Bryophyte-Bioinspired Nanoporous AAO/C/MgO Composite for Enhanced CO2 Capture: The Role of MgO.

A composite material composed of anodized aluminum oxide (AAO), carbon (C), and magnesium oxide (MgO) was developed for CO2 capture applications. Inspired by the bryophyte organism, the AAO/C/MgO composite mirrors two primary features of these species-(1) morphological characteristics and (2) elemental composition-specifically carbon, oxygen, and magnesium. The synthesis process involved two sequential steps: electroanodization of aluminum foil followed by a hydrothermal method using a mixture of glucose and magnesium chloride (MgCl2). The concentration of MgCl2 was systematically varied as the sole experimental variable across five levels-1 mM, 2 mM, 3 mM, 4 mM, and 5 mM-to investigate the impact of MgO formation on the samples' chemical and physical properties, and consequently, their CO2 capture efficiency. Thus, scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the AAO substrate's porous structure, with pore diameters measuring 250 ± 30 nm. The growth of MgO on the AAO substrate resulted in spherical structures, whose diameter expanded from 15 nm ± 3 nm to 1000 nm ± 250 nm with increasing MgCl2 concentration from the minor to major concentrations explored, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicated that carbon serves as a linking agent between AAO and MgO within the composite. Notably, the composite synthesized with a 4 mM MgCl2 concentration exhibited the highest CO2 capture efficiency, as determined by UV-Vis absorbance studies using a sodium carbonate solution as the CO2 source. This efficiency was quantified with a 'k' constant of 0.10531, significantly higher than those of other studied samples. The superior performance of the 4 mM MgCl2 sample in CO2 capture is likely due to the optimal density of MgO structures formed on the sample's surface, enhancing its adsorptive capabilities as suggested by the XPS results.

Comparative study of droplet-digital PCR and absolute Q digital PCR for ctDNA detection in early-stage breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is increasingly used for clinical decision-making in oncology. However, ctDNA could represent ≤ 0.1 % of cell-free DNA in early-stage tumors and its detection requires high-sensitive techniques such as digital PCR (dPCR). METHODS: In 46 samples from patients with early-stage breast cancer, we compared two leading dPCR assays for ctDNA analysis: QX200 droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) system from Bio-Rad which is the gold-standard in the field, and Absolute Q plate-based digital PCR (pdPCR) system from Thermo Fisher Scientific which has not been reported before. We analyzed 5 mL of baseline plasma samples prior to any treatment. RESULTS: Both systems displayed a comparable sensitivity with no significant differences observed in mutant allele frequency. In fact, ddPCR and pdPCR possessed a concordance > 90 % in ctDNA positivity. Nevertheless, ddPCR exhibited higher variability and a longer workflow. Finally, we explored the association between ctDNA levels and clinicopathological features. Significantly higher ctDNA levels were present in patients with a Ki67 score > 20 % or with estrogen receptor-negative or triple-negative breast cancer subtypes. CONCLUSION: Both ddPCR and pdPCR may constitute sensitive and reliable tools for ctDNA analysis with an adequate agreement in early-stage breast cancer patients.

Development of a Novel NGS Methodology for Ultrasensitive Circulating Tumor DNA Detection as a Tool for Early-Stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer in women. While usually detected when localized, invasive procedures are still required for diagnosis. Herein, we developed a novel ultrasensitive pipeline to detect circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in a series of 75 plasma samples from localized BC patients prior to any medical intervention. We first performed a tumor-informed analysis to correlate the mutations found in tumor tissue and plasma. Disregarding the tumor data next, we developed an approach to detect tumor mutations in plasma. We observed a mutation concordance between the tumor and plasma of 29.50% with a sensitivity down to 0.03% in mutant variant allele frequency (VAF). We detected mutations in 33.78% of the samples, identifying eight patients with plasma-only mutations. Altogether, we determined a specificity of 86.36% and a positive predictive value of 88.46% for BC detection. We demonstrated an association between higher ctDNA median VAF and higher tumor grade, multiple plasma mutations with a likelihood of relapse and more frequent TP53 plasma mutations in hormone receptor-negative tumors. Overall, we have developed a unique ultra-sensitive sequencing workflow with a technology not previously employed in early BC, paving the way for its application in BC screening.

Multi-laboratory experiment PME11 for the standardization of phosphoproteome analysis.

Global analysis of protein phosphorylation by mass spectrometry proteomic techniques has emerged in the last decades as a powerful tool in biological and biomedical research. However, there are several factors that make the global study of the phosphoproteome more challenging than measuring non-modified proteins. The low stoichiometry of the phosphorylated species and the need to retrieve residue specific information require particular attention on sample preparation, data acquisition and processing to ensure reproducibility, qualitative and quantitative robustness and ample phosphoproteome coverage in phosphoproteomic workflows. Aiming to investigate the effect of different variables in the performance of proteome wide phosphoprotein analysis protocols, ProteoRed-ISCIII and EuPA launched the Proteomics Multicentric Experiment 11 (PME11). A reference sample consisting of a yeast protein extract spiked in with different amounts of a phosphomix standard (Sigma/Merck) was distributed to 31 laboratories around the globe. Thirty-six datasets from 23 laboratories were analyzed. Our results indicate the suitability of the PME11 reference sample to benchmark and optimize phosphoproteomics strategies, weighing the influence of different factors, as well as to rank intra and inter laboratory performance.

S-Nitrosation of E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Complex Components Regulates Hormonal Signalings in Arabidopsis.

E3 ubiquitin ligases mediate the last step of the ubiquitination pathway in the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). By targeting transcriptional regulators for their turnover, E3s play a crucial role in every aspect of plant biology. In plants, SKP1/CULLIN1/F-BOX PROTEIN (SCF)-type E3 ubiquitin ligases are essential for the perception and signaling of several key hormones including auxins and jasmonates (JAs). F-box proteins, TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESPONSE 1 (TIR1) and CORONATINE INSENSITIVE 1 (COI1), bind directly transcriptional repressors AUXIN/INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID (AUX/IAA) and JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN (JAZ) in auxin- and JAs-depending manner, respectively, which permits the perception of the hormones and transcriptional activation of signaling pathways. Redox modification of proteins mainly by S-nitrosation of cysteines (Cys) residues via nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as a valued regulatory mechanism in physiological processes requiring its rapid and versatile integration. Previously, we demonstrated that TIR1 and Arabidopsis thaliana SKP1 (ASK1) are targets of S-nitrosation, and these NO-dependent posttranslational modifications enhance protein-protein interactions and positively regulate SCFTIR1 complex assembly and expression of auxin response genes. In this work, we confirmed S-nitrosation of Cys140 in TIR1, which was associated in planta to auxin-dependent developmental and stress-associated responses. In addition, we provide evidence on the modulation of the SCFCOI1 complex by different S-nitrosation events. We demonstrated that S-nitrosation of ASK1 Cys118 enhanced ASK1-COI1 protein-protein interaction. Overexpression of non-nitrosable ask1 mutant protein impaired the activation of JA-responsive genes mediated by SCFCOI1 illustrating the functional relevance of this redox-mediated regulation in planta. In silico analysis positions COI1 as a promising S-nitrosation target, and demonstrated that plants treated with methyl JA (MeJA) or S-nitrosocysteine (NO-Cys, S-nitrosation agent) develop shared responses at a genome-wide level. The regulation of SCF components involved in hormonal perception by S-nitrosation may represent a key strategy to determine the precise time and site-dependent activation of each hormonal signaling pathway and highlights NO as a pivotal molecular player in these scenarios.

The role of nutrient balance in shaping plant root-fungal interactions: facts and speculation.

Microbiota colonizing plant roots and their vicinity were shown not to be just random associations, but compose, at least to some extent, host-selected microbial consortia. The plant physiological status, especially the nutrient status, prompts changes in plant morphology and metabolism, which successively imposes a selective pressure on microbial communities. It is well established that a low phosphate status of the host plant activates the molecular machinery underlying the development of mutualistic associations in the host root with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). We hypothesize that the plant´s response to changing nutrient stoichiometry affects processes at the root-mycosphere interface which promote or repress also root interactions with microbial taxa other than AMF. As a consequence, fundamental mechanisms underlying these interactions would be shared in AM host and non-host plants. A detailed understanding of the processes involved in maintenance of plant nutrient homeostasis could contribute to novel strategies in tailoring predominantly parasitic or commensalistic plant-microbe interactions towards beneficial associations.

Enhancement in Curie Temperature of Yttrium Iron Garnet by Doping with Neodymium.

The effect of the substitution of Y3+ by Nd3+ on the structural and magnetic properties of neodymium-doped yttrium iron garnet, NdxY3-xFe5O12 with x in the range of 0⁻2.5, is presented. Oxide powders of Fe2O3, Nd2O3, and Y2O3 were mixed in a stoichiometric ratio and milled for 5 h using high-energy ball milling, before being uniaxially pressed at 900 MPa and annealed at 1373 K for 2 h to obtain NdxY3-xFe5O12 (0 ≤ x ≤ 2.5). It was found that the mechanical milling of oxides followed by annealing promotes the complete structural formation of the garnet structure. Additionally, the X-ray diffraction patterns confirm the complete introduction of Nd3+ into the garnet structure with a neodymium doping concentration (x) of 0⁻2.0, which causes a consistent increment in the lattice parameters with the Nd3+ content. When x is higher than 2.0, the yttrium orthoferrite is the predominant phase. Besides, the magnetic results reveal an increase in the Curie temperature (583 K) as the amount of Nd3+ increases, while there was enhanced saturation magnetization as well as modified remanence and coercivity with respect to non-doped YIG.

Quenching the Chiral Magnetic Effect via the Gravitational Anomaly and Holography.

In the presence of a gravitational contribution to the chiral anomaly, the chiral magnetic effect induces an energy current proportional to the square of the temperature in equilibrium. In holography the thermal state corresponds to a black hole. We numerically study holographic quenches in which a planar shell of scalar matter falls into a black hole and raises its temperature. During the process the momentum density (energy current) is conserved. The energy current has two components, a nondissipative one induced by the anomaly and a dissipative flow component. The dissipative component can be measured via the drag it asserts on an additional auxiliary color charge. Our results indicate strong suppression very far from equilibrium.

[Sexuality Risk Factors among People with Suspect of Sexually Transmitted Disease]. / Factores de riesgo relacionados con las infecciones de transmisión sexual.

OBJECTIVE: Describing determinants factors in Sexually Transmitted Diseases is necessary to evaluate and design effective measures for prevention and treatment. The aim of this research was to determine the sexual risk factors of people who are treated at Sexually Transmitted Diseases Centre and to analyze differences based on gender. METHODS: Cross-sectional study on 496 clinical reports, period of time 2010 to 2014, of people who come to the Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexual Orientation Centre of Granada, for suspected of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Sociodemographic, clinical and sexual patterns data were collected. Calculation of descriptive statistics and Chi-square test to compare proportions were performed. RESULTS: 56% men and 44% women. The mean age was 29,01 years (SD=9,07). Most of the sample were single (85,9%). 54,2% had a higher education level. The most prevalent infections were the Human Papilloma-virus (18,8%), followed Molluscum contagiosum (5,6%) and Candidiasis (3,8%). Significant differences were found by sex with sexual behavior, there are more gay men (n=89) and bisexual (n=22) than women (n=4, n=7, respectively) (p smaller than 0,001); differences between sex and sexual life were also found, finding higher prevalence of men with 10-20 couples (n=23) and more than 20 couples (n=20) than women (n=10, n=4, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The user profile is a young, single, with higher education. The most prevalent infection is the Human Papillomavirus. Men are a vulnerable population for contracting sexually transmitted diseases because of their sexual practices.

OBJETIVO: Conocer los factores determinantes en Infecciones de Transmisión sexual (ITS)es necesario para evaluar y diseñar medidas efectivas para su prevención y tratamiento. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar los factores de riesgo relacionados con la sexualidad de sujetos atendidos en un centro de control de Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual y analizar si hubo diferencias en función del sexo. METODOS: Estudio transversal utilizando como fuente de información 496 historias clínicas correspondientes al periodo 2010-2014, de sujetos que acudieron al Centro de Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual y Orientación Sexual de la provincia de Granada por sospecha de ITS. Se recogieron datos sociodemográficos, clínicos y relacionados con pautas sexuales. Se realizó análisis descriptivo y análisis bivariante mediante comparación de proporciones con test de la chi-cuadrado. RESULTADOS: El 56% de los sujetos eran hombres y el 44% mujeres. La edad media fue de 29,01 años (DT=9,07). El 85,9% estaban solteros. El 54,2% presentaba un nivel de estudios superior. Las infecciones más prevalentes fueron el virus del papiloma humano (18,8%), Molluscum contagioso (5,6%) y candidiasis (3,8%). Se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas por sexo con la variable conducta sexual, hallando 89 hombres homosexuales y 4 mujeres, así como 22 hombres bisexuales frente a 7 mujeres(p menor que 0,001).También se hallaron diferencias entre sexo y vida sexual, encontrando mayor prevalencia de hombres con entre 10-20 parejas (n=23) y más de 20 parejas (n=20) que mujeres (n=10, n= 4, respectivamente). CONCLUSIONES: El perfil es el de una persona joven, soltera, con estudios superiores. La infección más prevalente es el virus del papiloma humano. Los hombres siguen constituyendo laa población más vulnerable para contraer infecciones de transmisión sexual debido a sus prácticas sexuales.

A multicentric study to evaluate the use of relative retention times in targeted proteomics.

Despite the maturity reached by targeted proteomic strategies, reliable and standardized protocols are urgently needed to enhance reproducibility among different laboratories and analytical platforms, facilitating a more widespread use in biomedical research. To achieve this goal, the use of dimensionless relative retention times (iRT), defined on the basis of peptide standard retention times (RT), has lately emerged as a powerful tool. The robustness, reproducibility and utility of this strategy were examined for the first time in a multicentric setting, involving 28 laboratories that included 24 of the Spanish network of proteomics laboratories (ProteoRed-ISCIII). According to the results obtained in this study, dimensionless retention time values (iRTs) demonstrated to be a useful tool for transferring and sharing peptide retention times across different chromatographic set-ups both intra- and inter-laboratories. iRT values also showed very low variability over long time periods. Furthermore, parallel quantitative analyses showed a high reproducibility despite the variety of experimental strategies used, either MRM (multiple reaction monitoring) or pseudoMRM, and the diversity of analytical platforms employed. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: From the very beginning of proteomics as an analytical science there has been a growing interest in developing standardized methods and experimental procedures in order to ensure the highest quality and reproducibility of the results. In this regard, the recent (2012) introduction of the dimensionless retention time concept has been a significant advance. In our multicentric (28 laboratories) study we explore the usefulness of this concept in the context of a targeted proteomics experiment, demonstrating that dimensionless retention time values is a useful tool for transferring and sharing peptide retention times across different chromatographic set-ups.

Factores de riesgo relacionados con las infecciones de transmisión sexual / Sexuality risk factors among people with suspect of sexuality transmitted disease

Fundamento: Conocer los factores determinantes en Infecciones de Transmisión sexual (ITS) es necesario para evaluar y diseñar medidas efectivas para su prevención y tratamiento. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar los factores de riesgo relacionados con la sexualidad de sujetos atendidos en un centro de control de Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual y analizar si hubo diferencias en función del sexo. Método: Estudio transversal utilizando como fuente de información 496 historias clínicas correspondientes al periodo 2010-2014, de sujetos que acudieron al Centro de Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual y Orientación Sexual de la provincia de Granada por sospecha de ITS. Se recogieron datos sociodemográficos, clínicos y relacionados con pautas sexuales. Se realizó análisis descriptivo y análisis bivariante mediante comparación de proporciones con test de la chi-cuadrado. Resultados: El 56% de los sujetos eran hombres y el 44% mujeres. La edad media fue de 29,01 años (DT=9,07). El 85,9% estaban solteros. El 54,2% presentaba un nivel de estudios superior. Las infecciones más prevalentes fueron el virus del papiloma humano (18,8%), Molluscum contagioso (5,6%) y candidiasis (3,8%). Se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas por sexo con la variable conducta sexual, hallando 89 hombres homosexuales y 4 mujeres, así como 22 hombres bisexuales frente a 7 mujeres(p<0,001).También se hallaron diferencias entre sexo y vida sexual, encontrando mayor prevalencia de hombres con entre 10-20 parejas (n=23) y más de 20 parejas (n=20) que mujeres (n=10, n= 4, respectivamente) (p<0,001). Conclusiones: El perfil es el de una persona joven, soltera, con estudios superiores. La infección más prevalente es el virus del papiloma humano. Los hombres siguen constituyendo la población más vulnerable para contraer infecciones de transmisión sexual debido a sus prácticas sexuales (AU)

Background: Describing determinants factors in Sexually Transmitted Diseases is necessary to evaluate and design effective measures for prevention and treatment. The aim of this research was to determine the sexual risk factors of people who are treated at Sexually Transmitted Diseases Centre and to analyze differences based on gender. Method: Cross-sectional study on 496 clinical reports, period of time 2010 to 2014, of people who come to the Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexual Orientation Centre of Granada, for suspected of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Sociodemographic, clinical and sexual patterns data were collected. Calculation of descriptive statistics and Chi-square test to compare proportions were performed Results: 56% men and 44% women. The mean age was 29,01 years (SD=9,07). Most of the sample were single (85,9%). 54,2% had a higher education level. The most prevalent infections were the Human Papillomavirus (18,8%), followed Molluscum contagiosum (5,6%) and Candidiasis (3,8%). Significant differences were found by sex with sexual behavior, there are more gay men (n=89) and bisexual (n=22) than women (n=4, n=7, respectively) (p<0,001); differences between sex and sexual life were also found, finding higher prevalence of men with 10-20 couples (n=23) and more than 20 couples (n=20) than women (n=10, n=4, respectively) (p<0,001). Conclusions: The user profile is a young, single, with higher education. The most prevalent infection is the Human Papillomavirus. Men are a vulnerable population for contracting sexually transmitted diseases because of their sexual practices (AU)

Aluminum Contamination in Parenteral Nutrition Admixtures for Low-Birth-Weight Preterm Infants in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Aluminum contamination from intravenous solutions still represents an unsolved clinical and biochemical problem. Increased aluminum intake constitutes a risk factor for the development to metabolic bone disease, anemia, cholestasis, and neurocognitive alterations. Low-birth-weight preterm infants (LBWPIs) are one of the most exposed populations for aluminum toxicity. METHODS: To determine the presence of aluminum in components employed in the preparation of parenteral nutrition (PN) admixtures in Mexico and compare with the maximal aluminum recommended intake from the Food and Drug Administration. RESULTS: Cysteine, trace elements, levocarnitine, phosphate, and calcium salts tested positive for aluminum contamination. All components analyzed were contained in glass vials. Total aluminum intake for 2 sample PN admixtures were calculated in basis to cover nutrition requirements of 2 hypothetical LBWPIs. Aluminum contents, stratified in micrograms per kilogram of weight, exceeded maximal aluminum recommendations, particularly for the very LBWPIs. Substituting sodium phosphate for potassium phosphate salts reduced aluminum intake by 52.7%. Calcium gluconate was the leading aluminum contamination source and confers the greatest risk for aluminum overdose, even with the salt substitution of potassium phosphate by sodium phosphate salts. Adding cysteine and trace elements might increase aluminum content in PN admixtures. CONCLUSION: Cysteine, trace elements, phosphate, and gluconate salts are the main sources of aluminum in PN prepared in Mexico. Substituting sodium phosphate for potassium phosphate salts reduces aluminum intake but does not resolve aluminum contamination risk. Mineral salts contained in plastic vials should be explored as an additional measure to reduce aluminum contamination.

Ovarian Metastasis of a Thymoma: Report of a Case and Literature Review.

Thymomas are infrequent, although they are the most common neoplasms in the anterior mediastinum. They are slow-growing tumors that may involve surrounding structures by direct extension. In these aggressive cases, intrathoracic recurrences are frequent. However, distant metastases are uncommon, the most common sites including liver, lymph nodes, and bones. Metastatic thymoma to the ovary is exceedingly rare, with only 6 cases reported in the literature. We report a 46-yr-old female with a metastatic thymoma to her left ovary 6 yr after the initial diagnosis of thymoma, Type B1 with pleural invasion.

Situación actual sobre el manejo de heridas agudas y crónicas en España: Estudio ATENEA / Actual situation about acute and chronic wounds in Spain: ATENEA study

Las heridas son un problema de salud que afecta a una amplia población de todas las edades y que requieren diferentes intervenciones para asegurar un cuidado óptimo delos pacientes que las presentan. Esta es una encuesta transversal de ámbito nacional dirigida a profesionales de enfermería realizada durante el periodo septiembre 2011-enero 2012. Los profesionales que respondieron a la encuesta son enfermeros/as que trabajan en hospitales, centros de atención primaria u otros centros asistenciales. La encuesta, con un total de 26 ítems, presenta tres grandes secciones: 1. Datos sociodemográficos y filiación; 2. Formación recibida en el cuidado y tratamiento de heridas;3. Preguntas relacionadas con el manejo en el cuidado de las heridas. En el presente artículo se presentan los resultados para los apartados 1 y 2. Un total de 405 profesionales participaron en la encuesta, de los cuales 340 cumplimentaron el cuestionario de forma completa para su evaluación. En el artículo se citan los diferentes resultados obtenidos para cada uno de los parámetros. En futuros estudios sería interesante desarrollar programas que permitan evaluar la efectividad de los diferentes modos formativos en el medio asistencial (AU)

Wounds are a health problem that affects a wide population of all ages and that require different interventions to ensure optimal care of patients who have them. Cross-sectional survey of national scope done by professional nurses, and carried out during the period September 2011-January 2012. Professionals who answered to the survey are nurses who work in hospitals, primary care centers or other centers. The survey, that includes a total of26 items, presents three main sections: 1. Social demographic data and personal details;2. Training received regarding wound treatment; 3. Questions related to management in wound care. This article presents the results for paragraphs 1 and 2. A total of 405professionals participated in the survey, and 340 completed the questionnaire for the evaluation. The different results obtained for each of the parameters are listed in the article. In future studies, it would be interesting to develop programs that enable us to assess the effectiveness of the different training modes in the healthcare environment (AU)

In vitro conversion of ß-carotene to retinal in bovine rumen fluid by a recombinant ß-carotene- 15, 15'-monooxygenase.

Pasture-fed cattle yield carcasses with yellow fat; consumers often reject the resulting meat products because they assume they come from old and/or culled animals. Recombinant bacteria expressing beta-carotene 15, 15'-monooxygenase, introduced into the rumen of the animal, might help to reduce the coloration since this enzyme converts carotene to retinal, thereby eliminating the source of yellowness. The goal of this work was to evaluate the effect of a recombinant beta-carotene 15, 15'-monooxygenase (BCMO1) from Gallus gallus, expressed in Escherichia coli. The genetically modified microbe was introduced into ruminal fluid, and carotene conversion to retinal was measured. Under optimum conditions the enzyme produced 6.8 nmol of retinal per 1 mg of protein in 1 hour at 37 °C. The data on in vitro digestibility in ruminal fluid showed no differences in beta-carotene breakdown or in retinal production (p > 0.1) between E. coli with pBAD vector alone and E. coli with pBAD/BCMO1. The pBAD/BCMO1 plasmid was stable in E. coli for 750 generations. These results indicate that the protein did not break beta-carotene into retinal in ruminal fluid, perhaps due to its location in the periplasmic space in E. coli. Future research must consider strategies to release the enzyme into the rumen environment.

Effect of isolation measures on the incidence and prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in hemodialysis (HD) units is well established. In units with a high prevalence of HCV infection, the implementation of universal precautionary measures may not suffice in order to decrease the incidence and prevalence of HCV. In this setting strict isolation practices can be useful in order to achieve this goal. METHODS: The incidence and prevalence of HCV infection amongst all HD and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients from the province of Albacete, Spain, have been studied from 1992 to 2003.Through the 1993-1995 period chronic HD patients were treated either in a room exclusively for HCV- patients or in a room shared by HCV+ and HCV- patients. Complete separation of HCV+ and HCV- patients was implemented in 1995. Acute patients have been separated since 1992. The implementation of universal precautions was applied throughout the period. RESULTS: There has not been a single seroconversion in the rooms where only HCV- patients were dialyzed during the 11 years of follow-up. There were two seroconversions in the rooms shared for 3 years by both HCV+ and HCV- patients. In 1995 the prevalence of HCV+ cases in HD and PD was 21.6 and 23.2%, respectively. Since then it has decreased steadily and in parallel for both therapies, and the current prevalence is 6.8% in HD and 5.7% in PD. CONCLUSIONS: In HD units with a high prevalence of HCV+ patients, strict isolation in combination with implementation of universal prevention measures can eliminate nosocomial transmission and obtain a long-term reduction in prevalence.

Treatment of tuberculosis with rifabutin in a renal transplant recipient.

Development of tuberculosis infection in a renal transplant patient is infrequent in Spain, although the prevalence is higher than in the general population. These patients usually receive calcineurin inhibitors as the main component of their immunosuppressive treatment. The metabolism of these drugs, whether cyclosporine or tacrolimus, involves cytochrome P-450 3A. Rifampin, a widely used agent in the treatment of tuberculosis, is also an important inducer of cytochrome P-450 3A metabolism and has the capacity to decrease serum levels of the calcineurin inhibitors. This metabolic interaction makes pharmacologic management of tuberculosis-infected transplant patients more complex and can result in a higher risk of acute rejection caused by decreased levels of the immunosuppressant in the blood. The authors present a case of a renal transplant patient with a soft tissue infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis who was treated with rifabutin instead of rifampin, with excellent results in terms of graft survival and overall survival. The use of rifabutin allowed the authors to achieve better control of circulating immunosuppressant levels and a lower probability of acute graft rejection.