NOS3 rs1799983 and rs2070744 polymorphisms and their association with advanced chronic kidney disease and coronary heart disease in Canarian population with type 2 diabetes.

Context: Different polymorphisms of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene (NOS3) have been related to diabetic kidney disease. Objective: To evaluate the association between advanced diabetic chronic kidney disease (ACKD) and the rs1799983 and rs2070744 poymorphisms of NOS3 in a population from the Gran Canaria island. Design: Cross-sectional case-control study. Subjects and methods: Polymorphisms were genotyped in 152 subjects with ACKD secondary to type 2 diabetes [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min/1.73 m2], 110 subjects with type 2 diabetes for 20 or more years since diagnosis without ACKD (eGFR ≥45 mL/min/1.73m2 and albumin/creatinine ratio <300 mg/g and/or 24-h urinary albumin excretion <300 mg) and 292 healthy controls. Association between both polymorphisms and established coronary heart disease (CHD) was also analyzed in both groups with diabetes. Results: A greater proportion of homozygous individuals for the risk allele C of rs2070744 was found among subjects with ACKD. Association between ACKD and rs2070744 was observed in a recessive genetic model, both for comparison to subjects with diabetes but no ACKD [OR 2.17 (95% CI: 1.17-4.00), p=0.014] and for comparison to healthy controls [OR 1.61 (1.03-2.52), p=0.036]. The frequency of the C allele was significantly higher among subjects with CHD, but only in the group with ACKD. No associations were found for rs1799983. Conclusions: NOS3 rs2070744 is associated with ACKD in population with type 2 diabetes from Gran Canaria. A link between this genetic variant and CHD in Canarian subjects with type 2 diabetes could be restricted to cases with ACKD.

Phenolic and tannin compounds in subtropical shrubs (Bituminaria bituminosa, Chamaecytisus proliferus, and Adenocarpus foliosus) and the effects on in vitro digestibility.

The objective of this study was to contribute to the characterization of nutritional potentials, with special attention to the total phenol and condensed tannins content and the effects on in vitro digestibility of some browsing shrub legumes traditionally used for ruminant feeding. The varieties selected were Bituminaria bituminosa var. bituminosa (BBB), Bituminaria bituminosa var. albormaginata (BBA), Chamaecytisus proliferus var. palmensis (CPP), Chamaecytisus proliferus var. canariae (CPC), and Adenocarpus foliosus (AF). Chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, and net energy for lactation (NE) were analyzed and compared among varieties; the effects of total phenol (TP) and condensed tannins (CT) compounds on digestibility were estimated. Condensed tannins ranged from 1 to 5 g/kg DM of tannins, while total phenols ranged from 9 to 32 g/kg DM of tannins. In vitro organic matter digestibility (OMD) ranged from 0.52 to 0.71, and estimated net energy for lactation (NE) ranged from 4.2 to 5.8 MJ/kg DM, with significant differences among all the varieties. This Chamaecytisus varieties (CPC, CPP) have higher feeding values, following CPC > CPP > AF > BBB > BBA in order. Although there were condensed tannins and total phenols in all the shrubs analyzed, total phenol contents differed significantly between the shrubs. The effect of the content of the total phenols and of the tannins condensed in the OMD of the varieties of shrubs analyzed, shows that the higher amounts of total phenols in some of the varieties of shrubs analyzed, increased the in vitro digestibility (OMD) of the shrubs but high amounts of CT decreased OMD.

[Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a rural Aymara population from northern Chile]. / Factores de riesgo cardiovascular en la población Aymara rural del norte de Chile.

BACKGROUND: Some rural non-Caucasian ethnic groups have genetic protective factors for the development of chronic non-communicable diseases. Studies performed in Mapuche and Aymara ethnic groups in Chile, found significantly lower prevalence rates. Aymaras are the second most common ethnic population in Chile. AIM: To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a native Aymara ethnic population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 276 native Aymara people with a median age of 53 years (63% women), registered in the rural clinics of Camiña and Putre. The frequency of hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2), dyslipidemia, overweight, obesity and smoking were determined. RESULTS: The frequency of overweight and obesity was 38% and 38.4% respectively. The prevalence of hypertension and DM2 were 18.5% and 6.9% respectively. Thirty-five percent had elevated total cholesterol, 21% had high LDL cholesterol, 48% had low HDL cholesterol and 45.7% had high triglyceride levels. Two percent smoked. CONCLUSIONS: In this group of Aymara individuals, we found a markedly lower prevalence of hypertension and DM2, despite the high prevalence of obesity and dyslipidemia.

Trends in the incidence of hip fracture in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain: 2007-2011 versus 1989-1993.

UNLABELLED: Hip fracture incidence in the Canaries was studied in two 5-year periods (1989-1993 and 2008-2011). The incidence in 2007-2011 was 24 % higher than in 1989, but did not differ between 2007-2011 and 1993. These findings suggest a trend to stabilize the incidence of hip fracture. INTRODUCTION: A dramatic increase in hip fractures between 1988 and 2002 was reported in Northern Spain. We performed the present study in Gran Canaria, the Canary Islands, to compare changes in the incidence of hip fracture between 1989-1993 and 2007-2011. METHODS: We recorded every osteoporotic hip fracture admitted to any hospital in Gran Canaria in the population 50 years of age or older. RESULTS: In 1989-1993, we collected 1175 hip fractures (72 % women; mean age 78.2 ± 9.9 years), and the total incidence rate was 152.1 cases/100,000 population/year. In 2007-2011, we collected 2222 hip fracture cases (71 % women; mean age 79 ± 9.8 years). The total incidence was 180.9/100,000/year. A Poisson model showed that the incidence of fractures increased by 7.1 % (95 % CI = 3.1 %; 11.8 %) each year in 1989-1993, while there was no statistically significant variation (p = 0.515) during the period 2007-2011. The incidence in 2007-2011 was 24 % higher than in 1989 (first year in the first period) but did not differ between 2007-2011 and 1993 (the last year of the first period). Incidence rates were 76.7 % (95 % CI = 63.9 %; 90.5 %) higher in women than in men, but the female/male ratio remained unchanged. The age-adjusted incidence of hip fractures increased by 7.3 % each year from 1989 to 1993. The proportions of trochanter and cervical fractures were similar in the two time periods, but the mean hospital stay was reduced from 11 days in 1989-1993 to 7 days in 2007-2011. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a trend to stabilize the incidence of hip fracture in the Canary Islands due to a decrease in men, while in women, the incidence increased.

Insulin resistance explains the relationship between novel cardiovascular risk factors and hypertension. The Telde Study.

BACKGROUND: Most studies describing an association between hypertension and an inflammatory/pro-thrombotic state do not assess insulin resistance. AIM: To examine the association between hypertension and new cardiovascular risk factors when considering both classical risk factors and insulin resistance. METHODS: In a population-based sample of 1030 subjects, clinical information and blood samples were obtained. Subjects were classified according to the presence or absence of hypertension, and insulin resistance was estimated using the homeostasis model of assessment (HOMA). To identify variables independently associated with hypertension, a four-model multiple logistic regression was performed: model 1 included novel risk factors (Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor- 1 [PAI-1], fibrinogen, von Willebrand Factor [vWF], lipoprotein(a), homocysteine and C-reactive Protein [CRP]); model 2, novel risk factors plus HOMA; model 3 included both classical (smoking, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, waist circumference and diabetes) and novel risk factors and model 4, model 3 plus HOMA. All were adjusted for age, BMI and gender and compared using Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC). RESULTS: In model 1, only PAI-1, age and BMI showed association with hypertension.When HOMA and classical risk factors were also included, PAI-1 was replaced by triglyceride, smoking and diabetes. The lowest AIC value (best adjustment) was displayed by model 4, comprising all of the variables. Only age, BMI, HOMA and smoking remained significantly associated with hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: The novel cardiovascular risk factors assessed do not add information as markers of hypertension when classical risk factors or insulin resistance are included in the evaluation.

Coexistence of two different pseudohypoparathyroidism subtypes (Ia and Ib) in the same kindred with independent Gs{alpha} coding mutations and GNAS imprinting defects.

BACKGROUND: Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) defines a rare group of disorders whose common feature is resistance to the parathyroid hormone. Patients with PHP-Ia display additional hormone resistance, Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO) and reduced Gsalpha activity in easily accessible cells. This form of PHP is associated with heterozygous inactivating mutations in Gsalpha-coding exons of GNAS, an imprinted gene locus on chromosome 20q13.3. Patients with PHP-Ib typically have isolated parathyroid hormone resistance, lack AHO features and demonstrate normal erythrocyte Gsalpha activity. Instead of coding Gsalpha mutations, patients with PHP-Ib display imprinting defects of GNAS, caused, at least in some cases, by genetic mutations within or nearby this gene. PATIENTS: Two unrelated PHP families, each of which includes at least one patient with a Gsalpha coding mutation and another with GNAS loss of imprinting, are reported here. RESULTS: One of the patients with GNAS imprinting defects has paternal uniparental isodisomy of chromosome 20q, explaining the observed imprinting abnormalities. The identified Gsalpha coding mutations include a tetranucleotide deletion in exon 7, which is frequently found in PHP-Ia, and a novel single nucleotide change at the acceptor splice junction of intron 11. CONCLUSIONS: These molecular data reveal an interesting mixture, in the same family, of both genetic and epigenetic mutations of the same gene.

[The temporomandibular joint compromise as a cause of acute and chronic headaches and other otoneurological symptoms]. / El compromiso articular temporomandibular como causa de cefaleas agudas y crónicas y otros síntomas otoneurológicos.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work is to introduce a new condition within temporomandibular disorders, temporomandibular joint compromise (TMJC), a mandibular movement limiting disorder of extra-articular traumatic cause, and evaluate the response rate and safety of treatment. The limiting cause of mandibular movement is the lack of space between the mandibular ramus and maxilla. The main symptoms of TMJC include headache, dizziness, and tinnitus. In many cases, the headache is previously diagnosed as a migraine. METHODS: Data were collected from 54 patients aged between 6 and 59 years that had a confirmed diagnosis of migraine according to the 3rd Edition of the International Headache Classification of the International Headache Society of 2018, and were treated for TMJC in a dental clinic. They also presented with other otolaryngological symptoms. A retrospective quasi-experimental study without a control group was carried out due to ethical considerations related to the harmless nature of the treatment. RESULTS: After treatment of TMJC, migraine symptoms disappeared in 52 patients (96.3%, P<.001), and persisted, although with clinical improvement, in 2 (3.7%). There was also an improvement in the other associated symptoms: dizziness disappeared in 23 out of 27 affected patients (85.21%, P<.001), and tinnitus disappeared in the 31 affected patients (100%, P<.001). No significant treatment-related side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the high rate of response and safety of the treatment of TMJC.

Predictive Model for Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Patients With Hand Eczema. / Modelo predictivo de dermatitis alérgica de contacto en pacientes con eccema de manos.

INTRODUCTION: Patch tests are only indicated for hand eczema when it is diagnosed as chronic. A positive reaction of current relevance requires a change in treatment strategy. Knowing which clinical factors are associated with current relevance would allow tests to be performed sooner. OBJECTIVE: To develop a model for predicting currently relevant patch test positivity in patients with hand eczema only. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with hand eczema only. We collected data on age, sex, time since onset, occupation, and history of atopic dermatitis. We built a predictive logistic regression model and assessed discrimination by computing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: We included 262 patients; 66.03% had positive patch tests (28.6% of current relevance). Univariate analysis detected significant associations between positivity of current relevance and employment as a hairdresser-aesthetician, a personal history of atopy, male sex, and a time since onset of over 6 months. Multivariate analysis confirmed employment as a hairdresser-aesthetician as an independent risk factor and male sex and a personal history of atopy as protective factors. The score suggested by the predictive model was 2.316(hairdresser-aesthetician)-1.792(atopic dermatitis)-0.601(male sex). CONCLUSIONS: Occupation, sex, and a history of atopy influence the likelihood of patch test positivity of current relevance in patients with hand eczema in Spain. Our model suggests that a diagnosis of chronic eczema is not necessarily an indication for patch testing. Future studies with larger samples are needed to determine the true usefulness of predictive models in this setting.

Predictors of mortality and neurological function in ICU patients recovering from cardiac arrest: A Spanish nationwide prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of mortality and neurological function in adult ICU patients recovering from cardiac arrest. DESIGN: A prospective cohort multicenter study was carried out. SETTING: Forty-six polyvalent ICUs. PATIENTS: A total of 595 patients recovering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA, n=285) or in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA, n=310). MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLES: Survival and recovery of neurological function. RESULTS: The mean cardiopulmonary resuscitation time was 18min (range 10-30). Moderate hypothermia was used in 197 patients, and 150 underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was achieved within 20min in 370 patients. Variables associated to mortality (ICU and in-hospital) were age (odds ratio [OR]=1.0, 95%CI 1.0-1.0 per year), non-cardiac origin of cardiac arrest (OR=2.16, 95%CI 1.38-3.38; P=0.001) and ROSC >20min (OR=3.07, 95%CI 1.97-4.78; P<0.001), whereas PCI and the presence of shockable rhythm exhibited a protective effect. Favorable neurological outcome was associated to shockable rhythm, ROSC <20min, and cardiac origin of arrest. Hypothermia did not affect survival or neurological outcome in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Age, non-cardiac origin of cardiac arrest and ROSC >20min were predictors of mortality. In contrast, cardiac arrest of cardiac origin, ROSC <20min, and defibrillable rhythms were associated to unfavorable neurological outcomes.

Poverty is a risk factor for osteoporotic fractures.

UNLABELLED: This study assesses the possible association between poverty and osteoporosis and/or fragility fractures in a population of postmenopausal women. We found that postmenopausal women with low socioeconomic status had lower values of BMD at the lumbar spine, a higher prevalence of densitometric osteoporosis, and a higher prevalence of total and vertebral fractures. INTRODUCTION: Some lifestyles are related to the presence of osteoporosis and/or fragility fractures, whereas poverty is related to some lifestyles. Because of this, we studied the possible association of poverty with osteoporosis and fractures. METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional study performed in the Canary Islands, Spain. Participants consisted of a total of 1,139 ambulatory postmenopausal women aged 50 years or older with no previous osteoporosis diagnosis and who were enrolled in some epidemiological studies. The prevalence of fractures (vertebral and non-vertebral) and the prevalence of osteoporosis (T-score <-2.5 either at the lumbar spine or the femoral neck). A previously validated questionnaire elicited the most important risk factors for osteoporosis: socioeconomic status, defined by the annual income was also assessed by a personal interview. A dorso-lateral X-ray of the spine was performed, and bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by DXA in the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and proximal femur. RESULTS: Compared to women with a medium and high socioeconomic status (n = 665), those who were classified into poverty (annual family income lower than 6,346.80 Euros, in a one-member family, n = 474), were older and heavier and had lower height, lower prevalence of tobacco and alcohol consumption, lower use of HRT and higher use of thiazides. After correcting for age and body mass index (BMI), women in poverty had lower spine BMD values than women with a medium and high socioeconomic status (0.840 g/cm(2) vs. 0.867 g/cm(2), p = 0.005), but there were no statistical differences in femoral neck BMD between groups. The prevalence of osteoporosis was also higher in women in poverty [40.6% vs. 35.6%, (OR 1.35, CI 95%: 1.03; 1.76)] after adjusting by age and BMI. Moreover, 37.8% of women in poverty had a history of at least one fragility fracture compared to 27.7% of women not in poverty (OR: 1.45, CI 95%: 1.11; 1.90). The prevalence of vertebral fractures was also higher in women in poverty 24.7% vs. 13.4%, (OR 2.01, CI 95%: 1.44; 2.81). CONCLUSIONS: Postmenopausal women with low socioeconomic status had lower values of BMD at the lumbar spine, and a higher prevalence of densitometric osteoporosis, and a higher prevalence of total and vertebral fractures. Because of this, apart from the well known risk factors for osteoporosis, poverty should be taken into account as a possible risk factor for both osteoporosis and fragility fractures, in order to establish sanitary strategies to protect unfavoured postmenopausal women.

Fungal colonization and/or infection in non-neutropenic critically ill patients: results of the EPCAN observational study.

The purpose of this paper is to determine the incidence of fungal colonization and infection in non-neutropenic critically ill patients and to identify factors favoring infection by Candida spp. A total of 1,655 consecutive patients (>18 years of age) admitted for > or = 7 days to 73 medical-surgical Spanish intensive care units (ICUs) participated in an observational prospective cohort study. Surveillance samples were obtained once a week. One or more fungi were isolated in different samples in 59.2% of patients, 94.2% of which were Candida spp. There were 864 (52.2%) patients with Candida spp. colonization and 92 (5.5%) with proven Candida infection. In the logistic regression analysis risk factors independently associated with Candida spp. infection were sepsis (odds ratio [OR] = 8.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.07-13.6), multifocal colonization (OR = 3.49, 95% CI 1.74-7.00), surgery (OR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.27-3.30), and the use of total parenteral nutrition (OR = 4.37, 95% CI 2.16-8.33). Patients with Candida spp. infection showed significantly higher in-hospital and intra-ICU mortality rates than those colonized or non-colonized non-infected (P < 0.001). Fungal colonization, mainly due to Candida spp., was documented in nearly 60% of non-neutropenic critically ill patients admitted to the ICU for more than 7 days. Proven candidal infection was diagnosed in 5.5% of cases. Risk factors independently associated with Candida spp. infection were sepsis, multifocal colonization, surgery, and the use of total parenteral nutrition.

Use of confirmatory factor analysis for the identification of new components of the metabolic syndrome: the role of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and Haemoglobin A1c.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study was aimed to identify additional components of metabolic syndrome from a set of cardiovascular risk markers. METHODS AND RESULTS: The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), von Willebrand factor, homocysteine, Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and lipoprotein(a) were assessed in a population-based sample of 902 nondiabetic adult subjects. Those biomarkers that were associated with metabolic syndrome were evaluated by multiple regression analysis, along with other traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the hypothesis that both the established components of metabolic syndrome and the novel variables identified by the regression analysis were associated with a single underlying factor. HOMA-IR, PAI-1 and HbA1c were the only biomarkers independently related to metabolic syndrome. CFA validated a one-factor model that included these variables. Moreover, the indices of goodness of fit were better for this expanded model than those obtained for a previously validated one-factor model that was restricted to the conventional elements of the syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that PAI-1 and HbA1c are singularly linked to metabolic syndrome. Their elevation is presumably another manifestation of the same pathophysiological mechanism that underlies the recognized traits of the syndrome.

Differences in traditional and emerging cardiovascular risk factors of subjects discordantly classified by metabolic syndrome definitions of the International Diabetes Federation and the National Cholesterol Education Program.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Several working definitions of metabolic syndrome have been proposed for clinical use. However, individuals can be discordantly classified as having or not having metabolic syndrome depending on the choice of one or another definition. This study compared the cardiovascular risk profile of subjects concordantly and discordantly diagnosed by the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) and the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Nine hundred and twenty-nine non-diabetic adult subjects belonging to a cross-sectional population-based study in Gran Canaria island (Spain) were assessed. Participants completed a questionnaire and underwent physical examination, fasting blood analyses, and a standardized oral glucose tolerance test. Two hundred and four subjects (22%) had metabolic syndrome according to both definitions, 31 (3.3%) only by the IDF criteria, and 5 (0.5%) only by the NCEP criteria. Participants fulfilling both proposals showed more adverse age and sex-adjusted measures of BMI, waist, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, post-load glucose, HOMA-IR and plasminogen inhibitor activator-1 (PAI-1) than individuals exclusively satisfying the IDF criteria. Moreover, in contrast to subjects meeting both criteria, those that fulfilled only the IDF criteria had levels of BMI, waist, total and HDL cholesterol, post-load glucose, glycated HbA1c, C-reactive protein, PAI-1 and fibrinogen not significantly different from those observed in subjects without metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: The IDF definition identifies a surplus of individuals whose cardiovascular risk profile, particularly regarding to some non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors, is less adverse than that observed in subjects also diagnosed by the NCEP definition.

Thyrotropin levels and their relationship with cardiovascular risk factors in the island of Gran Canaria, Spain. Implications of lowering the upper reference limit of thyrotropin stimulating hormone.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the cardiovascular risk profile of subjects with high and normal-high concentrations of serum TSH in a sample of adult Spanish subjects from the island of Gran Canaria. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based study. SUBJECTS: After excluding 28 individuals on current treatment with levothyroxine and 9 others with TSH levels below the range of normality (0.3-4.9 mU/l), 704 randomly selected subjects (412 women; age range: 30-82 yr) belonging to the Telde Study were assessed. MEASUREMENTS: Participants underwent physical examination and fasting blood analyses to determinate TSH, serum lipids, homocysteine, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, plasminogen activator inhibitor- 1, C-reactive protein, and insulin. RESULTS: Twenty-nine participants had serum TSH concentrations above the normal range of normality. Among all the studied variables, only female sex and diastolic blood pressure were significantly associated with TSH levels > or =5 mU/l in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. If the upper normal limit of TSH was reduced up to 2.4 mU/l, an additional group of 106 subjects would be considered to have elevated TSH levels. A serum TSH > or =2.5 mU/l was positive and independently associated with female sex, body mass index, total cholesterol, and homocysteine, and negatively associated with smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Although the impact of serum TSH levels on cardiovascular risk cannot be established from these findings, TSH values within the upper part of the usually accepted normal range were demonstrated to be associated with well-recognized risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Phase-space analysis for hydrodynamic traffic models.

This work is devoted to the study of steady states in two hydrodynamic traffic models. The first model to be analyzed is the Kerner-Konhäuser model and the second is called kinetic Navier-Stokes model. The study is made through an analysis in the phase space. Taking into account the analogy with the description of the one-particle motion, we can give a sensible meaning to the dynamical functions which determine the stability of the steady states. Lastly, we constructed the phase plane paths in several cases for both models.

Behaviors, Attitudes, and Knowledge Related to Sun Exposure Among Medical Students at the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. / Comportamientos, actitudes y conocimientos relacionados con la exposición solar en estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of skin cancer, for which the main risk factor is exposure to ultraviolet radiation, has risen worldwide. Sunburn is one of the simplest ways to assess sun exposure habits. To date, few studies have evaluated sun exposure in university students. OBJECTIVES: To determine behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge related to sun exposure and sun protection measures among medical students at the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; and to assess their relation to sunburn frequency. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The voluntary participants in this cross-sectional survey were first-, second- and sixth-year university students enrolled during the 2016-2017 academic year. The students responded to a validated questionnaire about their habits, attitudes, and knowledge in relation to sun exposure. Respondents were grouped according to the number of sunburns they had experienced during the previous summer. RESULTS: A total of 286 students responded. The students demonstrated a high level of knowledge, but the percentage who experienced a sunburn was high. Multivariate analysis showed independent correlations between experiencing a sunburn and age, male sex, academic year of enrollment at the time of the survey, phototype, and negative attitudes toward the use of sun protection measures. CONCLUSIONS: Our medical students' level of knowledge about sun exposure and sun protection is high and scarcely varies with time spent at the university. However, their knowledge is not reflected in their behavior and attitudes or in the frequency of sunburns.

Neuroprotective effects of EpoL against oxidative stress induced by soluble oligomers of Aß peptide.

Erythropoietin is a glycoproteic hormone that regulates hematopoiesis by acting on its specific receptor (EpoR). The expression of EpoR in the central nervous system (CNS) suggests a role for this hormone in the brain. Recently, we developed a new Epo variant without hematopoietic activity called EpoL, which showed marked neuroprotective effects against oxidative stress in brain ischemia related models. In this study, we have evaluated the neuroprotective effects of EpoL against oxidative stress induced by chronic treatment with Aß. Our results show that EpoL was neuroprotective against Aß-induced toxicity by a mechanism that implicates EpoR, reduction in reactive oxygen species, and reduction in astrogliosis. Furthermore, EpoL treatment improved calcium handling and SV2 levels. Interestingly, the neuroprotective effect of EpoL against oxidative stress induced by chronic Aß treatment was achieved at a concentration 10 times lower than that of Epo. In conclusion, EpoL, a new variant of Epo without hematopoietic activity, is of potential interest for the treatment of diseases related to oxidative stress in the CNS such as Alzheimer disease.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of dogs with presumed primary renal lymphoma.

OBJECTIVES: To characterise the presentation, clinicopathologic data and outcome of 29 dogs with presumed primary renal lymphoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of medical records of dogs with suspected primary renal lymphoma from 11 institutions. RESULTS: All dogs were substage b, and lethargy and gastrointestinal signs were common presenting complaints, as were azotaemia (n=25; 86%) and erythrocytosis (n=15; 51%) on biochemical testing. Ultrasonography typically revealed bilateral renal lesions (n=23; 79%), renomegaly (n=22; 76%) and abdominal lymphadenopathy (n=14; 48%). Chemotherapy was the only treatment in 23 dogs, of which 11 responded, all considered partial responses. For all dogs the median progression-free survival and median overall survival times were 10 days (range: 1 to 126) and 12 days (range: 1 to 212), respectively, and for dogs that responded to chemotherapy 41 days (range: 10 to 126) and 47 days (range: 10 to 212), respectively. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Primary renal lymphoma in dogs appears to be associated with a poor prognosis and short-lived response to chemotherapy.