Halo and Pseudohalo Cu(I)-Pyridinato Double Chains with Tunable Physical Properties.

The properties recently reported on the Cu(I)-iodide pyrimidine nonporous 1D-coordination polymer [CuI(ANP)]n (ANP = 2-amino-5-nitropyridine) showing reversible physically and chemically driven electrical response have prompted us to carry a comparative study with the series of [CuX(ANP)]n (X = Cl (1), X = Br (2), X = CN (4), and X = SCN (5)) in order to understand the potential influence of the halide and pseudohalide bridging ligands on the physical properties and their electrical response to vapors of these materials. The structural characterization of the series shows a common feature, the presence of -X-Cu(ANP)-X- (X = Cl, Br, I, SCN) double chain structure. Complex [Cu(ANP)(CN)]n (4) presents a helical single chain. Additionally, the chains show supramolecular interlinked interactions via hydrogen bonding giving rise to the formation of extended networks. Their luminescent and electrical properties have been studied. The results obtained have been correlated with structural changes. Furthermore, the experimental and theoretical results have been compared using the density functional theory (DFT). The electrical response of the materials has been evaluated in the presence of vapors of diethyl ether, dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), CH2Cl2, HAcO, MeOH, and EtOH, to build up simple prototype devices for gas detectors. Selectivity toward gases consisting of molecules with H-bonding donor or acceptor groups is clearly observed. This selective molecular recognition is likely due to the 2-amino-5-nitropyridine terminal ligand.

A bioinspired metal-organic approach to cross-linked functional 3D nanofibrous hydro- and aero-gels with effective mixture separation of nucleobases by molecular recognition.

The direct reaction between Cu(CH3COO)2 and uracil-1-acetic acid in water gives rise to the formation of a hydrogel consisting of entangled nanometric ribbons of a crystalline antiferromagnetic 1D Cu(ii) coordination polymer (CP) decorated with biocompatible uracil nucleobases. This hydrogel is the precursor for the preparation of a meso/macroporous ultralight aerogel that shows a remarkable Young's modulus. As a proof-of-concept of the molecular recognition capability of the terminal uracil moieties anchored at Cu(ii) CP chains, this material has been tested as the selective stationary phase for the separation of nucleobase derivatives in HPLC columns.

Radionuclide sorption-desorption pattern in soils from Spain.

The pattern of radiostrontium and radiocesium sorption-desorption was examined in 30 Spanish soils by the quantification of the distribution coefficients (Kd) with batch tests, the evaluation of sorption reversibility with a single extraction, the estimation of sorption dynamics by the application of drying-wetting cycles, and the calculation of Kdadjusted values as an input for risk assessment models. The data obtained overlapped with those found in soils from other climatic areas, suggesting identical interaction mechanisms and allowing the extrapolation of parameterisations and prediction models among different scenarios.

Variaciones en la incidencia de bronquiolitis tras la aparición del SARS-CoV-2 / Variations in the incidence of bronchiolitis after the onset of SARS-CoV-2

Introducción. Durante la temporada 2020-2021 se ha asistido a una disminución de la incidencia de hospitalizaciones por bronquiolitis. Los cambios en la evolución de la pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 y en la aplicación de medidas preventivas podrían relacionarse con un aumento de la incidencia de bronquiolitis grave durante la temporada 2021-2022. Objetivo. Determinar la incidencia de hospitalizaciones por bronquiolitis en un hospital terciario durante la temporada 2021-2022 y compararla con temporadas previas. Método. Estudio epidemiológico de tipo observacional, descriptivo y ambispectivo. A través de la base de datos de un hospital terciario, se compararon la incidencia, la etiología y los indicadores de gravedad de las hospitalizaciones por bronquiolitis. Se analizaron 3 cohortes en época epidémica: la temporada 2020-2021 y la 2021-2022 (prospectivas); y la temporada 2018-2019 (retrospectiva). También se analizó una cohorte prospectiva entre los meses de abril y octubre de 2021. Resultados. La incidencia acumulada de hospitalizaciones fue de 113,6/10.000 niños menores de 2 años en la temporada pre-covídica; de 3,6/10.000 en la temporada 2020-2021; y de 65,7/10.000 en la temporada 2021-2022. El porcentaje de ingresos en UCIP fue de 36,6%, 0 % y 30,8%, respectivamente. La incidencia acumulada de hospitalizaciones en el periodo no epidémico fue de 60,8/10.000, precisando ingreso en UCIP el 19%. El microorganismo más frecuente fue el virus respiratorio sincitial en todas las cohortes. Conclusiones. La incidencia durante los meses típicamente epidémicos de bronquiolitis bajó drásticamente la temporada en la que apareció el SARS-CoV-2, aumentando notablemente el año posterior, aunque sin alcanzar la incidencia previa a la pandemia. Se ha observado una incidencia alta de casos de bronquiolitis entre abril y octubre de 2021 (AU)

Introduction. A decrease has been observed during the 2020-2021 season in the incidence of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis. Changes in the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and in the application of preventive measures could be related to an increase in the incidence of severe bronchiolitis during the 2021-2022 season. Objective. To determine the incidence of bronchiolitis hospitalizations in a tertiary hospital during the 2021-2022 season and to compare it with previous seasons. Method. An observational, descriptive and ambispective epidemiological study. A tertiary hospital database was used to compare the incidence, etiology, and severity indicators of bronchiolitis hospitalizations. 3 cohorts were analyzed in epidemic times: the 2020-2021 season and the 2021-2022 season (prospective); and the 2018-2019 season (retrospective). A prospective cohort between the months of April and October 2021 was also analyzed. Results. The cumulative incidence of hospitalizations was 113.6/10,000 children under 2 years of age in the pre-covid season; 3.6/10,000 in the 2020-2021 season; and 65.7/10,000 in the 2021-2022 season. The percentage of admissions in PICU was 36.6%, 0% and 30.8%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of hospitalizations in the non-epidemic period was 60.8/10,000, with 19% requiring admission to the PICU. The most frequent microorganism was the respiratory syncytial virus in all cohorts. Conclusions. The incidence during the typically epidemic months of bronchiolitis drastically decreased the season in which SARS-CoV-2 appeared, noticeably increasing the next year, although without reaching the pre-pandemic incidence. A high incidence of bronchiolitis cases was observed between April and October 2021 (AU)

Reversible stimulus-responsive Cu(I) iodide pyridine coordination polymer.

We present a structurally flexible copper-iodide-pyridine-based coordination polymer showing drastic variations in its electrical conductivity driven by temperature and sorption of acetic acid molecules. The dramatic effect on the electrical conductivity enables the fabrication of a simple and robust device for gas detection. X-ray diffraction studies and DFT calculations allow the rationalisation of these observations.

Prenatal ethanol exposure impairs lesion-induced plasticity in a dopaminergic synapse after maturity.

This study examined the consequences of alcohol (ethanol) exposure during fetal life on lesion-induced dopaminergic synapse responsiveness (plasticity) in the olfactory tubercle of the adult rat. Normally, in the olfactory tubercle, olfactory bulbectomy elicits alterations in pre- and postsynaptic dopaminergic markers, including, respectively, (1) increased tyrosine hydroxylase activity and immunoreactivity, which is associated with dopaminergic axon sprouting, and (2) increased dopaminergic receptor density and potentiated dopamine activation of adenylate cyclase. We have utilized biochemical and quantitative immunocytochemical methodology to examine these synaptic markers in olfactory bulbectomized or sham-operated adult rats. These animals were offspring of dams which were administered one of the following diets during pregnancy: (1) liquid diet containing 35% ethanol-derived calories ad libitum; (2) liquid diet containing an isocaloric amount of maltose-dextrin instead of ethanol, pair-fed; or (3) unaltered liquid diet ad libitum. The results show that prenatal alcohol exposure leads to suppression of the lesion-elicited dopaminergic synapse responsiveness in the olfactory tubercle. There were no significant differences between offspring born to control and pair-fed animals, indicating that the observed abnormalities were not due to alterations in their nutritional status. In conclusion, the present data are a biochemical and quantitative immunocytochemical demonstration of impaired lesion-induced synaptic responsiveness. This renders a new dimension in support of previous evidence indicating that prenatal alcohol exposure leads to altered neuroanatomical, neuroendocrinological and behavioral responsiveness to various challenges. Such impaired synaptic responsiveness may underlie brain functional abnormalities characteristic of fetal alcohol syndrome.

Heptanuclear hydroxo-bridged copper cluster of the dicubane-like type: structural and magnetic characterizations of [Cu7(OH)6Cl2(pn)6(H2O)2](C(CN)3)4Cl2 (pn = 1,3-diaminopropane).

A new polynuclear copper(II) complex [Cu7(OH)6Cl2(pn)6(H2O)2](C(CN)3)4Cl2 with hydroxo-bridging ligands has been prepared; the centrosymmetric cluster cation can be described as two Cu4O3Cl distorted cubane units sharing one copper cation.

The cyclical changes in the physical properties of the cervical mucus and the results of the postcoital test.

PIP: The effect of the postcoital test on the cyclic changes in the physi cal properties of the cervical mucus during the preovulatory period was investigated, and the results obtained in women who conceived during the period of investigation (fertile group) were compared with the results obtained in those who did not conceive (infertile group). 3007 postcoital examinations were performed within 72 hours after intercourse on 505 couples complaining of infertility. No significant differences were found in the amount, viscosity, and spinnbarkheit of the cervical m ucus or in the motility and drive of spermatozoa between 94 couples who conceived and 411 couples who remainded infertile. The number of spermatozoa per high power field was significantly higher in the fertile group as compared with the infertile when the amount of mucus increased. When estrogenic changes in the mucus first became apparent, the concentration of spermatozoa rose and their motility and drive improved. No further improvement was seen with further changes in the mucus. When white blood cells in the mucus appeared, both the motility and the drive of spermatozoa decreased significantly, but their number per high power field did not change. No significant changes were found to occur in either motility or drive during 72 hours after intercourse and in the number of spermatozoa per high power field during the first 24 hours. However, concentration of spermatozoa decreased significantly during Days 2 and 3. In 26 tests following the coitus presumably responsible for pregnancy, the concentration, motility, and drive of spermatozoa in mucus were not found to be different from those for the whole group of fertile patients. The wide range of distribution of the results in both groups indicates that the results of the postcoital test cannot be used as a reliable index of fertility in an individual couple.^ieng

Cortisol stimulation of estradiol and progesterone secretion by human granulosa cells is independent of follicle-stimulating hormone effects.

The effects of cortisol on steroid secretion by human luteinized granulosa cells was investigated by culturing cells from mature follicles of gonadotropin-treated women. After culturing for 24 hours in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, the cells were washed and incubated in a chemically defined medium. Cortisol (10(-5), 10(-6), and 10(-7) M), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH; 100 ng/ml), FSH plus cortisol (10(-6], or vehicle were added to replicate cultures. After incubating for 6 hours, medium was harvested and assayed for estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P). Cortisol (10(-5), 10(-6) but not 10(-7) M) significantly (P less than 0.05) stimulated E2 secretion when compared to controls. FSH alone did not alter E2 secretion while FSH plus cortisol had a similar effect to cortisol alone. Likewise, P secretion was significantly (P less than 0.05) increased by cortisol when compared with controls and the stimulation was dose dependent. FSH also stimulated P secretion, but the combination of FSH and cortisol did not give an additive or synergistic effect. It appears that cortisol can stimulate the secretion of E2 and P by human granulosa cells without involving FSH receptor interaction. The findings suggest that, in addition to pituitary and ovarian hormones, cortisol may also be directly involved in granulosa cell function.

Sonography in thyroid carcinoma in children.

This paper reviews the clinical, sonographic and pathological findings of 20 children with thyroid carcinoma in an attempt to determine the value and limitations of sonography in thyroid neoplasms in this age group. Although sonography is an excellent technique for the evaluation of thyroid disorders and masses, certain limitations must be kept in mind. Microscopic foci of tumour might be missed and sonography cannot predictably differentiate benign from malignant disease. Previous radiation exposure should increase the level of suspicion for malignancy.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mountain soils of the subtropical Atlantic.

Surface soil samples from various altitudes on Tenerife Island, ranging from sea level up to 3400 m above mean sea level, were analyzed to study the distribution of 26 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a remote subtropical area. The stable atmospheric conditions in this island define three vertically stratified layers: marine boundary, trade-wind inversion, and free troposphere. Total PAH concentrations, 1.9 to 6000 microg/kg dry wt., were high when compared with those in tropical areas and in a similar range to those in temperate areas. In the marine boundary layer, fluoranthene (Fla), pyrene (Pyr), benz [a]anthracene (BaA), and chrysene (C + T) were largely dominant. The predominance of Fla over Pyr may reflect photo-oxidative processes during atmospheric transport, although coal combustion inputs cannot be excluded. The PAHs found in higher concentration in the soils from the inversion layer were benzo[b + j]fluoranthene (BbjF) + benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF) > benzo[e]pyrene (BeP) approximately indeno[1,2, 3-cd]pyrene (Ind) > benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) approximately benzo[ghi]perylene (Bghi) > coronene (Cor) approximately dibenz[a,h]anthracene (Dib), reflecting that high temperatures and insolation prevent the accumulation of PAHs more volatile than BbjF in significant amounts. These climatic conditions involve a process of standardization that prevents the identification of specific PAH sources such as traffic, forest fires, or industrial inputs. Only soils with high total organic carbon (TOC) (e.g., 10-30%) preserve the more volatile compounds such as phenanthrene (Phe), methylphenanthrenes (MPhe), dimethylphenanthrenes (DMPhe), and retene (Ret). However, no relation between PAHs and soil TOC and black carbon (BC) was found. The specific PAH distributions of the free tropospheric region suggest a direct input from pyrolytic processes related to the volcanic emission of gases in Teide.

Deposition of semi-volatile organochlorine compounds in the free troposphere of the eastern North Atlantic Ocean.

Deposition samples were taken at a height of 2367 m above sea level (m.a.s.l.) on the Island of Tenerife from May 1999 until July 2000 and analysed for 19 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH) and DDTs. This site is located above the inversion layer, so samples represent background concentrations of the free troposphere. The average deposition fluxes of HCB, total HCH, DDTs and PCBs were 86, 400, 110 and 780 ng m(-2) yr(-1), respectively, being lower than those reported at sea level in continental or marine areas. All compounds are generally found in higher abundance in the wet precipitation samples. However, these samples only represent a fraction, e.g. 33%, of the total deposition load. Annual mass balance calculations show that wet precipitation is essentially responsible for the deposition of the low molecular weight OC whereas dry deposition accounts for more than 50% of the higher molecular weight PCBs.

A rare example of nickel(ii) chains based on a heteroscorpionate-like ligand with quadruple imidazolyl interactions.

The first nickel(ii) complex with the heteroscorpionate-like bridging ligand DIMMAL (2-di1H-2-imidazolylmethylmalonate), [Ni(DIMMAL)(H2O)3]n·3nH2O (1), is a one-dimensional coordination polymer whose structure shows regular Ni(ii) chains with H-bonding inter-chain interactions and a rare example of a Quadruple Imidazolyl Embrace (QIE). The Ni(ii) chain shows a weak antiferromagnetic interaction that can be modelled with a regular S = 1 chain model including a zero field splitting with g = 2.270, J = -1.5 cm(-1) and D = -2.26 cm(-1).

[Analysis of the nutritional state and body composition of school children in Granada (Spain)]. / Análisis del estado nutricional y composición corporal de una población de escolares de Granada.

The objective of this study was to first determine the nutritional state of a sample population of school children, and then analyze the distribution pattern of their subcutaneous fat layer. The sample was composed of 977 school children from the city and province of Granada (Spain). All of the children (524 girls and 452 boys) were 9-17 years of age. To study their nutritional state and the distribution of the subcutaneous fat layer, they were given a complete anthropometric evaluation, which included measuring their weight, height, body mass index, skin folds, and body perimeters. The results obtained showed a 23.01% prevalence of overweight in the female subjects and 20.81% in the male subjects. Furthermore, the female subjects had an obesity prevalence of 12.70% in comparison to the male subjects, whose obesity prevalence was 4.98%. The distribution pattern of subcutaneous fat was found to be mainly located in the central part of body. The high percentage of overweight and obesity along with the development of a central fat distribution pattern (neck, chest, and abdomen) in these school children is clear evidence of potential cardiovascular risk.

[Influence of family environment of the development of obesity and overweight in a population of school children in Granada (Spain)]. / Influencia del entorno familiar en el desarrollo del sobrepeso y la obesidad en una población de escolares de Granada (España).

According to recent research, eating behaviour should be understand as a cyclical and interactive process in which parental eating habits cause children to develop specific eating strategies as well as their own eating habits. Needless to say, this interactive process is reflected and has a direct impact on the nutritional indicators of the children in a family. The objectives of this study were the following: (i) to verify the existence of a significant association between the educational level of parents and the nutritional state of children in the same family; (ii) to discover if there is a direct relation between the nutritional state of children and the person that decides the menu and/or prepares family meals; (iii) to determine if there is a link between the nutritional state of children and the time that they spend on sedentary leisure activities. The sample population was composed of 718 school children and adolescents, 9-17 years of age, who A descriptive, transversal, and multicentric study was performed that evaluated the nutritional state of the entire sample by using anthropometric techniques to assess weight, height, and body mass index.

[Comparative study of the effectiveness of body mass index and the body-fat percentage as methods for the diagnosis of overweight and obesity in children]. / Estudio comparativo de la eficacia del índice de masa corporal y el porcentaje de grasa corporal como métodos para el diagnóstico de sobrepeso y obesidad en población pediátrica.

The World Health Organization (WHO) regards obesity as one of the most serious public health problems in the world that can affect young children and adolescents. Accordingly, a major priority is to find ways to more effectively study and analyze the various methods used to diagnose and evaluate the nutritional state of the pediatric and adolescent population. The nutritional indicators currently employed for this purpose are the body mass index and body-fat percentage. However, there is a certain controversy related to the body-fat percentage since it tends to overestimate overweight and obesity. The main objectives of this study were the following: (i) to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a population of primary and secondary school children between 9-17 years of age at 13 educational centers in the city and province of Granada; (ii) to verify possible differences regarding the accuracy of the body mass index and the body-fat percentage in the diagnosis of overweight and obesity.

The use of hard- and soft-modelling to predict radiostrontium solid-liquid distribution coefficients in soils.

The solid-liquid distribution coefficient (K(d)) is the parameter that governs the incorporation of contaminants in soils. Its estimation allows the prediction of the fate of contaminants in the short- and long-term after a contamination event. Here, the K(d) of radiostrontium (K(d)(Sr)), a radionuclide of significant environmental interest, was predicted by hard models, which are based on knowledge of the mechanisms governing its sorption, and by soft models based on Partial Least Squares (PLS), using a large data set with the main soil parameters. The two approaches were tested and compared for 30 soils in Spain. Correlations between the predicted and experimental values of K(d)(Sr) obtained using hard- and soft-modelling showed slopes close to 1 and regression coefficients higher than 0.95, which confirms that both approaches are able to obtain satisfactory estimates for K(d)(Sr) from soil parameters.

Comparison of mechanistic and PLS-based regression models to predict radiocaesium distribution coefficients in soils.

Radiocaesium sorption interaction descriptors were examined in 30 soil samples from Spain. Mechanistic and regression models were used to predict the solid-liquid distribution coefficients of radiocaesium (K(d)(Cs)) based on soil properties, and the obtained values were compared with the experimental ones, which were derived from batch experiments. The batch experiments used two contact solutions: one simulated the composition of the soil solution, and the other was the wash-off from the soil. Several mechanistic models of different complexity were tested based on the Radiocaesium Interception Potential (RIP), with satisfactory agreement between experimental and predicted values. A simplified model based on either the RIP, or the clay content and K status of the soil was proposed. Various multivariant regression models, which were constructed using the Partial Least Square Regression (PLS), were also evaluated. The RIP, clay content, and the K and NH(4)(+) contents were also identified by the regression models as the most relevant soil parameters to predict the K(d). As seen for the mechanistic models, the goodness of fit of the regression models was demonstrated by an excellent agreement between experimental and predicted values.

Recidiva de endometriosis en pared abdominal. Reporte de caso / Recurrence of endometriosis in the abdominal wall. A case report

Introducción: La endometriosis de pared abdominal es una patología infrecuente, que generalmente se desarrolla en una cicatriz quirúrgica posterior a un procedimiento ginecológico y/o ginecoobstétrico. Caso clínico: Mujer de 29 años, G3C2A1V2, antecedentes de esterilización quirúrgica, quien un año después a su última cesárea presenta cuadro de dolor pélvico crónico asociado a ciclo menstrual, que se acompañaba de sangrado menstrual abundante y sensación de masa en hipogastrio. Con diagnóstico de endometriosis en pared abdominal, razón por la cual realizan resección. Sin embargo, tras un año posterior al procedimiento recidiva de endometriosis en pared abdominal, en esta ocasión, con requerimiento de resección amplia de fascia, colocación de malla y cierre por planos. Conclusiones: La endometriosis de pared abdominal es de difícil diagnóstico, ya que comparativamente es una entidad infrecuente, que no ha recibido una adecuada atención. Es importante sospecharla en mujeres con dolor abdominal cíclico y presencia de masa en la pared abdominal, adicionalmente con la utilización de imágenes diagnósticas. La resección quirúrgica es el tratamiento ideal, sin embargo, es importante recalcar la importancia de una resección amplia de márgenes para evitar recidivas. Adicionalmente el cierre por planos que evite defectos en la pared abdominal.(AU)

Introduction: Abdominal wall endometriosis is an uncommon pathology, which usually develops in a surgical scar following a gynaecological and/or gynaecological-obstetric procedure. Case study: Female, 29 years old, G3C2A1V2, history of surgical sterilization. One year after her last cesarean section, she presented with chronic pelvic pain associated with the menstrual cycle, accompanied by heavy menstrual bleeding and a sensation of a mass in the hypogastrium. She was diagnosed with endometriosis in the abdominal wall, and resection was performed. However, one year after the procedure, the endometriosis in the abdominal wall recurred, this time requiring wide fascia resection, mesh placement and layered closure. Conclusions: Abdominal wall endometriosis is difficult to diagnose, since it is a comparatively infrequent entity, which has not received adequate attention. It is important to suspect it in women with cyclic abdominal pain and the presence of a mass in the abdominal wall, in addition to the use of diagnostic imaging. Surgical resection is the ideal treatment, however, it is important to emphasize the importance of a wide margin resection to avoid recurrence. Layered closure is also important to avoid defects in the abdominal wall.(AU)