Radiomodifying effect of organic grape juice supplementation on hematological parameters and organ weight in whole-body X-irradiation in rats

The aim of this study is testing black grape juice as a radiomodifier against whole body X-irradiation using an animal model. Sixteen male Wistar rats were divided into four groups where two were irradiated by X-rays from a 200 kV machine specially designed to biological samples. Animals were fed ad libitum and drank voluntarily 2-10 ml a day of grape juice or placebo (isocaloric glucose and fructose solution) for one week before and two weeks after 6 Gy X-irradiation when they were sacrificed. Results have shown a significant liver weight loss in irradiated placebo group only while grape juice one has presented no losses. Hematological analysis showed typical abnormalities for ionizing radiation exposure, including early leucopenia and anemia. The intake of grape juice induced an increase in granulocyte percent count.

Silicon-hydroxyapatite bioactive coatings (Si-HA) from diatomaceous earth and silica. Study of adhesion and proliferation of osteoblast-like cells

The aim of this study consisted on investigating the influence of silicon substituted hydroxyapatite (Si-HA) coatings over the human osteoblast-like cell line (SaOS-2) behaviour. Diatomaceous earth and silica, together with commercial hydroxyapatite were respectively the silicon and HA sources used to produce the Si-HA coatings. HA coatings with 0 wt% of silicon were used as control of the experiment. Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) was the selected technique to deposit the coatings. The Si-HA thin films were characterized by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) demonstrating the efficient transfer of Si to the HA structure. The in vitro cell culture was established to assess the cell attachment, proliferation and osteoblastic activity respectively by, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), DNA and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) quantification. The SEM analysis demonstrated a similar adhesion behaviour of the cells on the tested materials and the maintenance of the typical osteoblastic morphology along the time of culture. The Si-HA coatings did not evidence any type of cytotoxic behaviour when compared with HA coatings. Moreover, both the proliferation rate and osteoblastic activity results showed a slightly better performance on the Si-HA coatings from diatoms than on the Si-HA from silica.

[Dental health of children and adolescents of Navarra, 2007 (4th edition)]

BACKGROUND

With five years having passed since the last survey (2002), a new survey was carried out, the 4th since 1987. The aim is to determine the state of oral health of children and adolescents in Navarre and its evolution.

POPULATION AND METHODS

The sample (n=1.397) was selected through multistage probability sampling, taking as a unit the classrooms of the 1st and 6th year of Primary Education and the 2nd of Compulsory Secondary Education. The fieldwork was carried out in the months of April and May 2007 by two calibrated teams of examiners. Health variables studied: caries (measured with WHO criterion and extended criterion), periodontal state and malocclusion. The data were computerised with Access XP 2003 SP3; the statistical analysis with SPSS Windows v.15.0.

RESULTS

Ten point eight percent of the sample is of foreign origin. The prevalence of caries in temporary dentition at 6 years is 35.9% with a DFT of 1.26, in permanent dentition, 28.5% and 46.4% at 12 and 14 years; the average of affected teeth 0.63 and 1.28 respectively. The index of restoration is 26.1% in temporary dentition and 68.9 and 74.1% in permanent; those of foreign origin show more caries (p<0.05) and less treatment (p<0.05) than those of Spanish origin. Sixty-two point eight percent of 14 year olds show gingival bleeding and 16.8%, calculus; 14.7% malocclusion and 19.1% wear orthodontic appliances. Conclusions. Caries are stabilised in temporary dentition in the general population, but fall significantly amongst natives (those of Spanish origin); in permanent dentition they continue their tendency to fall, although more moderately. Navarre is amongst the regions with a lower level of caries and a higher index of restoration. Immigrants show significantly more caries. The index of restoration falls slightly with respect to previous years. The periodontal health figures are poor. Malocclusion and orthodontic appliance wearers are stabilised.

A new generation of bio-derived ceramic materials for medical applications

A new generation of bio-derived ceramics can be developed as a base material for medical implants. Specific plant species are used as templates on which innovative transformation processes can modify the chemical composition maintaining the original biostructure. Building on the outstanding mechanical properties of the starting lignocellulosic templates, it is possible to develop lightweight and high-strength scaffolds for bone substitution. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate the excellent biocompatibility of this new silicon carbide material (bioSiC) and how it gets colonized by the hosting bone tissue because of its unique interconnected hierarchic porosity, which opens the door to new biomedical applications.

Excimer laser chemical ammonia patterning on PET film

Laser is a promising technique used for biopolymer surface modification with micro and/or nano features. In this work, a 193 nm excimer laser was used for poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) surfaces chemical patterning. The ablation threshold of the PET film used in the experiments was 62 mJ/cm(2) measured before surface modification. Surface chemical patterning was performed by irradiating PET film in a vacuum chamber filled with ammonia at the flux of 10, 15, 20, 25 ml/min. Roughness of the surface characterized by profilometry showed that there were no significant observed change after modification comparing original film. But the hydrophilicity of the surface increased after patterning and a minimum water contact angle was obtained at the gas flux of 20 ml/min. FT-IR/ATR results showed the distinct amino absorption bands presented at 3352 cm(-1)and 1613 cm(-1) after modification and XPS binding energies of C(1s) at 285.5 eV and N(1s) at 399.0 eV verified the existence of C-N bond formation on the PET film surface. Tof-SIMS ions mapping used to identify the amine containing fragments corroborates that amino grafting mainly happened inside the laser irradiation area of the PET surface. A hypothesized radical reaction mechanism proposes that the collision between radicals in ammonia and on the PET surface caused by the incident laser provokes the grafting of amino groups.

Is the spectrum of highly excited mesons purely coulombian?

We show that a static central potential may provide a precise description of highly excited light unflavored mesons. Because of string breaking, this potential becomes of chromoelectric type at sufficiently large quark-antiquark distances giving rise to a Coulombian spectrum. The same conclusion can be inferred for any other meson sector through a straightforward extension of our analysis.

[Surgical treatment for spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage. Part I: supratentorial haematomas]

Spontaneous intracerebral haematoma (SICH) represents one the most severe subtypes of ictus. However, and despite a high incidence, medical treatment is almost limited to life support and to control intracranial hypertension and indications of surgical treatment are poorly defined. The aim of this paper was to review the evidence supporting surgical evacuation of SICH. Ten clinical trials and five meta-analyses studying the results of surgical treatment on this pathology were found on English literature. These studies considered all together, failed to show a significant benefit of surgical evacuation in patients with SICH considered as a whole. However, a subgroup of these patients has been considered to potentially present a better outcome after surgical treatment. Current recommendations on supratentorial intra-cerebral haemorrhage state that young patients with lobar haematomas causing deterioration on the level of consciousness should be operated on. Patients suffering from putaminal haematomas and fitting with the same criteria of age and neurological deterioration could also benefit from surgery, at least on terms of survival. Deep neurological deterioration with GCS<5, thalamic location, severe functional deterioration on basal condition or advanced age precluding an adequate functional outcome, have been traditionally considered criteria contraindicating surgery. Given the absence of strong scientific evidence to indicate surgery, this measure should be taken on a tailored manner, and taking into account the social-familiar environment of the patient, that will strongly condition his/her future quality of life.

[Hypertension high resolution consultation. A year of experience]

By High Resolution Consultation (HRC) we mean an ambulatory process of assistance fulfilled in a single day, by which treatment and diagnosis are established after all complementary tests have been carried out. Once diagnosed, the patient is discharged and resent to the doctor who had previously remitted him/ her. In the Cáceres sanitary area, with distances longer than 100- 120 km. and precarious local road communications, the introduction of hypertension (HTA) HRC has brought along important savings of sanitary and economical resources and it is perceived by the user as highly satisfactory. We have carried out an observational one- year study of our HCR HTA, in which 90 patients have been evaluated, out of which 74.4% came from primary assistance and 25.6% from specialized assistance. Once diagnosed, 61 patients were discharged and sent to receive primary assistance and 29 were kept in our outpatient nephrology consultation, justified by severe and/ or rebellious HTA in 11 cases and by renal failure in 16 cases; two of these patients are still being tested. Taking into account that in a traditional consultation a patient would need two or three visits and one or two days for complementary tests, our HTA HRC (by which patients are tested and diagnosed in a single day), brings along savings of one or two consultations and two to four relocations for new consultations and diagnostic explorations. In one year of HTA- HRC with 90 patients, we have saved from 212 to 302 consultations and from 302 to 604 relocations in comparison to the traditional organization and we have thus generated from 100 to 150 places for first appointments.

Effect of temperature on Imidacloprid oxidation by homogeneous photo-Fenton processes

This paper presents experimental results on the effect of temperature on the rate of Imidacloprid removal from waste water using homogeneous photo-Fenton processes. Experiments were conducted in a 2 L photo reactor set at 15-42 degrees C, initial concentrations in the range of 10 to 40 mg L(-1) Fe(II) and 100-450 mg L(-1) H(2)O(2); 30 150 min processing times. Initial H(2)O(2) concentration determined the extent of the oxidation process, whereas iron concentration played a key role in the process kinetics. Homogeneous photo-Fenton showed a fast initial reaction leading to 50% Imidacloprid degradation after less than 1 min of treatment, followed by a slower process until full removal was achieved. Rapid Fe(II) oxidation to Fe(III) seems responsible for the initial Imidacloprid removal. Imidacloprid removal fitted well a pseudo-first order kinetic scheme, with apparent activation energy of approximately 31.6 kJ/mole. Untreated Imidacloprid samples showed significant acute toxicity to Daphnia magna and genotoxic effects on Bacillus subtilis. Acute toxicity and genotoxicity remained detectable even after complete pesticide removal, showing that toxic by-products were present. The design and operation of photo Fenton processes should focus on toxicity removal rather than on specific target pollutants.

Calibration of Raman spectroscopy at 1064 nm for beeswax quantification

In the early sixties, coating with molten beeswax was considered a valuable method for preventing the erosive action of weather and/or salinity on the surface of granite sculptures and monuments. This technique had been traditionally employed by the Galician stoneworkers for partial repair of historical monuments. For this purpose, beeswax was applied to the Renaissance Frieze in the Cloister of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia (Northwest Spain). The beeswax treatment was counterproductive. An intense grain disaggregation of the granite can be observed in the Frieze, owing to the crystallization of salts. As a consequence, the restoration of the Cloister presents many problems. This fact imposes the need for an exhaustive study of the wax-stone system and the demand for a nondestructive method to measure the beeswax thickness at the stone surface. The aim of this contribution is the evaluation of a laser-based method, namely Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy, for analyzing the wax presence in specific rocky material of the Frieze to be restored. To obtain a reliable quantitative calibration, we prepared beeswax films of five different thicknesses on aluminum plates (26.6-97.2 microm). Nylon was selected as external reference to obtain the Raman emission independently from the laser beam power. The ratios of the relative intensities of the Raman bands corresponding to beeswax and nylon were used for the construction of a calibration curve used for the quantitative analysis. The intensities at 2879 cm(-1), I(c2879), and 2880 cm(-1), I(n2880), for beeswax and nylon, respectively, in the Raman spectra of each material were used. A linear dependence was found for the ratio I(c2879)/I(n2880) with the beeswax thickness. The validation of this calibration curve was tested with a second validation set of samples that spans beeswax film thicknesses both inside and outside the calibration range (12.1 to 180 mum), in order to evaluate in addition the accuracy of the model at extrapolation. Without complex sample preparation, near-infrared Raman spectroscopy resulted in an effective technique for localizing the wax with lateral resolution of tens of micrometers, and for determining wax layer thickness in the stone with an uncertainty of a few micrometers.

Evolution of the NS3 and NS5B regions of the hepatitis C virus during disease recurrence after liver transplantation

In patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis, infection recurrence is universal after liver transplantation (LT). The relevance of host and virus-related factors on the outcome of hepatitis C recurrence is poorly understood. This study analyzed the relationship between the genetic evolution of the Non-Structural (NS)3 protease and NS5B polymerase regions of HCV and the severity of hepatitis C recurrence. Thirty-three patients were classified as having mild (n = 16) or severe recurrence (n = 17), according to the degree of fibrosis in liver biopsies obtained 1 year after transplantation. Viral load and consensus sequences of the NS3 and NS5B domains were determined in a pre-LT and in four post-LT sequential serum samples. At week 12 after LT, viremia was significantly higher in patients with severe recurrence. NS3 and NS5b regions evolved independently after LT. The genetic evolution of NS3 domain was not related to the severity of the recurrence. However, the diversification in the NS5B region later than 12 weeks after LT was greater in patients with mild than in those with severe recurrence, suggesting a stronger immune pressure in the first group. These observations highlight the complex interplay between viral evolution and clinical outcomes in the LT setting.

A functional Sp1/Egr1-tandem repeat polymorphism in the 5-lipoxygenase gene is not associated with myocardial infarction

Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase is an enzyme encoded by the ALOX5 gene, and plays an important role in the synthesis of leukotrienes. These are inflammatory mediators, and have been involved in atherosclerosis and other pathological processes that require proinflammatory activities. Human and animal studies have suggested a role for the ALOX5 gene in atherosclerosis, including a significant association between a promoter polymorphism and a carotid intimal-medial thickness in response to dietary fat. This polymorphism was three- to six-tandem repeats of a Sp1/Egr1 binding motif (GGGCGG)(n), and the number of repeats has been linked with the amount of gene expression. We hypothesized that this ALOX5 polymorphism could influence the risk for myocardial infarction (MI). First, we analysed the effect of the four alleles on gene expression by transfecting the HEK-293 cell line with luciferase reporter-constructs. We found that luciferase activities are dependent on the number of the Sp1/Egr1 repeats, with the three and six repeats having the lowest and highest values. We genotyped 312 male MI survivors, aged < 55 years, and 376 healthy controls matched with patients for sex, age, and ethnicity. Ninety-six per cent of the patients were smokers, compared to only 42% among the controls (P < 0.001; OR = 31.84). The 55 + 56 repeat genotypes were less frequent in patients (55 = 56%, 56 = 0.6%) compared to controls (55 = 60%, 56 = 3%). However, these were non-significantly different frequencies. In addition, no difference in MI-onset age and biochemical values was found between the allele and genotypes. In conclusion, we confirmed the effect of the ALOX5-promoter polymorphism on gene expression, but our data did not support a significant effect of this functional variation on MI risk.

[Experimental models on hemorragic shock]

This review addresses the pathophysiology and treatment of hemorrhagic shock, a condition produced by rapid and significant loss of intravascular volume. Hemorrhagic shock may lead sequentially to hemodynamic instability, decreases in oxygen delivery, decreased tissue perfusion and cellular hypoxia. Multiple organ failure, a systemic inflammatory process that leads to dysfunction of different vital organs, is a frequent complication after hemorrhagic shock and accounts for a high incidence of mortality. The pathogenesis of organ injury secondary to hypovolemic insults is still not completely understood, but both experimental studies and clinical observations indicate that macrophages are activated by translocated endotoxin-bacteria and ischemia/reperfusion. Activated Kupffer cells release pathologically active substances such as inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species, and nitric oxide, all of which may participate in the mechanisms of hemorrhagic shock. Moreover, increased free radical production during hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation gives place to an increase in oxidative stress that would contribute to the organ damage. In the last few years, a number of experiments have been performed in an attempt to understand the pathophysiology and treatment of hemorrhagic shock. Different studies have shown positive effects on hemorrhagic shock treatment by antioxidant, amino acid, and lipid administration.

[Our experience in primary hyperaldosteronism]

The aim of this paper is to analyze the ways of appearance, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment related to patients suffering from primary hyperaldosteronism (HA1 masculine) in external nephrology consultation since their opening.

METHODOLOGY

a retrospective study was carried out, checking out all HA1 masculine diagnosed patients of clinical records from 1981-2005.

RESULTS

35 patients were diagnosed, with an average age of 50 and a predominance of men (82%). The main reason for starting the HA1 masculine study was persistent hypertension; other reasons were hypertension and hypopotassemia (34%). Sixteen of the cases were adenomas (7 classic adenomas and 9 renin-dependents) and fourteen of them were hyperplasia (10 bilateral hyperplasias and 4 primary adrenals hyperplasia). Five cases were excluded because they were waiting for complementary tests. For location diagnosis, gammagrafía I131cholesterol was the test showing more agreement with final diagnosis, and then RMN and TAC. In eight of the cases, an adrenal vein sampling was made. Ten of sixteen adenomas suffered a surgery performance. The result showed standardization of tensional levels, without any treatment in 60% of the cases. The rest of them are currently treated with spironolactone under an appropriate tensional control. Gynecomastia was the most usual adverse effect found.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to other published papers, we found out a male predominance in our database. A similar incidence of adenomas e hyperplasias was obtained. The most usual way of appearance was persistent hypertension to treatment. Adenomas surgery does not imply healing results, though it achieves a better tensional levels control, using less drugs and diminishing aldosterone levels. It implies a descent in myocardic and vascular toxicity.

[Study of vascular risk in Navarre: objectives and design. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and of vascular risk factors]

BACKGROUND

To determine in a representative sample of the population the prevalence of risk factors and metabolic syndrome; their association with sub-clinical atherosclerotic lesions and their impact on cardiocerebrovascular disease 10 years after.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

(Phase 1) Cross sectional survey of a random sample stratified by age and sex of the population of Navarre aged between 35 and 84. Antecedents, risk factors, physical and analytical exploration. (Phase II) Ten year follow-up cohort study, in 500 exposed to MS and 500 not exposed persons, aged between 45 and 74 years; with an 82.25% power to detect a risk ratio of 2; with analytical and image markers of sub-clinical atherosclerosis. (Phase III) Follow up of vascular events at ten years.

RESULTS

The subjects recruited were 6,553; excluded or not found 871; the final sample was 5,682 (2,644 men and 3,038 women); 4,168 (73,4%) took part in the study. The prevalence of MS was 22.1% (95%CI 20.5 - 23.7) for men and 17,2% (95%CI 15.8 - 18.5) for women. The main cardiovascular RF were high compared to other geographical areas except for HDL cholesterol. The rate was 8.5% (95%CI 7.4 - 9.6) for men and 1.7% (95%CI 1.3 - 2.2)

CONCLUSIONS

There are important differences in risk between sex, being worst for men. The high figures for HDL cholesterol and the low prevalence of MS might mean a lower risk of vascular events in Navarra.

Pharmacoeconomic analysis of adjuvant therapy with exemestane, anastrozole, letrozole or tamoxifen in postmenopausal women with operable and estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficiency of adjuvant therapy with aromatase inhibitors or with tamoxifen in postmenopausal women with operable breast cancer and positive estrogen receptors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cost-utility analysis was performed based on a Markov model, from the Spanish National Health Care System perspective, comparing the treatment with exemestane (EXE: 25 mg/day) or tamoxifen (TAM: 20 mg/day) after 2-3 years of monotherapy with TAM; anastrozole (ANA, 1 mg/day) or TAM (20 mg/day) without previous TAM therapy; and letrozole (LET: 2.5 mg/day) or placebo after 5 years of monotherapy with TAM. The follow-up of a hypothetical cohort of women starting treatment at 63 years of age was simulated during 10 and 20 years. The probabilities of transition between health states and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) were obtained from the literature, and the unit costs (euro corresponding to 2004) from a Spanish database.

RESULTS

After 10 and 20 years of follow-up, more QALYs per patient would be gained with the EXE scheme (0.230-0.286 and 0.566-0.708, respectively) than with ANA (0.114 and 0.285) and LET (0.176 and 0.474). The cost of gaining one QALY was lower with the EXE scheme (50,801-62,522 euro and 28,849- 35,371 euro, respectively) than with ANA (104,272 euro and 62,477 euro) and LET (91,210 euro and 49,460 euro). The result was stable for the cost per life-year gained (LYG) and in the sensitivity analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The EXE scheme after TAM is more cost-effective than the ANA and LET schemes.