Investigating isotopic markers for hazelnut geographical authentication: Promising variables and potential applications.

Hazelnuts' features and price are influenced by their geographical origin, making them susceptible to fraud, especially counterfeit claims regarding their provenance. Stable isotope analysis is a recognised approach to establish the geographical origin of foods, yet its potential in hazelnut authentication remains unexplored. In this prospective study, we assessed multiple isotopic markers in hazelnuts from different origins and evaluated the most promising variables for geographical authentication by chemometric tools. Our findings indicate that bulk δ18O, along with δ2H and δ13C in the main fatty acid methyl esters, exhibit significant potential in discriminating geographical origins, and 87Sr/86Sr analysis could serve as a proficient confirmatory tool. Though no single marker alone can differentiate between all the studied origins, employing a multi-isotopic approach based on PLS-DA models achieved up to 92.5 % accuracy in leave-10 %-out cross-validation. These findings will probably lay the groundwork for developing robust models for hazelnut geographical authentication based on larger datasets.

Refractory hypotension secondary to chronic treatment with high doses of quetiapine.

Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic used in the treatment of depressive, schizophrenic, or bipolar disorders. It acts on dopamine D1 and D2, histamine, and 5HT1A and 5HT2 receptors. However, it also acts as an antagonist for α1 receptors causing cardiovascular side effects, including hypotension. We present the case of a patient chronically medicated with Quetiapine who developed hypotension refractory to vasoconstrictors and intraoperative fluid therapy. Noradrenalin has a strong α1 effect with lower affinity for ß2 receptors unlike adrenalin. This translates into peripheral vasoconstriction and an improved clinical picture. Therefore, it should be considered the vasoactive drug of choice in patients on high doses of Quetiapine.

Hipotensión refractaria secundaria a tratamiento crónico con altas dosis de quetiapina / Refractory hypotension secondary to chronic treatment with high doses of quetiapine

La quetiapina es un antipsicótico atípico que se usa en el tratamiento del trastorno depresivo, esquizofrénico o bipolar. Su acción reside en su acción sobre los receptores de la dopamina D1 y D2, histamina y serotonina 5HT1A y 5HT2. Sin embargo, también tiene antagonismo para los receptores α1, provocando efectos secundarios cardiovasculares, entre ellos la hipotensión. Presentamos el caso de un paciente medicado crónicamente con quetiapina que presentó hipotensión refractaria a vasoconstrictores y fluidoterapia intraoperatoria. La noradrenalina tiene un fuerte efecto α1 con una menor afinidad para los receptores β2 a diferencia de la adrenalina. Esto se traduce en una vasoconstricción periférica y la resultante mejoría del cuadro clínico. Por lo tanto, se debe considerar el fármaco vasoactivo de elección en la hipotensión refractaria en pacientes que tomen altas dosis de quetiapina.(AU)

Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic used in the treatment of depressive, schizophrenic, or bipolar disorders. It acts on dopamine D1 and D2, histamine, and 5HT1A and 5HT2 receptors. However, it also acts as an antagonist for α1 receptors causing cardiovascular side effects, including hypotension. We present the case of a patient chronically medicated with quetiapine who developed hypotension refractory to vasoconstrictors and intraoperative fluid therapy. Noradrenalin has a strong α1 effect with lower affinity for β2 receptors unlike adrenalin. This translates into peripheral vasoconstriction and an improved clinical picture. Therefore, it should be considered the vasoactive drug of choice in patients on high doses of quetiapine.(AU)

Isotopic content in high mountain karst aquifers as a proxy for climate change impact in Mediterranean zones: The Port del Comte karst aquifer (SE Pyrenees, Catalonia, Spain).

The objective of this work is to characterize the impact of climate change in the karst aquifer of the Port del Comte Massif (PCM). Six regional climate models (RCMs) from CLYM'PY Project are used to analyse the magnitude and trends of changes on precipitation and temperature (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios) and how these changes propagate through the hydrogeological system as groundwater resources availability and the associated water isotopic content. The study uses the RCMs climate change forcings as input data to a combination of (1) a semi-distributed hydrological model for simulating the hydrodynamical response of the aquifer, and (2) a lumped parameter model for simulating the isotopic content in groundwater at the outlet of the aquifer. A mean decrease of 2.6% and 1.9% in yearly precipitation and a mean increase of 1.9 and 3.1 °C in average temperature is expected in PCM at the end of the 21st century in the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively. This climate signal entering the hydrogeological system results in a mean decrease in recharge of 3.9% and 0.5% from rainfall and of 59.3% and 76.1% from snowmelt, and a decrease of 7.6% and 4.5% in total system discharge, but also generates an isotopic enrichment in groundwater discharge (δ18OGW) of 0.50‰ and 0.84‰, respectively. Moreover, from a long-term (2010-2100) perspective, the mean trend in δ18OGW is 0.7‰/100 yr and 1.2‰/100 yr for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively, resulting in easily measurable annual lapse rates with the current analytical methods.

Phytotoxic Metabolites Produce by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Race 2.

Banana is a major tropical fruit crop but banana production worldwide is seriously threatened due to Fusarium wilt. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), the causal agent of Fusarium wilt of banana (also referred as Panama disease) is an asexual, soil inhabiting facultative parasite. Foc isolates can be classified into three races that are not defined genetically, but for their pathogenicity to different banana cultivars. Despite mycotoxins being some of the best studied virulence factors of phytopathogenic fungi and these have been useful for the prediction of Foc virulence on banana plants, toxins produced by Foc race 2 strains have not been previously identified. The aim of this contribution was to identify the phytotoxic metabolites closely related to banana wilt caused by a Foc race 2 strain. We used an in vitro bioassay on detached banana leaves to evaluate the specificity of the microbial culture filtrates before a partial purification and further identification of Foc race 2 phytotoxins. A 29-day-old host-specific culture filtrate was obtained but specificity of culture filtrate was unrecovered after partial purification. The non-specific phytotoxins were characterized as fusaric acid, beauvericin, and enniatin A. Whereas some, if not all, of these phytotoxins are important virulence factors, a proteinaceous fraction from the specific 29-day-old culture filtrate protected the leaves of the resistant banana cultivar from damage caused by such phytotoxic metabolites.

Evaluation of natural background levels of high mountain karst aquifers in complex hydrogeological settings. A Gaussian mixture model approach in the Port del Comte (SE, Pyrenees) case study.

The hydrogeological processes driving the hydrochemical composition of groundwater in the alpine pristine aquifer system of the Port del Comte Massif (PCM) are characterized through the multivariate statistical techniques Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM) in the framework of Compositional Data (CoDa) analysis. Also, the groundwater Natural Background Levels (NBLs) for NO3 and SO4 and Cl are evaluated, which are specially important for indicating the occurrence of groundwater contamination derived from the anthropic activities conducted in the PCM. The different hydrogeochemical facies found in the aquifer system of the PCM comprises low mineralized Ca-HCO3 water for the main Eocene karst aquifer, and Ca-SO4 and highly mineralized NaCl water types in the minor aquifers discharging from the PCM. The NBL values of SO4, Cl and NO3 obtained for the main karst aquifer are 14.33, 4.06 and 6.55 mg/L, respectively. These values are 35, 3 and 1.2 times lower than the respective official NBLs values that were determined by the water administration to be compared with in the case of conducting a pollution assessment characterization in the main karst aquifer. Official overestimation of NBLs can put important groundwater resources in the PCM at risk.

[Assessment model for evaluating the preparedness plan for COVID-19 in a tertiary care hospital]. / Modelo de evaluación del plan de respuesta frente a la pandemia de COVID-19 en un hospital de tercer nivel.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: During the first wave of the epidemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, hospitals have come under significant pressure. This scenario of uncertainty, low scientific evidence, and insufficient resources, has generated significant variability in practice between different health organisations. In this context, it is proposed to develop a standards-based model for the evaluation of the preparedness and response system against COVID-19 in a tertiary hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study, carried out at the University Hospital of Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona (Spain), was designed in two phases: 1) development of the standards-based model, by means of a narrative review of the literature, analysis of plans and protocols implemented in the hospital, a review process by expert professionals from the centre, and plan of action, and 2) validation of usability and usefulness of the model through self-assessment and hospital audit. RESULTS: The model contains 208 standards distributed into nine criteria: leadership and strategy; prevention and infection control; management of professionals and skills; public areas; healthcare areas; areas of support for diagnosis and treatment; logistics, technology and works; communication and patient care; and information and research systems. The evaluation achieved 85.2% compliance, with 42 areas for improvement and 96 good practices identified. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a standards-based model is a useful tool to identify areas for improvement and good practices in COVID-19 preparedness and response plans in a hospital. In the current context, it is recommended to repeat this methodology in other non-hospital and public health settings.

Evolución de las lesiones deportivas y correlación con el estilo de afrontamiento / Evolution of sport injuries and correlation with coping stylel

El proceso de rehabilitación y recuperación tras una lesión deportiva es complicado y supone muchos cambios a los que las personas deben adaptarse. Los recursos de afrontamiento que emplean las personas pueden favorecer o, si no son los adecuados, pueden provocar una recuperación más lenta y aumentar la probabilidad de sufrir otra lesión. Actualmente la medicina centra sus esfuerzos en la rehabilitación a nivel física pero en este estudio se ha comprobado que la sintomatología psicopatológica está relacionada con las estrategias de afrontamiento que los deportistas utilizan y la manera como perciben la evolución de su lesión. Se ha estudiado una muestra de pacientes del Institut Català de Traumatologia I Medicina de l'Esport (ICATME), en el Hospital Universitario Dexeus, que practican deporte de manera regular y de competición. Se han encontrado resultados que nos dan información relevante sobre el tipo de respuestas que tienen los deportistas ante la lesión y cómo afecta a la evolución. En primer lugar, el control emocional resulta de gran importancia desde los primeros días después de sufrir la lesión, ya que conlleva sintomatología depresiva, ansiosa, de hostilidad e ideación paranoide, así como somatización. Impide la aceptación y crecimiento personal e influye en la toma de decisiones y la motivación. La negación de la lesión también está implicada en estas respuestas y por ello es importante ofrecer al paciente información de calidad sobre su lesión. El apoyo social es uno de los grandes pilares en la recuperación, ya que evita la sensibilidad interpersonal y la ansiedad fóbica, aspectos que conllevan un sentimiento de inferioridad ante los otros deportistas y miedos irracionales que retrasan la recuperación de la lesión. Con todo esto, se recomienda la investigación en este campo para crear programas de ayuda psciológica a deportistas que han sufrido una lesión

The rehabilitation and recovery process after a sports injury is complicated and involves many changes that people must adapt to. The coping resources that people use can favor or, if they are not adequate, can cause a slower recovery and increase the likelihood of suffering another injury. Currently, medicine focuses its efforts on physical rehabilitation but in this study it has been proven that psychopathological symptoms are related to coping strategies that athletes use and how they perceive the evolution of their injury. A sample of Institut Català de Traumatologia I Medicina de l'Esport (ICATME) patients has been studied at Dexeus University Hospital, who practice sports regularly and competitively. Results have been found and give us relevant information about the type of responses athletes have to the injury and how it affects evolution. Emotional control is of great importance from the first days after suffering the injury, since it involves depressive, anxious symptoms, hostility and paranoid ideation, as well as somatization. It prevents acceptance and personal growth and influences decision making and motivation. Denial of the injury is also involved in these responses and therefore it is important to offer the patient information about their injury. Social support is one of the great pillars in recovery, since it avoids interpersonal sensitivity and phobic anxiety, aspects that lead to a feeling of inferiority to other athletes and irrational fears that delay the recovery of the injury. With all this, research in this field is recommended to create programs of psychological help to athletes who have suffered an injury

Nanotechnology in reproduction: Vitamin E nanoemulsions for reducing oxidative stress in sperm cells.

Vitamin E is considered a powerful biological antioxidant; however, its characteristics such as high hydrophobicity and low stability limit its application. We propose to use nanotechnology as an innovative tool in spermatology, formulating nanoemulsions (NE) that accommodate vitamin E, protecting it from oxidation and promoting its release into the medium. The protective effect of the NE against oxidative stress was assessed in red deer epididymal sperm incubated at 37 °C. Cryopreserved sperm from eleven stags were thawed and extended to 400 × 106 sperm/ml in Bovine Gamete Medium (BGM). Once aliquoted, the samples were supplemented with the NE at different concentrations (0, 6 and 12 mM), with or without induced oxidative stress (100 µM Fe2+/ascorbate). The samples were evaluated after 0, 2 and 4 h of incubation at 37 °C. Motility (CASA), viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, acrosomal status, lipoperoxidation (C11 BODIPY 581/591), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA status (SCSA®) were assessed. After 2 and 4 h of incubation, the NE were able to prevent the deleterious effects of oxidative stress, thus improving total and progression motility (P ˂0.05). Moreover, the highest concentration tested (12 mM) improved almost every sperm kinematic variable (P ˂0.05) and preserved sperm viability in samples subjected to oxidative stress. In addition, 12 mM of NE protected the acrosomes integrity, maintained and protected mitochondrial activity, prevented sperm lipoperoxidation and reduced ROS production (P ˂0.05) in samples subjected to oxidative stress. This work indicates for the first time that vitamin E formulated in NE could be a new approach against sperm oxidative damage. This could be highly relevant for sperm physiology preservation in the context of assisted reproduction techniques.

Results of R-ESHAP as salvage therapy in refractory/relapsed follicular lymphoma: a real-world experience on behalf of GELCAB group.

There is no standard treatment for relapsed follicular lymphoma (FL). Although platinum-based combinations are one of the most used treatments, few data have been reported in this setting. Our aim was to analyse R-ESHAP efficacy in relapsed FL patients. We retrospectively analysed 80 FL patients treated with R-ESHAP in the first or successive relapses. Responding patients received a stem cell transplantation following R-ESHAP. Seventeen histologically transformed patients were included. Median age was 50 years. At R-ESHAP initiation, 85% of the patients were in an advanced stage, 28% had a bulky disease and 40% had increased LDH. There were no statistically significant differences between POD24 and non-POD24 patients in terms of response to R-ESHAP (ORR 72% vs. 93%, p = 0.109). When analyzing R-ESHAP efficacy according to the response to the immediately previous line, patients achieving CR or PR had better CR rates to R-ESHAP than those who did not respond (CR of 57% vs. 15%, respectively, p = 0.009), as well as differences in OS (7.2 vs. 1.4 years, p < 0.0001) and in PFS (2.1 vs. 0.3 years, p < 0.0001). R-ESHAP is an effective treatment in relapsed FL patients who respond to the previous line and has to be considered as an adequate alternative for some patients.

Effect of probiotics as a complement to non-surgical periodontal therapy in chronic periodontitis: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: To improve the results of the classic periodontal treatment, probiotics have been suggested recently to decrease the number of bacteria and the expression of mediators of inflammation. This systematic review aimed to assess the literature for the effectiveness of different probiotic strains as adjuvants to non-surgical periodontal therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The electronic database of MEDLINE (via Pubmed) was searched up to December 2017 for randomised clinical trials in English comparing non-surgical periodontal treatment and probiotics versus periodontal treatment and placebo. The primary outcome investigated was reduction in pocket probing depth. Secondary outcomes were bleeding on probing, plaque index reduction and bacteria counts. RESULTS: Nine trials were included. A narrative data synthesis did not result in any major improvement of overall pocket probing depth but moderate pockets from 4 to 6 mm showed larger reductions in study groups, which could decrease the need for surgery. Sites with bleeding on probing and presence of plaque decreased after treatment. For periimplant mucositis, there was a small tendency to better results in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: With the available data, it is concluded that probiotics may provide an additional benefit to manual debridement in chronic periodontitis. More studies are required on dose, route of administration and strains of probiotics used.

Modelo de evaluación del plan de respuesta frente a la pandemia de COVID-19 en un hospital de tercer nivel / Assessment model for evaluating the preparedness plan for COVID-19 in a tertiary care hospital

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVO: Durante la primera onda epidémica del SARS-CoV-2, los hospitales han soportado una importante presión asistencial. Este escenario de incertidumbre, baja evidencia científica y medios insuficientes ha generado una importante variabilidad de la práctica entre diferentes centros sanitarios. En este contexto, planteamos desarrollar un modelo basado en estándares para la evaluación del sistema de preparación y respuesta frente a la COVID-19 en un hospital terciario. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: El estudio se llevó a cabo en el Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron de Barcelona en dos fases: 1) desarrollo de modelo de estándares mediante revisión narrativa de la literatura, análisis de planes y protocolos del hospital, método Delphi por profesionales expertos y plan de actualización y 2) validación de aplicabilidad y utilidad del modelo mediante autoevaluación y auditoría. RESULTADOS: El modelo consta de 208 estándares distribuidos en nueve criterios: liderazgo y estrategia; prevención y control de la infección; gestión de profesionales y competencias; áreas públicas comunes; áreas asistenciales; áreas de apoyo asistencial; logística, tecnología y obras; comunicación y atención al paciente; sistemas de información e investigación. La evaluación alcanza un 85,2% de cumplimiento, y se identifican 42 áreas de mejora y 96 buenas prácticas. CONCLUSIONES: La implementación de un modelo basado en estándares es útil para identificar áreas de mejora y buenas prácticas en los planes de preparación y respuesta frente a la COVID-19 en un hospital. En el actual contexto, proponemos la conveniencia de adaptar esta metodología a otros ámbitos de atención sanitaria no hospitalaria o de salud pública

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: During the first wave of the epidemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, hospitals have come under significant pressure. This scenario of uncertainty, low scientific evidence, and insufficient resources, has generated significant variability in practice between different health organisations. In this context, it is proposed to develop a standards-based model for the evaluation of the preparedness and response system against COVID-19 in a tertiary hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study, carried out at the University Hospital of Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona (Spain), was designed in two phases: 1) development of the standards-based model, by means of a narrative review of the literature, analysis of plans and protocols implemented in the hospital, a review process by expert professionals from the centre, and plan of action, and 2) validation of usability and usefulness of the model through self-assessment and hospital audit. RESULTS: The model contains 208 standards distributed into nine criteria: leadership and strategy; prevention and infection control; management of professionals and skills; public areas; healthcare areas; areas of support for diagnosis and treatment; logistics, technology and works; communication and patient care; and information and research systems. The evaluation achieved 85.2% compliance, with 42 areas for improvement and 96 good practices identified. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a standards-based model is a useful tool to identify areas for improvement and good practices in COVID-19 preparedness and response plans in a hospital. In the current context, it is recommended to repeat this methodology in other non-hospital and public health settings

Decoding the locational information in the orb web vibrations of Araneus diadematus and Zygiella x-notata.

A spider's web is a multifunctional structure that captures prey and provides an information platform that transmits vibrational information. Many physical factors interact to influence web vibration and information content, from vibration source properties and input location, to web physical properties and geometry. The aim of the study was to test whether orb web vibration contains information about the location of the source of vibration. We used finite-element analysis model webs to control and vary major physical factors, investigating webs where spiders use a direct or remote monitoring strategy. When monitoring with eight sensors (legs) at the web centre, a comparison of longitudinal and transverse wave amplitude between the sensors gave sufficient information to determine source direction and distance, respectively. These localization cues were robust to changes in source amplitude, input angle and location, with increased accuracy at lower source amplitudes. When remotely monitoring the web using a single thread connected to the web's hub (a signal thread), we found that locational information was not available when the angle of the source input was unknown. Furthermore, a free sector and a stiff hub were physical mechanisms to aid information transfer, which provides insights for bioinspired fibre networks for sensing technologies.

Contribution of isotopic research techniques to characterize high-mountain-Mediterranean karst aquifers: The Port del Comte (Eastern Pyrenees) aquifer.

Water resources in high mountain karst aquifers are usually characterized by high rainfall, recharge and discharge that lead to the sustainability of the downstream ecosystems. Nevertheless, these hydrological systems are vulnerable to the global change impact. The mean transit time (MTT) is a key parameter to describe the behavior of these hydrologic systems and also to assess their vulnerability. This work is focused on estimating MTT by using environmental tracers in the framework of high-mountain karst systems with a very thick unsaturated zone (USZ). To this end, it is adapted to alpine zones a methodology that combines a semi-distributed rainfall-runoff model to estimate recharge time series, and a lumped-parameter model to obtain ΜΤΤ. The methodology has been applied to the Port del Comte Massif (PCM) hydrological system (Southeastern Pyrenees, NE Spain), a karst aquifer system with an overlying 1000 m thick USZ. Six catchment areas corresponding to most important springs of the system are considered. The obtained results show that hydrologically the behavior of the system can be described by an exponential flow model (EM), with MTT ranging between 1.9 and 2.9 years. These ΜΤΤ values are shorter than those obtained by considering a constant recharge rate along time, which is the easiest and most applied aquifer recharge hypothesis when estimating ΜΤΤ through lumped-parameter models.

Outcome and toxicity of intensity-modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost in patients with pharyngo-laryngeal cancer.

PURPOSE: The present work aims at evaluating intensity-modulated radiation therapy with simultaneous integrated boost (IMRT-SIB) in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the larynx and hypopharynx. METHODS/PATIENTS: We performed a single institutional retrospective analysis on 116 pharyngo (29%)-laryngeal (71%) SCC patients (93% male) treated with IMRT-SIB to 66-69.96 Gy in 33 fractions between 2008 and 2016. Those who underwent surgery (54%) received adjuvant radiation of 66 Gy at 2 Gy/fraction to the surgical bed. 16 patients (14%) were treated for a local recurrence after prior surgery. High-risk lymph node regions received 59.4 Gy at 1.8 Gy/fraction and low risk regions 54.12 Gy at 1.64 Gy/fraction. The median age was 60 years and 95% of patients had an ECOG performance status 0-2. Most had advanced stage disease (III 22%, IV 74%). Chemotherapy was delivered in 74% of cases. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 32 months. Two and three-year overall survival for all patients was 87% and 82%, respectively. There were 28 (24%) locoregional recurrences and 19 (16%) distant failures. Grade 3 mucositis, dermatitis, and xerostomy were observed in 12%, 10%, and 3%, respectively. A longer IMRT-SIB overall treatment time was associated with a higher risk of mortality (HR 1.09, CI 1.01-1.17, P = 0.02). Postoperative IMRT-SIB associated with a significantly lower risk of any recurrence (HR 0.34, CI 0.18-0.64, P = 0.001) and higher local control (HR 0.06, CI 0.01-0.24, P < 0.01). Additionally, it associated with a lower risk of mucositis (P = 0.029) compared with definitive radio (chemo) therapy. CONCLUSIONS: IMRT-SIB is a safe and feasible radiation treatment technique for pharyngo-laryngeal SCC patients with a tolerable acute toxicity profile.

Bacterioruberin extracts from a genetically modified hyperpigmented Haloferax volcanii strain: antioxidant activity and bioactive properties on sperm cells.

AIMS: To examine the antioxidant activity of Bacterioruberin (Bctr)-rich extracts isolated from a hyperpigmented, genetically modified Haloferax volcanii strain (HVLON3) and to investigate the effect on cold-sensitive ram sperm cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: The strain HVLON3 produces higher Bctr amounts than most haloarchaea (220 ± 13 mg g-1 DW). HVLON3-Bctr extract has higher antioxidant activity than ß-carotene (threefold) as evaluated using 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl combined with Electron Paramagnetic Resonance analysis (EC50 4·5 × 10-5  mol l-1 vs 13·9 × 10-5  mol l-1 respectively). Different concentrations of HVLON3-Bctr extracts were assayed on ram sperm after freezing/thawing and physiologically relevant parameters were examined. Extracts containing 7 and 20 µmol l-1 Bctr significantly improved cell viability (P < 0·0001), total and progressive motility (P < 0·0001) and sperm velocities (P = 0·0172 for curvilinear velocity VCL, P = 0·0268 for average path velocity VAP and P = 0·0181 for straight line velocity VSL) and did not affect other parameters evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: HVLON3 is an excellent source of natural microbial C50 carotenoids with applicability in Biotechnology, Biomedical and Veterinary fields. HVLON3 Bctr extract improves the quality of cryopreserved ram sperm cells and could be applied to increase insemination yields. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides an insight on the bioactive properties of a bioproduct derived from haloarchaea (carotenoids) which are so far underexploited.

Effects of Two Preoperatory Weight Loss Diets on Hepatic Volume, Metabolic Parameters, and Surgical Complications in Morbid Obese Bariatric Surgery Candidates: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess which type of preoperative dietary strategy is most effective in reducing liver volume and assessing its influence on different biochemical parameters and on surgical complications in individuals undergoing bariatric surgery. METHODS: Parallel randomized trial comparing the effect of a very low calorie diet (VLCD) and a low calorie diet (LCD) for a period of 21 days before surgery on hepatic volume, anthropometric and biochemical parameters. Compliance and tolerance to the diets, surgical complications, and hospital stay were also determined. RESULTS: Eighty-six morbid obese participants undergoing bariatric surgery were randomized. The hepatic volume was significantly reduced in both intervention groups, but no differences in changes between groups were detected. The reduction in the hepatic volume was higher in those patients with a baseline hepatic volume > 3 L compared to those with < 3 L (adjusted P value < 0.001). The percentages of total weight lost were 5.8 and 4.2% (adjusted P value = 0.004) for participants on the VLCD and LCD, respectively. There were no differences between groups for any of the biochemical parameters analyzed, nor in the number of surgical complications nor the length of hospital stay. Adherence to the diet was good; nevertheless, participants in the VLCD intervention showed worse tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: In subjects with morbid obesity undergoing bariatric surgery, compared to a LCD, a preoperative 21-day intervention with VLCD is more effective in terms of reducing total body weight but not in terms of reducing the liver volume. Both types of preoperative diets have similar effects on clinical biochemical parameters, rate of surgical complications, and hospital length stay.

Effect of marine ambient in the production of pollutants from the pyrolysis and combustion of a mixture of plastic materials.

A mixture of polyethylene (PE), polyethylene-terephtalate (PET), polypropylene (PP) and Nylon was submerged in marine water during 12 moths. The chlorine content of these plastics was measured through the passing time. Thermobalance was used to look for differences in the thermal decomposition of the plastics during in that time interval. Degradation of PET, PP and Nylon produced changes in the weight loss curve, but behaviour of PE is confusing. Pyrolysis and combustion at 850 °C was finally performed to get knowledge of the possible differences in the emission of main gases, volatiles and semivolatiles including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated benzenes (ClBzs), polychlorinated phenols (ClPhs), polybrominated phenols (BrPhs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). Results show that the emission of chlorinated species is somewhat not affected by the chlorine content of the plastics mix. The production of PCBs and PCDD/Fs was very low, under 4 pg WHO-TEQ/g.

Cinnamtannin B-1, a novel antioxidant for sperm in red deer.

Cinnamtannin B-1 (CNB-1) is a naturally occurring trimeric A-type proanthocyanidin contained in several plants such as cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum). It is considered to be a potent antioxidant. The protective effect of CNB-1 against oxidative stress was assessed in red deer epididymal sperm incubated at 37 °C. Cryopreserved sperm from six stags were thawed, pooled and extended to 400 × 106 sperm/ml in BGM (bovine gamete medium). After being aliquoted, the samples were supplemented with different concentrations of CNB-1 (0, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 µg/mL), with or without induced oxidative stress (100 µM Fe2+/ascorbate). The samples were evaluated after 0, 2 and 4 h of incubation at 37 °C. This experiment was replicated six times. Spermmotility (CASA), viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, acrosomal status, lipoperoxidation (C11 BODIPY 581/591), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA status (TUNEL) were assessed. After 4 h of incubation, CNB-1 prevented the deleterious effects of oxidative stress, thus improved sperm progressivity and velocity (P<0.05). Furthermore, 1 and 10 µM CNB-1 improved sperm linearity, even when compared to those samples that had not been subjected to oxidative stress (P<0.05). The greatest concentration, 100 µM, prevented sperm lipoperoxidation and reduced ROS production in samples subjected to oxidative stress.