Alternative Models for Pelvic Marker Occlusion in Cycling.

Bike fitting aims to optimize riders' positions to improve their performance and reduce the risk of injury. To calculate joint angles, the location of the joint centers of the lower limbs needs to be identified. However, one of the greatest difficulties is the location of the hip joint center due to the frequent occlusion of the anterior superior iliac spine markers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to validate a biomechanical model adapted to cycling (modified pelvic model, MPM), based on the traditional pelvic model (TPM) with an additional lateral technical marker placed on the iliac crests. MPM was also compared with a widely used model in cycling, trochanter model (TM). Thirty-one recreational cyclists pedaled on a roller bike while the movement was captured with a 7-camera VICON system. The position of the hip joint center and knee angle were calculated and compared with the TPM continuously (along 10 pedaling cycles) and discreetly at 90° and 180° crank positions. No significant differences were found in the position of the hip joint center or in the knee flexion/extension angle between the TPM and the MPM. However, there are differences between TPM and TM (variations between 4.1° and 6.9° in favor of the TM at 90° and 180°; P < .001). Bland-Altman graphs comparing the models show an average difference or bias close to 0° (limits of agreement [0.2 to -8.5]) between TPM and MPM in both lower limbs and a mean difference of between -4° and -7° (limits of agreement [-0.6 to -13.2]) when comparing TPM and TM. Given the results, the new cycling pelvic model has proven to be valid compared with the TPM when performing bike fitting studies, with the advantage that the occluded markers are avoided. Despite its simplicity, the TM presents measurement errors that may be relevant when making diagnoses, which makes its usefulness questionable.

Analyzing the role of ACE2, AR, MX1 and TMPRSS2 genetic markers for COVID-19 severity.

BACKGROUND: The use of molecular biomarkers for COVID-19 remains unconclusive. The application of a molecular biomarker in combination with clinical ones that could help classifying aggressive patients in first steps of the disease could help clinician and sanitary system a better management of the disease. Here we characterize the role of ACE2, AR, MX1, ERG, ETV5 and TMPRSS2 for trying a better classification of COVID-19 through knowledge of the disease mechanisms. METHODS: A total of 329 blood samples were genotyped in ACE2, MX1 and TMPRSS2. RNA analyses were also performed from 258 available samples using quantitative polymerase chain reaction for genes: ERG, ETV5, AR, MX1, ACE2, and TMPRSS2. Moreover, in silico analysis variant effect predictor, ClinVar, IPA, DAVID, GTEx, STRING and miRDB database was also performed. Clinical and demographic data were recruited from all participants following WHO classification criteria. RESULTS: We confirm the use of ferritin (p < 0.001), D-dimer (p < 0.010), CRP (p < 0.001) and LDH (p < 0.001) as markers for distinguishing mild and severe cohorts. Expression studies showed that MX1 and AR are significantly higher expressed in mild vs severe patients (p < 0.05). ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are involved in the same molecular process of membrane fusion (p = 4.4 × 10-3), acting as proteases (p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the key role of TMPSRSS2, we reported for the first time that higher expression levels of AR are related with a decreased risk of severe COVID-19 disease in females. Moreover, functional analysis demonstrates that ACE2, MX1 and TMPRSS2 are relevant markers in this disease.

Comparison by Life-Cycle Assessment of Alternative Processes for Carvone and Verbenone Production.

Verbenone and carvone are allylic monoterpenoid ketones with many applications in the fine chemicals industry that can be obtained, respectively, from the allylic oxidation of α-pinene and limonene over a silica-supported iron hexadecachlorinated phthalocyanine (FePcCl16-NH2-SiO2) catalyst and with t-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant. As there are no reported analyses of the environmental impacts associated with catalytic transformation of terpenes into value-added products that include the steps associated with synthesis of the catalyst and several options of raw materials in the process, this contribution reports the evaluation of the environmental impacts in the conceptual process to produce verbenone and carvone considering two scenarios (SI-raw-oils and SII-purified-oils). The impact categories were evaluated using ReCiPe and IPCC methods implemented in SimaPro 9.3 software. The environmental impacts in the synthesis of the heterogeneous catalyst FePcCl16-NH2-SiO2 showed that the highest burdens in terms of environmental impact come from the use of fossil fuel energy sources and solvents, which primarily affect human health. The most significant environmental impacts associated with carvone and verbenone production are global warming and fine particulate matter formation, with fewer environmental impacts associated with the process that starts directly from turpentine and orange oils (SI-raw-oils) instead of the previously extracted α-pinene and limonene (SII-purified-oils). As TBHP was identified as a hotspot in the production process of verbenone and carvone, it is necessary to choose a more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient oxidizing agent for the oxidation of turpentine and orange oils.

Carryover effects of long-distance avian migration are weaker than effects of breeding environment in a partially migratory bird.

Migration may expose individuals to a wide range of increasing anthropogenic threats. In addition to direct mortality effects, this exposure may influence post-migratory reproductive fitness. Partial migration-where a population comprises migrants and residents-represents a powerful opportunity to explore carryover effects of migration. Studies of partial migration in birds typically examine short-distance systems; here we studied an unusual system where residents breed in mixed colonies alongside long-distance trans-Saharan migrants (lesser kestrels (Falco naumanni) in Spain). Combining geolocator data, stable isotope analysis and resighting data, we examined the effects of this stark difference in migratory strategy on body condition, breeding phenology and breeding success. We monitored four colonies in two regions of southern Spain for five consecutive years (2014-2018), yielding 1962 captures, determining migratory strategy for 141 adult bird-years. Despite a 3000-km difference in distance travelled, we find no effect of strategy on breeding parameters. We find weak evidence for a short-term negative carryover effect of migration on body condition, but this was only apparent in the breeding region with lower primary productivity. Our results indicate that carryover effects of even highly divergent migratory strategies may be minimal relative to effects of conditions experienced on breeding grounds.

Rhizospheric Organic Acids as Biostimulants: Monitoring Feedbacks on Soil Microorganisms and Biochemical Properties.

The biostimulant potential of three different organic acids (OAs) present in the rhizosphere, specifically lactic, oxalic, and citric acids, have been studied. The results showed a rapid and complete metabolism of these three acids with soil microorganisms using them as a source of carbon and energy. Biostimulation was confirmed by soil biochemical studies which showed an increase in enzymatic activities, such as dehydrogenase and phosphatase, lactic and citric acids being those that produced the greatest biostimulation. With regard to microbiota composition, amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene showed changes in the structure of soil microbial communities. Applying OAs produced a decrease in richness and diversity indices, inducing specific changes in the structure of the microbiological communities. Applying lactic acid induced rapid changes in microbiota composition at both phylum and family taxonomic levels, favoring the proliferation of microorganisms involved in its degradation and soil fertility, such as the genus Bacillus and the family Micrococcaceae. Once the lactic acid was degraded, the biodiversity tended to return to similar phyla, but specific distinctive families and genera remained, leaving a pattern of induction of taxa described as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), such as the Sinorhizobium and Lysobacter genera, and the Pseudomonaceae family. Similar behavior was found with citric acid, which favored the proliferation and dominance of microorganisms of the Clostridiaceae family, involved in its degradation, as well as microorganisms of both the Micrococcaceae and Pseudomonadaceae families which were found on day 7, leaving a similar pattern of induction as that found after the mineralization of lactic acid. On the other hand, oxalic acid induced long-lasting changes in the bacterial community composition. This was characterized by an increase in the proportion of the Burkholderiales order, which includes microorganisms involved in the degradation of this acid and microorganisms described as PGPB. This study presents evidence supporting the use of OAs as potential soil fertility inducers, due both to their effects in enhancing the dominance of taxa described as PGPB and to their stimulating soil microbial activity.

Molecular Tunnels in Enzymes and Thermophily: A Case Study on the Relationship to Growth Temperature.

Developments in protein expression, analysis and computational capabilities are decisively contributing to a better understanding of the structure of proteins and their relationship to function. Proteins are known to be adapted to the growth rate of microorganisms and some microorganisms (named (hyper)thermophiles) thrive optimally at high temperatures, even above 100 °C. Nevertheless, some biomolecules show great instability at high temperatures and some of them are universal and required substrates and cofactors in multiple enzymatic reactions for all (both mesophiles and thermophiles) living cells. Only a few possibilities have been pointed out to explain the mechanisms that thermophiles use to successfully thrive under high temperatures. As one of these alternatives, the role of molecular tunnels or channels in enzymes has been suggested but remains to be elucidated. This study presents an analysis of channels in proteins (i.e., substrate tunnels), comparing two different protein types, glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamine phosphoribosylpyrophosphate amidotransferase, which are supposed to present a different strategy on the requirement for substrate tunnels with low and high needs for tunneling, respectively. The search and comparison of molecular tunnels in these proteins from microorganisms thriving optimally from 15 °C to 100 °C suggested that those tunnels in (hyper)thermophiles are required and optimized to specific dimensions at high temperatures for the enzyme glutamine phosphoribosylpyrophosphate amidotransferase. For the enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase, a reduction of empty spaces within the protein could explain the optimization at increasing temperatures. This analysis provides further evidence on molecular channeling as a feasible mechanism in hyperthermophiles with multiple relevant consequences contributing to better understand how they live under those extreme conditions.

Bioconversion of α-chitin into N-acetyl-glucosamine using chitinases produced by marine-derived Aeromonas caviae isolates.

N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) is a monosaccharide with great application potential in the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and biomaterial areas. GlcNAc is currently produced by chemical hydrolysis of chitin, but the current processes are environmentally unfriendly, have low yield and high cost. This study demonstrates the potential to produce GlcNAc from α-chitin using chitinases of ten marine-derived Aeromonas isolates as a sustainable alternative to the current chemical process. The isolates were characterized as Aeromonas caviae by multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) using six housekeeping genes (gltA, groL, gyrB, metG, ppsA, and recA), not presented the virulence genes verified (alt, act, ast, ahh1, aer, aerA, hlyA, ascV and ascFG), but showed hemolytic activity on blood agar. GlcNAc was produced at 37 °C, pH 5.0, 2% (w/v) colloidal chitin and crude chitinase extracts (0.5 U mL-1) by all the isolates with yields from 14 to 85% at 6 h, 17-89% at 12 h and 19-93% after 24 h. The highest yield of GlcNAc was observed by A. caviae CH129 (93%). This study demonstrates one of the most efficient chitin enzymatic hydrolysis procedures and A. caviae isolates with great potential for chitinases expression and GlcNAc production.

Influence of Temperature and Copper on Oxalobacteraceae in Soil Enrichments.

ß-Proteobacteria is one of the most abundant phylum in soils, including autotrophic and heterotrophic ammonium-consumers with relevance in N circulation in soils. The effects of high-temperature events and phytosanitary treatments, such as copper amendments, on soil bacterial communities relevant to N-cycling remain to be studied. As an example, South Portugal soils are seasonally exposed to high-temperature periods, the temperature at the upper soil layers can reach over 40 °C. Here, we evaluated the dynamics of mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria from a temperate soil, in particular of heterotrophic ß-Proteobacteria, regarding the ammonium equilibrium, as a function of temperature and copper treatment. Soil samples were collected from an olive orchard in southern Portugal. Selective enrichments were performed from samples under different conditions of temperature (30 and 50 °C) and copper supplementation (100 and 500 µM) in order to mime seasonal variations and phytosanitary treatments. Changes in the microbial communities under these conditions were examined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, a molecular fingerprint technique. At moderate temperature--30 °C--either without or with copper addition, dominant members were identified as different strains belonging to genus Massilia, a genus of the Oxalobacteraceae (ß-Proteobacteria), while at 50 °C, members of the Brevibacillus genus, phylum Firmicutes were also represented. Ammonium production during bacterial growth at moderate and high temperatures was not affected by copper addition. Results indicate that both copper and temperature selected specific tolerant bacterial strains with consequences for N-cycling in copper-treated orchards.

Evaluación clínica abierta multicéntrica no aleatorizada y prospectiva de la efectividad de una emulsión a base de ácidos grasos hiperoxigenados, Aloe barbadensis y Mimosa tenuiflora (Mepentol® Leche) en diferentes tipos de pacientes con riesgo de ulceración / Multicentric prospective non randomized open clinical evaluation of the efficacy of an emulsion based on hyperoxigenated fatty acids Aloe barbadensis and Mimosa tenuiflora (Mepentol® Leche) in different types of patients with risk of ulceration

Las úlceras de la extremidad inferior suponen un grave problema sanitario que afecta a un gran número de pacientes, constituyendo por ello un gran reto de trabajo para los profesionales de la salud. Los ácidos grasos hiperoxigenados (AGHO) han demostrado tener eficacia en la prevención de este tipo de úlceras. Gracias a los buenos resultados obtenidos en un estudio previo, nos planteamos seguir evaluando la efectividad del producto Mepentol® Leche, una emulsión a base de ácidos grasos hiperoxigenados, Aloe barbadensis y Mimosa tenuiflora, en el cuidado de la piel y alivio de los síntomas en pacientes con este problema, pero ampliando el tamaño de la muestra y centrándonos en pacientes diabéticos junto con otras enfermedades concomitantes. Además, en este estudio se ha implicado a profesionales de enfermería de seis provincias: Almería, Alicante, Granada, Sevilla, Málaga y Ceuta. De nuevo con este estudio, realizado en un total de 2.145 pacientes, hemos demostrado que ningún paciente ha ulcerado durante el tiempo de seguimiento y tratamiento con Mepentol® Leche y que su aplicación sistemática mejora claramente los síntomas previos a la aparición de úlceras, evitando la sequedad cutánea, reduciendo el prurito, escozor, dolor y eccema, y devolviendo la piel de estos pacientes a su coloración normal (AU)

The lower extremity wounds are a serious health problem that affects a large number of patients, thereby assuming a great challenge to work for health professionals. Hyperoxygenated fatty acids (AGHO), have demonstrated efficacy in the prevention of this type of ulcers. Thanks to the good results obtained in a previous study, we plan to continue evaluating the effectiveness of Mepentol® Leche, an emulsion-based hyper-oxygenated fatty acids, Aloe barbadensis and Mimosa tenuiflora in skin care and relief of symptoms, in patients with this problem, but expanding the sample size and focusing on diabetic patients with concomitant diseases. Also in this study have been involving nurses in six provinces: Almería, Alicante, Granada, Seville, Malaga and Ceuta. Again with this study, a total of 2,145 patients, we demonstrated that no patient has ulcerated during the follow-up and treatment with Mepentol® Leche and its systematic application significantly improves the symptoms before the onset of ulcers, preventing dryness skin, reducing itching, burning, pain and eczema, and returning the skin of these patients to their normal color (AU)

Algoritmos Genéticos aplicados a la Ingeniería biomédica / Genetic algorithms applied to Biomedical Engineering

En este trabajo se describe las aplicaciones y alcances del método de los algoritmos genéticos (AG) en la investigación en bioingeniería, mecanobiología y medicina. Para este fin, se ha desarrollado el trabajo sobre tres artículos recientes que describen las aplicaciones de los AG en problemas de ingeniería biomédica. Este trabajo pone de manifiesto la importancia del uso de nuevas metodologías de optimización en las investigaciones biomédicas.

In present paper are described the applications and scope of the genetic algorithms method (GA) in the case of the research in the bioengineering, mechanobiology and medicine. For this aim, the paper on three recent articles was developed describing the applications of the GA in problems related to biomedical engineering. Present paper emphasizes the significance of the use of new methodologies of optimization in the biomedical researches.

Ascensão e queda do novo "Oásis Catalão" (1980-2010): uma perspectiva institucional da organização política da Catalunha / Rise and fall of new "Catalan Oasis" (1980-2010): an institutional perspective of Catalonia’s political organization / Auge y caída del nuevo "Oasis Catalán" (1980-2010): una perspectiva institucional de la organización política de Cataluña

O texto analisa, sob o prisma do neo-institucionalismo, aspectos centrais do cenário político e social da Catalunha - comunidade autônoma da Espanha - desde 1980 até a atualidade, período politicamente excepcional na história dessa região pela recuperação, após a ditadura franquista, das suas senhas de identidade e instituições políticas de autogoverno. O trabalho foca os processos pelos quais se produziu na Catalunha a institucionalização de crenças, normas sociais e modelos de atuação política que além de marcar a evolução política da sociedade catalã e do seu sistema de partidos, permitiram a solidificação de um catalanismo sociológico de grande abrangência. Tomando como base os pressupostos teóricos principais do neo-institucionalismo de abordagem sociológica, são identificados elementos normativos, reguladores e cultural-cognitivos nos processos de institucionalização observados, assim como alguns dos principais processos coercitivos, normativos e miméticos pelos que se deu a reprodução social de comportamentos e atitudes durante este período particular da história da Catalunha.

The article analyzes, from a neo-institutional perspective, the critical features of political and social scenario in Catalonia - autonomous community in Spain - from 1980 to the present, a politically exceptional period in this region´s history due to the recovery, after General Franco’s dictatorship, of its identity symbols and political self-government institutions. This paper focuses on the processes which took place in Catalonia the institutionalization of beliefs, social rules and political action patterns which not only affected political evolution of Catalan society and its political parties system, but also allowed the fixation of a solidification of catalanism. Based on theoretical assumptions of sociological neoinstitutionalism, this paper identifies normative, regulative and cultural-cognitive elements in focused institutionalization processes, together with some of main coercive, normative and mimetic processes through which social reproduction of behaviors and attitudes occurred in this particular period of Catalan history.

El texto analiza, bajo el prisma del neo-institucionalismo, aspectos centrales de la escena política y social de Cataluña -comunidad autónoma de España- desde 1980 hasta la actualidad, periodo políticamente excepcional en la historia de esa región por la recuperación, tras la dictadura franquista, de sus señas de identidad e instituciones políticas de autogobierno. El trabajo observa los procesos por los cuales se produjo en Cataluña la institucionalización de creencias, normas sociales y modelos de actuación política que además de marcar la evolución política de la sociedad catalana y de su sistema de partidos, permitieron la consolidación de un catalanismo sociológico de gran amplitud. Tomando como base los presupuestos teóricos principales del neo-institucionalismo de abordaje sociológica, son identificados elementos normativos, reguladores y cultural-cognitivos en los procesos de institucionalización observados, así como algunos de los principales procesos coercitivos, normativos y miméticos a través de los cuales tuvo lugar la reproducción social de comportamientos y actitudes durante ese periodo particular de la historia de Cataluña.

Ascensão e queda do novo "Oásis Catalão" (1980-2010): uma perspectiva institucional da organização política da Catalunha / Rise and fall of new "Catalan Oasis" (1980-2010): an institutional perspective of Catalonia’s political organization / Auge y caída del nuevo "Oasis Catalán" (1980-2010): una perspectiva institucional de la organización política de Cataluña

O texto analisa, sob o prisma do neo-institucionalismo, aspectos centrais do cenário político e social da Catalunha - comunidade autônoma da Espanha - desde 1980 até a atualidade, período politicamente excepcional na história dessa região pela recuperação, após a ditadura franquista, das suas senhas de identidade e instituições políticas de autogoverno. O trabalho foca os processos pelos quais se produziu na Catalunha a institucionalização de crenças, normas sociais e modelos de atuação política que além de marcar a evolução política da sociedade catalã e do seu sistema de partidos, permitiram a solidificação de um catalanismo sociológico de grande abrangência. Tomando como base os pressupostos teóricos principais do neo-institucionalismo de abordagem sociológica, são identificados elementos normativos, reguladores e cultural-cognitivos nos processos de institucionalização observados, assim como alguns dos principais processos coercitivos, normativos e miméticos pelos que se deu a reprodução social de comportamentos e atitudes durante este período particular da história da Catalunha.(AU)

The article analyzes, from a neo-institutional perspective, the critical features of political and social scenario in Catalonia - autonomous community in Spain - from 1980 to the present, a politically exceptional period in this region´s history due to the recovery, after General Franco’s dictatorship, of its identity symbols and political self-government institutions. This paper focuses on the processes which took place in Catalonia the institutionalization of beliefs, social rules and political action patterns which not only affected political evolution of Catalan society and its political parties system, but also allowed the fixation of a solidification of catalanism. Based on theoretical assumptions of sociological neoinstitutionalism, this paper identifies normative, regulative and cultural-cognitive elements in focused institutionalization processes, together with some of main coercive, normative and mimetic processes through which social reproduction of behaviors and attitudes occurred in this particular period of Catalan history.(AU)

El texto analiza, bajo el prisma del neo-institucionalismo, aspectos centrales de la escena política y social de Cataluña -comunidad autónoma de España- desde 1980 hasta la actualidad, periodo políticamente excepcional en la historia de esa región por la recuperación, tras la dictadura franquista, de sus señas de identidad e instituciones políticas de autogobierno. El trabajo observa los procesos por los cuales se produjo en Cataluña la institucionalización de creencias, normas sociales y modelos de actuación política que además de marcar la evolución política de la sociedad catalana y de su sistema de partidos, permitieron la consolidación de un catalanismo sociológico de gran amplitud. Tomando como base los presupuestos teóricos principales del neo-institucionalismo de abordaje sociológica, son identificados elementos normativos, reguladores y cultural-cognitivos en los procesos de institucionalización observados, así como algunos de los principales procesos coercitivos, normativos y miméticos a través de los cuales tuvo lugar la reproducción social de comportamientos y actitudes durante ese periodo particular de la historia de Cataluña.(AU)

Interfase TopSeal-dentina en relación con dos técnicas de obturación: condensación lateral y técnica termoplastificada/termorreblandecida: estudio de microscopía electrónica de barrido / TopSeal-dentine interface after two obturation techniques: lateral condensation and thermoplastified/thermosoftened technique: a SEM study

Antecedentes: los sistemas de obturación endodóntica con condensación vertical (CV) han mejorado la calidad de los tratamientos al ser comparados con la condensación lateral (CL). Ellos permiten mejorar la difusión y la adaptabilidad del cemento sellador (CS) y la gutapercha (GP) para obtener un sellado hermético y garantizar la ausencia de brechas en la interfase del material obturador-dentina. Sin embargo, no se ha determinado si la aplicación de calor puede o no alterar la interfase de los cementos selladores a la dentina (ICS-D). Objetivo: comparar la ICS-D (TopSeal®)-dentina a diferentes distancias del ápice radicular, al utilizar dos técnicas de obturación, lateral y vertical. Método: se realizó un estudio experimental in vitro de microscopía electrónica de barrido MEB. Se tomaron 40 premolares unirradiculares recién extraídos, a los cuales se les realizó tratamiento endodóntico,utilizando la misma técnica de instrumentación. De éstos, 20 fueron obturados con CL y TopSeal®, y 20 fueron obturados con CV y el mismo cemento. Posteriormente, se seccionaron a 1, 4 y 8 mm del ápice radicular, y se observaron bajo MEB. Resultados: la ICS-D se ve modificada al utilizar las técnicas de CV cuando se compara con la CL, y se reportan valores estadísticamente significativos en todas las distancias medidas (p<0,05). Conclusiones: la técnica termoplastificada/termorreblandecida reduce la ICS-D con respecto a la CL. Sin embargo, en la primera técnica se observó mayor espesor de cemento a 1 mm de altura, lo que pudiese tener implicaciones clínicas de importancia.

Background: Vertical condensation (VC) endodontic systems have improved results of endodontic treatment when compared to lateral condensation (LC). They improve the diffusion and adaptability of the sealer cement (SC) and the gutta-percha (GP), in order to obtain a hermetic sealing and ensure the lack of cracks in the sealer material-dentine interface. However, it has not been established whether the application of heat may or not alter the sealer cement-dentine interface (SCDI). Objective: Compare the SCDI at different distances from the root apex, when using two obturation techniques, vertical (TopSeal®) and lateral. Methods: An in vitro experimental study with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out. Canals of 40 recently extracted single-root premolars were endodontically prepared with the same instrumentation technique. 20 of them were sealed with LC and TopSeal® and the other 20 were sealed with VC and TopSeal®. The specimens were then cut at 1 mm, 4 mm, and 8 mm from the root apex and observed under SEM. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in the SCDI of teeth sealed with VC compared to those sealed with LC (p<0,05). Conclusions: The thermoplastified/thermosoftened technique reduces the SCDI when compared to the LC technique. However, the former showed a thicker cement layer on the 1 mm measures, which may have significant clinic implications.

Reproducing stone monument photosynthetic-based colonization under laboratory conditions.

In order to understand the biodeterioration process occurring on stone monuments, we analyzed the microbial communities involved in these processes and studied their ability to colonize stones under controlled laboratory experiments. In this study, a natural green biofilm from a limestone monument was cultivated, inoculated on stone probes of the same lithotype and incubated in a laboratory chamber. This incubation system, which exposes stone samples to intermittently sprinkling water, allowed the development of photosynthetic biofilms similar to those occurring on stone monuments. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis was used to evaluate the major microbial components of the laboratory biofilms. Cyanobacteria, green microalgae, bacteria and fungi were identified by DNA-based molecular analysis targeting the 16S and 18S ribosomal RNA genes. The natural green biofilm was mainly composed by the Chlorophyta Chlorella, Stichococcus, and Trebouxia, and by Cyanobacteria belonging to the genera Leptolyngbya and Pleurocapsa. A number of bacteria belonging to Alphaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia were identified, as well as fungi from the Ascomycota. The laboratory colonization experiment on stone probes showed a colonization pattern similar to that occurring on stone monuments. The methodology described in this paper allowed to reproduce a colonization equivalent to the natural biodeteriorating process.

Did smoke from the Kuwait oil well fires affect Iranian archaeological heritage?

The combustion of crude oil produces a wide range of pollutants, including gases, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, acid compounds (e.g., sulfuric acid), and soot. Several of these pollutants have been linked with the deterioration and blackening of monuments. The paper reports the results of an investigation on the causes of the soiling of cultural remains at important archaeological sites in the provinces of Khuzestan and Fars, in southern Iran, assumed to be an effect of the Persian Gulf oil well fires of 1991. Different analytical techniques were applied to characterize the mineralogical composition of the damage layers, investigate the deposition of atmospheric particles, measure the anion concentrations, and identify and quantify the carbon components. The results showed that the black deposits on the surfaces of the Iranian monuments considered are mainly microbiotic crusts produced by cyanobacterial growth. No evidence was found of the deposition of particulate matter (smoke) produced by the Kuwait oil fires during the Gulf War.

[Prevention of vascular ulcers and diabetic foot. Non-randomized open clinical evaluation on the effectiveness of "Mepentol Leche"]. / Prevención de ulceras vasculares y pie diabético. Evaluación clínica abierta no aleatorizada sobre la efectividad de Mepentol Leche.

INTRODUCTION: Vascular ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers present a health serious problem which affects a large number of patients, creating a major challenge for health professionals. Hyper-oxygenated fatty acid dressings have proven to be effective thanks to their favorable action on the skin in three ways: increasing the microcirculation of the blood, promoting the renovation of the epidermic cells, and notably increasing cutaneous hydration. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effectiveness of Mepentol Leche, an emulsion based on Hyper-oxygenated fatty acids, Aloe barbadensis and Mimosa tenuiflora, used to treat the skin and alleviate symptoms in patients who suffer from vascular ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. METHODS: Clinical evaluation carried out between June 2004 and December 2005. 195 patients were studied. The parameters for inclusion in this study were 32.82% for venous pathology 35.90% for skin care, 26.67% due to arterial pathology, and 4.62% for a lymphatic pathology. These patients were evaluated over a one month period and each had a follow-up by means of a data collection file. The guideline to apply this product was twice a day and always over integral skin. The effectiveness of this product has been established based on these epigraphs: symptoms of itching, smarting and pain, and skin conditions: color, dryness, edema, maceration, rashes, and desquamation. RESULTS: Not one patient developed new lesions in healthy skin protected by Mepentol Leche. Symptoms linked to this pathology saw improvements in these percents: itching 96%, smarting 93%, and pain 96%, and skin conditions: color 100%, edema 90%, maceration 96%, rashes 92%, and desquamation 100%. Health professionals' evaluation of this product has been highly favorable in regards to ease of use, tolerance, absorption, and ease of application. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the benefits in applying this product systematically to alleviate the symptoms prior to the appearance of ulcers, thus avoiding skin dryness and reducing itching, smarting, pain and eczema while returning normal color to the skin.

Prevención de úlceras vasculares y pie diabético. Evaluación clínica abierta no aleatorizada sobre la efectividad de Mepentol Leche / Prevention of vascular ulcers and diabetic foot. Non-randomized open clinical evaluation on the effectiveness of "Mepentol Leche"

Introducción: las úlceras vasculares y úlceras de pie diabético constituyen un grave problema sanitario que afecta a un gran número de pacientes, suponiendo por ello un gran reto de trabajo para los profesionales de la salud. Los ácidos grasos hiperoxigenados (AGHO) han demostrado tener eficacia gracias a su acción favorable sobre la piel en tres puntos: aumentando la microcirculación sanguínea, impulsando la renovación celular epidérmica y mejorando notablemente la hidratación cutánea. Objetivo: evaluar la eficacia del producto Mepentol Leche, una emulsión a base de ácidos grasos hiperoxigenados, Aloe barbadensis y Mimosa tenuiflora, en el cuidado de la piel y el alivio de los síntomas, en pacientes con úlceras vasculares y úlceras de pie diabético. Métodos: evaluación clínica realizada entre junio de 2004 a diciembre de 2005. Se estudia un total de 195 pacientes. Los parámetros de inclusión han sido: por patología venosa (32,82%), cuidado de la piel (35,90%), patología arterial (26,67%) y patología linfática (4,62%). Los pacientes han sido evaluados durante un mes y se ha realizado un seguimiento de cada uno de ellos mediante una ficha de recogida de datos. La pauta de aplicación del producto ha sido de dos veces al día y siempre en piel íntegra. La efectividad del producto se ha establecido en base a los siguientes epígrafes: sintomatología (prurito, escozor y dolor) y condiciones de la piel (coloración, sequedad, edema, maceración, eritema y descamación). Resultados: ningún paciente ha desarrollado nuevas lesiones en la piel sana protegida con Mepentol Leche. Los síntomas asociados mejoran en: prurito (96%), escozor (93%), dolor (96%), coloración de la piel (100%), edema (90%), maceración (96%), eritema (92%) y descamación (100%). La valoración del producto por parte de los profesionales ha sido muy buena respecto a la comodidad, tolerabilidad, absorción y facilidad de aplicación. Conclusiones: se demuestran los beneficios de su aplicación sistemática en el alivio de los síntomas previos a la aparición de úlceras, evitando la sequedad cutánea, reduciendo el prurito, escozor, dolor y eczema, y devolviendo la piel a su coloración normal

INTRODUCTION: Vascular ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers present a health serious problem which affects a large number of patients, creating a major challenge for health professionals. Hyper-oxygenated fatty acid dressings have proven to be effective thanks to their favorable action on the skin in three ways: increasing the microcirculation of the blood, promoting the renovation of the epidermic cells, and notably increasing cutaneous hydration. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effectiveness of Mepentol Leche, an emulsion based on Hyper-oxygenated fatty acids, Aloe barbadensis and Mimosa tenuiflora, used to treat the skin and alleviate symptoms in patients who suffer from vascular ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. METHODS: Clinical evaluation carried out between June 2004 and December 2005. 195 patients were studied. The parameters for inclusion in this study were 32.82% for venous pathology 35.90% for skin care, 26.67% due to arterial pathology, and 4.62% for a lymphatic pathology. These patients were evaluated over a one month period and each had a follow-up by means of a data collection file. The guideline to apply this product was twice a day and always over integral skin. The effectiveness of this product has been established based on these epigraphs: symptoms of itching, smarting and pain, and skin conditions: color, dryness, edema, maceration, rashes, and desquamation. RESULTS: Not one patient developed new lesions in healthy skin protected by Mepentol Leche. Symptoms linked to this pathology saw improvements in these percents: itching 96%, smarting 93%, and pain 96%, and skin conditions: color 100%, edema 90%, maceration 96%, rashes 92%, and desquamation 100%. Health professionals' evaluation of this product has been highly favorable in regards to ease of use, tolerance, absorption, and ease of application. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the benefits in applying this product systematically to alleviate the symptoms prior to the appearance of ulcers, thus avoiding skin dryness and reducing itching, smarting, pain and eczema while returning normal color to the skin

Educación al alta para paciente prostatectomizdo radical / No disponible

Teniendo en cuenta el número de pacientes que son diagnosticados al año de cáncer de próstata, la intervención a la que son sometidos (en nuestra unidad un total de 78 prostatectomías radicales durante el 2004) y la importancia de que no sufran complicaciones durante el posoperatorio, nos hemos planteado realizar un trabajo descriptivo sobre la educación sanitaria que en estos casos es necesaria para proporcionar al paciente para dotarlo de conocimientos que garanticen su autocuidado. Destacamos la importancia de la educación sanitaria durante toda la hospitalización del paciente, de entre todas las intervenciones de enfermería ante un paciente prostatectomizado, ya que le proporcionamos así los conocimientos necesarios para un mejor autocuidado, evitando posibles complicaciones durante el posoperatorio

Considering the number of patients who are diagnosed to the year of prostate cancer, the intervention which is put under (in our unit a total of 78 radical prostatectomías during 2004) and the importance of which they do not undergo complications during the postoperating one, we have considered to make a descriptive work on the sanitary education which in these cases it is necessary to provide the patient, to equip it with knowledge that guarantee their autocares. We emphasized the importance of the sanitary education, during all the hospitalisation of the patient, of between all the interventions of infirmary before a patient prostatectomizy, since we provided therefore the necessary knowledge to him for the best one autocare, avoiding possible complications during the postoperating one

On the origin of fiber calcite crystals in moonmilk deposits.

In this study, we show that moonmilk subaerial speleothems in Altamira Cave (Spain) consist of a network of fiber calcite crystals and active microbial structures. In Altamira moonmilks, the study of the typology and distribution of fiber crystals, extracellular polymeric substances, and microorganisms allowed us to define the initial stages of fiber crystal formation in recent samples as well as the variations in the microstructural arrangement in more evolved stages. Thus, we have been able to show the existence of a relationship among the different types of fiber crystals and their origins. This allowed us to outline a model that illustrates the different stages of formation of the moonmilk, developed on different substrata, concluding that microbes influence physicochemical precipitation, resulting in a variety of fiber crystal morphologies and sizes.