Using NIR irradiation and magnetic bismuth ferrite microparticles to accelerate the removal of polystyrene microparticles from the drinking water.

Magnetic bismuth ferrite (BiFO) microparticles were employed for the first time for the removal of polystyrene (PS) nano/microplastics from the drinking water. BiFO is formed by porous agglomerates with sizes of 5-11 µm, while the PS nano/microparticles have sizes in the range of 70-11000 nm. X-ray diffraction studies demonstrated that the BiFO microparticles are composed of BiFeO3/Bi25FeO40 (the content of Bi25FeO40 is ≈ 8.6%). Drinking water was contaminated with PS nano/microparticles (1 g L-1) and BiFO microparticles were also added to the contaminated water. Later, the mixture of PS-particles + BiFO was irradiated with NIR light (980 nm). Consequently, PS nano/microparticles melted on the BiFO microparticles due to the excessive heating on their surface. At the same time, the NIR (near infrared) light generated oxidizing agents (∙OH and h+), which degraded the by-products formed during the photocatalytic degradation of PS nano/microparticles. Subsequently, the NIR irradiation was stopped, and a Neodymium magnet was utilized to separate the BiFO microparticles from the water. This last procedure also permitted the removal of PS nano/microparticles by physical adsorption. Zeta potential measurements demonstrated that the BiFO surface was positively charged, allowing the removal of the negatively charged PS nano/microparticles by electrostatic attraction. The combination of the photocatalytic process and the physical adsorption permitted a complete removal of PS nano/microparticles after only 90 min as well as a high mineralization of by-products (≈95.5% as confirmed by the total organic carbon measurements). We estimate that ≈23.6% of the PS nano/microparticles were eliminated by photocatalysis and the rest of PS particles (≈76.4%) by physical adsorption. An outstanding adsorption capacity of 195.5 mg g-1 was obtained after the magnetic separation of the BiFO microparticles from the water. Hence, the results of this research demonstrated that using photocatalysis + physical-adsorption is a feasible strategy to quickly remove microplastic contaminants from the water.

Retraso en el despertar por accidente cerebrovascular / Delayed awakening due to stroke

No disponible

[Adherence to and satisfaction with oral outpatient thromboembolism prophylaxis compared to parenteral: SALTO study]. / Adherencia y satisfacción en la profilaxis antitrombótica ambulatoria oral frente a la parenteral: estudio SALTO.

INTRODUCTION: Prolongation of drug-based thromboembolism prophylaxis after discharge from hospital is clearly recommended following total hip and knee replacement. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare adherence to and satisfaction with outpatient thromboembolism prophylaxis (by injection and oral) under routine clinical practice conditions. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We analysed two consecutive cohorts of patients (480 and 366, respectively) who had undergone total hip or knee replacement surgery in 120 Spanish hospitals, and were prescribed outpatient thromboembolism prophylaxis, by injection and orally, respectively. Information on adherence to and satisfaction with both treatments, sociodemographic data and treatment compliance was collected using specific questionnaires. RESULTS: The drop-out rate (9.49 vs. 4.14%), general satisfaction (37 vs. 83.38%), and the TSQM satisfaction scale were better in the oral prophylaxis cohort and, although the differences between the two routes of administration were not significant, treatment compliance was also better in the oral cohort (Morisky-Green test: 53.49 vs. 59.05%). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to and satisfaction with the oral thromboembolism prophylaxis were better than for prophylaxis by injection in the context of outpatient prolongation. Nevertheless, suboptimal treatment compliance was found in both cohorts, which could result in lack of efficacy of the prophylaxis. Both patients and doctors have to be made aware of the importance of post-discharge extension of thromboprophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery with high thrombotic risk. Moreover, strategies should be developed to encourage compliance.

Adherencia y satisfacción en la profilaxis antitrombótica ambulatoria oral frente a la parenteral: estudio SALTO / Adherence to and satisfaction with oral outpatient thromboembolism prophylaxis compared to parenteral: SALTO study

Introducción. La profilaxis tromboembólica farmacológica, prolongada tras el alta hospitalaria, está claramente recomendada en el postoperatorio de la artroplastia total de cadera y rodilla. Este estudio pretende valorar y comparar la adherencia y la satisfacción a la profilaxis tromboembólica ambulatoria (inyectable y oral), en condiciones de práctica clínica habitual. Material y método. Se analizan 2 cohortes consecutivas de pacientes (480 y 366 respectivamente) intervenidos de artroplastia total de cadera o rodilla en 120 hospitales españoles, a las que se indica la profilaxis tromboembólica ambulatoria inyectable y oral, respectivamente. Mediante cuestionarios específicos, se recoge información sobre la adherencia y satisfacción a ambos tratamientos, datos sociodemográficos y cumplimiento terapéutico. Resultados. Las tasas de abandono (9,49 vs. 4,14%), la satisfacción general (37 vs. 83,38%) y la escala de satisfacción de TSQM fueron más favorables en la cohorte de la profilaxis oral. El cumplimiento terapéutico, si bien sin diferencias significativas entre ambas pautas (test de Morisky-Green de 53,49 vs. 59,05%), fue también superior en la cohorte de la tromboprofilaxis oral. Conclusiones. La adherencia y la satisfacción a la profilaxis tromboembólica oral son superiores a la profilaxis inyectable en el contexto de la prolongación ambulatoria. Sin embargo, en ambas cohortes se evidencia un subóptimo cumplimiento terapéutico que podría repercutir en una merma en la eficacia de dicha profilaxis. Es preciso concienciar al paciente y a los médicos de la importancia de la extensión ambulatoria de la tromboprofilaxis en la cirugía ortopédica de alto riesgo trombótico, así como desarrollar estrategias que favorezcan su cumplimiento (AU)

Introduction. Prolongation of drug-based thromboembolism prophylaxis after discharge from hospital is clearly recommended following total hip and knee replacement. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare adherence to and satisfaction with outpatient thromboembolism prophylaxis (by injection and oral) under routine clinical practice conditions. Material and method. We analysed two consecutive cohorts of patients (480 and 366, respectively) who had undergone total hip or knee replacement surgery in 120 Spanish hospitals, and were prescribed outpatient thromboembolism prophylaxis, by injection and orally, respectively. Information on adherence to and satisfaction with both treatments, sociodemographic data and treatment compliance was collected using specific questionnaires. Results. The drop-out rate (9.49 vs. 4.14%), general satisfaction (37 vs. 83.38%), and the TSQM satisfaction scale were better in the oral prophylaxis cohort and, although the differences between the two routes of administration were not significant, treatment compliance was also better in the oral cohort (Morisky-Green test: 53.49 vs. 59.05%). Conclusions. Adherence to and satisfaction with the oral thromboembolism prophylaxis were better than for prophylaxis by injection in the context of outpatient prolongation. Nevertheless, suboptimal treatment compliance was found in both cohorts, which could result in lack of efficacy of the prophylaxis. Both patients and doctors have to be made aware of the importance of post-discharge extension of thromboprophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery with high thrombotic risk. Moreover, strategies should be developed to encourage compliance (AU)

Fractura bilateral y simultánea del extremo proximal del fémur (subcapital y pertrocantérea) en un paciente joven: caso clínico / Simultaneous bilateral fractures (subcapital and trochanteric) of the proximal end of the femur in young patient: case report

Las fracturas simultáneas y bilaterales del extremo proximaldel fémur son raras. Presentamos un caso de fractura bilateralde fémur, subcapital y pertrocantérea, producida enel curso de un accidente de tráfico. Se describen las diferencias,tanto en su mecanismo de producción como en sutratamiento, respecto de las fracturas unilaterales

Simultaneous and bilateral fractures of the proximal partof the femur are unfrequent.We present a case of bilateral femoral fracture, trochantericand subcapital, produced in a high energy accident. Wedescribe the differences, in its mechanism of production aswell as in its treatment, related to unilateral ones

A developmental comparison of premature and full term children of low socioeconomic status

This study was undertaken to reevaluate prematurely born children with weights 2000 grams and less, of preschool age. It compared the developmental level of prematurely born children all belonging to the lower socioeconomic status. A total of 16 premature children and 16 full term children were enrolled in the study. No significant differences were found between the premature and full term group on all measures of psychological development. No correlation were found between birth weight, gestational age, intrauterine growth retardation, perinatal complications and the outcome measures of psychological development. A significant delay in mental, motor, language, personal-social, and adaptive development was seen in both the premature and full term group. None of the children exhibited visual-motors problems. Mental developmental is directly related to nutritional status and maternal education

Strongyloidiasis: a report of 3 cases in the Philippines

Three cases of Strongyloides stercoralis infestation are pesented. The common symptom in all cases in a long-standing intractable diarrhea with severe abdominal pain. Fatal cases have been reported in the literature. Diagnosis, symptomatology, and treatment have been discussed. As three cases were observed in are latively short time, the infestation does not seem to be exceptional in the Philippines, and the symptoms and therapy described. (Summary and Conclusion)

Excessive synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases in exocrine tissues of NOD mouse models for Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and their substrates, components of the extracellular matrix, regulate environmental signals for cellular differentiation and tissue function. Changes in the levels of these enzymes may influence cell survival as well as pathology involving ectopic apoptosis. Using the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model for Sjögren's syndrome, we evaluated the synthesis and expression of MMP in the exocrine target tissues of autoimmunity. METHODS: NOD, immunodeficient NOD-scid, and nondiabetic NOD.B10.H2b mice were evaluated for MMP activity in their saliva and exocrine gland lysates by gelatin zymography and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, changes in protein content of saliva and gland lysates were determined by specific Western blot and by enzymatic activity of amylase and cysteine proteases. Mice continuously treated with the MMP inhibitor GM6001 were evaluated from 7 to 20 weeks of age for the contribution of MMP activity to development of these hallmark biochemical markers of Sjogren's syndrome-like disease of NOD mice. RESULTS: Gelatin zymography of whole saliva and gland lysates indicated the presence of increased proteolytic activity, corresponding to proteins with a molecular mass ranging from 50 to 95 kDa, in the saliva of older (> 20 weeks of age) NOD mice as well as NOD.B10.H2b and NOD-scid mice compared to BALB/c controls. Elevated steady state levels of mRNA transcripts for the gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected in total RNA extracted from parotid and submandibular glands by RT-PCR. Despite prophylactic injection of the broad spectrum MMP inhibitor GM6001 into mice beginning at 7 weeks of age and continuing to 20 weeks, development of the autoimmune exocrinopathy was neither stopped nor retarded. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that excessive MMP activity is associated with autoimmune Sjögren's syndrome-like disease in NOD mice. However, a possible contribution by increased MMP activity in initiation and progression of this autoimmune disease is yet to be elucidated.

Immunization with bacterial antigens: piscirickettsiosis.

Piscirickettsiosis is a septicaemic disease of salmonid fish caused by the obligated intracellular rickettsia, Piscirickettsia salmonis. This disease was first reported in 1989 in salmon cultured in sea water netpens in southern Chile where it is still a major problem causing high mortality among cultured salmonids. In recent years related agents have been reported in farmed salmonids from Ireland, Canada and Norway. Mortality, however, at these locations has been reported to be low. Because of the recent description of piscirickettsiosis and its aetiological agent, knowledge about the immune response of fish against this organism is limited. At present, there is only one paper in the literature dealing with this subject. To standardise challenge methods for testing the efficacy of vaccination, lethal dose 50% and infectivity dose 50% were determined for coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and rainbow trout (O. mykiss) using intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of P. salmonis. Experiments using bath challenge methods failed to reproduce the disease using rainbow trout although low levels of infection in their tissues were found. In a field trial, using formalin killed bacterins injected i.p. into pre-smolt coho salmon, the fish were naturally challenged by placing them in sea water where endemic piscirickettsiosis occurred. The results showed that some of the vaccinated fish groups experienced lower cumulative mortality than the non-vaccinated control group (X < 0.05), suggesting an immunoprotective response in these animals. A trial was also conducted with formalin-killed bacterins in rainbow trout using different antigen concentrations with and without booster injections. Fish were challenged by IP injection of P. salmonis. Vaccinated fish showed less mortality than their respective infected control. Unfortunately the challenge was not strong enough because mortality in the infected control fish was low (20%). Antibody levels measured by radio-immuno-assay increased until day 40 post vaccination. The highest levels of antibody were obtained in the sera of fish vaccinated with concentrated antigen using booster injections.

[Pathogenesis of spontaneous chronic polyarthritis in MRL mice]. / Beitrag zur Pathogenese der spontanen chronischen Polyarthritis der MRL-Mäuse.

In a sequential study the pathogenesis of chronic polyarthritis occurring spontaneously in MRL mice was analysed by light microscopy. A total of 128 MRL mice of both substrains (MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr and +/+) and different age groups was studied. In 50 lpr/lpr mice, tinctorial and histochemical methods were applied for the identification of fibrin/fibrinoid, iron compounds, amyloid, and proteoglycan. The earliest lesions seen in mice of substrain lpr/lpr at the age of 2 months were proliferation of synovial lining cells and loss of tinctorially demonstrable proteoglycan in the articular cartilage. Beginning at 3 months, severe joint destruction associated with pannus formation was encountered usually in knee, carpal and tarsal joints. Besides inflammatory processes in tendons, nerves and musculature fibrinoid-necrotising panarteritis occurred in the intra- and extraarticular tissue. Furthermore, fibrin-containing exudations and deposits of fibrinoid material, occurred in the synovium of large joints and in the periarticular connective tissue of phalangeal joints. The occurrence of these morphological changes, destructive arthritis, vasculitis and periarticular inflammatory changes, was, at the age of 3 months, associated with a highly significant increase of circulating immune complexes. In mice of substrain +/+ aged 1 year and older, arthritic changes with synovial lining cell proliferation, cartilage destruction and inflammatory periarticular lesions developed.

Magnetic resonance imaging of spinal meningiomas and neurinomas. Improvement of imaging by paramagnetic contrast enhancement.

The detection and delineation of spinal tumors by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after intravenous administration of gadolinium (Gd)-diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (DTPA) is demonstrated in eight cases of neurinoma or meningioma. The advantages of Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI over other MRI techniques used in more than 100 cases of spinal cord diseases are described.

[Historical study of the development of the treatment for carcinoma of the cervix uteri]. / Estudio histórico de la evolución del tratamiento del carcinoma de cuello uterino.

The author describes the historical evolution of the treatment of uterine cervix carcinoma.

[Action of quinine sulphate on the incidence of muscle cramps during hemodialysis (author's transl)]. / Acción del sulfato de quinina sobre la incidencia en la aparición de calambres musculares en las hemodiálisis.

Muscle cramps are a complication occurring during hemodialysis or in the periods between dialysis in 26% of patients. Out of a group of 21 patients undergoing hemodialysis three times a week for terminal renal failure, eight patients (38%) were selected with and special tendency to develop muscular cramps. Quinine was chosen because of its action upon the neuromuscular end motor plate. A double-blind study was carried out for 16 weeks, divided in two periods of 8 weeks, administering in each one of them either quinine sulphate (300 mg capsule) or placebo at the beginning of hemodialysis. The frequency of muscle cramps was significantly reduced (p < 0.005) by quinine sulphate when compared to placebo. Before and during the study blood tests, liver function, ECG, and EMG were monitored, and ophthalmological and audiometric evaluations were performed. No secondary effects of the administration of quinine sulphate could be found.