins and distributing it throughout the upper parts of the slopes. This method of aquifer artificial recharge extends the availability of water resources in the lowlands of the river basins during the dry season when there is almost no precipitation and water demand is higher. This study investigates the contribution of the careo channels in the watershed of Bérchules concerning the total aquifer recharge during the 2014-2015 hydrological year. Several channels were gauged, and the runoff data were compared with those obtained from a semi-distributed hydrological model applied to the same hydrological basin. The natural infiltration of meteoric waters accounted for 52% of the total recharge, while the remaining 48% corresponded to water transported and infiltrated by the careo channels. In other words, the careo recharge system enhances by 92% the natural recharge to the aquifer. Our results demonstrate the importance of this ancestral and efficient channel system for recharging slope aquifers developed in hard rocks. The acequias de careo are nature-based solutions for increasing water resources availability that have contributed to a prosperous life in the Sierra Nevada. Its long history (>1200 years) suggests that the system has remarkable resilience properties, which have allowed adaptation and permance for centuries in drastically changing climatic and socioeconomic conditions. This recharge system could also be applied to -or inspire similar adaptation measures in- semi-arid mountain areas around the world where it may help in mitigating climate change effects.

IVIVC approach based on carbamazepine bioequivalence studies combination.

The aim of the present study was to explore the feasibility of obtaining an IVIVC by combination of data from two bioequivalence (BE) studies of carbamazepine (CBZ) in order to assess if the previously published dissolution media and conditions could be applicable to any other oral immediate release (IR) CBZ products with conventional excipients. Twenty-four healthy male subjects from two BE study received one IR dose of the test (test 1 or 2) or the reference formulation (Tegretol, 400 mg). Dissolution studies of the IR CBZ tablets were performed in two different laboratories. In order to develop IVIVC, individual or average data analysis were considered. A level C, level B and level A correlation have been successfully developed by combining data from different BE studies of CBZ immediate release drug products. A level A IVIVC was developed with all four datasets with a good R2 for all the combinations of in vivo and in vitro data. A dissolution medium containing 1% SLS has demonstrated its suitability as the universal biopredictive dissolution medium, even if different batches and in vivo/in vitro studies were combined.

Presence of endocrine disruptors in freshwater in the northern Antarctic Peninsula region.

The increasing human presence in Antarctica and the waste it generates is causing an impact on the environment at local and border scale. The main sources of anthropic pollution have a mainly local effect, and include the burning of fossil fuels, waste incineration, accidental spillage and wastewater effluents, even when treated. The aim of this work is to determine the presence and origin of 30 substances of anthropogenic origin considered to be, or suspected of being, endocrine disruptors in the continental waters of the Antarctic Peninsula region. We also studied a group of toxic metals, metalloids and other elements with possible endocrine activity. Ten water samples were analyzed from a wide range of sources, including streams, ponds, glacier drain, and an urban wastewater discharge into the sea. Surprisingly, the concentrations detected are generally similar to those found in other studies on continental waters in other parts of the world. The highest concentrations of micropollutants found correspond to the group of organophosphate flame retardants (19.60-9209ngL(-1)) and alkylphenols (1.14-7225ngL(-1)); and among toxic elements the presence of aluminum (a possible hormonal modifier) (1.7-127µgL(-1)) is significant. The concentrations detected are very low and insufficient to cause acute or subacute toxicity in aquatic organisms. However, little is known as yet of the potential sublethal and chronic effects of this type of pollutants and their capacity for bioaccumulation. These results point to the need for an ongoing system of environmental monitoring of these substances in Antarctic continental waters, and the advisability of regulating at least the most environmentally hazardous of these in the Antarctic legislation.

Immunoproteomic analysis of Trichinella spiralis larval crude antigens recognized by sera from patients with trichinellosis after treatment with albendazole.

Antibody responses and antigen recognition were monitored during and after treatment with albendazole (ABZ) in nine patients selected from a trichinellosis outbreak that occurred in north-west Poland in 2007. Seven out of the nine patients yielded positive serum IgG response during treatment. One month after treatment, the IgG response decreased in most patients. Serum levels of ABZ and main metabolites greatly varied among patients without correlation with the IgG response. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and western blot with serum from each patient showed highly immunoreactive spots located between 3- 10 pI and 45-97 kDa in all patients. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) and MALDI-TOF/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS) analysis identified actine, enolase, p49 protein, Caenorhabditis elegans-targeted antigen, and serine protease as the most reactive proteins. A minor spot located at 6 pI and 26 kDa identified as annexin I failed recognition in most patients showing decline in IgG response and clinical improvement after treatment. This protein could constitute a sensitive marker for the effectiveness of ABZ against trichinellosis.

Testing for seasonality using circular distributions based on non-negative trigonometric sums as alternative hypotheses.

In medical and epidemiological studies, the importance of detecting seasonal patterns in the occurrence of diseases makes testing for seasonality highly relevant. There are different parametric and non-parametric tests for seasonality. One of the most widely used parametric tests in the medical literature is the Edwards test. The Edwards test considers a parametric alternative that is a sinusoidal curve with one peak and one trough. The Cave and Freedman test is an extension of the Edwards test that is also frequently applied and considers a sinusoidal curve with two peaks and two troughs as the alternative hypothesis. The Kuiper, Hewitt and David and Newell are common non-parametric tests. Fernández-Durán (2004) developed a family of univariate circular distributions based on non-negative trigonometric (Fourier) sums (series) (NNTS) that can account for an arbitrary number of peaks and troughs. In this article, this family of distributions is used to construct a likelihood ratio test for seasonality considering parametric alternative hypotheses that are NNTS distributions.

Models for circular-linear and circular-circular data constructed from circular distributions based on nonnegative trigonometric sums.

Johnson and Wehrly (1978, Journal of the American Statistical Association 73, 602-606) and Wehrly and Johnson (1980, Biometrika 67, 255-256) show one way to construct the joint distribution of a circular and a linear random variable, or the joint distribution of a pair of circular random variables from their marginal distributions and the density of a circular random variable, which in this article is referred to as joining circular density. To construct flexible models, it is necessary that the joining circular density be able to present multimodality and/or skewness in order to model different dependence patterns. Fernández-Durán (2004, Biometrics 60, 499-503) constructed circular distributions based on nonnegative trigonometric sums that can present multimodality and/or skewness. Furthermore, they can be conveniently used as a model for circular-linear or circular-circular joint distributions. In the current work, joint distributions for circular-linear and circular-circular data constructed from circular distributions based on nonnegative trigonometric sums are presented and applied to two data sets, one for circular-linear data related to the air pollution patterns in Mexico City and the other for circular-circular data related to the pair of dihedral angles between consecutive amino acids in a protein.

[Stability study of an aqueous formulation of captopril at 1 mg/ml]. / Estudio de estabilidad de soluciones acuosas de captopril en concentración de 1 mg/ml.

OBJECTIVE: The stability of captopril was studied in several extemporaneously prepared oral liquid formulations for pediatric use. Solutions were prepared at a concentration of 1 mg/ml from the pure chemical product. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Captopril 1 mg/ml oral liquid formulations were prepared from powder in three types of water (tap water, mineral water, distilled chemically pure water), in syrup and different chelating and antioxidants agents, and the pH was modified with sodium citrate. The liquids were stored at 4 and 25 degrees C in PVC plastic containers. Samples were removed at regular intervals of less than thirty days. Captopril and captopril disulfide concentrations were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Captopril in formulations in which the only vehicle was distilled chemically pure water were more stable than in formulations made either with tap water or with mineral water. RESULTS: The formulations containing edetate disodium, syrup, ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, sodium metabisulphite were less stable than those in which the only vehicle was distilled chemically pure water. The change of pH did not improve the formulation stability. The samples stored at 4 degrees C were much more stable than those stored at 25 degrees C, and the microbiological quality was much better. CONCLUSIONS: Captopril, at a concentration of 1 mg/ml, made with distilled chemically pure water stored in PVC plastic container and protected from light, was stable for 30 days at 4 degrees C.

Estudio de estabilidad de soluciones acuosas de captopril en concentración de 1 mg/ml / Stability study of an aqueous formulation of captopril at 1 mg/ml

Objective: The stability of captopril was studied in several extemporaneously prepared oral liquid formulations for pediatric use. Solutions were prepared at a concentration of 1 mg/ml from the pure chemical product. Material and methods: Captopril 1 mg/ml oral liquid formulations were prepared from powder in three types of water (tapwater, mineral water, distilled chemically pure water), in syrup and different chelating and antioxidants agents, and the pH was modified with sodium citrate. The liquids were stored at 4 and 25 °C in PVC plastic containers. Samples were removed at regular intervals of less than thirty days. Captopril and captopril disulfide concentrations were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Captopril in formulations in which the only vehicle was distilled chemically pure water were more stable than in formulations made either with tap water or with mineral water. Results: The formulations containing edetate disodium, syrup, ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, sodium metabisulphite were less stable than those in which the only vehicle was distilled chemically pure water. The change of pH did not improve the formulation stability. The samples stored at 4 °C were much more stable than those stored at 25 °C , and the microbiological quality was much better. Conclusions: Captopril, at a concentration of 1 mg/ml, made with distilled chemically pure water stored in PVC plasticc ontainer and protected from light, was stable for 30 days at 4 °C

Objective: The stability of captopril was studied in several extemporaneously prepared oral liquid formulations for pediatric use. Solutions were prepared at a concentration of 1 mg/ml from the pure chemical product. Material and methods: Captopril 1 mg/ml oral liquid formulations were prepared from powder in three types of water (tapwater, mineral water, distilled chemically pure water), in syrup and different chelating and antioxidants agents, and the pH was modified with sodium citrate. The liquids were stored at 4 and 25 °C in PVC plastic containers. Samples were removed at regular intervals of less than thirty days. Captopril and captopril disulfide concentrationswere analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Captopril in formulations in which the only vehicle was distilled chemically pure water were more stable than in formulations made either with tap water or with mineral water. Results: The formulations containing edetate disodium, syrup, ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, sodium metabisulphite were less stable than those in which the only vehicle was distilled chemically pure water. The change of pH did not improve the formulation stability. The samples stored at 4 °C were much more stable than those stored at 25 °C , and the microbiological quality was much better.Conclusions: Captopril, at a concentration of 1 mg/ml,made with distilled chemically pure water stored in PVC plasticc ontainer and protected from light, was stable for 30 days at 4 °C

Circular distributions based on nonnegative trigonometric sums.

A new family of distributions for circular random variables is proposed. It is based on nonnegative trigonometric sums and can be used to model data sets which present skewness and/or multimodality. In this family of distributions, the trigonometric moments are easily expressed in terms of the parameters of the distribution. The proposed family is applied to two data sets, one related with the directions taken by ants and the other with the directions taken by turtles, to compare their goodness of fit versus common distributions used in the literature.

[A pilot study of methylphenidate and parent training in the treatment of children with attention-deficit hiperactivity disorder]. / Estudio piloto de metilfenidato y entrenamiento a padres en el tratamiento de niños con trastorno por déficit de atención hiperactividad.

OBJECTIVE: This study gives information about a parent training program and a clinical trial with a stimulant drug (methylphenidate) to reduce the symptoms of attention deficit hiperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a group of children in Venezuela. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 24 children, aged between 6 and 10 years and diagnosed as having ADHD, identified in ADHD screening days, were randomly assigned to two groups of treatment: parent training and a stimulant drug (methylphenidate). RESULTS: Both groups showed an improvement in their symptoms, to different degrees, after treatment. The differences were statistically significant, as evaluated by their parents, regarding the symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. The teachers observed a significant improvement for the medication group with respect to the symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, but no change in the inattention, whilst in the parent training group there was only significant difference in the ADHD index. There was no difference in the effectiveness of the two types of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: When the two programs of treatment were compared it was observed that both parent training and psychostimulant medication were effective in reducing the symptoms of ADHD. Although there was no difference in the effectiveness of the two programs, there was a tendency for medication to be more effective

Symptomatic bilateral xanthogranulomas of choroid plexus in a child.

Choroid plexus xanthogranulomas are uncommon lesions that occur almost exclusively in adults; most of them constitute incidental autopsy findings. A case of symptomatic bilateral xanthogranulomas of choroid plexus in a 6 year-old girl with progressive visual loss is reported. Theories on the pathogenesis of this entity are reviewed.

Tableting characteristics of micro-aggregated egg albumin particles containing paracetamol.

The tableting characteristics of micro-aggregated egg albumin particles containing paracetamol were evaluated and compared with non-micro-encapsulated paracetamol and coagulated egg albumin particles. Mean yield pressure values of micro-aggregated egg albumin particles containing paracetamol and coagulated egg albumin particles were 30.5 and 49.3 MPa, respectively, which were lower than the mean yield pressure obtained for paracetamol (97.5 MPa). Paracetamol tablets obtained with micro-aggregated egg albumin particles did not show the capping characteristic of conventional paracetamol tablets. Crushing strength of paracetamol tablets obtained with egg micro-aggegated particles was similar to that obtained using paracetamol granulated with povidone and gelatin as binders at 3 and 6% (w/w) concentrations. Drug release from the paracetamol tablets depends on the choice of excipients. Crospovidone showed good protective characteristics for the tableting of micro-aggregated particles. Crushing strength of paracetamol tablets formed from egg albumin-coated particles could be increased using crospovidone or microcrystalline cellulose as fillers and was decreased by the use of magnesium stearate. Nevertheless, magnesium stearate was useful to decrease the ejection force.