A non-destructive sampling method for food authentication using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry.

The study of volatile compounds obtained by gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) or ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) may be very useful to protect food quality, especially when using a non-destructive sampling method. In this work, the authentication of the highly appreciated dry-cured Iberian ham by those techniques was studied and compared. The results obtained show the suitability of a non-destructive sampling method coupled to headspace sampling (HS)-GC-IMS or HS-GC-MS to determine volatile markers in the feeding Iberian pig regime. Although both methods were suitable to differentiate the ham categories, HS-GC-IMS was more sensitive detecting a higher number of compounds than HS-GC-MS, which provided accurate qualitative results. The results of principal component analysis showed that ethanol, 2-propanol and 3-methylbutanol, identified by HS-GC-IMS, and 3-methylbutanal and heptane, identified by HS-GC-MS, could be considered potential markers to identify ham from different feeding regimes.

Role of Fe(III) in aqueous solution or deposited on ZnO surface in the photoassisted degradation of rhodamine B and caffeine.

Iron (III) was incorporated, to the surface of a synthesized ZnO, using two nominal molar percentages of Fe (III): 1% and 5% Fe relative to ZnO. Samples dried and calcined at 200 °C and 400 °C for 2 h, were characterized by XRD, XPS, XRF, N2-adsorption-BET and (UV-vis)-DRS. Photocatalytic activities of the catalysts were assessed based on the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and caffeine (CAF) in aqueous solution under two irradiation conditions: UV and visible light illumination. Prior to the photocatalytic tests, the interaction of each one of the substrates with either Fe(III) or Fe(II) was studied in homogeneous medium under UV-illumination and oxygenated environment. It was found that Fe (III) can play an important role in homogeneous media in the photoassisted degradation, both of rhodamine B and caffeine, while Fe (II) does not exert a relevant role in the photoassisted degradation of the referred substrates. Fe-ZnO samples display similar or poorer performance than pure ZnO in the presence of UV light for both studied substrates. The phenomenon can be attributed to the formation of either goethite or ZnFe2O4 at the ZnO surface where the coupled Fe3+/Fe2+ can act as recombination centers for the photogenerated charges. On the contrary, all Fe-ZnO samples showed enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible illumination which seems to be independent of the iron content. In this context, the mechanisms for photoassisted degradation of both the substrates in homogeneous medium and photocatalytic degradation are discussed, as well as the role of Fe in the photodegradation processes.

En relación con «Documento de la Sociedad Española de Hipertensión-Liga Española para la Lucha contra la Hipertensión Arterial (SEH-LELHA) sobre las guías ACC/AHA 2017 de hipertensión arterial» / As regards the «Spanish Society of Hypertension-Spanish League Against Arterial Hypertension position statement on the 2017 ACC/AHA arterial hypertension guidelines»

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[Intravenous cyclophosphamide in lupus nephritis: twenty years reducing dose]. / Ciclofosfamida intravenosa en nefritis lúpica: veinte años reduciendo dosis.

The prognosis for patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus has dramatically improved over recent decades. We review our experience with intermittent pulse therapy with intravenous cyclophosphamide (IC) in 97 patients (75 female) aged over 20 years. The series was divided into three groups. Group A (n=39) received monthly IC pulses (begin 1 g) for up to 24 months between 1985-1991. Group B (n=47) received monthly IC pulses (1 g) for six months with additional quarterly doses for a maximum of 18 months, depending on the therapeutic response (from 1991). From 1999, Group C (n=11) patients were treated with low-dose IC (3 g in three months) followed by azathioprine (2 mg/kg) or mycophenolate mofetil (1.5-2.0 g/day) for 12-18 months. The total IC doses (g) administered were: Group A, 15.1+/-9.0; Group B, 8.5+/-3.5; and Group C, 3.0+/-0.0. These figures show the trend progressive reduction in exposure to IC. Overall, treatment with the different IC regimens achieved satisfactory control of lupus nephritis in 76% of the patients. Comparison of the values at baseline and after 24 months showed that the serum creatinine (mg/dl) fell in Group A from 1.77+/-1.06 to 1.09+/-0.63, in Group B from 1.22+/- 0.85 to 0.95+/- 0.45, and in Group C from 0.90+/-0.23 to 1.17+/-0.54 (p<0.05). In the same period, proteinuria (g/day) fell in Group A from 6.19+/-4.31 to 0.79+/-1.76, in Group B from 4.43+/- 3.17 to 2.08+/-3.65, and in Group C from 5.43+/- 3.37 to 3.22+/-4.00 (p=0.05). There was not differences between the three groups in both variables. The adverse effects were mainly viral and bacterial infections, with no intergroup differences. Avascular osteonecrosis requiring hip replacement and early menopause were more frequent in Group A. Nine patients died, seven due to cardiovascular causes and two with infection. No differences were detected between the three groups when analyzing the overall patient survival at 5, 10 and 15 years (95%, 92%, and 84%, respectively). The likelihood of maintaining serum creatinine within normal ranges or less than twice the baseline range was similar in the three groups at 5, 10 and 15 years (92%, 72% and 66%, respectively). There were 47 episodes of relapse, with no differences between the three groups. In Summary, treatment with different regimens of intermittent IC is relatively safe and efficient to control the disease and lupus nephritis in SLE patients even with progressively smaller doses. The price paid concerned infectious complications, and bone and ovarian toxicity. New alternatives should at least maintain the same efficacy, but with fewer adverse effects and relapses.

Ciclofosfamida intravenosa en nefritis lúpica: veinte años reduciendo dosis / Intravenous cyclophosphamide in lupus nephritis: twenty years reducing dose

El pronóstico de la afectación renal en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) ha mejorado notablemente en las últimas décadas. Se revisa la experiencia de tratamiento con pulsos de ciclofosfamida intravenosa (CFiv) en el tratamiento del primer brote de nefritis lúpica en 97 pacientes (75 mujeres) seguidas durante un periodo de hasta 20 años. La serie se ha dividido en tres grupos. El Grupo A (n = 39) recibió pulsos mensuales de CFiv (inicio de 1 g) durante un periodo de hasta 24 meses (años 1985-1991). El Grupo B (n = 47) recibió pulsos de CFiv (1 g) mensuales durante 6 meses con pulsos adicionales trimestrales hasta un máximo de 18 meses, dependiendo de la respuesta terapéutica (desde 1991). A partir de 1999 un grupo de 11 pacientes se trataron con pulsos de CFiv a dosis bajas (pauta Eurolupus Nephritis Trial), 500 mg cada 15 días durante tres meses, seguidos de azatioprina (2 mg/kg) o micofenolato mofetil (1,5-2,0 g/dia) hasta completar 36 meses de tratamiento (Grupo C). La cantidad total de CFiv (g) administrada: Grupo A: 15,1 ± 9,0; Grupo B: 8,5 ± 3,5 y Grupo C: 3,0 ± 0, muestra la tendencia hacia una progresiva disminución en la exposición a la ciclofosfamida. Globalmente, los tratamientos con las diferentes pautas de CFiv consiguieron en primera intención, controlar la nefritis lúpica de forma satisfactoria en el 76,3% de los casos. Al comparar los valores basales y los alcanzados a los 24 meses, la creatinina sérica (mg/dl) pasó en el grupo A desde 1,77 ± 1,06 a 1,09 ± 0,63; Grupo B: 1,22 ± 0,85 a 0,95 ± 0,45 y Grupo C: 0,90 ± 0,23 a 1,17 ± 0,54 (p < 0,05). No se detectaron diferencias entre los tres grupos. Para los mismos periodos la proteinuria (g/día) descendió en el grupo A desde 6,19 ± 4,31 a 0,79 ± 1,76; Grupo B: 4,43 ± 3,17 a 2,08 ± 3,65 y Grupo C: 5,43 ± 3,37 a 3,22 ± 4,00 (p < 0,05). Los efectos adversos fueron principalmente infecciones víricas y bacterianas, sin diferencias intergrupos. La necrosis ósea avascular con necesidad de prótesis y menopausia precoz fueron más frecuentes en el Grupo A. Nueve pacientes fallecieron, siete por enfermedad cardiovascular y dos por infección. La supervivencia global de los pacientes en los tres grupos de tratamiento no mostró diferencias significativas siendo del 95% (IC 95%: 99%-90%) a los 5 años; del 92% (IC 95%: 98%-85%) a los 10 años y del 84% (IC 95%: 94%- 74%) a los 15 años. La probabilidad de mantener concentraciones de creatinina sérica en rango normal o inferior al doble de la basal fue del 92% (IC 95%: 98%- 86%) a los 5 años; del 72% (IC 95%: 84%-60%) a los 10 años y del 66% (IC 95%: 78%-54%) a los 15 años, sin detectarse diferencias significativas entre los tres grupos de tratamiento. Se contabilizaron 47 episodios de recidivas sin diferencias entre los tres grupos. A modo de conclusión, esta experiencia con diferentes estrategias de CFiv muestra que es una terapia eficaz en controlar la nefritis lúpica y mantener la vida en pacientes con nefritis lúpica, incluso con dosis progresivamente menores. El precio a pagar está relacionado con complicaciones infecciosas y de toxicidad en huesos y gónadas. Nuevas alternativas terapéuticas deberán mantener al menos la misma eficacia con menor tasa de efectos adversos y recidivas

The prognosis for patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus has dramatically improved over recent decades. We review our experience with intermittent pulse therapy with intravenous cyclophosphamide (IC) in 97 patients (75 female) aged over 20 years. The series was divided into three groups. Group A (n = 39) received monthly IC pulses (begin 1 g) for up to 24 months between 1985-1991. Group B (n = 47) received monthly IC pulses (1 g) for six months with additional quarterly doses for a maximum of 18 months, depending on the therapeutic response (from 1991). From 1999, Group C (n = 11) patients were treated with low-dose IC (3 g in three months) followed by azathioprine (2 mg/kg) or mycophenolate mofetil (1.5-2.0 g/day) for 12- 18 months. The total IC doses (g) administered were: Group A, 15.1 ± 9.0; Group B, 8.5 ± 3.5; and Group C, 3.0 ± 0.0. These figures show the trend towards progressive reduction in exposure to IC. Overall, treatment with the different IC regimens achieved satisfactory control of lupus nephritis in 76% of the patients. Comparison of the values at baseline and after 24 months showed that the serum creatinine (mg/dl) fell in Group A from 1.77 ± 1.06 to 1.09 ± 0.63, in Group B from 1.22 ± 0.85 to 0.95 ± 0.45, and in Group C from 0.90 ± 0.23 to 1.17 ± 0.54 (p < 0.05). In the same period, proteinuria (g/day) fell in Group A from 6.19 ± 4.31 to 0.79 ± 1.76, in Group B from 4.43 ± 3.17 to 2.08 ± 3.65, and in Group C from 5.43 ± 3.37 to 3.22 ± 4.00 (p < 0.05). There was not differences between the three groups in both variables. The adverse effects were mainly viral and bacterial infections, with no intergroup differences. Avascular osteonecrosis requiring hip replacement and early menopause were more frequent in Group A. Nine patients died, seven due to cardiovascular causes and two with infection. No differences were detected between the three groups when analyzing the overall patient survival at 5, 10 and 15 years (95%, 92%, and 84%, respectively). The likelihood of maintaining serum creatinine within normal ranges or less than twice the baseline range was similar in the three groups at 5, 10 and 15 years (92%, 72% and 66%, respectively). There were 47 episodes of relapse, with no differences between the three groups. In summary, treatment with different regimens of intermittent IC is relatively safe and efficient to control the disease and lupus nephritis in SLE patients even with progressively smaller doses. The price paid concerned infectious complications, and bone and ovarian toxicity. New alternatives should at least maintain the same efficacy, but with fewer adverse effects and relapses

Expanded criteria donors for kidney transplantation: quality control and results.

Although the number of kidneys from expanded criteria deceased donors (ECDs) is growing in most transplant centers, the limits for acceptance of these kidneys and the safety standards have still not been fully established. We evaluated 342 kidney transplants performed between January 1999 and December 2004. In 77 (22.5%) of these, the kidneys were from ECDs, that is, donors age >60 years and with one of the following characteristics: hypertension, death due to cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <70 mL/min. The results of the ECD transplants were compared with 265 transplants during the same period from standard donors (SDs), that is, donors age <60 years and GFR > 70 mL/min. All the ECD kidneys underwent biopsy and were accepted for transplantation only if the score was <7. The ECDs (66.5 +/- 4.3 years) in comparison with the SDs (48.0 +/- 16.0 years) had a greater frequency of death due to CVA (94.8% vs 49.8%) and a lower GFR (80.4 +/- 25.0 vs 111 +/- 41.6 mL/min; P < .05). Of the ECDs, 97.4% had a history of hypertension versus 24.3% of the SDs. Kidney biopsies were performed in 116 SD kidneys because the donor age was >55 years or there was a history of hypertension. The median score for the kidney biopsies of the ECD kidneys was 3 versus 2 for the SD kidneys. Graft survival was not significantly different until the fifth year. The GFR at 12 months was significantly different (SDs, 58.0 +/- 22.7 vs ECDs, 48.9 +/- 16.5 mL/min; P < .05). Although the GFR in the ECD kidneys was lower than that of the SD kidneys, it could still be adequate for recipients older than 50 years of age. Accordingly, the acceptance criteria for ECD kidneys based mainly on the kidney biopsy score and donor GFR benefit the recipients.