Cellulose Nanofibers from a Dutch Elm Disease-Resistant Ulmus minor Clone.

The potential use of elm wood in lignocellulosic industries has been hindered by the Dutch elm disease (DED) pandemics, which have ravaged European and North American elm groves in the last century. However, the selection of DED-resistant cultivars paves the way for their use as feedstock in lignocellulosic biorefineries. Here, the production of cellulose nanofibers from the resistant Ulmus minor clone Ademuz was evaluated for the first time. Both mechanical (PFI refining) and chemical (TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical)-mediated oxidation) pretreatments were assessed prior to microfluidization, observing not only easier fibrillation but also better optical and barrier properties for elm nanopapers compared to eucalyptus ones (used as reference). Furthermore, mechanically pretreated samples showed higher strength for elm nanopapers. Although lower nanofibrillation yields were obtained by mechanical pretreatment, nanofibers showed higher thermal, mechanical and barrier properties, compared to TEMPO-oxidized nanofibers. Furthermore, lignin-containing elm nanofibers presented the most promising characteristics, with slightly lower transparencies.

Chemical and thermal analysis of lignin streams from Robinia pseudoacacia L. generated during organosolv and acid hydrolysis pre-treatments and subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis.

Lignin streams produced in biorefineries are commonly used to obtain energy. In order to increase the competitiveness of this industry, new lignin valorization routes are necessary, for which a depth characterization of this biological macromolecule is essential. In this context, this study analyzed lignin streams of Robinia pseudoacacia L. generated during organosolv and acid hydrolysis pre-treatments and during the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis. These lignins included dissolved lignins from pre-treatment liquors and saccharification lignins from pre-treated materials. Chemical composition and structural features were analyzed by analytical standard methods and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), 13C solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) and 1H-13C two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D NMR); while thermal characterization included thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In general, all studied lignins contained a predominance of ß-O-4' aryl ether linkages, followed by resinol (ß-ß') and phenylcoumaran (ß-5'), with a predominance of syringyl over guaiacyl and hydroxyphenyl units. Nevertheless, the dissolved lignins revealed a removal of linkages, especially ß-O-4', leading to an enrichment of phenolic groups. Moreover, high thermal stability and good thermoplasticity were characteristics of these lignins. Contrary, the saccharification lignins exhibited a more intact structure, but with an important remaining carbohydrates content.

Cost analysis of integrated renal replacement therapy program in the province of Toledo (2012-2013). / Análisis de costes del programa integrado de tratamiento renal sustitutivo en la provincia de Toledo (2012-2013).

BACKGROUND: Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is the object of constant analysis in the search for efficiency and sustainability. OBJECTIVE: To calculate the direct cost of healthcare for the prevalent RRT population in the province of Toledo (2012/2013). METHOD: a) Population: All prevalent patients at some point in RRT in 2012 (669) and in 2013 (682). b) Costs included (€): 1) dialysis procedure; 2) inpatient, outpatient and emergency care, dialysis and non-dialysis related; 3) drug consumption; 4) medical transport. c) Calculation and analysis: The aggregate localized or reconstructed cost of each item was calculated from the individual cost of each patient. Annual cost and cost per patient/year was calculated for the whole RRT and for its subprograms (€). RESULTS: a) Aggregate costs: The total cost of RRT amounted to 15.84 and 15.77 million euros (2012/2013). Dialysis procedures account for 40.2% of the total while the sum of hospital care and drug consumption represents 41.5%. Healthcare for patients on hospital haemodialysis (HHD) and combined haemodialysis (CHD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) and transplant (Tx) accounts for 70.0, 5.0 and 25.0% of the total respectively. b) Patient/year cost: From the number of patients/year provided by each subprogramme, the following values were obtained in 2012/2013: All RRT 26,130/25,379; HHD 49,167/53,289; CHD 44,657/44,971; PD 45,538/51,869 and Tx 10,909/10,984. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with others published, although our patient/year values are slightly higher, probably because they include elements such as outpatient pharmacy, hospital and medical transport cargo. The growing contribution of Tx to the survival of the whole RRT population contains the overall costs and reduces the patient/year cost, making RRT sustainable.

Análisis de costes del programa integrado de tratamiento renal sustitutivo en la provincia de Toledo (2012-2013) / Cost analysis of integrated renal replacement therapy program in the province of Toledo (2012-2013)

Introducción: El coste ocasionado por los programas de tratamiento renal sustitutivo (TRS) es objeto de análisis permanente en busca de su eficiencia y sostenibilidad. Objetivo: Calcular el coste directo de la atención a la población prevalente en TRS en Toledo en los años 2012 y 2013. Método: a) Población: Todos los pacientes prevalentes en algún momento en TRS en 2012 (669) y en 2013 (682). b) Componentes del coste (Euros): 1) procedimiento de diálisis; 2) atención hospitalaria: ingresos, consultas, procedimientos ambulatorios y urgencias; 3) consumo de fármacos; 4) transporte. c) Cálculo y análisis: para cada uno de esos componentes se calculó el coste agregado localizado o reconstruido a partir del coste individual de cada paciente. Se calculó el coste anual y el coste paciente/año del TRS y de cada uno de sus subprogramas (Euros). Resultados: a) Costes agregados: el coste anual fue de 15,84 (2012) y de 15,77 millones de euros (2013). Los procedimientos de diálisis representan el 40,2% y la atención hospitalaria más el consumo de fármacos, el 41,5%. La atención a los pacientes en hemodiálisis hospitalaria (HDH) y concertada (HDC), diálisis peritoneal (DP) y trasplantados (Tx) representan, respectivamente, el 70,0; el 5,0 y el 25,0% del total. b) Coste paciente/año: considerando el número de pacientes/año proporcionado por cada subprograma, se obtuvieron los siguientes valores en 2012/2013: para todo TRS 26.130/25.379; HDH 49.167/53.289; HDC 44.657/44.971; DP 45.538/51.869 y Tx 10.909/10.984. Conclusiones Nuestros resultados son consistentes con otros publicados, aunque arrojan valores paciente/año ligeramente superiores, debido a que incluyen elementos como farmacia extrahospitalaria, carga hospitalaria y transporte sanitario. La contribución creciente del Tx a la sobrevida del conjunto de la población en TRS contiene los costes globales y reduce el coste paciente/año, lo que hace sostenible el TRS (AU)

Background: Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is the object of constant analysis in the search for efficiency and sustainability. Objective: To calculate the direct cost of healthcare for the prevalent RRT population in the province of Toledo (2012/2013). Method: a) Population: All prevalent patients at some point in RRT in 2012 (669) and in 2013 (682). b) Costs included (Euros): 1) dialysis procedure; 2) inpatient, outpatient and emergency care, dialysis and non-dialysis related; 3) drug consumption; 4) medical transport. c) Calculation and analysis: The aggregate localized or reconstructed cost of each item was calculated from the individual cost of each patient. Annual cost and cost per patient/year was calculated for the whole RRT and for its subprograms (Euros). Results: a) Aggregate costs: The total cost of RRT amounted to 15.84 and 15.77 million euros (2012/2013). Dialysis procedures account for 40.2% of the total while the sum of hospital care and drug consumption represents 41.5%. Healthcare for patients on hospital haemodialysis (HHD) and combined haemodialysis (CHD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) and transplant (Tx) accounts for 70.0, 5.0 and 25.0% of the total respectively. b) Patient/year cost: From the number of patients/year provided by each subprogramme, the following values were obtained in 2012/2013: All RRT 26,130/25,379; HHD 49,167/53,289; CHD 44,657/44,971; PD 45,538/51,869 and Tx 10,909/10,984. Conclusions: Our results are consistent with others published, although our patient/year values are slightly higher, probably because they include elements such as outpatient pharmacy, hospital and medical transport cargo. The growing contribution of Tx to the survival of the whole RRT population contains the overall costs and reduces the patient/year cost, making RRT sustainable (AU)

Asociación entre el síndrome coronario agudo y el consumo de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos / Association between acute coronary syndrome and use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

Objetivos: Evaluar el impacto cardiovascular asociado al consumo de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos en un Área de Salud, estimando la asociación entre la prescripción previa de un antiinflamatorio no esteroideo al episodio de síndrome coronario agudo. Material y Métodos: Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo observacional de casos cruzados de 5 años de duración, del 1 de Enero de 2008 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2012. Los pacientes en primer lugar fueron casos y controles (n=1.317) que tuvieron eventos cardiovasculares y fueron al servicio de Urgencias del Hospital por dicho motivo.Área de Salud de Alcázar de San Juan. Medida principal: Asociación del riesgo de sufrir un síndrome coronario agudo mediante el Odds Ratio con el consumo de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos Resultados: La asociación entre el síndrome coronario agudo y el consumo de Antiinflamatorios fue positiva y significativa, (OR 1,42; IC95% 1,06-1,9). Esta asociación fue de mayor magnitud en pacientes con menor comorbilidad, Charlson ≤ 1 (OR 1,66; IC95% 1,15 - 2,40) frente a los de mayor comorbilidad, Charlson > 1 (OR 1,07; IC95% 0,65 - 1,76). Esta modificación de efecto se debió en parte al consumo concomitante de fármacos que previenen contra patologías cardiovasculares como los antiagregantes, anticoagulantes y estatinas. Conclusiones: El consumo de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos se ha asociado a un mayor riesgo de síndrome coronario agudo, por lo que es necesario realizar un seguimiento a los pacientes que consuman estos fármacos, no debiéndose tomar durante tiempos prolongados ni a dosis altas (AU)

Aims: Evaluate cardiovascular impact related to the use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in a Health Area, by estimating the connection between the previous medical prescription of non steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines and acute coronary syndrome. Material and Methods: A retrospective observational study of clinical casecrosover during 5 years is done, from 1st of January 2008 to 31st of December 2012. In first place patients were cases and controls (n=1.317) who suffered cardiovascular accidents and went to Emergency Room. Setting: Alcazar de San Juan Health Care Area. Main measurements: Association of the risk of acute coronary syndrome by Odds Ratio with consumption of non anti-inflammatory drug. Results: The connection between acute coronary syndrome and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs was positive and significant (OR 1.42; IC95% 1.06-1.9), which means the probability of suffering a cardiovascular accident increases to 42% in patients taking non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The connection between the prescription of anti-inflammatory drugs and acute coronary syndrome reached a bigger magnitude in patients with less comorbidity, Charlson ≤ 1 (OR 1.66; IC95% 1.15 - 2.40) as opposite to those with more comorbidity, Charlson > 1 (OR 1.07; IC95% 0.65 - 1.76). This change of effect was due, in part, to the concomitant use of medicines which prevent cardiovascular diseases, such as antiaggregant, anticoagulant and statins drugs. Conclusions: The use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has been connected to a higher risk of cardiovascular accidents; therefore it is necessary to realize follow-up patients who consume these drugs. These drugs must not be consumed for a long time or at high doses (AU)