Polimorfismos de los genes CAPN1, CAST, DES, PRKAG3 Y RYR1 asociados a la capacidad de retención de agua en crudo y cocinado en carne de bovino en cruces Bos indicus y Bos taurus en Colombia

La capacidad de retención de agua (CRA) es uno de los parámetros de calidad de la carne más importante, dado que posee asociación con la percepción de jugosidad y la pérdida de peso de la pieza cárnica durante procedimientos como la maduración, la cocción y otro tipo de procesamiento tecnológico. La CRA en crudo y cocinado (CRAr y CRAc respectivamente) fue evaluada en 164 machos castrados cruzados, en los cuales se realizó la genotipificación de 23 regiones genómicas de los genes CAPN1, CAST, DES, PRKAG3 y RYR1. El marcador CAST2959 presentó asociación con el parámetro CRAr en el músculo Longissimus dorsi (LD) siendo el genotipo AA el de mejor comportamiento. El marcador RYR1-11195 se encontró asociado con el parámetro CRAc en LD, siendo la carne de animales con los genotipos GG y GA, la de mayor pérdida de peso, si son comparados con carne proveniente de animales con genotipo AA. Lo anterior permite establecer estos marcadores como posibles polimorfismos de importancia en procesos de selección y mejoramiento animal de este parámetro de calidad cárnica (CRAr y CRAc) en bovinos, posterior a un proceso de validación.

Synthesis of novel polysubstituted N-benzyl-1H-pyrroles via a cascade reaction of alkynyl Fischer carbenes with α-imino glycine methyl esters

An efficient synthesis of N-benzyl-1H-pyrroles is described by a 1,4-addition/isomerization/ring closure/demetalation process of alkynyl Fischer carbene and iminoester.

Main sugar composition of floral nectar in three species groups of Scrophularia (Scrophulariaceae) with different principal pollinators

In some angiosperm groups, a parallelism between nectar traits and pollination syndromes has been demonstrated, whereas in others there is not such relationship and it has been explained as due to phylogenetic constraints. However, nectar trait information remains scarce for many plant groups. This paper focuses on three groups of Scrophularia species, with different flower sizes and principal pollinators, to find out whether nectar sugar composition is determined by pollinator type or reflects taxonomic affinities. Since the species we examined have protogynous flowers, and gender bias in nectar sugar composition has been noted in few plant groups, we also investigated whether sexual phase influenced Scrophularia nectar composition. The sugar composition was found to be similar in all species, having high-sucrose nectar, except for the Macaronesian Scrophularia calliantha, which was the only species with balanced nectar; this last kind of nectar could be associated with the high interaction rates observed between S. calliantha and passerine birds. The nectar sugar composition (high in sucrose) was unrelated to the principal pollinator group, and could instead be considered a conservative taxonomic trait. No gender bias was observed between functionally female and male flowers for nectar volume or concentration. However, sexual phase significantly affected sucrose percentage in the largest-flowered species, where the female phase flowers had higher sucrose percentages than the male phase flowers.

[Vascular rings, our experience with 18 cases]

AIM

Vascular rings are a rare cause of compression of the trachea and/or the esophagus, causing stridor and/or severe dysphagia. We present our experience in the diagnosis and management of vascular rings.

METHODS

Retrospective study in which we analyzed clinical history, diagnosis and management of 18 patients diagnosed with vascular ring between January 1985 and December 2013. We evaluate endoscopy as a diagnostic method.

RESULTS

A total of 18 patients were included, with a median age of 2 years. 83.3% (15/18) had some type of symptom: 46.7% (7/15) had respiratory symptoms such as respiratory distress, stridor, recurrent respiratory infections, bronchospasm with wheezing or asthma in older children; 20% (3/15) had digestive symptoms such as dysphagia, vomiting and regurgitation; and 33.3% (5/15) combined respiratory and digestive symptoms. The remaining patients, 16.7% (3/18) were asymptomatic and the diagnosis was casual. The most common types of vascular rings were double aortic arch (27.8%) and aberrant subclavian right artery (27.8%). In 3 cases (16.7%) a Kommerell diverticulum was associated. 44.4% (n = 8) was operated on, the remaining did not present symp- toms which justify the intervention (n = 10). 37.5% of patients had postoperative complications (iatrogenic recurrent paralysis and persistent tracheomalacia). There was no mortality in our series. The median follow-up was 6.4 years. At the moment, 88.9% of patients are asymptomatic, and 33.3% have been definitely discharged.

CONCLUSIONS

Vascular rings are rare, and usually presented with common symptoms in childhood. Therefore, in front of a longstanding and recurrent respiratory symptoms, or dysphagia, we should think of a vascular ring. Not all subjects are candidates for surgical correction; therefore a multidisciplinary evaluation is essential.

Cocaine use disorders and acute myocardial infarction, excess length of hospital stay and overexpenditure

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship between the prevalence of cocaine use disorders and acute myocardial infarction in patients aged ≥ 18 years and to estimate the influence of cocaine use disorders on mortality, excess length of stay, and overexpenditure among hospitalized patients with acute myocardial infarction.

METHODS

Retrospective study of the minimum basic data set of 87 Spanish hospitals from 2008 to 2010.

RESULTS

Among 5 575 325 admissions reviewed, there were 24 126 patients with cocaine use disorders and 79 076 cases of acute myocardial infarction. The incidence of acute myocardial infarction among patients with cocaine use disorders increased with age and reached a peak at 55 years to 64 years (P < .0001). Multivariate analysis showed that cocaine use disorders were more prevalent among patients with acute myocardial infarction independently of age, sex, other addictive disorders, and 30 other comorbidities (odds ratio = 3.0). Among patients with acute myocardial infarction, those with cocaine use disorders did not show an increase of in-hospital death, but did show excess length of hospital stay (1.5 days) and overexpenditure (382 euros).

CONCLUSIONS

Cocaine use disorders are associated with acute myocardial infarction and increase the length of hospital stay and overexpenditure among acute myocardial infarction patients. Cessation of cocaine use among these patients should be one of the primary therapeutic goals after hospital discharge.

Systematic review of cyanoacrylate embolization for refractory gastrointestinal fistulae: a promising therapy

BACKGROUND

Surgical management of gastrointestinal fistulae has been reported to carry a 30-day morbidity rate up to 82% and a mortality rate ranging from 2% to 4.8%; thus nonoperative alternatives are required. The aim of the present study was to assess the current experience on the use of cyanoacrylates in the management of these fistulae.

METHODS

A systematic review was carried out on Medline, Embase, The Cochrane database, Academic Search Complete, MedicLatina, and SciELO for English, Spanish, and Portuguese articles dealing with refractory fistulae by means of cyanoacrylate embolization therapy. Publication dates were restricted from 1969 to present. Outcome parameters were study design, number of participants, etiology of the fistula, approach, material used, success rate, complications, and mortality.

RESULTS

Electronic search yielded a total of 377 articles. After a meticulous screening, only 14 studies dealing with foregut/midgut fistulae and 6 addressing hindgut fistulae were included. All the included articles were prospective and retrospective case series. Cumulative success rate was 81% (range 0% to 100%) and 3 out of 203 patients (1%) developed minor complications.

CONCLUSION

Cyanoacrylate embolization of nearly all types of refractory gastrointestinal fistulae is a feasible and harmless technique. Prospective controlled studies are required to support the available evidence.

Efecto del tipo genético y la maduración sobre la retención de agua en carne de toros castrados

La capacidad de retención de agua en crudo (CRAr) y en cocinado (CRAc) fue determinada en carne madurada a 7, 14 y 21 días post mórtem. Los músculos Longissimus dorsi (LD) y Semitendi-nosus (ST) de 164 machos castrados provenientes del cruce de machos de las razas Simmental, Normanda, Blanco Orejinegro, Braunvieh, Guzerat, Brahman Blanco, Brahman Rojo, Limousin y Romosinuano con hembras Brahman blanco. Para el parámetro CRAr en LD se presentó significancia de los factores tipo genético y maduración y en ST del factor maduración. Para el parámetro de CRAc en LD fue significativo el factor tipo genético y para ST ninguno de los dos factores fue significativo. No existieron interacciones significativas de los dos factores evaluados. Lo ideal es someter a tiempos cortos de maduración ambos músculos y tener en cuenta el tipo genético al cual pertenece el individuo con el fin de minimizar las pérdidas de exudado.

Multifunctional PLA-PHB/cellulose nanocrystal films: processing, structural and thermal properties

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) synthesized from microcrystalline cellulose by acid hydrolysis were added into poly(lactic acid)-poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PLA-PHB) blends to improve the final properties of the multifunctional systems. CNC were also modified with a surfactant (CNCs) to increase the interfacial adhesion in the systems maintaining the thermal stability. Firstly, masterbatch pellets were obtained for each formulation to improve the dispersion of the cellulose structures in the PLA-PHB and then nanocomposite films were processed. The thermal stability as well as the morphological and structural properties of nanocomposites was investigated. While PHB increased the PLA crystallinity due to its nucleation effect, well dispersed CNC and CNCs not only increased the crystallinity but also improved the processability, the thermal stability and the interaction between both polymers especially in the case of the modified CNCs based PLA-PHB formulation. Likewise, CNCs were better dispersed in PLA-CNCs and PLA-PHB-CNCs, than CNC.

Prevalence and management of anaemia in patients with non-myeloid cancer undergoing systemic therapy: a Spanish survey

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to provide updated data on anaemia prevalence and management in cancer patients undergoing systemic therapy in Spain.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study performed in 2008. Eligible patients were ≥18 years, with non-myeloid malignancies treated with systemic therapy [chemotherapy (CT), hormonal therapy or immunotherapy]. Anaemia was defined according to WHO as haemoglobin (Hb) < 12 g/dL.

RESULTS

The study included 214 patients with a median age of 63 years (range 20-91), 58 % women, 73 % with solid tumours, and 79 % with advanced disease. CT was used in 91 % of patients (26 % with platinum compounds), hormonal therapy in 8.5 %, and immunotherapy in 8.5 %. In our study, 48.1 % of patients [95 % confidence interval (CI) 45.2-58.6] showed anaemia (31 % symptomatic): 42.0 % mild (10 ≤ Hb ≤ 11.9 g/dL), 5.6 % moderate (8 ≤ Hb ≤ 9.9 g/dL), and 0.5 % severe (Hb < 8 g/dL). A higher prevalence was observed in patients treated with CT (51 vs. 20 %, p = 0.01), platinum-based CT (70 vs. 47 %, p = 0.01) or palliative CT (61 vs. 39 %, p = 0.003). Anaemia was also more frequent in patients with more than three lines of CT (83 %) and in the fourth or subsequent CT cycle (58 %). Management in the previous 4 weeks in patients with anaemia was: 62 % did not receive treatment (92 % mild), 24 % received erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), 14 % received iron and 8.7 % received transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

In Spanish hospitals, about half of patients with non-myeloid malignancies undergoing systemic therapy fulfilled anaemia criteria (87 % mild). Approximately two-third of patients with anaemia do not receive specific treatment and ESA use is below current guidelines.

RADStation3G: a platform for cardiovascular image analysis integrating PACS, 3D+t visualization and grid computing

RADStation3G is a software platform for cardiovascular image analysis and surgery planning. It provides image visualization and management in 2D, 3D and 3D+t; data storage (images or operational results) in a PACS (using DICOM); and exploitation of patients' data such as images and pathologies. Further, it provides support for computationally expensive processes with grid technology. In this article we first introduce the platform and present a comparison with existing systems, according to the platform's modules (for cardiology, angiology, PACS archived enriched searching and grid computing), and then RADStation3G is described in detail.

Effect of the calcium to phosphorus ratio on the setting properties of calcium phosphate bone cements

α-Tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) has become the main reactant of most experimental and commercial ceramic bone cements. It has calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca/P) ratio of 1.50. The present study expands and reports on the microstructures and mechanical properties of calcium phosphate (CP) cements containing sintered monolithic reactants obtained in the interval 1.29 < Ca/P < 1.77. The study focuses on their cement setting and hardening properties as well as on their microstructure and crystal phase evolution. The results showed that: (a) CP-cements made with reactants with Ca/P ratio other than 1.50 have longer setting and lower hardening properties; (b) CP-cements reactivity was clearly affected by the Ca/P ratio of the starting reactant; (c) reactants with Ca/P < 1.50 were composed of several phases, calcium pyrophosphate and α- and β-TCP. Similarly, reactants with Ca/P > 1.50 were composed of α-TCP, tetracalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite; (d) only the reactant with Ca/P = 1.50 was monophasic and was made of α-TCP, which transformed during the setting into calcium deficient hydroxyapatite; (e) CP-cements developed different crystal microstructures with specific features depending on the Ca/P ratio of the starting reactant.

Ultrasound monitoring of the setting of calcium-based bone cements

In this study, the setting of calcium-sulphate (CS) and -phosphate (CP) based bone cements (BCs) was monitored by ultrasound. The objective was to link acoustic and material properties of ceramic-based BCs from the early stages of the cement curing process. The powder phase of the CS-cement consisted of CS hemihydrate; the CP-cement was a mixture of alpha-tricalcium phosphate, CS dihydrate and hydroxyapatite. For the CS-cement, the acoustic impedance z (c)(t), the speed of sound c (c)(t) and the density ρ(c)(t) were measured at the interval of liquid-to-powder ratios LPRs from 0.20 to 3.00 ml/g. For the CP-cement, the acoustic characteristics obtained were the z (c)(t) and the reflection coefficient R (p,c)(t), and the LPRs ranged from 0.30 to 0.40 ml/g. The resulting acoustic properties indicated that CP- and CS-cements exhibited distinctly different curing behaviour; while CS-cement expanded, CP-cement shrank with time.

Conservative surgical treatment for toxic megacolon due to Clostridium difficile infection in a transplanted pediatric patient

Severe disease caused by Clostridium difficile is frequently encountered in transplant recipients and carries a high mortality. Numerous studies have been published on this subject in the adult population, but few in the pediatric setting. A 4-year-old boy who had undergone heart transplant 20 months earlier was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit after humoral rejection. Seven days after admission, he developed septic shock, abdominal distension, and paralytic ileus without diarrhea. Pseudomembranous colitis due to C. difficile was confirmed by microbiological and radiological studies. Despite treatment with rectal vancomycin and intravenous metronidazole, the patient did not improve and required decompressive laparotomy; because of the poor subsequent clinical course, terminal ileostomy and cecostomy were performed in a second operation. Recovery was satisfactory, and surgical reconstruction of intestinal tract was performed 3 months later without complications. Although early surgery with total colectomy is indicated, when there is a poor response to medical treatment in cases of C. difficile toxic megacolon, the case we present responded favorably to a conservative surgical approach that enabled intestinal integrity to be restored 3 months later. In the pediatric population, less aggressive therapeutic options should be considered, as they have benefits on the subsequent quality of life of the patient.