A review on the fate of pesticides during the processes within the food-production Chain.

Only the intake of toxicologically-significant amounts can lead to adverse health effects even for a relatively toxic substance. In the case of residues in foods this is based on two major aspects--first, how to determine quantitatively the presence of a pollutant in individual foods and diets, including its fate during the processes within the food production chain; and second, how to determine the consumption patterns of the individual foods containing the relevant pollutants. The techniques used for the evaluation of the fate of pesticides during food processing have been critically reviewed in this paper to determine those areas where improvements are needed or desirable. Options for improvements are being suggested, including, for example, the development of a pan-European food composition database, activities to understand better effects of processing on individual food pesticides, and harmonization of food consumption survey methods with the option of a regular pan-European survey. The ultimate aim is to obtain appropriate estimations for the presence and quantity of a given chemical in a food and in the diet in general. Existing pragmatic approaches are a first crude step to model food pollutant intake. It is recommended to extend, refine, and validate this approach in the near future. This has to result in a cost-effective exposure-assessment system to be used for existing and potential categories of pollutants. This system of knowledge (with information on sensitivities, accuracy, etc.) will guide future data collection.

The effect of nanocrystalline silicon host on magnetic properties of encapsulated iron oxide nanoparticles.

The purpose of this work is a detailed comparison of the fundamental magnetic properties of nanocomposite systems consisting of Fe3O4 nanoparticle-loaded porous silicon as well as silicon nanotubes. Such composite structures are of potential merit in the area of magnetically guided drug delivery. For magnetic systems to be utilized in biomedical applications, there are certain magnetic properties that must be fulfilled. Therefore magnetic properties of embedded Fe3O4-nanoparticles in these nanostructured silicon host matrices, porous silicon and silicon nanotubes, are investigated. Temperature-dependent magnetic investigations have been carried out for four types of iron oxide particle sizes (4, 5, 8 and 10 nm). The silicon host, in interplay with the iron oxide nanoparticle size, plays a sensitive role. It is shown that Fe3O4 loaded porous silicon and SiNTs differ significantly in their magnetic behavior, especially the transition between superparamagnetic behavior and blocked state, due to host morphology-dependent magnetic interactions. Importantly, it is found that all investigated samples meet the magnetic precondition of possible biomedical applications of exhibiting a negligible magnetic remanence at room temperature.

Inulin as a novel biocompatible coating: evaluation of surface affinities toward CaHPO4, α-Fe2O3, ZnO, CaHPO4@ZnO and α-Fe2O3@ZnO nanoparticles.

The introduction of biocompatible coatings onto nanoparticle surfaces can be synthetically challenging. In this work, calcium phosphate (brushite, CaHPO4⋅2H2O), iron oxide (hematite, α-Fe2O3), zinc oxide (ZnO), and CaHPO4@ZnO and α-Fe2O3@ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized and treated with the biocompatible, biodegradable, polysaccharide inulin {(2R,3S,4S,5R)-2-[[(2R,3S,4S,5R)-3,4-dihydroxy-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]oxymethyl]-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolane-2,3,4-triol} under mild conditions. The products were fully characterized by Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), differential thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Surface interactions among hematite and brushite with inulin are weak, but coating the nanoparticle surface with ZnO increased the affinity toward the polysaccharide. Inulin adsorption on the nanoparticle surface was confirmed by thermal and spectroscopic analyses. The nanoparticles had diameters ranging from 50 to 80nm, with nearly spherical morphology. The nanoparticles sizes, stability and solubility in water could make them useful as components for enriched foods.

Health worker exposure risk during inhalation sedation with sevoflurane using the (AnaConDa®) anaesthetic conserving device.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Occupational exposure to sevoflurane should not exceed 2 ppm. During inhalation sedation with sevoflurane using the anaesthetic conserving device (AnaConDa(®)) in the post-anaesthesia care unit, waste gases can be reduced by gas extraction systems or scavenging devices such as CONTRAfluran™. However, the efficacy of these methods has not been clearly established. To determine the safest scenario for healthcare workers during inhalation sedation with sevoflurane in the post-surgical intensive care unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An experimental study on occupational exposure was conducted in a post-cardiothoracic care unit during March-August 2009. The measurements were performed in four post-cardiac surgery sedated adults in post-surgical intensive care unit and four nurses at the bedside, and at four points: scenario A, inhalation sedation without gas extraction system or contrafluran as a reference scenario; scenario B, applying a gas extraction system to the ventilator; scenario C, using contrafluran; and scenario 0, performing intravenous isolation sedation. Sevoflurane concentrations were measured in the nurses' breathing area during patient care, and at 1.5 and 8 m from the ventilator using diffusive passive monitor badges. RESULTS: All badges corresponding to the nurses' breathing area were below 2 ppm. Levels of sevoflurane detected using prevention systems were lower than that in the control situation. Only one determination over 2 ppm was found, corresponding to the monitor placed nearest the gas outlet of the ventilator in scenario A. Trace concentrations of sevoflurane were found in scenario 0 during intravenous sedation. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of sevoflurane through the AnaConDa(®) system during inhalation sedation in post-surgical intensive care units is safe for healthcare workers, but gas extraction systems or scavenging systems, such as CONTRAfluran™ should be used to reduce occupational exposure as much as possible.

Ácido acetilsalicílico y clonidina en el perioperatorio de pacientes intervenidos de cirugía no cardíaca (estudio POISE-2) / Perioperative acetylsalicylic acid and clonidine in noncardiac surgery patients (POISE-2 trial)

No disponible

Inhibition of eosinophil transepithelial migration and downregulation of adhesion molecule expression on eosinophils and airway epithelial cells induced by budesonide.

In asthma, eosinophil migration through the bronchial mucosa is mediated by the expression of surface molecules on eosinophils and airway epithelial cells. To characterize the activity of budesonide on eosinophil transepithelial migration, blood eosinophils were isolated from atopic asthmatic subjects and human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) from surgically resected bronchi. In the presence of different concentrations of budesonide (0.1-100 nM), we tested: a) eosinophil migration induced by C5a through HBEC monolayers; b) ICAM-1 expression on HBECs, stimulated with C5a and c) LFA-1 and Mac-1 expression on eosinophils, stimulated with C5a or with ah-CD23 mabs plus GM-CSF. Eosinophils showed a remarkable chemotactic response to C5a (P<0.001), that was effectively down-regulated by the presence in the chemotactic chambers of budesonide at all the concentrations tested (P<0.05). A weaker, but still present, inhibitory activity on cell locomotion was observed when HBECs or eosinophils were preincubated with budesonide before the chemotaxis assay, which was performed in absence of the drug. Preincubation of the cells with different concentrations of budesonide was also effective in down-regulating the C5a-induced ICAM-1 expression on HBECs and the ah-CD23 and GM-CSF-induced LFA-1 and Mac-1 expression on eosinophils. Thus, budesonide-induced down-regulation of eosinophil migration through airway epithelial cells is associated with, and possibly partially dependent on inhibition of adhesion molecule expression on both cell types.

Health worker exposure risk during inhalation sedation with sevoflurane using the (AnaConDa ®) anaesthetic conserving device / Riesgo de exposición de los profesionales sanitarios durante sedación inhalatoria con sevoflurane a través del dispositivo anaesthetic conserving device (AnaConDa ®)

Introduction and objective Occupational exposure to sevoflurane should not exceed 2 ppm. During inhalation sedation with sevoflurane using the anaesthetic conserving device (AnaConDa®) in the post-anaesthesia care unit, waste gases can be reduced by gas extraction systems or scavenging devices such as CONTRAfluran™. However, the efficacy of these methods has not been clearly established. To determine the safest scenario for healthcare workers during inhalation sedation with sevoflurane in the post-surgical intensive care unit. Materials and methods: An experimental study on occupational exposure was conducted in a post-cardiothoracic care unit during March-August 2009. The measurements were performed in four post-cardiac surgery sedated adults in post-surgical intensive care unit and four nurses at the bedside, and at four points: scenario A, inhalation sedation without gas extraction system or contrafluran as a reference scenario; scenario B, applying a gas extraction system to the ventilator; scenario C, using contrafluran; and scenario 0, performing intravenous isolation sedation. Sevoflurane concentrations were measured in the nurses’ breathing area during patient care, and at 1.5 and 8 m from the ventilator using diffusive passive monitor badges. Results: All badges corresponding to the nurses’ breathing area were below 2 ppm. Levels of sevoflurane detected using prevention systems were lower than that in the control situation. Only one determination over 2 ppm was found, corresponding to the monitor placed nearest the gas outlet of the ventilator in scenario A. Trace concentrations of sevoflurane were found in scenario 0 during intravenous sedation. Conclusions: Administration of sevoflurane through the AnaConDa® system during inhalation sedation in post-surgical intensive care units is safe for healthcare workers, but gas extraction systems or scavenging systems, such as CONTRAfluran™ should be used to reduce occupational exposure as much as possible (AU)

Introducción y objetivo: La exposición ocupacional al sevoflurano no debe exceder de 2 ppm. Durante la sedación por inhalación con sevoflurano utilizando el dispositivo anestésico conservación ( AnaConDa ®) en la unidad de cuidados post-anestésicos , gases residuales se pueden reducir mediante sistemas de extracción de gases o dispositivos de barrido como CONTRAfluran ™ . Sin embargo , la eficacia de estos métodos no se ha establecido claramente. Para determinar el escenario más seguro para los trabajadores de la salud durante la sedación por inhalación con sevoflurano en la unidad de cuidados intensivos post- quirúrgica. Materiales y métodos: Un estudio experimental sobre la exposición laboral se llevó a cabo en una unidad de cuidados post- cardiotorácica entre marzo y agosto de 2009. Las mediciones se realizaron cada cuatro adultos sedados después de cirugía cardiaca en la unidad de cuidados intensivos post- quirúrgica y cuatro enfermeras en el lado de la cama , y en cuatro puntos : el escenario A , sedación por inhalación sin sistema de extracción de gas o contrafluran como un escenario de referencia ; escenario B, la aplicación de un sistema de extracción de gas al ventilador ; escenario C , utilizando contrafluran y escenario 0 , realizando intravenosa sedación aislamiento. Concentraciones de sevoflurano fueron medidas en la zona de respiración de las enfermeras durante el cuidado del paciente, y en el 1,5 y 8 m desde el ventilador utilizando difusivos insignias monitor pasivo. Resultados Todas las insignias correspondientes a la zona de respiración de las enfermeras estaban por debajo de 2 ppm. Los niveles de sevoflurano detectado utilizando sistemas de prevención fueron más bajos que en la situación de control. Sólo se encontró un empeño superior a 2 ppm, correspondiente al monitor colocado más cerca de la salida de gas del ventilador en el escenario A concentraciones traza de sevoflurano fueron encontrados en el escenario 0 durante la sedación intravenosa. Conclusiones: La administración de sevoflurano a través del sistema AnaConDa ® durante la sedación por inhalación en las unidades de cuidados intensivos postquirúrgicos es seguro para los trabajadores de la salud, pero los sistemas de extracción de gas o sistemas de evacuación, tales como CONTRAfluran ™ debe ser usado para reducir la exposición ocupacional tanto como sea posible (AU)

Budesonide down-regulates eosinophil locomotion but has no effects on ECP release or on H2O2 production.

Treatment of allergic asthma with inhaled corticosteroids results in local down-regulation of proinflammatory cytokine synthesis and in marked decrease in tissue eosinophilia. Blood concentrations of inhaled corticosteroids, although significantly lower than those measured in the lung, may still have antiinflammatory effects on circulating eosinophils, reducing their ability to migrate. The aim of our study was to evaluate in vitro the activity of budesonide on blood eosinophils by measuring their chemotactic response, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) release, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in the presence of different drug concentrations similar to those obtained at airway level (10(-8) and 10(-7) M) and at blood level (10(-10) and 10(-9) M). Partially purified blood eosinophils, isolated from 23 asthmatic subjects, were used to evaluate the activity of budesonide on: (1) chemotaxis toward the activated fifth component of complement (C5a, 0.1 microg/ml) or recombinant human (rh) interleukin (IL)-5 (200 pg/ml), (2) ECP release by cells stimulated with tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) and (3) H2O2 production by TPA-activated cells. The chemotactic response to C5a was down-regulated significantly by budesonide only by the highest concentrations tested (10(-8) and 10(-7) M); differently, budesonide was effective in inhibiting eosinophil migration toward rhIL-5, at all concentrations tested (p < 0.01, each comparison). By contrast, no drug-induced modifications were observed in ECP release or in H2O2 production (p > 0.05, each comparison). We conclude that concentrations of budesonide similar to those obtained in vivo are effective in inhibiting eosinophil locomotion but not in down-regulating the release of reactive oxygen species and granule-associated proteins.

Palo seco / No disponible

No disponible

Hallazgo de un bronquio traqueal derecho durante fibrobroncoscopia intraoperatoria / No disponible

No disponible

Canalización de una variante anatómica de la vena femoral guiadapor ecografía / No disponible

No disponible

Actitudes, emociones y percepción de la preparación asistencial y emocional de los estudiantes de enfermería ante la muerte y el enfermo terminal / No disponible

Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue investigar las actitudes, emociones y la percepción de la preparación emocional y asistencial de estudiantes de enfermería frente a la muerte y al paciente terminal. Materiales y métodos: para ello, se aplicó un instrumento constituido por la escala Collet-Lester (1), el cuestionario de factores que ayudan a morir en paz (2) y un cuestionario sobre preferencias laborales a 130 estudiantes de enfermería de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile durante el año 2006-2007. Resultados: una baja cantidad de estudiantes (15-20%) se siente preparado para enfrentar pacientes terminales a nivel emocional y asistencial. De acuerdo a esto, los estudiantes de enfermería tienen poca preferencia por cuidar a pacientes con sida o de edad avanzada. En contraste, la mayoría de los estudiantes prefieren trabajar en urgencias y en atención primaria. Además, con respecto a la propia muerte un alto porcentaje (43%) refiere inquietarle morir joven. A la mayoría de los estudiantes (71%) le preocupa la posible muerte de una persona querida y siente preocupación por no tener recursos para ayudarla. Conclusión: se sugiere implementar un programa de formación a nivel de pregrado obligatorio en cuidados paliativos con el fin de que el personal de enfermería pueda brindar un cuidado integral y seguro a los pacientes terminales (AU)

Objective: the aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes and perceived emotional preparation of nursing students regarding death and the terminal patient. Material and method: 130 nursing students of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile were subjected to the followings tests (between 2006 and 2007): a test instrument based on the Collet-Lester scale (1) for factors helping patients die in peace (2), and a test for work preferences. Results: interestingly, a small number of students (15-20%) felt prepared to face terminal patients at the caring and emotional level. Accordingly, AIDS patients and geriatric care are not usually selected by nursing students. In contrast, most students wish to work in emergency and primary care. Furthermore, regarding their own death, some students (43%) feel worried about dying young, and most (71%) are concerned about the death of their loved ones and with being unable to help them. Conclusion: it is suggested that solid education on palliative care is needed at the undergraduate level to ensure that nursing students can provide integral and safe care to terminal patients (AU)