Can nonalcoholic beer, silicon and hops reduce the brain damage and behavioral changes induced by aluminum nitrate in young male Wistar rats?

Aluminum consumption has been associated with various neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies suggest that regular beer intake reverses the pro-oxidant and inflammatory statuses induced by aluminum nitrate intoxication. This paper aims to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant capacity and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of non-alcoholic beer (NABeer), silicon or hops, as well as their effect on animal behavior (e.g. curiosity, immobilization, rearing, grooming, swimming) and brain antioxidant enzyme (activity and gene expression) and anti-inflammatory status in aluminum nitrate intoxicated rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: 1) Control, 2) Aluminum nitrate (450 µg/kg/day), 3) Aluminum nitrate plus NABeer, 4) Aluminum nitrate plus hops, and 5) Aluminum nitrate plus silicon. Hops showed the highest in vitro antioxidant capacity and silicon the highest anticholinesterase activity. In the Aluminum group the brain aluminum/silicon ratio increased with impairment of brain antioxidant and inflammatory statuses. NABeer, silicon and hops block the negative effect on the in vivo antioxidant and inflammatory statuses induced by Aluminum nitrate and improve swimming and rearing behavioral tests. The various positive results suggest that NABeer is useful as a functional multi-target drink in the prevention of some neurodegenerative events caused by aluminum intoxication. More studies are required to conclude present results.

Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically-ill patient. Update. Consensus SEMICYUC-SENPE: Neurocritical patient / Recomendaciones para el soporte nutricional y metabólico especializado del paciente crítico. Actualización. Consenso SEMICYUC-SENPE: Paciente neurocrítico

Neurocritical patients require specialized nutritional support due to their intense catabolism and prolonged fasting. The preferred route of nutrient administration is the gastrointestinal route, especially the gastric route. Alternatives are the transpyloric route or mixed enteral parenteral nutrition if an effective nutritional volume of more than 60% cannot be obtained. Total calore intake ranges from 20-30 kcal/kg/day, depending on the period of the clinical course, with protein intake higher than 20% of total calories (hyperproteic diet). Nutritional support should be initiated early. The incidence of gastrointestinal complications is gene -rally higher to other critically-ill patients, the most frequent complication being an increase in gastric residual volume. As in other critically-ill patients, glycemia should be closely monitored and maintained below 150 mg/dL (AU)

El enfermo neurocrítico precisa un soporte nutricional especializado debido a su intenso catabolismo y a un prolongado período de ayuno. La vía de administración nutricional preferente es la gastrointestinal, particularmente la vía gástrica, siendo alternativas la vía transpilórica o la nutrición mixta enteral parenteral en caso de no obtener un volumen nutricional eficaz superior al 60%.El aporte calórico total oscila entre 20-30 kcal/kg/día, según el período de evolución clínica en que se encuentre, con un aporte proteico superior al 20% de las calorías totales (hiperproteico). El inicio del aporte nutricional debe ser precoz. La incidencia de complicaciones gastrointestinales es superior al enfermo crítico en general, siendo el aumento del residuo gástrico el más frecuente. Debe establecerse un estrecho control de la glucemia, manteniéndose por debajo de 150 mg/dl como en el resto de los enfermos críticos (AU)

Recomendaciones para el soporte nutricional y metabólico especializado del paciente crítico. Actualización. Consenso SEMICYUC-SENPE: Paciente neurocrítico / Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically-ill patient. Update. Consensus of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units-Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SEMICYUC-SENPE): Neurocritical patient

El enfermo neurocrítico precisa un soporte nutricional especializado debido a su intenso catabolismo y a un prolongado período de ayuno. La vía de administración nutricional preferente es la gastrointestinal, particularmente la vía gástrica, siendo alternativas la vía transpilórica o la nutrición mixta enteral-parenteral en caso de no obtener un volumen nutricional eficaz superior al 60%. El aporte calórico total oscila entre 20-30 kcal/kg/día, según el período de evolución clínica en que se encuentre, con un aporte proteico superior al 20% de las calorías totales (hiperproteico). El inicio del aporte nutricional debe ser precoz. La incidencia de complicaciones gastrointestinales es superior al enfermo crítico en general, siendo el aumento del residuo gástrico el más frecuente. Debe establecerse un estrecho control de la glucemia, manteniéndose por debajo de 150 mg/ dl como en el resto de los enfermos críticos (AU)

Neurocritical patients require specialized nutritional support due to their intense catabolism and prolonged fasting. The preferred route of nutrient administration is the gastrointestinal route, especially the gastric route. Alternatives are the transpyloric route or mixed enteral parenteral nutrition if an effective nutritional volume of more than 60% cannot be obtained. Total calore intake ranges from 20-30 kcal/kg/day, depending on the period of the clinical course, with protein intake higher than 20% of total calories (hyperproteic diet). Nutritional support should be initiated early. The incidence of gastrointestinal complications is generally higher to other critically-ill patients, the most frequent complication being an increase in gastric residual volume. As in other critically-ill patients, glycemia should be closely monitored and maintained below 150 mg/ dL (AU)

[Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically-ill patient. Update. Consensus of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units-Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SEMICYUC-SENPE): neurocritical patient]. / Recomendaciones para el soporte nutricional y metabólico especializado del paciente crítico. Actualización. Consenso SEMICYUC-SENPE: paciente neurocrítico.

Neurocritical patients require specialized nutritional support due to their intense catabolism and prolonged fasting. The preferred route of nutrient administration is the gastrointestinal route, especially the gastric route. Alternatives are the transpyloric route or mixed enteral-parenteral nutrition if an effective nutritional volume of more than 60% cannot be obtained. Total calore intake ranges from 20-30 kcal/kg/day, depending on the period of the clinical course, with protein intake higher than 20% of total calories (hyperproteic diet). Nutritional support should be initiated early. The incidence of gastrointestinal complications is generally higher to other critically-ill patients, the most frequent complication being an increase in gastric residual volume. As in other critically-ill patients, glycemia should be closely monitored and maintained below 150 mg/dL.

Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically-ill patient: update. Consensus SEMICYUC-SENPE: neurocritical patient.

Neurocritical patients require specialized nutritional support due to their intense catabolism and prolonged fasting. The preferred route of nutrient administration is the gastrointestinal route, especially the gastric route. Alternatives are the transpyloric route or mixed enteral-parenteral nutrition if an effective nutritional volume of more than 60% cannot be obtained. Total calorie intake ranges from 20-30 kcal/kg/day, depending on the period of the clinical course, with protein intake higher than 20% of total calories (hyperproteic diet). Nutritional support should be initiated early. The incidence of gastrointestinal complications is generally higher to other critically-ill patients, the most frequent complication being an increase in gastric residual volume. As in other critically-ill patients, glycemia should be closely monitored and maintained below 150 mg/dL.

Monitoring heavy metal contents in food and hair in a sample of young Spanish subjects.

For most people the main route of exposure to the toxic elements is through the diet. Consequently, information concerning dietary intake is of the utmost importance in being able to assess risks to human health. The goal of this study was to intend to assess the usefulness of hair as a biomonitor of the mineral status in young adults. Daily intakes of selected toxic and essential mineral elements were evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. In addition, the levels of these same elements in hair samples were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The contents of the essential elements in the study population were all well above Spanish recommendations for adult males and females. The estimated intakes of toxic elements were appreciably below the respective PTWIs, indicating that these intake levels do not pose a health concern for this group. Significant differences in hair metal levels were observed between the men and the women, who were in the same age group. Interestingly, no correlation was found between trace element intakes and the corresponding levels in the hair. In conclusion, hair is only limited usefulness as a means of estimating the nutritional status of the essential and toxic elements considered.

Beer consumption reduces cerebral oxidation caused by aluminum toxicity by normalizing gene expression of tumor necrotic factor alpha and several antioxidant enzymes.

Aluminum (Al)-induced neurotoxicity is well known and different salts of aluminum have been reported to accelerate oxidative damage to biomolecules. The present study has examined whether silicon consumed in the form of silicic acid or beer could potentially inhibit aluminum toxicity in the brain. Male mice were administered with Al(NO(3))(3) orally at a dose of 450 mg/kg/day in drinking water for 3 month. Experimental mice were given Al(NO(3))(3) along with 50 mg/L of silicic acid or with 0.5 ml/day of beer. Al brain levels in the Al group were four times higher than those of control mice while silicic acid and beer group values were 40% lower than those of the Al group. We have observed that beer prevented accumulation of lipid damage significantly, which resulted from aluminum intake. Decline in the expression of mRNA of endogenous antioxidant enzymes associated with aluminum administration was also inhibited by beer and silicic acid. The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) RNA expression was normalized in silicic acid and beer groups. Very high and significant correlations were found for the different parameters tested suggesting that moderate consumption of beer, due to its silicon content, effectively protects against the neurotoxic effects of aluminum.

Role of beer as a possible protective factor in preventing Alzheimer's disease.

Aluminium (Al), a neurotoxin, has lately been implicated as one of the possible causal factors contributing to Alzheimer's disease. Because silicon (Si) intake can affect the bioavailability of aluminium, the object of the present study was to assess whether moderate beer consumption might, as a source of dietary Si, affect the toxicokinetics of Al and thereby limit that element's neurotoxicity. The results obtained confirmed that at moderately high levels of beer intake the Si present in the beer was able to reduce Al uptake in the digestive tract and thus was able to slow the accumulation of this metal in the body, brain tissue included. In consequence, moderate beer consumption, due to its content in bioavailability silicon, possibly affording a protective factor for preventing Alzheimer's disease, could perhaps be taken into account as a component of the dietary habits of the population.

Plasma mineral content in type-2 diabetic patients and their association with the metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is a clinical disorder that is becoming more prevalent in Spain. The syndrome encompasses a set of metabolic disorders such as type-2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity, which may be associated with variations in serum levels and poor delivery of certain mineral elements. METHODS: This study attempted to ascertain whether metabolic syndrome might be linked to alterations in serum levels of the mineral elements magnesium, copper, zinc, chromium, and nickel in a population of 92 diabetic subjects, some suffering from certain conditions associated with the metabolic syndrome, and 72 control subjects (Hospital Príncipe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Spain). RESULTS: The results indicated that as a group the alterations implicated in metabolic syndrome were indeed associated with variations in blood levels of the mineral elements considered, though statistically significant differences were recorded only in the case of copper. Still, trends in mineral levels for each of the separate components contributing to the syndrome tended to increase. CONCLUSION: Metabolic complications appear to be associated with alterations in the levels of some minerals, especially copper.

[Influence of moderate beer consumption on aluminium toxico-kynetics: acute study]. / Influencia del consumo moderado de cerveza sobre la toxicocinética del aluminio: estudio agudo.

OBJECTIVE: Aluminium has lately been implicated as one of the possible causal factors contributing to Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders due to this metal is conducive to oxidative stress in the brain. According to different researches, it has been suggested that silicon may interfere in the toxico-kinetic of this metal. The present study has examined the effect of beer consumption as a source of silicon on the bioavailability of aluminium and the possible role of beer consumption in averting aluminium's neurotoxicity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a three-day study, male mice were subjected to acute exposure to aluminium while being given two types of beer, i.e., alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer, to drink at two intake levels, one equivalent to moderate to low consumption in humans (0.5 l/d; 27.5 g alcohol/d) and another equivalent to moderate to high consumption in humans (1 l/d; 55 g alcohol/day). Aluminium and silicon were determined by ICP-MS and ICP-OES, respectively. RESULTS: The results obtained seem indicate that at moderately high levels of alcoholic beer intake the silicon present in the beer was able to reduce aluminium uptake in the digestive tract, increasing its excretion by faecal route. In addition, a possible interaction of both elements at level of distribution and renal excretion is suggested. CONCLUSION: In consequence, moderate beer consumption, possibly affording a protective factor for the toxic effect of aluminium, one of the environmental factors for Alzheimer's disease.

Influencia del consumo moderado de cerveza sobre la toxicocinética del aluminio: estudio agudo / Influence of moderate beer consumption on aluminium toxicokynetics: acute study

Objetivo: El aluminio constituye uno de los factores de riesgo descritos para la enfermedad de Alzheimer y otros desórdenes neurodegenerativos, debido a su acción oxidativa sobre el cerebro. Según distintas investigaciones, parece ser que el silicio es capaz de interferir en la cinética de este metal. De ahí que, en el presente trabajo se pretenda estudiar el efecto del consumo de la cerveza, como fuente de ácido silícico, sobre la biodisponibilidad del aluminio, así como su posible relación en la prevención de la neurotoxicidad de este metal. Material y métodos: Para ello se ha analizado la influencia de la cerveza en la cinética de absorción y eliminación del aluminio administrado a ratones machos, en un tratamiento agudo de 3 días de duración. Se utilizaron dos tipos de cerveza: con y sin alcohol, y a dos dosis diferentes, una equivalente a un consumo moderado-bajo en el hombre (0,5 L/día; 27,5 g alcohol/día), y otra a moderado-alto (1 L/día; 55 g alcohol/día). El aluminio se determinó por espectrometría de masas de plasma acoplado inductivamente y el silicio mediante espectrometría de emisión atómica de plasma acoplado inductivamente. Resultados: La suplementación con cerveza, especialmente la cerveza con alcohol y a dosis moderada alta, parece tener influencia sobre la toxicocinética del aluminio, debido a su contenido en silicio: éste podría limitar la absorción del aluminio en el tracto gastrointestinal, incrementando su excreción por vía fecal. Además, se apunta una posible interacción de ambos elementos a nivel de distribución y de excreción vía renal. Conclusiones: El consumo moderado de cerveza podría ejercer un papel protector frente al efecto tóxico del aluminio, metal considerado como uno de los factores ambientales determinantes de la enfermedad de Alzheimer

Objective: Aluminium has lately been implicated as one of the possible causal factors contributing to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders due to this metal is conducive to oxidative stress in the brain. According to different researches, it has been suggested that silicon may interfere in the toxicokinetic of this metal. The present study has examined the effect of beer consumption as a source of silicon on the bioavailability of aluminium and the possible role of beer consumption in averting aluminium’s neurotoxicity. Material and methods: In a three-day study, male rats were subjected to acute exposure to aluminium while being given two types of beer, i.e., alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer, to drink at two intake levels, one equivalent to moderate to low consumption in humans (0.5 l/d; 27.5 g alcohol/d) and another equivalent to moderate to high consumption in humans (1 l/d; 55 g alcohol/day). Aluminium and silicon were determined by ICP-MS and ICPOES, respectively. Results: The results obtained seem indicate that at moderately high levels of alcoholic beer intake the silicon present in the beer was able to reduce aluminium uptake in the digestive tract, increasing its excretion by faecal route. In addition, a possible interaction of both elements at level of distribution and renal excretion is suggested. Conclusion: In consequence, moderate beer consumption, possibly affording a protective factor for the toxic effect of aluminium, one of the environmental factors for Alzheimer’s disease

[Repercussions of chromium picolinate in the protein metabolism based on the age]. / Repercusiones del picolinato de cromo en el metabolismo proteico en función de la edad.

ANTECEDENTS: Commercialized like dietetic supplement, chromium picolinate has been promoted to favour the increase of muscle mass and the loss of weight, due to its' effect on the action of insulin. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of supplementation of the diet with chromium (500 microg/kg) in the form of chromium picolinate (CrPic) (12 days) on growth and protein turnover in rats at different growth stages (infantile and puberal). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: No significant effect of CrPic on bodyweight gain, feed intake and feed conversion rate was observed at any of the stages of development studied. CrPic seems to increase the muscle mass, either by stimulating protein anabolism due to the involution of the insulin by chromium, or by reducing protein catabolism. CONCLUSIONS: Since the use of chromium picolinate could jeopardize the correct renal function and its' beneficial effects are not evident, it should always be consumed with caution.

Repercusiones del picolinato de cromo en el metabolismo proteico en funcion de la edad / Repercussions of chromium picolinate in the protein metabolism based on the age

Antecedentes: Comercializado como suplemento dietético, el picolinato de cromo ha sido promocionado como constructor muscular y como un agente de pérdida de peso, al incrementar el músculo esquelético por su acción sobre la insulina. Objetivo: En este estudio se ha evaluado el efecto que, la suplementación de la dieta de ratas en distintas etapas de crecimiento (infantil y puberal), con 500 µg Cr/día en forma de picolinato de cromo (12 días), tiene sobre su crecimiento y utilización proteica. Resultados y discusión: Los resultados obtenidos indican que el picolinato de cromo no ejerce un efecto significativo sobre el crecimiento, ingesta de alimento, aprovechamiento de alimento y utilización de nutrientes, especialmente proteínas, en ninguno de los estadios de desarrollo estudiados. Asimismo, se ha comprobado la escasa repercusión de la suplementación de este compuesto sobre la masa corporal que, en cualquier caso, sería atribuible a su capacidad para disminuir el catabolismo proteico, más que a una activación de la acción de la insulina. Conclusiones: Dado que la utilización del picolinato de cromo podría comprometer el correcto funcionamiento renal y sus efectos beneficiosos no son evidentes, su consumo debería realizarse con mucha precaución (AU)

Antecedents: Commercialized like dietetic supplement, chromium picolinate has been promoted to favour the increase of muscle mass and the loss of weight, due to its' effect on the action of insulin. Objective: To evaluate the effect of supplementation of the diet with chromium (500 µg/kg) in the form of chromium picolinate (CrPic) (12 days) on growthand protein turnover in rats at different growth stages (infantile and puberal). Results and discussion: No significant effect of CrPic on bodyweight gain, feed intake and feed conversion rate was observed at any of the stages of development studied. CrPic seems to increase the muscle mass, either by stimulating protein anabolism due to the involution of the insulin by chromium, or by reducing protein catabolism. Conclusions: Since the use of chromium picolinate could jeopardize the correct renal function and its' beneficial effects are not evident, it should always be consumed with caution (AU)

A halocin acting on Na+/H+ exchanger of haloarchaea as a new type of inhibitor in NHE of mammals.

The capability of halocin H6 (a bacteriocin-like protein produced by haloarchaea Haloferax gibbonsii) to inhibit Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) in mammalian cells and its cardio-protective efficacy on the ischemic and reperfused myocardium were evaluated in the present study. H6 inhibits NHE activity (measured by a flow cytometry method) in a dose-dependent form of cell lines of mammalian origin (HEK293, NIH3T3, Jurkat and HL-1) as well as in primary cell culture from human skeletal muscle (myocytes and fibroblasts). In vivo, an ischemia-reperfusion model in dogs by coronary arterial occlusion was used (two hours of regional ischemia and three hours of reperfusion). In animals treated with halocin H6 there was a significant reduction of premature ventricular ectopic beats and infarct size, whereas blood pressure and heart rate remained unchanged. Up to date, halocin H6 is the only described biological molecule that exerts a specific inhibitory activity in NHE of eukaryotic cells.

Peligros y beneficios potenciales de la suplementación con picolinato de cromo a ratas en edad puberal: efecto sobre el crecimiento y metabolismo proteico / Dangers and potential benefits of the suplementation with chromium picolinate to rats in puberal age: effect on the growth and protein metabolism

El cromo, un popular pero controvertido micronutriente, puede incrementar el músculo esquelético cuando se administra en forma de suplemento, presumiblemente debido a su acción sobre la insulina. Este estudio se ha realizado con el fin de evaluar los efectos de tres niveles diferentes de cromo dietético (100, 200 y 500 µg/Kg) en forma de picolinato de cromo (Pic-Cr) sobre el crecimiento y utilización proteica de ratas en edad puberal, durante doce días. La suplementación de la dieta de estos animales no ejerce un efecto significativo sobre el crecimiento, ingesta de alimento, aprovechamiento de alimento y utilización de nutrientes, especialmente de proteínas. El efecto del PicCr sobre la masa corporal, además de no ser significativo, sería totalmente marginal y atribuible, más que a su acción sobre la activación de la insulina, a su capacidad para disminuir el catabolismo proteico. El consumo de este compuesto, además, podría comprometer el buen funcionamiento renal, por lo que debería realizarse con mucha precaución (AU)

[Caloric overload in critically ill patients treated with parenteral nutrition]. / Sobrecarga calórica en el paciente crítico tratado con nutrición parenteral.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the degree of hypernutrition of critically-ill patients under treatment with parenteral nutrition (PN) in a multi-purpose intensive care unit (ICU). SCOPE: Patients under treatment with parenteral nutrition in a multi-purpose intensive care unit. Prospective study lasting four months. INTERVENTION: The amounts of the daily dose of glucose, lipids and nitrogen were calculated in PN, enteral nutrition (EN), dextrose solution (DS) and propofol. The daily dose of glucose and lipid administered intravenously (i.v.) was assessed with respect to the recommended value (4-5 mg/kg/min and 1.5 g/kg/day, respectively) and with respect to the dose prescribed in the PN regime The total daily calorie intake (i.v. plus EN) was assessed with respect to the recommended value (25-35 kcal/kg/day). RESULTS: The study involved 30 patients totalling 488 days with PN. The total daily dose of i.v. lipids (PN plus propofol) exceeded the recommended value on 23.2% of the days with propofol (13 of 56) and on 3.7% of the days without propofol (16 of 432). The total daily dose of i.v. dextrose did not exceed any day the maximum metabolization threshold. On 28.2% of the days with EN and 39.6% of the days without EN, the total daily dose of i.v. dextrose exceeded the PN regimen. Similarly, on 41% of the days with propofol, the total daily dose of i.v. lipids exceeded the PN regimen. The total calorie intake (i.v. plus EN) exceeded the recommended value on 46.9% of the days with EN (51 of 109) and on 5% of the days without EN (19 of 379). CONCLUSION: The glucose of dextrose solution and the propofol lipid are not routinely discounted from the PN regime. A trend towards hypernutrition of the critically-ill patient is shown, especially on days with simultaneous treatment with PN and EN.

Sobrecarga calórica en el paciente crítico tratado con nutrición parenteral / Caloric overload in critically-ill patients treated with parenteral nutrition

Objetivo: Evaluar el grado de hipernutrición del paciente crítico en tratamiento con nutrición parenteral (NP) en una unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) polivalente. Ámbito: Pacientes en tratamiento con NP en una UCI polivalente. Estudio prospectivo de cuatro meses de duración. Intervención: Se cuantificó la dosis diaria de glucosa, lípido y nitrógeno procedente de la NP, la nutrición enteral (NE), el suero glucosado (SG) y el propofol. Se valoró la dosis diaria de glucosa y lípido administrado por vía intravenosa (IV) respecto al valor recomendado (4-5 mg/kg/min y 1,5 g/kg/día, respectivamente) y respecto a la dosis prescrita en la pauta de NP. Se evalúo el aporte calórico total diario (IV más NE) respecto al valor recomendado (25-35 kcal/kg/día).Resultados: Se estudiaron 30 pacientes que totalizaron 488 días con NP. La dosis diaria total de lípido IV (NP más propofol) superó el valor recomendado el 23,2 por ciento de los días con propofol (13 de 56) y el 3,7 por ciento de los días sin propofol (16 de 432). La dosis diaria total de glucosa IV no superó ningún día el umbral máximo de metabolización. El 28,2 por ciento de los días con NE y el 39,6 por ciento de los días sin NE la dosis diaria total de glucosa IV superó la pauta de NP. Igualmente el 41 por ciento de los días con propofol la dosis diaria total de lípido IV superó la pauta de NP. El aporte calórico total (IV más NE) sobrepasó el valor recomendado el 46,9 por ciento de los días con NE (51 de 109) y el 5 por ciento de los días sin NE (19 de 379).Conclusión: La glucosa procedente del SG y el lípido del propofol no se descuentan de forma rutinaria de la pauta de NP. Se demuestra una tendencia a sobrenutrir al paciente crítico, especialmente los días en tratamiento simultáneo con NP y NE (AU)

Objective: To assess the degree of hypernutrition of critically-ill patients under treatment with parenteral nutrition (PN) in a multi-purpose intensive care unit (ICU). Scope: Patients under treatment with parenteral nutrition in a multi-purpose intensive care unit. Prospective study lasting four months. Intervention. The amounts of the daily dose of glucose, lipids and nitrogen were calculated in PN, enteral nutrition (EN), dextrose solution (DS) and propofol. The daily dose of glucose and lipid administered intravenously (IV) was assessed with respect to the recommended value (4-5 mg/kg/min and 1.5 g/kg/day, respectively) and with respect to the dose prescribed in the PN regime The total daily calorie intake (IV plus EN) was assessed with respect to the recommended value (25-35 kcal/kg/day). Results: The study involved 30 patients totalling 488 days with PN. The total daily dose of IV lipids (PN plus propofol) exceeded the recommended value on 23.2% of the days with propofol (13 of 56) and on 3.7% of the days without propofol (16 of 432). The total daily dose of IV dextrose did not exceed any day the maximum metabolization threshold. On 28.2% of the days with EN and 39.6% of the days without EN, the total daily dose of IV dextrose exceeded the PN regimen. Similarly, on 41% of the days with propofol, the total daily dose of IV lipids exceeded the PN regimen. The total calorie intake (IV plus EN) exceeded the recommended value on 46.9% of the days with EN (51 of 109) and on 5% of the days without EN (19 of 379). Conclusion: The glucose of dextrose solution and the propofol lipid are not routinely discounted from the PN regime. A trend towards hypernutrition of the criticallyill patient is shown, especially on days with simultaneous treatment with PN and EN (AU)

Purple membrane-polyacrilamide films as holographic recording materials.

The holographic parameters of purple membrane-polyacrylamide films obtained from a mutant form of Halobacterium salinarum (originally Halobacterium halobium) were measured. The synthesized films have an absorption of around 2.5 at 532 nm and a pH of 8.65. The results show that diffraction efficiencies of about 1.2 % (measured at 633 nm) can be achieved with writing intensities in the range of 200-400 mW/cm2 (532 nm), and these values remain constant after saturation. Pump-probe experiments were also used to measure the M state lifetime and our PM films were found to have the lowest M state lifetime described at this pH.

Isolation of the fibrocrystalline body, a structure present in haloarchaeal species, from Halobacterium salinarum.

An organized structure, the fibrocrystalline body (FB), has been isolated from the archaeon Halobacterium salinarum. The structure is also present in, and can be isolated from, other extreme halophilic archaea. FB is present in the cytoplasm during the exponential growth and early stationary phases. This structure is affected by vincristine, an antitumoral drug, which targets tubulin. The drug causes fragmentation of the FB, changes in the cell shape, and growth inhibition. Taken together, these results point toward an important role in the life of the cell for this highly organized structure.

Chromosome length polymorphism in Cryptococcus neoformans clinical and environmental isolates.

A protocol for intact DNA preparation from the basidiomycetous yeast Cryptococcus neoformans has been developed and applied to karyotyping C. neoformans isolates displaying different degrees of capsule formation. A total of 46 strains have been analyzed: 23 (50%) isolated from environmental samples (pigeon droppings), all of them belonging to C. neoformans var. neoformans; and 23 (50%) from clinical samples (human and veterinarian) including 10 isolates of C. neoformans var. neoformans and 13 isolates of C. neoformans var. gattii. Our results showed a global genome size ranging from 14.2 to 20.9 Mb for variety neoformans and from 7.9 to 16.8 Mb for variety gattii. The karyotype diversity was very high for variety neoformans (29 different patterns for the 33 analyzed strains) and lower for variety gattii (six different patterns for 13 strains). No grouping among variety neoformans strains from the same origin was found indicating very high genome diversity for this variety, irrespectively of the origin of the strains.