Concepción de la creatividad motriz entre profesores de artes escénicas / Perforing arts teachers conception of motor creativity / Concepção da criatividade motora entre professores de artes cénicas

La creatividad es aún hoy en día un término difuso, también para el profesorado de cualquier ámbito educativo. El objetivo de este estudio es el de comparar la concepción subjetiva de la creatividad por parte del profesorado de artes escénicas con una valoración objetiva basada en la metodología observacional sistemática. Un grupo de 7 estudiantes de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte y otro de 7 participantes de una compañía amateur de Expresión Corporal improvisaron, moviéndose libremente, durante 5 minutos en un espacio delimitado. 3 observadoras analizaron las grabaciones utilizando un Sistema de Categorías ad hoc. Paralelamente, se pasó un cuestionario a 15 profesores de artes escénicas después del visionado de las mismas grabaciones. Las respuestas se analizaron mediante el Software Nvivo v.9. Los resultados mostraron claramente que el profesorado tiene concepciones distintas sobre la creatividad y que no se basan en valoraciones objetivas relacionadas con la cantidad o variabilidad de las respuestas motrices

Teachers usually have different conceptions of the meaning of creativity. The aim of this study was to compare the subjective performing arts teachers’ conception of creativity with an objective evaluation based on Observational Methodology. Seven students of Sports Science and 7 dancers in an amateur creative dance company were recorded while improvising during 5 minutes in a limited space. 3 observers analysed the two trials with an ad hoc Categories System. 15 performing arts teachers answered a questionnaire after observing the two recorded improvisations. The answers were analysed using Software Nvivo v.9. The results show that teachers have different conceptions of creativity and that they are not based on objective appreciations related to the quantity or variety of the motor responses

criatividade é ainda hoje em dia um termo difuso, também para os docentes de qualquer âmbito educativo. O objectivo deste estudo écomparar a concepção subjectiva da criatividade por parte dos docentes de artes cénicas com avaliação objectiva baseada na metodologia observacionalsistemática. Um grupo de 7 estudantes de Ciências da Actividade Física e Deporto e outro de 7 participantes de uma companhia amadora de ExpressãoCorporal improvisaram, movendo-se livremente, durante 5 minutos num espaço delimitado. De igual modo, 3 observadores analisaram as gravaçõesutilizando um Sistema de Categorização ad hoc. Paralelamente, foi aplicado um questionário a 15 professores de artes cénicas depois do visionamentodas mesmas gravações. As respostas foram analisadas através do Software Nvivo v.9. Os resultados indicam claramente que os professores têm concepçõesdistintas sobre a criatividade e que não se baseiam em avaliações objectivas relacionadas com a quantidade ou variabilidade das respostas motoras

Antioxidant and photoprotective responses to elevated CO(2) and heat stress during holm oak regeneration by resprouting, evaluated with NIRS (near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy).

Photosynthetic, photoprotective and antioxidant responses during high temperature stress were determined in leaves of evergreen holm oak (Quercus ilex L.), the main species in Mediterranean forests, during resprouting under elevated CO(2) (750 µl·l(-1) ). Leaf chemicals, chloroplast pigments and non-enzymatic antioxidants were quantified in a single measurement using NIRS (near-infrared spectroscopy), a rapid and suitable method for ecophysiological purposes. Resprouts from plants grown under elevated CO(2) (RE) showed photosynthetic down-regulation, higher starch content and lower stomatal conductance, but similar stomatal density, than plants grown under current CO(2) concentrations (350 µl·l(-1) ) (RA). The photosynthetic sink reduction and need for more antioxidants and photoprotection in RE were reflected in an increased concentration of ascorbate (Asc) and phenolic compounds and in the contribution of the xanthophyll (Z/VAZ) and lutein epoxide cycles to excess energy dissipation as heat, and also reflected in chlorophyll fluorescence measurements. CO(2) assimilation parameters were stable from 25 to 35 °C in RE and RA, declining thereafter in RA in spite of a 2.3 °C lower leaf temperature. RE showed a more marked decline in photorespiration above 35 °C and less sensitive stomatal responses to high temperature stress than RA. During heat stress, RE had higher Asc, Z/VAZ and phenolics content, together with delayed enhancement of chloroplast lipophilic antioxidant compounds (carotenes and tocopherols). The high contribution of photoprotective systems and high temperature tolerance in resprouts developed under elevated CO(2) would mitigate the effect of photosynthesis acclimation during the regeneration of Q. ilex plants under climate change.

Control y seguimiento de la nutrición artificial domiciliaria en Atención Primaria. Una experiencia de coordinación Hospital-Primaria / No disponible

La nutrición artificial es un tratamiento de indicación hospitalaria que puede administrarse de manera puntual o permanente. Cada vez más, existen situaciones clínicas que permiten que los pacientes a los que se les administra este tratamiento puedan ser atendidos en su domicilio, suponiendo una mayor eficiencia y satisfacción del propio paciente y su familia.No obstante, la atención sanitaria, cuando se realiza en el domicilio del paciente, supone una dificultad para el nivel hospitalario, mientras que ya se realiza con normalidad desde la Atención Primaria.El diálogo y la coordinación entre ambos niveles asistenciales nos han llevado a la realización y puesta en práctica de un protocolo de atención conjunta para los pacientes en tratamiento con nutrición artificial domiciliaria, mediante el cual estamos convencidos de que estamos incrementando la calidad de la atención prestada. Los puntos más destacados del proceso de implementación se exponen en este artículo

Artificial nutrition is a hospital level treatment that can be administered short or long term. There are an increasing number of clinical situations that allow patients to receive this treatment in the home, meaning greater efficiency and satisfaction for the patient and family.However, while health care performed in the patient’s home is already a normal part of primary health care, hospital treatment at home supposes greater difficulty.Dialogue and coordination between both care levels haveled to the formulation and application of a protocol for combined care for patients receiving Artificial Nutrition treatment in the home. We are convinced that this is increasing the care quality given. The most outstanding points in the implementation process are presented in this article

[Specialized home care of medical diseases in an urban tertiary university hospital. Coordination between the medical services of the hospital and the primary health care]. / Atención especializada domiciliaria de patologías médicas desde un hospital universitario terciario urbano. Coordinación entre los servicios médicos del hospital y la Atención Primaria de salud del territorio.

INTRODUCTION: The experience of an urban Tertiary University Hospital in the design and implementation of Hospital at Home Program (HaHP) integrated in a Department of Internal Medicine and highly coordinated with Medical Services of the Hospital and the Primary Health Care, that contemplates the like main objectives of the promotion of specialized home care medical diseases and the improvement of the coordination with the primary health care. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Systematic collection in all the patients admitted between April 2006 and March 2007 in the HaHP of the following variables: age, gender, service of origin, main diagnosis, Barthel and Charlson index, number of visits per day to doctors and nurses, destination on discharge and medical team. The descriptive statistical analysis was made in April 2007. The results are presented globally and differentiated by teams (internal medicine, respiratory and nutritional support teams). RESULTS: 506 admissions in 390 patients with a mean age of 66.5 (18) years, 53% being women. The Charlson index was 2 (2.2) and the Barthel index 63.5 (40,4). Average stay was 7.9 (8.2) days. The main reasons for admission were the infections and domiciliary intravenous antibiotic therapy in 153 (30.5%) cases, followed by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cardiac failure in 107 (21%) cases, and home enteral and parenteral nutrition in 102 (20%) cases. Two hundred (39.5) patients were subsequently controlled by their primary care team after discharger, 241 (47.5) patients were followed-up in the hospital consultations, and 45 (9%) of the patients had to return directly to the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The creation of a HaHP, for medical diseases, in internal medicine department that is highly coordinated with medical services of the hospital, especially with emergency, respiratory, and nutritional support teams, and with the primary health care, facilitates specialized home care of medical diseases and improves coordination with the primary health care.

Atención especializada domiciliaria de patologías médicas desde un hospital universitario terciario urbano. Coordinación entre los servicios médicos del hospital y la Atención Primaria de salud del territorio / Specialized home care of medical diseases in an urban tertiary university hospital. Coordination between the medical services of the hospital and the primary health care

Introducción. Se presenta la experiencia de un hospital universitario terciario urbano en el diseño e implementación de una unidad de hospitalización a domicilio (UHaD) integrada en un Servicio de Medicina Interna y altamente coordinada con los servicios médicos del hospital y la Atención Primaria de salud del entorno hospitalario, que contempla como principales objetivos la promoción de la atención especializada domiciliaria de patologías médicas y la mejora de la coordinación con la Atención Primaria de salud. Pacientes y métodos. Recogida sistemática en todos los pacientes ingresados entre abril 2006 y marzo 2007 en la UHaD de las siguientes variables: edad, sexo, lugar y servicio de procedencia, diagnóstico principal, índice de Barthel y de Charlson, número de visitas al día de enfermería y médicas, destino al alta y equipo médico responsable. El análisis estadístico descriptivo se realizó en abril de 2007. Los resultados se presentan de forma global y diferenciados por equipos (Medicina Interna, Neumología y soporte nutricional). Resultados. Quinientos seis ingresos que correspondían a 390 pacientes con una edad media de 66,5 (18) años, y un 53% mujeres. El índice de Charlson fue de 2 (2,2) y el índice de Barthel de 63,5 (40,4). La estancia media fue de 7,9 (8,2) días. Los principales motivos de ingreso fueron las infecciones y tratamiento antibiótico por vía intravenosa en 153 (30,5%) casos, las agudizaciones de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica o insuficiencia cardíaca en 107 (21%) casos y la nutrición enteral o parenteral domiciliaria en 102 (20%) casos. Doscientos (39,5%) pacientes al finalizar el ingreso fueron controlados por sus equipos de Atención Primaria, 241 (47,5%) fueron seguidos en consultas del hospital y 45 (9%) retornaron directamente al hospital. Conclusión. La creación de una UHaD para patologías médicas desde el Servicio de Medicina Interna, altamente coordinada con servicios médicos del hospital, especialmente con Urgencias, Neumología y Soporte Nutricional y con la Atención Primaria del entorno hospitalario, facilita la atención especializada domiciliaria de patologías médicas y mejora la coordinación con la Atención Primaria de salud

Introduction. The experience of an urban Tertiary University Hospital in the design and implementation of Hospital at Home Program (HaHP) integrated in a Department of Internal Medicine and highly coordinated with Medical Services of the Hospital and the Primary Health Care, that contemplates the like main objectives of the promotion of specialized home care medical diseases and the improvement of the coordination with the primary health care. Patients and method. Systematic collection in all the patients admitted between April 2006 and March 2007 in the HaHP of the following variables: age, gender, service of origin, main diagnosis, Barthel and Charlson index, number of visits per day to doctors and nurses, destination on discharge and medical team. The descriptive statistical analysis was made in April 2007. The results are presented globally and differentiated by teams (internal medicine, respiratory and nutritional support teams). Results. 506 admissions in 390 patients with a mean age of 66.5 (18) years, 53% being women. The Charlson index was 2 (2.2) and the Barthel index 63.5 (40,4). Average stay was 7.9 (8.2) days. The main reasons for admission were the infections and domiciliary intravenous antibiotic therapy in 153 (30.5%) cases, followed by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cardiac failure in 107 (21%) cases, and home enteral and parenteral nutrition in 102 (20%) cases. Two hundred (39.5) patients were subsequently controlled by their primary care team after discharger, 241 (47.5) patients were followed-up in the hospital consultations, and 45 (9%) of the patients had to return directly to the hospital. Conclusions. The creation of a HaHP, for medical diseases, in internal medicine department that is highly coordinated with medical services of the hospital, especially with emergency, respiratory, and nutritional support teams, and with the primary health care, facilitates specialized home care of medical diseases and improves coordination with the primary health care

[Fast specialized ambulatory care of medical disease in an urban tertiary university hospital. Fast care consultation]. / Atención especializada ambulatoria rápidade patologías médicas desde un hospital universitario terciario. Consulta de atención inmediata.

INTRODUCTION: The experience of an urban tertiary university hospital in the design and establishment of Specialized Ambulatory Consultation (SAC) of Internal Medicine is presented. The purpose of this consultation is fast specialized ambulatory care of medical diseases, decrease of inappropriate hospitalizations and improvement of coordination with primary health care. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Systematic collection of the following variables in all the patients who visited the SAC between March 2006 and February 2007: origin, syndromic diagnosis and reason for consultation, age and gender, number of visits, examinations made, and destination on discharge. The descriptive statistical analysis was made in March 2007. RESULTS: A total of 744 patients with 1248 visits were seen (successive/first ratio of 0.67). Mean age was 62.56 (18.6) years and 50.6% were women. The hospital origin/primary origin went from 3.5 - 4 in the first quarter to between 2.6 - 2.8 in the last quarter. The main reasons for consultation due to patient with constitutional or anemic syndromes with suspicion of serious disease and patients with decompensation of chronic diseases or infectious disease. Half of the patients returned to primary care and the rest were distributed among different hospital resources. It stands out that 30% were sent to the hospital consultations and 10% required hospitalization or transfer to the emergency room. CONCLUSIONS: The SAC is a Fast Consultation Care (diagnosis and treatment) of general internal medicine located in a tertiary university hospital with a good capacity of resolution. It facilitates Specialized Ambulatory Care of medical diseases, decreasing inappropriate hospitalization and improving coordination with the Primary Health Care.

Atención especializada ambulatoria rápidade patologías médicas desde un hospital universitario terciario. Consulta de atención inmediata / Fast specialized ambulatory care of medical disease in an urban tertiary university hospital. Fast care consultation

Introducción. Se presenta la experiencia de un hospital universitario terciario urbano en el diseño e implementación de una consulta de atención inmediata (CAI) de medicina interna que tiene como objetivo la atención especializada ambulatoria rápida de patologías médicas, la disminución de ingresos inadecuados y la mejora de la coordinación con la Atención Primaria de salud. Material y métodos. Recogida sistemática en todos los pacientes visitados en la CAI entre marzo de 2006 y febrero de 2007 de las siguientes variables: procedencia, orientación sindrómica y motivo de consulta, edad y sexo, número de visitas, exploraciones realizadas y destino al alta. El análisis estadístico descriptivo se realizó en marzo de 2007. Resultados. Se han visitado 744 pacientes, realizándose un total de 1.248 vistas (ratio sucesivas/primeras de 0,67). La edad media fue de 62,56 (18,6) años y un 50,6% fueron mujeres. La ratio procedencia hospital/procedencia primaria pasó de 3,5 a 4 en el primer trimestre a 2,6-2,8 en el último trimestre. Los principales motivos de consulta fueron pacientes con síndromes constitucionales o anémicos con sospecha de enfermedad grave y pacientes con agudizaciones de procesos crónicos o infecciones. La mitad de los pacientes volvieron a la primaria y el resto se distribuyó entre diferentes recursos hospitalarios, destacando un 30% que fueron remitidos a las consultas del hospital y un 10% que precisó ingreso hospitalario o traslado a Urgencias. Discusión. La CAI es una consulta de atención (diagnóstico y tratamiento) inmediata de medicina interna general ubicada en un hospital universitario terciario con una buena capacidad de resolución, facilitando la atención especializada ambulatoria de patologías médicas, disminuyendo los ingresos inadecuados y mejorando la coordinación con la Atención Primaria de salud (AU)

Introduction. The experience of an urban tertiary university hospital in the design and establishment of Specialized Ambulatory Consultation (SAC) of Internal Medicine is presented. The purpose of this consultation is fast specialized ambulatory care of medical diseases, decrease of inappropriate hospitalizations and improvement of coordination with primary health care. Patients and method. Systematic collection of the following variables in all the patients who visited the SAC between March 2006 and February 2007: origin, syndromic diagnosis and reason for consultation, age and gender, number of visits, examinations made, and destination on discharge. The descriptive statistical analysis was made in March 2007. Results. A total of 744 patients with 1248 visits were seen (successive/first ratio of 0.67). Mean age was 62.56 (18.6) years and 50.6% were women. The hospital origin/primary origin went from 3.5 - 4 in the first quarter to between 2.6 - 2.8 in the last quarter. The main reasons for consultation due to patient with constitutional or anemic syndromes with suspicion of serious disease and patients with decompensation of chronic diseases or infectious disease. Half of the patients returned to primary care and the rest were distributed among different hospital resources. It stands out that 30% were sent to the hospital consultations and 10% required hospitalization or transfer to the emergency room. Conclusions. The SAC is a Fast Consultation Care (diagnosis and treatment) of general internal medicine located in a tertiary university hospital with a good capacity of resolution. It facilitates Specialized Ambulatory Care of medical diseases, decreasing inappropriate hospitalization and improving coordination with the Primary Health Care (AU)

Triacylglycerol markers of mature human milk.

OBJECTIVES: To determine which triacylglycerol (TAG) species in mature human milk are less affected by external factors and may thus be considered as TAG markers, as well as to determine which species are most influenced by these external conditions. Furthermore, we examine the correlation between the TAG markers and their fatty acids (FAs). SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Six healthy women from Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain). DESIGN AND INTERVENTIONS: In order to obtain the maximum variability of sampling conditions, 40 mature human milk samples were collected from different mothers, on different days, at different times of the day, and from different breasts during and after both the baby's and mother's meal. TAG and FA profiles were determined and correlated. The TAG composition was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with an evaporative light-scattering detector, and also with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry. FAs compositions were determined by gas chromatography. RESULTS: The results were analysed using the SPSS statistical package and proved to be more variable than might have been found in a more restrictive sample design. Nevertheless, despite these conditions, some TAG species were found in relatively constant levels in mature human milk, and could thus be considered as markers of the mature milk TAG profile. TAG species that we can classify in this group were: LaMO, CaPO, LaCaO, LaPCa, LaOL, MPLn, LLO, LaOO, MPL, and MOL. The names do not indicate the location of fatty acids in the glycerol molecule. On the other hand, concentrations of other TAG species vary considerably between samples and consequently these may be understood to be especially affected by the external factors. TAGs like PaLS, MPO, PaOO, PPP, MPS, SPP, LOO, PPO, MOS, SSP, POL, and SOS are in this second group. Correlation between the TAG markers and their FAs was examined by Pearson's test and a significant correlation was found for some FAs. CONCLUSIONS: The TAG species present in mature human milk are affected in different ways by external factors such as dietary intake, nutritional status, length of lactation, time of the day, etc. Some TAGs may be considered as markers of mature human milk as they are relatively constant under a wide range of sampling conditions and do not depend on the factors mentioned. SPONSORSHIP: This study was supported by the Fundació Mestres Jané.

Cyclamate intake and cyclohexylamine excretion are not related to male fertility in humans.

Cyclamate and its metabolite cyclohexylamine affect male fertility in high dose animal studies, but this affect has not been investigated in epidemiological studies. This paper reports the first epidemiological study designed to investigate the possibility of a relationship between cyclamate and cyclohexylamine and male fertility in humans, in which 405 cases of clinically defined infertility in men and 379 controls were surveyed. Semen evaluation, urine analysis for cyclamate and cyclohexylamine and dietary questionnaires were compared between cases and controls. No evidence was found of a significant association between cyclamate intake and male infertility; neither high cyclamate nor high cyclohexylamine excretion were associated with elevated risk. The lack of association remained after adjusting by age, area of residence, education, total energy intake and other variables. No significant correlations were observed between cyclamate intake, metabolism or excretion, and sperm count and motility. The results demonstrate no effect of cyclamate or cyclohexylamine on male fertility at the present levels of cyclamate consumption.

Analysis of olive and hazelnut oil mixtures by high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry of triacylglycerols and gas-liquid chromatography of non-saponifiable compounds (tocopherols and sterols).

We analysed the triacylglycerol, tocopherol and sterol composition of hazelnut oil, olive oil and their mixtures (90% olive oil with 10% hazelnut oil, 70% olive with 30% hazelnut oil and 50% olive oil with 50% hazelnut oil). The main triacylglycerols were 1,2,3-trioleylglycerol, 2,3-dioleyl-1-palmitoylglycerol, 2,3-dioleyl-1-linoleylglycerol and 2,3-dioleyl-1-stearoylglycerol. Non-saponfiable compounds (tocopherols and sterols) were derivatised as O-trimethylsilyl ethers. Alpha-tocopherol was the main vitamin E isomer in all samples; however, small amounts of beta-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol were also found. Beta-sitosterol and delta5-avenasterol were the principal sterols in all samples; campesterol and stigmasterol were minor sterol compounds in all samples. Obtusifoliol, which was a major sterol in olive oil and oil mixtures, was not found in hazelnut oil. The discriminant analysis showed that hazelnut oil, olive oil and oil mixtures were clearly separated according to their triacylglycerol composition.

Analysis of major ovine milk proteins by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and flow injection analysis with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Ovine milk proteins were analyzed both by coupling HPLC and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and by flow injection analysis and ESI-MS detection after separation and collection of fractions from gel permeation chromatography. These methods resolved the four ovine caseins and whey proteins and made it possible to study the complexity of these proteins associated with genetic polymorphism, post-translational changes (phosphorylation and glycosylation) and the presence of multiple forms of proteins. The experimental molecular masses of ewe milk proteins were: 19,373 for kappa-casein 3P; 25,616 for alpha(s2)-casein 10P; 23,411 for alpha(s1)-casein C-8P; 23,750 for beta-casein 5P; 18,170 and 18,148 for beta-lactoglobulins A and B; 14,152 for alpha-lactalbumin A and 66,322 for serum albumin.

Analysis of major caprine milk proteins by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry.

Major proteins from caprine milk were separated by preparative gel permeation and cation-exchange fast protein liquid chromatography and were characterized by flow injection analysis by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. In addition, proteins from whole skim milk and whole casein were analyzed by coupling reverse-phase HPLC and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry by two different chromatographic methods. These methods successfully resolved the major caprine milk proteins and main casein variants. The experimental molecular masses of major milk proteins and variants were: 19,302 for kappa-CN 2P; 25,599 for alphas2-CN A-11P; 25,514 for alphas2-CN B-10P; 23,370 for alphas1-CN A-8P; 23,345 for alphas1-CN B-8P; 23,264 for alphas1-CN E-8P; 18,817 for alphas1-CN F-3P; 23,835 for beta-CN 6P; 18,181 for beta-LG; 14,180 for alpha-LA and 66,318 for serum albumin.

Distribution of oleoyl-estrone in rat plasma lipoproteins.

Pooled adult normal rat plasma was used for the separation of lipoprotein fractions: VLDL, LDL and HDL, from which a total lipids extract was obtained. The presence of fragments with the MW of estrone and oleoyl-estrone in the lipoprotein fractions was analyzed by HPLC-MS. The results show that oleoyl-estrone is the major estrone component in lipoproteins; this molecular species was present in all three lipoprotein lipid extracts. The lipoprotein fractions were used for the analysis of protein and lipid classes: triacylglycerols, total and esterified cholesterol and phospholipids as well as acyl-estrone. About half of the total acyl-estrone was in the HDL fraction and only about 10% in the VLDL fraction. HDLs contained about one molecule in 50 particles, LDLs one molecule per particle and VLDLs 15 molecules per particle, i.e. given their size, the larger lipoproteins contained more oleoyl-estrone than the HDLs. The distribution of this hormone suggests that oleoyl-estrone is lost with other lipids as the lipoproteins shrink. The results presented show that oleoyl-estrone is a molecule found naturally in rat lipoproteins in low concentrations - the lowest in HDLs - that are consistent with its postulated role in the control of body weight.

Acid volatile sulfide determination in sediments using elemental analyzer with thermal conductivity detector.

A method for the determination of acid volatile sulfides (AVS) in sediments, using a common elemental analyzer with thermal conductivity detector, is proposed. The method uses a mixture of Sn and V(2)O(5) for pyrolysis and combustion to determine total sulfur (TS), and non volatile sulfur (NVS), after an acidic attack. AVS is calculated as the difference between TS and NVS. The method for TS is validated by analyzing a certified reference material. The recovery in the determination of acid volatile sulfide is determined by spiking a river sediment with ZnS. The method is accurate and gives a good reproducibility, recovering 97.7-99.6% of the sulfur in the 0-3% total sulfur content, with SD of approximately 0.015%.

Oxydation of oleic acid to (E)-10-hydroperoxy-8-octadecenoic and (E)-10-hydroxy-8-octadecenoic acids by Pseudomonas sp. 42A2.

Biotransformation of oleic acid with Pseudomonas sp. 42A2 has been found to produce(E)-10-hydroxy-8-octadecenoic acid (2a), (E)-10-hydroperoxy-8-octadecenoic acid (3a), and (E)-7,10-dihydroxy-8-octadecenoic acid (4a). Structures of the metabolites were fully characterized by infrared and 1H and 13C NMR spectra of the acids, by fast atom bombardment (FAB) and electron impact (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) mass spectrometry of the corresponding methyl esters. This is the first time that the two former compounds of trans stereochemistry have been described to have originated from a Pseudomonas sp. cell culture. Time course of products accumulation showed that biotransformation started with bacterial growth, the amount of products 2a (5.58 g/l) and 4a (2.63 g/l) being optimum after 24 h of incubation while hydroperoxide 3a (1.15 g/l) reached its maximum after 16 h of the biotransformation process. Experiments conducted to ascertain whether the conversion enzyme(s) was cell-bound or extracellular, showed that the enzyme(s) is cell bound, located in the periplasmic space and has lipoxygenase activity.

Quantification of cyclamate and cyclohexylamine in urine samples using high-performance liquid chromatography with trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid pre-column derivatization.

An HPLC isocratic method with pre-column derivatization and UV detection for the quantification of cyclamate and cyclohexylamine in urine samples is described. The method requires very little sample preparation. Free cyclohexylamine is analysed in a first run and subsequently cyclamate is analysed as cyclohexylamine, after the simple process of oxidation of the sample by means of hydrogen peroxide. Cycloheptylamine is used as internal standard. Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) appears to be a good reagent for the pre-column derivatization. The time per run is 15 min; the coefficients of variation of the assays range from 1.1 to 5.5%; the limits of detection are 0.09 and 0.11 ppm for cyclohexylamine and cyclamate anion, respectively. The system described has always performed efficiently, with a high degree of stability, in daily routine work.

Effectiveness of probucol in reducing plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol oxidation in hypercholesterolemia.

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) interacts with macrophages to induce intracellular cholesterol ester accumulation and foam cell formation. Probucol is a lipid-lowering drug with a well-known antioxidant action. The thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-reacting substances were measured as an index of plasma and LDL lipid peroxidation in a group of hypercholesterolemic patients compared with a normolipidemic control group. The effect of probucol treatment on plasma and LDL lipid peroxidation in the hypercholesterolemic group was also evaluated. Twenty-five patients (10 men and 15 women) with total cholesterol levels greater than 6.5 mmol/liter were given probucol for 24 weeks. Lipid and apoprotein measurements were obtained at 0, 12 and 24 weeks. TBA-reacting substances were also measured in plasma and the LDL fraction. Twenty-five normolipidemic subjects matched for sex, age and body mass index underwent complete blood analysis for purposes of comparison at week 0. Plasma, LDL and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and plasma apoproteins A-I and B significantly decreased after 12 and 24 weeks of probucol treatment. Hypercholesterolemic subjects (men and women) had significantly higher TBA-reacting substances in plasma and LDL than control subjects had (p less than 0.05). The amount of TBA-reacting substances in plasma and LDL showed a very significant decrease after probucol treatment (40 and 44%, respectively, after 24 weeks; p less than 0.05). This reduction was not related to age, sex or body mass index, and was greater than the decrease in lipids. These results support a potential role for probucol as a coadjuvant drug in any lipid-lowering antiatherogenic therapy.