Thermal effusivity measurement of conventional and organic coffee oils via photopyroelectric technique.

In this work, oil samples extracted from organic and conventional coffee beans were studied. A fatty acids profile analysis was done using gas chromatography and physicochemical analysis of density and acidity index to verify the oil purity. Additionally, Mid-Infrared Fourier Transform Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS) aided by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify differences between the intensities of the absorption bands related to functional groups. Thermal effusivity values between 592±3 and 610±4Ws1/2m-2K-1 were measured using the photopyroelectric technique in a front detection configuration. The acidity index was between 1.11 and 1.27% and the density changed between 0.921 and 0.94g/mL. These variables, as well as the extraction yield between 12,6 and 14,4%, showed a similar behavior than that observed for the thermal effusivity, demonstrating that this parameter can be used as a criterion for discrimination between oil samples extracted from organic and conventional coffee beans.

Luxación carpometacarpiana: presentación de dos casos clínicos / Carpometacarpal dislocations: presentation of two clinical cases

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Dental arch size, biting force, bizygomatic width and face height in three Colombian ethnic groups / Tamaño del arco dental, fuerza de mordida, anchura bizigomatica y altura facial en tres grupos étnicos colombianos

The objective of this study was to describe transversal dimensions of the dental arches, bite force and facial index in three ethnic groups representative of Colombia. The sample size included 197 adolescents, 12 to 14 year old, 33% mestizo, 35% of African ancestry and 32% Amazon Indian; 50.3% male and 49.7% female. The comparative analysis to determine differences between ethnic groups was made by the Kruskal Wallis test and then the Principal Component Analysis was used to establish the pattern of measurements identifying ethnic characteristics. All measurements showed statistically significant differences among ethnic groups except facial height (p=0.157). It was evidenced that Amazon indian have a higher bite force (p <0.05) than the other twoethnic groups. Regarding dental arch transversal dimensions, Amazon Indian have a higher arch transversal width with a length average of 44.1 mm. This length was greater than mestizo adolescents (M=36.7 mm) and Afroamerican (M=38.3 mm). In conclusion, the amazon Ticuna Indian ethnia has a significantly higher bite force, higher dental arch transversal width and higher bizygomatic width than the other two ethnic groups considered.

El objetivo fue describir las dimensiones transversales de los arcos dentales, la fuerza de mordida y el índice facial en tres grupos étnicos de Colombia. El tamaño de la muestra fue de 197 adolescentes, de 12 a 14 años; 33% mestizos, 35% de ascendencia africana y 32% indio amazónico; 50,3% hombres y 49,7% mujeres. El análisis comparativo para determinar las diferencias entre los grupos étnicos se hizo mediante la prueba de Kruskal Wallis y luego el Componente Principal de Análisis se utilizó para establecer el patrón de las mediciones para identificar las características étnicas. Todas las mediciones mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos étnicos, excepto la altura facial (p=0,157). Se evidencia que el indio amazónico tiene una mayor fuerza de mordida (p<0,05) que los otros dos grupos étnicos. En cuanto a las dimensiones transversales del arco dental, el indio amazónico se caracterizó por tener un mayor ancho, con una longitud media de 44,1 mm. Esta longitud es mayor que en los adolescentes mestizos (M=36,7 mm) y afroamericanos (M=38,3 mm). En conclusión, la etnia india amazónica Ticuna tiene una fuerza de mordida significativamente mayor, así como mayor ancho del arco dental transversal y ancho bicigomático que los otros dos grupos étnicos considerados.

Antibody desensitization therapy in highly sensitized lung transplant candidates.

As HLAs antibody detection technology has evolved, there is now detailed HLA antibody information available on prospective transplant recipients. Determining single antigen antibody specificity allows for a calculated panel reactive antibodies (cPRA) value, providing an estimate of the effective donor pool. For broadly sensitized lung transplant candidates (cPRA ≥ 80%), our center adopted a pretransplant multi-modal desensitization protocol in an effort to decrease the cPRA and expand the donor pool. This desensitization protocol included plasmapheresis, solumedrol, bortezomib and rituximab given in combination over 19 days followed by intravenous immunoglobulin. Eight of 18 candidates completed therapy with the primary reasons for early discontinuation being transplant (by avoiding unacceptable antigens) or thrombocytopenia. In a mixed-model analysis, there were no significant changes in PRA or cPRA changes over time with the protocol. A sub-analysis of the median fluorescence intensity (MFI) change indicated a small decline that was significant in antibodies with MFI 5000-10,000. Nine of 18 candidates subsequently had a transplant. Posttransplant survival in these nine recipients was comparable to other pretransplant-sensitized recipients who did not receive therapy. In summary, an aggressive multi-modal desensitization protocol does not significantly reduce pretransplant HLA antibodies in a broadly sensitized lung transplant candidate cohort.

Analysis of dental arch dimensions in three Colombian ethnic groups / Análisis de las dimensiones del arco dental en tres grupos étnicos colombianos

The purpose of this study was to compare dental arch transversal and anteroposterior dimensions in three ethnic groups from Colombia. A digital caliper was used to take 16 transversal and two sagittal measurements, 9 for the upper jaw and 9 for the lower jaw. The sagittal measure determining arch length was drawn from a mesial line traced from first right permanent molar to first left permanent molar, and a perpendicular line from the point of contact between central incisive teeth, both for the upper and lower jaw. The dimensions of upper dental arch in the three ethnic groups showed differences in intercanine distance, as well as between premolar and between molar teeth. The same differences were found for lower dental arches. The populations evaluated show distinctive characteristics in dental arch dimensions, thus the mestizo population had narrow arches while the natives had wide arches.

El propósito de éste estudio fue comparar las dimensiones transversal y anteroposterior del arco dental en tres grupos étnicos de Colombia. Se utilizó un calibrador digital para tomar 16 medidas transversales y dos sagitales, 9 maxilares y 9 mandibulares. La medida sagital para determinar la longitud del arco se elaboró a partir de una línea trazada desde mesial primera molar derecho permanente al primer molar izquierdo permanente, y una línea perpendicular desde el punto de contacto entre los incisivos centrales, tanto para el maxilar y mandíbula. Las dimensiones del arco dental maxilar en los tres grupos étnicos mostraron diferencias en la distancia intercanina, así como entre premolares y molares. Las mismas diferencias se encontraron en la mandíbula. Las poblaciones evaluadas presentan características distintivas en las dimensiones del arco dental, por lo que la población mestiza tuvo arcos estrechos, mientras que los nativos tuvieron arcos anchos.

Slow-light dispersion engineering of photonic crystal waveguides using selective microfluidic infiltration.

We experimentally demonstrate dispersion engineering of slow light photonic crystal (PhC) waveguides using selective infiltration of the first two rows of air holes with high index ionic liquids. The infiltrated PhC waveguide exhibits a dispersion window of 3 nm with a nearly constant group velocity of ~c/80 that depends on the liquid physical properties. We investigate how the effective refractive index changes in time due to the dynamics of the liquids in the holes. This demonstration highlights the versatility, flexibility, and tunability offered by optofluidics in PhC circuits.

[Bacterial contamination of needles after intravitreal injection in Paraguay]. / Bakterielle Kontamination von Injektionskanülen nach intravitrealer operativer Medikamenteneingabe in Paraguay.

PURPOSE: The study was designed to prospectively evaluate the bacterial contamination of needles used for intravitreal injection during surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between December 2007 and December 2010, 549 eyes of 413 patients were treated with intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg bevacizumab. Of the patients 322 received a single injection and 91 multiple injections. Preoperatively the periorbital skin of all patients was treated with 10% povidone iodine (PVI) and the conjunctival sac was irrigated with 1% PVI. No pre-injection antibiotics were administered. Immediately after the injection the needles were rinsed 3 times in thioglycolate broth which was then cultured at 37°C for 5 days. As a negative control 73 sterile unused needles were treated in the same way. RESULTS: Out of the 549 needle points tested 8 (1,45%) were found to be contaminated after intravitreal injections. The isolated bacteria were coagulase negative Staphylococcus (n = 7), Propionibacterium acnes (n = 1) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 1) (co-contamination in one case). CONCLUSION: Contamination of needles is minimal after prophylactic povidone iodine irrigation before intravitreal injections. Therefore, this prophylaxis technique is recommended before intravitreal injections in order to prevent postoperative infections.

Biotipo morfológico facial en tres grupos étnicos colombianos: una nueva clasificación por medio del índice facial / Facial biotype in three Colombian ethnic groups: a new classification by facial index

El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el índice facial de tres poblaciones colombianas y proponer un nuevo método para identificar los biotipos morfológicos faciales teniendo en cuenta el tipo de ascendencia. Para esto, se tomaron las medidas de Nasion a Gnation y la distancia Bicigomática con un calibrador digital en tres grupos étnicos diferentes: 63 niños de la población Ticuna (Amazonas), 68 niños del municipio de Puerto Tejada (Cauca) y 65 niños del municipio de Santiago de Cali (Valle). Por medio de la prueba post hoc T2 de Tamhane se determinó que las poblaciones son distintas y que el índice morfológico facial tradicional no discriminaba esas diferencias. Por tal razón se utilizó el método estadístico de conglomerados difusos con el fin de determinar el número de grupos o biotipos para cada tipo de ascendencia. Se concluyó, que las poblaciones mestizas y afro-descendientes tienen similitudes por lo cual se agruparon juntas y el algoritmo c-medias generó cuatro biotipos característicos, mientras que para la población indígena Ticuna (Amazonas) solo se generaron tres biotipos.

The aim of this study is evaluate the facial index of three Colombian populations and propose a new method to identifythe facial morphological biotypes taking into account the type of ascendancy. For this, measures were taken of Nasion to Gnation and bizygomatic distance with a digital caliper in three ethnic groups: 63 children from Ticuna population (Amazonas), 68 children from municipality of Puerto Tejada (Cauca) and 65 children from municipality Santiago de Cali (Valle). Through the post hoc Tamhane's T2 was determined that the populations are different and the facial morphological index did not discriminate these differences. We used the statistical method of fuzzy clusters to determine the number of groups or biotypes for each type of ascendancy. We concluded that mixed populations and African descent have similarities, therefore they were grouped together and the c-means algorithm generated four biotypes characteristic, while the indigenous population Ticuna (Amazon) only generated three biotypes.

Reconfigurable photonic crystal waveguides created by selective liquid infiltration.

We experimentally demonstrate reconfigurable photonic crystal waveguides created directly by infiltrating high refractive index (n≈2.01) liquids into selected air holes of a two-dimensional hexagonal periodic lattice in silicon. The resulting effective index contrast is large enough that a single row of infiltrated holes enables light propagation at near-infrared wavelengths. We include a detailed comparison between modeling and experimental results of single line defect waveguides and show how our infiltration procedure is reversible and repeatable. We achieve infiltration accuracy down to the single air hole level and demonstrate control on the volume of liquid infused into the holes by simply changing the infiltration velocity. This method is promising for achieving a wide range of targeted optical functionalities on a "blank" photonic crystal membrane that can be reconfigured on demand.

Liquid crystal dynamics in a photonic crystal cavity created by selective microfluidic infiltration.

A microfluidic double heterostructure cavity is created in a silicon planar photonic crystal waveguide by selective infiltration of a liquid crystal. The spectral evolution of the cavity resonances probed by evanescent coupling reveals that the liquid crystal evaporates, even at room temperature, despite its relatively low vapor pressure of 5 × 10(-3) Pa. We explore the infiltration and evaporation dynamics of the liquid crystal within the cavity using a Fabry-Perot model that accounts for the joint effects of liquid volume reduction and cavity length variation due to liquid evaporation. While discussing how the pattern of the infiltrated liquid can be optimized to restrict evaporation, we find that the experimental behavior is consistent with basic microfluidic relations considering the small volumes of liquids and large surface areas present in our structure.

[Incidence of suicide in Catalan prisons: a descriptive and comparative study]. / Incidencia del suicidio en las prisiones de Cataluña: análisis descriptivo y comparado.

INTRODUCTION: The prevention of suicide in prison is one of the most important challenges facing prison health care services in developed countries. The aim of this study is to analyse the incidence of suicide in Catalan prisons and accumulate data about a number of variables that have also been studied in other prison populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of suicide cases in prisons administrated by the Catalan Regional Government (Generalitat de Catalunya) between 1990 and 2005 (n=65). Comparative study of incidence with European countries using published data. RESULTS: The average annual incidence for the period is of 59/100.000, multiplying by eight the level corresponding to the general population. CONCLUSIONS: Entry into prison is the most important event trigger for suicide. Other data open the way to new research.

Incidencia del suicidio en las prisiones de Cataluña: análisis descriptivo y comparado / Incidence of suicide in catalan prisons: adescriptive and comparativew study

Introducción: La prevención del suicidio en prisión se impone entre los retos más importantes de la sanidad penitenciariaen los países desarrollados. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la incidencia del suicidio en las prisiones catalanas yrecoger datos sobre algunas variables investigadas también en otras poblaciones de reclusos.Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de los casos de suicidio en los centros penitenciarios dependientes de la Generalitatde Catalunya entre 1990-2005 (n=65). Estudio comparado de la incidencia con los países europeos a partir de datospublicados.Resultados: La incidencia anual media del período es de 59/100.000, octuplicando la tasa correspondiente a la poblacióngeneral.Conclusiones: El ingreso en prisión supone el acontecimiento desencadenante más importante. Otros resultados abrenlas puertas a nuevas investigaciones (AU)

Introduction: The prevention of suicide in prison is one of the most important challenges facing prison health care servicesin developed countries. The aim of this study is to analyse the incidence of suicide in Catalan prisons and accumulatedata about a number of variables that have also been studied in other prison populations.Materials and methods: Retrospective study of suicide cases in prisons administrated by the Catalan Regional Government(Generalitat de Catalunya) between 1990 and 2005 (n=65). Comparative study of incidence with European countriesusing published data.Results: The average annual incidence for the period is of 59/100.000, multiplying by eight the level corresponding tothe general population.Conclusions: Entry into prison is the most important event trigger for suicide. Other data open the way to new research (AU)

Diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis by a dot blot assay using a recombinant Paracoccidioides brasiliensis p27 protein.

A variety of immunological methods have proven useful for Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) diagnosis; however, they are often time consuming and many lack sensitivity and specificity, partially attributed to the use of crude antigens, which give cross reactivity. Until now, attempts to clone and express Paracoccidioides brasiliensis immunodominant antigens have presented difficulties of process and problems of cost. In an attempt to obtain a more rapid, sensitive, and specific test for PCM diagnosis, we subcloned the P. brasiliensis p27 gene and used the recombinant protein as the antigen in dot blot assays to evaluate its usefulness in paracoccidioidomicosis diagnosis. The development of an optimised procedure for p27 recombinant protein purification and production led to an easier and less expensive process than the one previously used in our laboratory and allowed the availability of enough purified protein for its evaluation as the antigen in the dot blot assays. In these assays, antibodies present in ten serum samples from seven patients with PCM recognised the recombinant protein showing a sensitivity of 100% with a specificity of 98%. These results confirm the value of the 27-kDa recombinant antigen in the serodiagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis and that the dot blot format is an alternative to the immunoenzymatic assay procedure.

Cambios en la expresión inmunohistoquímica del protooncogen Bcl2 y apoptosis por acción de estimulación colinergica en pacientes con síndrome de Sjõgren primario (SSp) / Changes in Bcl2 immunochemical expresión and apoptosis due to cholinergic stimulation from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

El síndrome de Sjõgren es una enfermedad reumática autoinmune, sistémica, que supone la destrucción de la glándula exocrina y órganos internos por medio de grandes infiltraciones mononucleares asociadas con los anticuerpos Ro/SSA, La/SSB y factores reumáticos, ambos síntomas principales de los factores celulares y humorales de la xeroftalmia y la xerostomía. Los infiltrados mononucleares más comunes son los linfocitos CD4, CD8 y B. Los pacientes que sufren de síndrome de Sjõgren corren el riesgo de desarrollar linfoma no Hodgkin. El linfoma folicular es el resultado de una traslocación no homóloga cromosómica 14; 18 produciendo la desregulación de la transcripción y síntesis de la proteína Bcl2. Las proteínas de la familia Bcl2 son reguladores clave de la apoptosis, que estimulan la supervivencia de la célula. Otros grupos de la familia Bcl2 son estimuladores pro-apoptóticos. El comportamiento de las células dependerá de la concentración de los dos miembros de la familia. Objetivos: Los niveles de expresión y apoptosis de Bcl2 en la glándula salival menor pre y pos-tratamiento con agonistas colinérgicos. Pacientes y métodos: Diagnóstico del síndrome de Sjõgren según los criterios europeos. Se eclutaron 10 pacientes, a quienes se estudió durante 5 meses y se los trató con 15 mg de clorhidrato de pilocarpina en cápsulas orales de 5 mg cada 8 horas. Se llevaron a cabo biopsias pre-tratamiento y pos-tratamiento desde el día cero (antes del tratamiento) hasta el quinto mes (después del tratamiento). Antes de ingresar al estudio clínico, los pacientes SSp voluntarios firmaron el consentimiento informado y el estudio se realizó según las normas de buenas prácticas clínicas. Se evaluó la expresión Bcl2 mediante técnicas de inmunohistoquímica y la apoptosis nucleotidil transferasa-peroxidasa mediante técnicas in situ. Diseño del estudio: Abierto, longitudinal, autocontrolado.

Púrpura fulminans asociada al embarazo / Pregnancy-associated purpura fulminans (PF)

La púrpura fulminans (PF) es una enfermedad cutánea purpúrica aguda asociada a un síndrome de coagulación intravascular diseminada (CID). Sus causas conocidas incluyen infecciones virales y bacterianas así como trombofilias. Es sabido que durante el embarazo existen alteraciones en los mecanismos hemostáticos; sin embargo, no se ha demostrado que estos fenómenos por sí solos ayuden al desarrollo de la PF.Se describe el caso de una mujer de 22 años, quien tuvo PF en circunstancias inusuales tales como el desarrollo de su cuadro durante el embarazo y el origen probable en una infección por E. coli. Se presentan los hallazgos clínicos, las intervenciones médicas y quirúrgicas y el desenlace. La paciente sobrevivió pero hubo necesidad de amputarle las falanges distales de tres artejos del pie izquierdo.

PF is a serious cutaneous purpuric disease, associated with an intravascular disseminated coagulation syndrome. Among its known causes, besides those of thrombophilia, are viral and bacterial infections, mostly Neisseria meningitidis. During pregnancy there are alterations in the hemostatic mechanism. However, by themselves, they have not been shown to lead to PF. The case of a 22-year-old woman who developed PF during pregnancy, presumably due to her Escherichia coli urinary tract infection, is presented including clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and surgical aspects. She recovered but suffered amputation of the distant phalanges of three toes in the left foot