Acute effect of zoledronic acid on the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias

There have been recent concerns regarding the risk of serious adverse events, such as cardiac dysrhythmia and atrial fibrillation (AF), associated with bisphosphonate use in osteoporosis. This open-label, non-randomized, crossover pilot study evaluated short-term effects of zoledronic acid and placebo on the occurrence of cardiac dysrhythmias and prodysrhythmic profile in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and low risk of cardiac dysrhythmias. Fifteen postmenopausal women (mean age 70.7 ± 6.9 years) with osteoporosis received placebo infusion on day 1 and zoledronic acid 5 mg on day 7. Standard 12-lead resting EKG measured QT parameters at baseline and up to 24 h after infusion. Continuous 24-h EKG assessed dysrhythmic events and heart rate variability (HRV) for 24 h after infusion. There were no statistically significant differences in resting EKG parameters between placebo and zoledronic acid: QTc (404.28 ± 9.28 and 410.63 ± 18.43 ms), no significant differences in mean serum electrolytes at baseline and after infusion, and no significant association between QT/QTc parameters and serum electrolytes before and after each infusion (QTc: 401.83 ± 17.73 for zoledronic acid and 404.65 ± 16.79 for placebo). There was no significant difference in HRV parameters between placebo and zoledronic acid, and no dysrhythmias were recorded at rest or with 24 h EKG monitoring. Zoledronic acid does not produce dysrhythmia or prodysrhythmic effects in the short term. Among possible mechanisms proposed for cardiac dysrhythmias with zoledronic acid, no serum electrolyte or autonomous nervous system balance perturbations have been reported.

Highly percolated poly(vinyl alcohol) and bacterial nanocellulose synthesized in situ by physical-crosslinking: exploiting polymer synergies for biomedical nanocomposites

Bacterial cellulose (BC) grown from a culture medium in the presence of water-soluble poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) produced an assemblage that was used as precursor for the synthesis of biocompatible nanocomposites.

New insights into the antioxidant activity of hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic systems: spectroscopic, electrochemistry, and cellular studies

A series hydroxycinnamic and gallic acids and their derivatives were studied with the aim of evaluating their in vitro antioxidant properties both in homogeneous and in cellular systems. It was concluded from the oxygen radical absorbance capacity-fluorescein (ORAC-FL), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and cyclic voltammetry data that some compounds exhibit remarkable antioxidant properties. In general, in homogeneous media (DPPH assay), galloyl-based cinnamic and benzoic systems (compounds 7-11) were the most active, exhibiting the lowest oxidation potentials in both dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and phosphate buffer. Yet, p-coumaric acid and its derivatives (compounds 1-3) disclosed the highest scavenging activity toward peroxyl radicals (ORAC-FL assay). Interesting structure-property- activity relationships between ORAC-FL, or DPPH radical, and redox potentials have been attained, showing that the latter parameter can be a valuable antioxidant measure. It was evidenced that redox potentials are related to the structural features of cinnamic and benzoic systems and that their activities are also dependent on the radical generated in the assay. Electron spin resonance data of the phenoxyl radicals generated both in DMSO and phosphate buffer support the assumption that radical stability is related to the type of phenolic system. Galloyl-based cinnamic and benzoic ester-type systems (compounds 9 and 11) were the most active and effective compounds in cell-based assays (51.13 ± 1.27% and 54.90 ± 3.65%, respectively). In cellular systems, hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic systems operate based on their intrinsic antioxidant outline and lipophilic properties, so the balance between these two properties is considered of the utmost importance to ensure their performance in the prevention or minimization of the effects due to free radical overproduction.

Patterns and trends in esophageal cancer mortality and incidence in Europe (1980-2011) and predictions to 2015

BACKGROUND

Over the last few decades, esophageal cancer incidence and mortality trends varied substantially across Europe, with important differences between sexes and the two main histological subtypes, squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and adenocarcinoma (EAC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

To monitor recent esophageal cancer mortality trends and to compute short-term predictions in the European Union (EU) and selected European countries, we analyzed data provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) for 1980-2011. We also analyzed incidence trends and relative weights of ESCC and EAC across Europe using data from Cancer Incidence in Five Continents.

RESULTS

Long-term decreasing trends were observed for male esophageal cancer mortality in several southern and western European countries, whereas in central Europe mortality increased until the mid-1990s and started to stabilize or decline over the last years. In some eastern and northern countries, the rates were still increasing. Mortality among European women remained comparatively low and showed stable or decreasing trends in most countries. Between 2000-2004 and 2005-2009, esophageal cancer mortality declined by 7% (from 5.34 to 4.99/100 000) in EU men, and by 3% (from 1.12 to 1.09/100 000) in EU women. Predictions to 2015 show persistent declines in mortality rates for men in the EU overall, and stable rates for EU women, with rates for 2015 of 4.5/100 000 men (about 22 300 deaths) and 1.1/100 000 women (about 7400 deaths). In northern Europe, EAC is now the predominant histological type among men, while for European women ESCC is more common and corresponding rates are still increasing in several countries.

CONCLUSION(S)

The observed trends reflect the variations in alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking and overweight across European countries.

Development and validation of the Spanish Hazard Perception Test

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current study is to develop and obtain valid evidence for a hazard perception test suitable for the Spanish driving population. To obtain valid evidence to support the use of the test, the effect of hazardous and quasi-hazardous situations on the participants' hazard prediction is analyzed and the pattern of results for drivers with different driving experience--that is, learner, novice, and expert drivers and reoffender vs. nonoffender drivers--is compared. Potentially hazardous situations are those that develop without involving any real hazard (i.e., the driver did not actually have to decelerate or make any evasive maneuver to avoid a potential collision). The current study analyzed repeat offender drivers attending compulsory reeducation programs as a result of reaching the maximum number of penalty points on their driving license due to repeated violations of traffic laws.

METHOD

A new video-based hazard perception test was developed, using a total of 20 hazardous situation videos plus 8 quasi-hazardous situation videos. They were selected from 167 recordings of natural hazards in real Spanish driving settings.

RESULTS

The test showed adequate psychometric properties and evidence of validity, distinguishing between different types of drivers. Psychometric results confirm a final version of the hazard perception test composed of 11 video clips of hazards and 6 video clips of quasi-hazards, for which an overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient of.77 was obtained. A lack of ability to detect quasi-hazards and distinguish them from hazardous situations was also found for learner, novice, and reoffender drivers. Learner drivers obtained lower average scores than novice and experienced drivers with the hazardous situation videos, and learner drivers obtained lower average scores than experienced drivers with the quasi-hazardous situation videos, suggesting that the ability to correctly identify hazardous traffic situations may develop early by accumulating initial driving experience. However, the ability to correctly identify quasi-hazardous situations may develop later with the accumulation of further driving experience. Developing this ability is also difficult for reoffender drivers.

CONCLUSION

The test has adequate psychometric properties and is useful in distinguishing between learner, novice, and expert drivers. In addition, it is useful in that it analyzes the performance of both safe and unsafe drivers (reoffenders who have already lost their driving license).

Hemodynamics and tissue oxygenation after hemodilution with ultrahigh molecular weight polymerized albumin

BACKGROUND

Compared to blood transfusion, plasma expanders (PEs) are more cost effective, have a longer shelf-life, and elicit a milder immune response. High molecular weight (MW) dextrans preserve microvascular function during extreme hemodilution. Dextrans, however, evokes negative hemostatic effects, including red blood cell (RBC) aggregation and reduce platelet adhesion, that limit their clinical use. Therefore, polymerization of human serum albumin (HSA) presents a simple strategy to increase HSA's molecular size.

METHODS

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that polymerized HSA (PolyHSA) biophysical properties improves systemic and microvascular hemodynamics when used as a PE under anemic conditions. The study was implemented using the hamster window chamber model. Animals were first hemodiluted to 18% hematocrit (Hct) using 6% dextran 70 kDa and then to 11% Hct using either 10% PolyHSA, 10% unpolymerized HSA, or 6% dextran 70 kDa. Systemic and microvascular hemodynamics, including cardiac output (CO), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), functional capillary density (FCD), microvascular perfusion, and oxygen tension were measured.

RESULTS

Posthemodilution, PolyHSA improved MAP, CO, and oxygen delivery compared to HSA and dextran. Additionally, PolyHSA improved microvascular function in terms of blood flow and FCD. Although oxygen carrying capacity is limited at 11% Hct, tissue pO2 and oxygen delivery were higher for PolyHSA compared to HSA and dextran.

CONCLUSION

PolyHSA during extreme anemia supported systemic and microvascular hemodynamics by increasing plasma viscosity without increasing vascular resistance. These findings can aid to design of studies to understand the role of the PE biophysical properties in clinical scenarios.

Population structure among mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Colombia

Background

Phylogeographic composition of M. tuberculosis populations reveals associations between lineages and human populations that might have implications for the development of strategies to control the disease. In Latin America, lineage 4 or the Euro-American, is predominant with considerable variations among and within countries. In Colombia, although few studies from specific localities have revealed differences in M. tuberculosis populations, there are still areas of the country where this information is lacking, as is a comparison of Colombian isolates with those from the rest of the world.

Principal Findings

A total of 414 M. tuberculosis isolates from adult pulmonary tuberculosis cases from three Colombian states were studied. Isolates were genotyped using IS6110-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), spoligotyping, and 24-locus Mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units variable number tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTRs). SIT42 (LAM9) and SIT62 (H1) represented 53.3% of isolates, followed by 8.21% SIT50 (H3), 5.07% SIT53 (T1), and 3.14% SIT727 (H1). Composite spoligotyping and 24-locus MIRU- VNTR minimum spanning tree analysis suggest a recent expansion of SIT42 and SIT62 evolved originally from SIT53 (T1). The proportion of Haarlem sublineage (44.3%) was significantly higher than that in neighboring countries. Associations were found between M. tuberculosis MDR and SIT45 (H1), as well as HIV-positive serology with SIT727 (H1) and SIT53 (T1).

Conclusions

This study showed the population structure of M. tuberculosis in several regions from Colombia with a dominance of the LAM and Haarlem sublineages, particularly in two major urban settings (Medellín and Cali). Dominant spoligotypes were LAM9 (SIT 42) and Haarlem (SIT62). The proportion of the Haarlem sublineage was higher in Colombia compared to that in neighboring countries, suggesting particular conditions of co-evolution with the corresponding human population that favor the success of this sublineage.

Tempol attenuates atherosclerosis associated with metabolic syndrome via decreased vascular inflammation and NADPH-2 oxidase expression

Oxidative stress is an important factor in the generation of vascular injury in atherosclerosis. Chronic administration of fructose in rodents is able to facilitate oxidative damage. In the present study we evaluated the role of Tempol, a superoxide dismutase mimetic, on the effect of high fructose intake in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-KO) mice. Rodents were fed with fructose overload (FF, 10% w/v) for 8 weeks and treated with Tempol 1 mg/kg/day the latest 4 weeks. Tempol revert the pro-oxidant effects caused by FF, diminished lipid peroxidation and impaired vascular NADPH oxidase system through the downregulation of p47phox expression in the vascular wall. Tempol inhibited the expression of vascular adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) in aorta and reduced the development of atheroma plaques. Our results indicate that tempol attenuates oxidative stress by interfering with the correct assembly of Nox2 oxidase complex in the vascular wall and is able to reduce atherosclerosis. Thus tempol represents a potential therapeutic target for preventing risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome.

Progressive loss in circulating volume during haemodialysis can be monitored by time voltage integral area of QRS complex: pilot study

INTRODUCTION

Time voltage area of QRS is a parameter that showed a close association with modifications in endoventricular volume. The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of this parameter in identifying progressive reduction in circulating blood volume (BV) during haemodialytic treatment (HT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirteen uraemic patients were studied. XYX like leads were monitored before, during and after HT. Summation of areas of each QRS complex was named QRS total area (TA).

RESULTS

Increase in QRS TA and decrease in BV were found after vs. before HT. Progressive increase in QRS TA is strongly linked to a progressive reduction of BV during HT.

CONCLUSIONS

THESE FINDINGS ENCOURAGE USE OF ECG MONITORING DURING HT WITH A DUAL PURPOSE: rhythm and haemodynamic control. In fact, excessive or insufficient subtractions of water, with consequent hypotensive or cardiorespiratory crisis, are the most frequent complications in these patients.

Model-based patterns in prostate cancer mortality worldwide

Background:

Prostate cancer mortality has been decreasing in several high income countries and previous studies analysed the trends mostly according to geographical criteria. We aimed to identify patterns in the time trends of prostate cancer mortality across countries using a model-based approach.

Methods:

Model-based clustering was used to identify patterns of variation in prostate cancer mortality (1980–2010) across 37 European, five non-European high-income countries and four leading emerging economies. We characterised the patterns observed regarding the geographical distribution and gross national income of the countries, as well as the trends observed in mortality/incidence ratios.

Results:

We identified three clusters of countries with similar variation in prostate cancer mortality: pattern 1 (‘no mortality decline'), characterised by a continued increase throughout the whole period; patterns 2 (‘later mortality decline') and 3 (‘earlier mortality decline') depict mortality declines, starting in the late and early 1990s, respectively. These clusters are also homogeneous regarding the variation in the prostate cancer mortality/incidence ratios, while are heterogeneous with reference to the geographical region of the countries and distribution of the gross national income.

Conclusion:

We provide a general model for the description and interpretation of the trends in prostate cancer mortality worldwide, based on three main patterns.

Difusión por resonancia magnética para el diagnóstico de lesiones intracraneales

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Perfusión cerebral por resonancia magnética

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Trastornos neurológicos en niños con epilepsia

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"Trabecular Bone Score" (TBS): an indirect measure of bone micro-architecture in postmenopausal patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND

Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) generally show reduced bone mineral density (BMD) at cortical sites with relatively preserved trabecular bone. However, the increased fracture risk at all skeletal sites suggests that areal BMD probably is not effective in capturing all the determinants of bone strength. "Trabecular Bone Score" (TBS) has been recently proposed as an indirect measure of bone micro-architecture. Our study was aimed to investigate TBS in patients with PHPT.

METHODS

Seventy-three Caucasian postmenopausal women with PHPT and 74 age-matched healthy women (C) were studied. In all participants BMD at lumbar spine (LS) and at femoral sites (Neck-FN and total hip-TH) was measured by DXA and, in 67 patients and 34 C, also at the distal 1/3 of the radius (R). TBS was measured in the region of LS-BMD. Spine X ray was assessed in all patients.

RESULTS

Mean TBS values were significantly reduced in PHPT (1.19 ± 0.10) compared to C (1.24 ± 0.09, p<0.01). Patients and controls did not differ for age, years since menopause (YSM), BMI, 25(OH)D serum levels, creatinine clearance, LS-BMD and FN-BMD. On the contrary, mean BMD values at both TH and R were significantly lower in PHPT patients compared to controls (p<0.01 and p<0.0001, respectively). In PHPT with vertebral fractures (VF+, n=29) TBS was significantly lower than in those without fracture (VF-, n=44)(1.14 ± 0.10 vs. 1.22 ± 0.10, respectively; p<0.01), whose TBS values did not differ from C. Mean TBS values in patients with (n=18) and without (n=55) non-vertebral fractures did not significantly differ (1.16 ± 0.09 vs. 1.20 ± 0.11). The presence of vertebral fractures was independently associated with the reduction of TBS (OR=0.003, 95% CI=0-0.534, p=0.028) and with YSM (OR=1.076, 95% CI=1.017-1.139, p=0.011), but not with age, the reduction of LS-BMD and the increase of BMI. The combination of YSM > 10 years plus TBS < 1.2 was associated with a significant risk of VF (OR=11.73, 95% CI 2.43-66.55, p<0.001). A TBS value <1.2 showed a better performance in individuating VF (sensibility 79.3%, specificity 61.4%, positive predictive value 57.5%, and negative predictive value 81.8%) in respect to YSM > 10 years.

CONCLUSIONS

TBS seems to indirectly reflect an alteration of bone micro-architecture in postmenopausal women with PHPT.

In-plane organization of silicon nanocrystals embedded in SiO2 thin films

Nanofabrication of buried structures with dimensions below 5 nm and with controlled 3D-positioning at the nanoscale was attempted to open new routes to future nanodevices where single nanostructures could be systematically interfaced. A typical example is ultralow-energy ion beam synthesis where already the depth positioning of embedded arrays of silicon nanocrystals can be finely controlled with nanometric precision. In this study, we investigated for the first time the control of the in-plane organization of the nanocrystals using a legitimate patterning option for microelectronic industries, self-assembled block-copolymer. The compatibility with the ultralow-energy ion beam synthesis process of polymeric nanoporous films used as mask was demonstrated together with the capability to control in 3D the organization of Si nanocrystals. The resulting nano-organization consists in a hexagonal array of 20 nm wide nanovolumes containing on average 8 nanocrystals embedded at a controlled depth within a silica matrix.

Arrhythmias in primary hyperparathyroidism evaluated by exercise test

BACKGROUND

Hypercalcemia induces arrhythmias and shortening of QT. The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors for occurrence of arrhythmias in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) during bicycle ergometer exercise test (ET).

METHODS

Thirty PHPT postmenopausal women (mean age, 60·9 ± 8·0 years) and 30, sex and age-matched, controls underwent ET, echocardiogram and mineral metabolism biochemical evaluation. The following stages were considered during ET: rest, peak exercise, recovery (early recovery, 2 and 10 min after peak exercise). QT was corrected with Bazett's formula (QTc).

RESULTS

Compared with controls, PHPT patients showed an increased occurrence of ventricular premature beats (VPBs) during ET (26·6% vs. 6·6%, P = 0·03). Being affected by PHPT predicted the onset of VPBs at peak exercise (P = 0·04) and recovery (P = 0·03), as shown by logistic regression analysis. In PHPT patients, serum calcium level was a predictor of VPBs at peak exercise (P = 0·05). QTc in patients with PHPT was in the normal range. Serum calcium level showed a negative correlation with QTc (P = 0·01) in whole sample. Compared with controls, PHTP patients had QTc significantly shorter for every stage of ET, except at peak exercise. Physiological reduction of QTc interval from rest to peak exercise was not seen in patients with PHPT, QTc at rest being the only predictor of QTc in every stage, as shown by multivariate regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with PHPT, an increased occurrence of VPBs and a different QTc adaptation during ET were observed and may represent risk factors for major arrhythmias.

Abstract P3-02-08: Is repetition of the contralateral mammogram of patients referred from breast cancer screening for unilateral findings necessary?

Introduction - The Netherlands started a nationwide breast cancer screening program in 1989, including women from the age of 50 until 75. Screening mammograms are performed two yearly in a mobile unit and consist of a bilateral two-view mammogram of the breast (mediolateral oblique and craniocaudal views).

If indicated, patients are referred to a breast clinic for diagnostic analysis. This work-up consist of among others repeating the bilateral two-view mammogram. Since the screening is digitalized, repeating of at least the mammogram of the non suspicious side might be unnecessary.

The aim of this study is to determine the additional value of repeating the contralateral mammogram in patients referred for a suspicious unilateral lesion.

Material and methods – 395 patients were referred from breast screening program to our institution for unilateral findings between October 2009 and August 2011. In all patients a bilateral mammogram was repeated and analyzed by an experienced breast radiologist. In the case of breast cancer a breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed for preoperative staging. Anonymised data concerning the date of registration of the screening mammogram, the referred side (left/right or bilateral), age, screening's BI-RADS classification, breast density, biopsy results and breast MRI results were collected.

Results - Of the 395 patients referred for a suspicious unilateral finding, a malignancy on the referred side was observed in 144 patients (36.5%). In five patients bilateral breast cancer was detected. In one patient no malignancy was detected on the referred side, though on the contralateral side. Three of these six contralateral malignancies were directly mammographically detected. All six malignancies were detected with preoperative breast MRI.

Conclusion - Repetition of the two-view mammogram of the contralateral side in patients referred with a unilateral suspicious finding seems unnecessary, since all contralateral malignancies were depicted on the preoperative staging breast MRI recommended according to the EUSOBI-guidelines. Omission of the contralateral mammogram could lead to reduction of associated health care costs, radiation exposure, and patient discomfort caused by the exam.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-02-08.

A novel deletion in ZBTB24 in a Lebanese family with immunodeficiency, centromeric instability, and facial anomalies syndrome type 2

The immunodeficiency, centromeric instability and facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by targeted chromosome breakage, directly related to a genomic methylation defect. It manifests with phenotypic and clinical variability, with the most consistent features being developmental delay, facial anomalies, cytogenetic defects and immunodeficiency with a reduction in serum immunoglobulin levels. From the molecular point of view, ICF syndrome was always divided into ICF type I (ICF1) and ICF type 2 (ICF2). Mutations in DNMT3B gene are responsible for ICF1, while mutations in ZBTB24 have been reported to be responsible for ICF2. In this study, we describe a Lebanese family with three ICF2 affected brothers. Sanger sequencing of the coding sequence of ZBTB24 gene was conducted and revealed a novel deletion: c.396_397delTA (p.His132Glnfs*19), resulting in a loss-of-function of the corresponding protein. ZBTB24 belongs to a large family of transcriptional factors and may be involved in DNA methylation of juxtacentromeric DNA. Detailed molecular and functional studies of the ZBTB24 and DNMT3B genes are needed to understand the pathophysiology of ICF syndrome.

Polymorphisms of catechol estrogens metabolism pathway genes and breast cancer risk in Mexican women

Breast cancer is associated to estrogen exposure. Allelic variants involved in estrogen metabolism might change the risk of developing this neoplasia. We examined the potential association of breast cancer risk in Mexican women with the polymorphisms CYP1A1 rs1048943, CYP1B1 rs1056836, COMT rs4680, GSTP1 rs1695, GSTT1 null and GSTM1 null which are involved in estrogen metabolism pathway. This study included 150 cases and 150 controls. A significant association was observed between, CYP1A1 rs1048943 (OR = 1.95, C.I. 1.13-3.36) and GSTP1 rs1695 (OR = 2.39, C.I. 1.24-4.24) polymorphisms with the risk of breast cancer. This risk was increased when the women were stratified according to their menopausal status. The results show that breast cancer risk significantly increases in women with 3-6 risk polymorphisms (OR = 3.75, C.I. 1.44-9.74).

Effects of temperature and dietary protein level on hepatic oxidative status of Senegalese sole juveniles (Solea senegalensis)

Effects of 55 and 45% dietary protein levels (55P and 45P diets, respectively) and temperature (12 and 18 °C) on hepatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase (GR), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels of Solea senegalensis juveniles were studied. Further, effects of acute thermal shocks provoked by a drop (18 °C to 12 °C) or a rise (12 °C to 18 °C) of water temperature on sole oxidative state was also evaluated. Dietary protein reduction increased LPO levels though no major alterations were found on antioxidant enzyme activities between dietary treatments. At 12 °C GR activity was higher and SOD activity was lower than 18 °C but LPO levels were not affected. In both thermal shock cases, LPO levels increased in 55P group, probably due to insufficient antioxidant enzyme activation. In contrast, fish of 45P group under acute exposition to warmer and colder temperature exhibited no substantial changes and a significant decrease on LPO levels, respectively, along with no major changes in antioxidant enzymes. Overall, results suggest that independently of rearing temperatures 45P group was more susceptible to oxidative stress than 55P group. Thermal shock either due to rise or drop of temperature seemed to induce oxidative stress in 55P group.

Prediagnosis lifestyle exposures and survival of gastric cancer patients: a cohort study from Portugal

BACKGROUND

Dietary habits and smoking are recognised as important gastric cancer determinants. However, their impact on prognosis remains poorly understood. We aimed to quantify the association between lifestyles and survival of gastric cancer patients.

METHODS

In 2001-2006, 568 patients were recruited in the two major public hospitals in the north of Portugal. Participants were inquired about smoking and dietary habits regarding the year preceding the diagnosis. The vital status of all participants, up to 2011 (maximum follow-up: 10 years), was assessed through the North Region Cancer Registry. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate adjusted (at least for age, sex and education) hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS

No significant differences in gastric cancer survival were observed according to smoking status (current vs never smokers, HR=1.00, 95% CI: 0.72-1.38) or alcohol intake (current vs never consumers, HR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.61-1.25). Only a dietary pattern (high consumptions of most food groups and low vegetable soup intake) was significantly associated with a better prognosis among patients with the extent of disease classified as regional spread (HR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.22-0.93).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that prediagnosis lifestyles have a small impact in the survival of gastric cancer patients.

[Morbidity and mortality in a series of patients suffering from intraperitoneal neoplasia treated with peritoneal cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy at the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá Teaching Hospital (ONCOLGroup--ATIA study)]

BACKGROUND

The procedure of radical peritonectomy followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is considered the standard treatment for peritoneal cancers.

AIMS

To evaluate various outcomes in a cohort of patients with peritoneal tumors treated with HIPEC.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients consecutively treated with radical peritonectomy plus HIPEC within the time frame of November 2007 to July 2010 were enrolled; 15 (62%) had tumors of appendicular origin, 4 (16.7%) had primary peritoneal tumors, 2 had ovarian carcinomas and there was one case of colon cancer, one carcinosarcoma and one hemangioendothelioma. Mean age was 53 years (range: 26-68) and median follow-up was 14.2 months (range: 1-32). Demographic data, histology, peritoneal cancer index (PCI), surgical procedure characteristics, recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) were all evaluated. Short-term morbidity and mortality were also determined.

RESULTS

Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 18 patients (75%). Mean PCI was 15 (<10: 41% and >10: 58%), and the median (range) for surgery duration, length of stay in the Intensive Care Unit, parenteral nutritional support, and hospital stay were 12,5 (7-20) hours, 11,4 (2-74) days, 13,8 (12-65) days, and 29,1 (10-90) days, respectively. One patient (4%) died 6 months after the procedure, due to multiple associated complications. Considerable morbidity was seen in 52% of cases, including thromboembolic events (41%), catheter-related bacteremia (29%), fistulas (29%), and nephrotoxicity (25%). Six patients (25%) recurred after a median of 21 months of RFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytoreductive surgery plus HIPEC in well-selected patients presenting with tumors that affect the peritoneum is a procedure that can be carried out in Colombia with an adequate safety and effectiveness profile. Mortality was similar to that reported in the international literature.

Precision shock tuning on the national ignition facility

Ignition implosions on the National Ignition Facility [J. D. Lindl et al., Phys. Plasmas 11, 339 (2004)] are underway with the goal of compressing deuterium-tritium fuel to a sufficiently high areal density (ρR) to sustain a self-propagating burn wave required for fusion power gain greater than unity. These implosions are driven with a very carefully tailored sequence of four shock waves that must be timed to very high precision to keep the fuel entropy and adiabat low and ρR high. The first series of precision tuning experiments on the National Ignition Facility, which use optical diagnostics to directly measure the strength and timing of all four shocks inside a hohlraum-driven, cryogenic liquid-deuterium-filled capsule interior have now been performed. The results of these experiments are presented demonstrating a significant decrease in adiabat over previously untuned implosions. The impact of the improved shock timing is confirmed in related deuterium-tritium layered capsule implosions, which show the highest fuel compression (ρR~1.0 g/cm(2)) measured to date, exceeding the previous record [V. Goncharov et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 165001 (2010)] by more than a factor of 3. The experiments also clearly reveal an issue with the 4th shock velocity, which is observed to be 20% slower than predictions from numerical simulation.

Malformación venosa en los músculos de la mano

En este artículo se detalla la presentación, tratamiento y evolución de una malformación venosa localizada en músculos intrínsecos de la mano derecha en una paciente, iniciándose a los 11 años de edad. Durante su evolución de 25 años, ha requerido tres cirugías. El aspecto estético y la función de la mano afectada se conservan aceptablemente.

Extraction of the characteristics of Si nanocrystals by the charge pumping technique

In this paper, the characteristics of silicon nanocrystals used as charge trapping centers in memory devices are examined using the two-level charge pumping (CP) technique performed as a function of frequency and energy filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM). The parameters extracted from the two methods such as the depth location, density and effective diameter of the nanocrystals are in good quantitative agreement. These results validate the charge pumping approach as a non-destructive powerful technique to access most of the properties of nanocrystals embedded in dielectrics and located at injection distances from the substrate surface not limited to the direct tunneling regime.

Use of color lights for the detection of anomalies in quality systems

The importance of eye care in the industry is a first level topic, due to most of the assembly and manufacturing aimed companies of various products that require direct health care of their employees, specially eye care. The lighting system, the lamp features and job tasks are factors that impact over the visual performance of the worker. Each of these factors, either by themselves or in conjunction, influences the visual performance of the employee, and therefore its safety and efficacy. Some of the reported symptoms are: problem of visual fixation, eye redness, tearing, headache, blurred vision, eyelids heaviness and dry eyes, [7]. The research was developed with 48 people, 27 male and 21 female, in the range of ages of 17 to 58 years old. In the experiment were used illumination system base on Diode Emitting lights (LED's) of five different colors (White, Blue, Green, Red and Yellow), the reason of use of LED's it is because are source of monochromatic light, also it is also saving power light and low heating dissipation.

The fabrication of tunable nanoporous oxide surfaces by block copolymer lithography and atomic layer deposition

Patterned nanoscale materials with controllable characteristic feature sizes and periodicity are of considerable interest in a wide range of fields, with various possible applications ranging from biomedical to nanoelectronic devices. Block-copolymer (BC)-based lithography is a powerful tool for the fabrication of uniform, densely spaced nanometer-scale features over large areas. Following this bottom-up approach, nanoporous polymeric films can be deposited on any type of substrate. The nanoporous periodic template can be transferred to the underlying substrate by dry anisotropic etching. Nevertheless the physical sizes of the polymeric mask represent an important limitation in the implementation of suitable lithographic protocols based on BC technology, since the diameter and the center-to-center distance of the pores cannot be varied independently in this class of materials. This problem could be overcome by combining block copolymer technology with atomic layer deposition (ALD): by means of BC-based lithography a nanoporous SiO2 template, with well-reproducible characteristic dimensions, can be fabricated and subsequently used as a backbone for the growth of perfectly conformal thin oxide films by ALD. In this work polystyrene-b-poly(methylmethacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) BC and reactive ion etching are used to fabricate hexagonally packed 23 nm wide nanopores in a 50 nm thick SiO2 matrix. By ALD deposition of Al2O3 thin films onto the nanoporous SiO2 templates, nanostructured Al2O3 surfaces are obtained. By properly adjusting the thickness of the Al2O3 film the dimension of the pores in the oxide films is progressively reduced, with nanometer precision, from the original size down to complete filling of the pores, thus providing a simple and fast strategy for the fabrication of nanoporous Al2O3 surfaces with well-controllable feature size.

Sporadic and hereditary primary hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disorder, particularly frequent in post-menopausal women. It is characterized by hypercalcemia with inappropriately high spontaneous plasma PTH. Singlegland adenoma is the most common cause (75- 85%). PHPT is usually a sporadic disease but in approximately <5% of cases, a familial hyperparathyroid syndrome is diagnosed. Familial hyperparathyroidism is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders including: multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 1, MEN type 2A, MEN4, benign familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia, neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism, hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome, and familial isolated hyperparathyroidism. These syndromes show mendelian inheritance patterns and the main genes for most of them have been defined. The classic form of PHPT, which presents with hypercalcemia, kidney stones, and bone disease, is no longer common. Currently, there is an increasing interest in the subtle manifestations of PHPT, particularly the cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric manifestations. Parathyroidectomy is the definitive cure for PHPT even though patients with the asymptomatic form of the disease can be followed conservatively.

Demonstration of ignition radiation temperatures in indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion hohlraums

We demonstrate the hohlraum radiation temperature and symmetry required for ignition-scale inertial confinement fusion capsule implosions. Cryogenic gas-filled hohlraums with 2.2 mm-diameter capsules are heated with unprecedented laser energies of 1.2 MJ delivered by 192 ultraviolet laser beams on the National Ignition Facility. Laser backscatter measurements show that these hohlraums absorb 87% to 91% of the incident laser power resulting in peak radiation temperatures of T(RAD)=300 eV and a symmetric implosion to a 100 μm diameter hot core.

Evaluation of the Etest method for susceptibility testing of Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp. to three echinocandins

We performed Etest and broth microdilution (BMD) susceptibility testing of caspofungin, micafungin and anidulafungin against 67 clinical isolates of Aspergillus spp. and 10 Fusarium spp. Minimal effective concentrations (MECs) by BMD were read after 24 h of incubation at 35 degrees C and Etest MICs were read at 24 and 48 h. MECs < or =0.25 mg/l were obtained with caspofungin for all Aspergillus spp. tested but Etest MICs were < or =1 mg/l at 24 h. The agreement between caspofungin Etest and broth microdilution was good for all Aspergillus species tested (range 82.4-100%) except for A. niger and A. glaucus at 24 h of incubation. Micafungin and anidulafungin MEC and MIC results were lower than those of caspofungin (< or =0.015 mg/l) at 24 and 48 h for all Aspergillus tested. The agreement between the methods was excellent (100%) for micafungin and anidulafungin for all Aspergillus species tested. The three echinocandins were inactive against all isolates of Fusarium spp. showing MECs and MICs >8 mg/l. The Etest method could be a suitable procedure to test the susceptibility of most Aspergillus species to caspofungin, micafungin and anidulafungin; the best agreement was at 24 h.

Garlic components inhibit angiotensin II-induced cell-cycle progression and migration: Involvement of cell-cycle inhibitor p27(Kip1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase

Garlic has been used for prevention and treatment of hypertension; however, the molecular mechanisms of garlic's effects remain to be elucidated. In this study, the mechanisms of the in vitro effect of organosulphur compounds derived from garlic on growth and migration of cultured aortic smooth muscle cells isolated from spontaneously hypertensive rats were investigated. We demonstrated that allyl methyl sulphide (AMS) and diallyl sulphide (DAS) inhibited aortic smooth muscle cell angiotensin II-stimulated cell-cycle progression and migration. Neither cell viability nor annexin-V-binding analysis revealed cytotoxic effects of both organosulphur compounds at the used concentrations. Instead, their inhibitory effects were associated to the prevention of the cell-cycle inhibitor p27(Kip1) (p27) downregulation and the reduction of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation. When we assessed the antioxidant activity of AMS and DAS, we found that both organosulphur compounds inhibited angiotensin II-reactive oxygen species generation. Our findings show that AMS and DAS, compounds derivate from garlic, could be effective antioxidants targeted at the arterial remodelling seen in hypertension.

Cutaneous tuberculosis after mesotherapy: report of six cases

INTRODUCTION

Cutaneous tuberculosis as a result of a needle injection is a rare event; it generally occurs among medical and laboratory personnel and among patients receiving percutaneous treatment.

OBJECTIVE

Six patients are presented who developed cutaneous tuberculosis after mesotherapy cosmetic treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One to four months after injection of an unknown product as treatment for obesity and cellulites, five women and a man developed papules, nodules and drainage of wax like material at the inoculated sites; this was interpreted clinically as a non tuberculous mycobacterium infection. Skin biopsies were taken for a histopathologic study; the biopsy and exudates were cultured to make a phenotypic identification. Polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme pattern analyses (PCR-restriction pattern analysis)) procedures were applied to the skin biopsies.

RESULTS

Mycobacterium tuberculosis was confirmed in the culture and by PRA analysis in the paraffin-embedded biopsies. The patients had never had tuberculosis. Their thoracic X rays were normal and the size of the tuberculin reaction was 17 to 20 mm. Five patients recovered with antituberculosis treatment and the sixth spontaneously healed after the removal of the largest cutaneous module. No satellite adenopathy or recurrences were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

A previously undescribed mode of acquisition cutaneous tuberculosis was described. This was the second incident of a demonstrated cutaneous tuberculosis following mesotherapy in Colombia. Skin lesions induced by injections must be tested to detect mycobacterias to include M. tuberculosis.