Correction: Magnetic aerogels from FePt and CoPt3 directly from organic solution

Correction for 'Magnetic aerogels from FePt and CoPt3 directly from organic solution' by L. Schoske et al., Nanoscale, 2024, 16, 4229-4238, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR05892A.

Magnetic aerogels from FePt and CoPt3 directly from organic solution

Here the synthesis of magnetic aerogels from iron platinum and cobalt platinum nanoparticles is presented. The use of hydrazine monohydrate as destabilizing agent triggers the gelation directly from organic solution, and therefore a phase transfer to aqueous media prior to the gelation is not necessary. The aerogels were characterized through Transmission Electron Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Powder X-Ray Diffraction Analysis and Argon Physisorption measurements to prove the formation of a porous network and define their compositions. Additionally, magnetization measurements in terms of hysteresis cycles at 5 K and 300 K (M-H-curves) as well as zero field cooled-field cooled measurements (ZFC-FC measurements) of the dried colloids and the respective xero- and aerogels were performed, in order to analyze the influence of the gelation process and the network structure on the magnetic properties.

Long-Term Outcomes of Prospective Clinical Trial HDR-Brachytherapy Monotherapy in Single Day in Patients with Localized Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

This prospective clinical trial to evaluated long-term outcomes associated with 2 fractions in a single day, one implant, high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy as monotherapy for patients with localized prostate cancer. We report Genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity and Disease control.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Between November 2010 and Feb 2016 a total of 120 patients diagnosed with low/intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer were treated. The prescribed dose was 27 Gy in 2 fractions in a day using a single implant. 34 patients (28%) were intermediate-risk cancer. 38 patients (31,7%) received hormonal therapy. We measured the incidence of no biochemical evidence of disease (bNED) based on the Phoenix definition of failure (nadir prostate-specific antigen (PSA) + 2 ng/mL). GU and GI toxicity were evaluated by CTCAE v4.0 and sexual function were prospectively documented at each follow up visit.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up was 123 months (range 9-148) the actuarial rates of Local Control were 96%, Biochemical Control 93.4%, Distant Failure 3.3%, Disease-Free Survival 92.3 %, Metastasis-free survival 96.67% and Overall Survival was 86.7%. The cumulative incidence of acute grade (G) 1-2 GU toxicity was 20.8%, mainly frequency/urgency (10%), dysuria (10%), dribbling/hesitancy (0.8%). 3 patients required a Foley catheter during 1 week. No acute GI toxicities were recorded. Chronic G1-2 GU toxicities were 29 %, mainly dysuria (12.6%), urinary frequency/urgency (5.8%) and urinary Incontinence G2 (1.6%). 1 patient had G2 rectal bleeding and 2 patients had G3 GU toxicity requiring transurethral resection of bladder (TURB). 23.7% of patients without Hormonal therapy reported G1-2 sexual impotence after 2 years therapy.

CONCLUSION

With 10 years of follow-up, our prospective data are sufficiently mature to report on efficacy and toxicity outcomes, making a single implant, 2 fractions HDR-BT an attractive option for patients with localized low/intermediate-risk prostate cancer and be able to consider it a standard of care in this setting. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding single day HDR-BRT as monotherapy with a median follow-up of 10 years.

Cuadro depresivo con conductas autolesivas agravado por la situación de pérdida en pandemia en una adolescente de 17 años

Ana (nombre figurado) es una adolescente de 17 años que ya se encontraba en seguimiento psicológico antes del mes de marzo del año 2020, cuando comenzó la pandemia mundial por la COVID-19 que ha roto el delicado equilibro de la salud mental de muchos jóvenes. Consultó por primera vez con 14 años por presentar un bajo rendimiento escolar y un pobre autoconcepto académico. Recibió un apoyo psicopedagógico y tratamiento psicológico, evidenciándose ya una conflictividad familiar, con un hermano mayor que ella que presentaba un cuadro depresivo cuando Ana contaba con 14 años, lo cual generaba una dinámica familiar disfuncional. Pero Ana no generaba problemas, según refería su madre, lo único que ocurría era que no aprobaba. Desde aquel momento, Ana ya no era vista ni contaba para nada. Solo era una mera espectadora de toda la conflictividad familiar, sin ser tenida en cuenta ni escuchada, porque no era disruptiva ni presentaba un patrón desajustado. En diciembre de 2019 vuelve a realizar una consulta, en este caso con psiquiatría. El motivo de la consulta en esta ocasión estaba relacionado con un bajo estado de ánimo, aunque su madre vuelve a poner el foco en el rendimiento escolar.

Competences in the management of health regions: Germany, Poland and Spain

Background

Germany has a comprehensive and diverse network of health regions, Spain has partial health regions and in Poland this model is not yet present. The purpose of this study is to summarize and compare the experiences of Spain and Germany in terms of health network managers activity, along with a potential and conditioning for the existence of similar structures in Poland, to determine what competences they need in each country and what are the similarities and differences between them.

Methods

In the three countries, 18 in total qualitative interviews were conducted with experts and stakeholders from the health sector, public administration, the health economy and health regions. The interviews focused on the current state of the health systems as well as the required competences of a regional health network manager. They were analysed for content. The following categories were created: Health, management, social skills and other competences.

Results and discussion

There is an overlap in the required competences in the three countries. A knowledge in the field of public health, the organisation and assessment of health services as well as communication and management skills are of importance. In addition, there are competences in fund raising and legal matters. Country-specific competencies and areas must be taken into account, e.g. in Germany addressing people with a migration background is a more central issue than in Poland, while in the latter country high pressure has been put on the soft skills.

Conclusions

European competence profile for managers of regional health networks is possible, which harmonizes with and complements the competence profile of public health specialists. Nonetheless, national profiles require to highlight different critical competences adapted to local conditions.

Main message

The competences of a regional health network manager are predominantly cross-national.

Indoor radon exposure and excess of lung cancer mortality: the case of Mexico-an ecological study

Radon is a radioactive gas that can migrate from soils and rocks and accumulate in indoor areas such as dwellings and buildings. Many studies have shown a strong association between the exposure to radon, and its decay products, and lung cancer (LC), particularly in miners. In Mexico, according to published surveys, there is evidence of radon exposure in large groups of the population, nevertheless, only few attention has been paid to its association as a risk factor for LC. The aim of this ecological study is to evaluate the excess risk of lung cancer mortality in Mexico due to indoor radon exposure. Mean radon levels per state of the Country were obtained from different publications and lung cancer mortality was obtained from the National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Informatics for the period 2001-2013. A model proposed by the International Commission on Radiological Protection to estimate the annual excess risk of LC mortality (per 10⁵ inhabitants) per dose unit of radon was used. The average indoor radon concentrations found rank from 51 to 1863 Bq m^-3, the higher average dose exposure found was 3.13 mSv year^-1 in the north of the country (Chihuahua) and the mortality excess of LC cases found in the country was 10 ± 1.5 (range 1-235 deaths) per 10⁵ inhabitants. The highest values were found mainly in the Northern part of the country, where numerous uranium deposits are found, followed by Mexico City, the most crowded and most air polluted area in the country. A positive correlation (r = 0.98 p < 0.0001) was found between the excess of LC cases and the dose of radon exposure. Although the excess risk of LC mortality associated with indoor radon found in this study was relatively low, further studies are needed in order to accurately establish its magnitude in the country.

HPV vaccination coverage in the federal state of Belgium according to regions and their impact

Long-term results of the HPV vaccination programs in Australia and Scotland have shown a tremendous impact on the reduction of HPV infection rates and precancerous diseases. Both countries started mass vaccination ten years (Australia) and eight years (Scotland) ago and achieved a vaccination coverage of more than 80 %. Within 20 to 30 years a reduction in cervical cancer by more than 75 % is expected. Furthermore, there will be a reduction in other HPV related cancers like vaginal, vulva, perineal, anal and oropharyngeal cancers. In order to be successful, a high vaccination coverage is needed. In Belgium, the vaccination was introduced in 2010 in the Flemish community and in 2011 in the French community. In the first vaccinated cohorts the coverage in Flemish and French Communities was respectively 84% (2010) and 29% (2012-2013). The latest data suggest that the Flemish Community (Flanders Region) attained a coverage of 91 % while the French Community (Walloon Region) attained a coverage of around 36 %. The regional difference in coverage offers a real-life case. The worst-case scenario could end up with proportionally one half of country having more HPV related cancers than the other half. Currently efforts are performed to increase the coverage rates in both regions and consequently decreasing this difference. Additionally, the updated recommendations regarding the HPV vaccination by the Belgian NITAG (National Immunization Technical Advisory Group) stated that the HPV vaccination should be gender neutral. This could stimulate the vaccination program and increase the coverage. The coverage rate in Flanders is among the highest in the world and the rate in the French Community is increasing. Efforts should be continued in order to maintain trust and increase the coverage rate.

Effects of a mesoporous bioactive glass on osteoblasts, osteoclasts and macrophages

A mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) of molar composition 75SiO₂-20CaO-5P₂O₅ (MBG-75S) has been synthetized as a potential bioceramic for bone regeneration purposes. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nitrogen adsorption studies and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrated that MBG-75S possess a highly ordered mesoporous structure with high surface area and porosity, which would explain the high ionic exchange rate (mainly calcium and silicon soluble species) with the surrounded media. MBG-75S showed high biocompatibility in contact with Saos-2 osteoblast-like cells. Concentrations up to 1 mg/ml did not lead to significant alterations on either morphology or cell cycle. Regarding the effects on osteoclasts, MBG-75S allowed the differentiation of RAW-264.7 macrophages into osteoclast-like cells but exhibiting a decreased resorptive activity. These results point out that MBG-75S does not inhibit osteoclastogenesis but reduces the osteoclast bone-resorbing capability. Finally, in vitro studies focused on the innate immune response, evidenced that MBG-75S allows the proliferation of macrophages without inducing their polarization towards the M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype. This in vitro behavior is indicative that MBG-75S would just induce the required innate immune response without further inflammatory complications under in vivo conditions. The overall behavior respect to osteoblasts, osteoclasts and macrophages, makes this MBG a very interesting candidate for bone grafting applications in osteoporotic patients.

An Experimental Study of Compression of Femoral Fractures by an Interlocking Intramedullary Pin

Return of function and callus healing were investigated in a group of ten dogs after osteotomy of the femur treated by application of a pin, perfo-rated by threaded openings, through which a metal bar could be introduced into the trochanteric fossa. A jig, indicating the position of the openings, was attached and the distal fragment fixed with three screws into the pin; the fracture was then compressed by means of a compressor travelling from the base of the jig to rest against the bar inserted into the trochanteric fossa, approximating the proximal fragment to the distal one. Two screws were then inserted into the proximal fragment. The results revealed a full return of limb function between four and 16 days and consolidation of the callus between eight and 16 weeks.

Femoral osteotomy was performed in a group of ten mongrel dogs weighing between 16 and 32 kg and stabilised with a pin, fixed with screws, which compressed the fracture. The results revealed return of normal limb function between four and 16 days later; consolidation of the callus was complete between eight and 16 weeks.

Interlocking Nail Stabilisation of Humeral Fractures. Initial Experience in Seven Clinical Cases

Seven cases of fracture of the humerus were stabilised by interlocking nailing. In six cases fixation was static, and in one dynamic. Healing of the fractures took place within a maximum of 16 weeks and return of functionality was complete within three weeks, with the exception of one case. The complications were: failure to insert the screws in the nail, partial loosening of a screw, and production of a new fracture at the distal end of the nail in the case with dynamic fixation.

Seven humeral fractures were stabilised by interlocking nailing. Healing of bone took place in six cases.

The complications involved were: failure to insert screws in the nail, loosening of the screws, and production of a fresh fracture at the distal end of the nail.

Pathogen-related factors affecting outcome of catheter-related bacteremia due to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus in a Spanish multicenter study

Even with appropriate clinical management, complicated methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) is frequent. We investigated the influence of molecular characteristics of MSSA strains on the risk of complicated bacteremia (CB) in MSSA-CRB. A multicenter prospective study was conducted in Spain between 2011 and 2014 on MSSA-CRB. Optimized protocol-guided clinical management was required. CB included endocarditis, septic thrombophlebitis, persistent bacteremia and/or end-organ hematogenous spread. Molecular typing, agr functionality and DNA microarray analysis of virulence factors were performed in all MSSA isolates. Out of 83 MSSA-CRB episodes included, 26 (31.3%) developed CB. MSSA isolates belonged to 16 clonal complexes (CCs), with CC30 (32.5%), CC5 (15.7%) and CC45 (13.3) being the most common. Comparison between MSSA isolates in episodes with or without CB revealed no differences regarding agr type and functionality. However, our results showed that CC15 and the presence of genes like cna, chp and cap8 were associated with the development of CB. The multivariate analysis highlighted that the presence of cna (Hazard ratio 2.9; 95% CI 1.14-7.6) was associated with the development of CB. Our results suggest that particular CCs and specific genes may influence the outcome of MSSA-CRB.

Emotional intelligence in bipolar disorder

Introduction

Emotional intelligence is defined as the ability to process, understand and manage emotions. In bipolar disorder seem to be more conserved, with less functional impairment than other severe mental disorders as schizophrenia. So far, there are few studies analyzing emotional intelligence in bipolar disorder.

Objective

The objective of this research is to better understand the different characteristics and the factors affecting these social-cognitive dysfunctions in bipolar disorder.

Aims

To explore possible factors related to emotional intelligence in these severe mental disorders: symptoms, cognitive functioning, quality of life and psychosocial function.

Material and methods

Twenty-six adults bipolar type I patients were examined using MSCEIT (the most validated test for emotional intelligence), BPRS, YMRS, HDRS, WAIS-IV, TMT and Rey Figure in order to determine the level of emotional intelligence and factors relate.

Results

Bipolar patients show lack of emotional intelligence when compared with general population. Cognitive impairment and age are the principal factors related.

Discussion

Results are discussed and compared with recent literature.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Relationship between emotional intelligence and neurocognition in severe mental disorders

Introduction

The severe mental disorders are the subject of growing research in the area of emotional intelligence because of his relationship with psychosocial functionality loss. Despite treatment advances, patients continue to experience high levels of social, professional and personal disabilities, related to the presence of deficits in cognition. These changes are manifested in two areas: the neurocognitive and social cognition.

Objectives

To better understand the relationship between neuro- and sociocognition in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Aims

The aim of this research is to study the factors related to emotional intelligence, with particular interest in neurocognitive deficits.

Methods

A total of 75 adult patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder type I were evaluated. The assessment protocol consisted of a questionnaire on socio-demographic and clinical-care data, and a battery of clinical and cognitive scales, including MSCEIT, WAIS-IV, TMT and Rey Figure.

Results

MSCEIT was negatively correlated with age, the severity of the clinical symptoms (BPRS, CGI-S), the TMT-A and the Test of Complex Figure, and positively with the intelligence quotient.

Conclusions

The deficits in emotional intelligence are part of a set of cognitive, social and non-social skills, which are altered in these severe mental disorders. Emotional intelligence worsens with the deterioration of cognitive functioning, executive dysfunction and severity of psychiatric disorder.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Ureteral Metastasis Secondary to Prostate Cancer: A Case Report

Prostate cancer is very frequent, but secondary ureteral metastasis are extremely rare. We present a 55 year old man with a 2 month history of right flank pain and lower urinary tract symptoms. Prostatic specific antigen of 11.3 ng/mL. Computed tomography showed right hydroureteronephrosis, a developing urinoma and right iliac adenopathies. He underwent right ureteronephrectomy, iliac lymphadenectomy and prostate biopsy. Pathology revealed prostatic carcinoma infiltrating the ureteral muscularis propria, without mucosal involvement. There are 46 reported cases of prostate cancer with ureteral metastases. Ureteral metastasis are a rare cause of renal colic and need of a high index of suspicion.

The effect of Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on the spread of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) by Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The effects of two aphidophagous predators, the larvae of Chrysoperla carnea and adults of Adalia bipunctata, on the spread of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) transmitted in a non-persistent manner by the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii were studied under semi-field conditions. Natural enemies and aphids were released inside insect-proof cages (1 m × 1 m × 1 m) with a central CMV-infected cucumber plant surrounded by 48 healthy cucumber seedlings, and the spatiotemporal dynamics of the virus and vector were evaluated in the short and long term (1 and 5 days) in the presence and absence of the natural enemy. The spatial analysis by distance indices methodology together with other indices measuring the dispersal around a single focus was used to assess the spatial pattern and the degree of association between the virus and its vector. Both natural enemies significantly reduced the number of aphids in the CMV-source plant after 5 days but not after 1 day. The CMV transmission rate was generally low, especially after 1 day, due to the limited movement of aphids from the central CMV-source plant, which increased slightly after 5 days. Infected plants were mainly located around the central virus-infected source plant, and the percentage of aphid occupation and CMV-infected plants did not differ significantly in absence and presence of natural enemies. The distribution patterns of A. gossypii and CMV were only coincident close to the central plant. The complexity of multitrophic interactions and the role of aphid predators in the spread of CMV are discussed.

Infections acquired in intensive care units: results of national surveillance in Belgium, 1997-2010

BACKGROUND AND AIM

To describe the methodology and output of the Belgian surveillance for infections acquired in intensive care units (ICUs) between 1997 and 2010.

METHODS

Since 1997, ICUs in acute care hospitals in Belgium have been encouraged by federal law to participate in a national multi-centre prospective observational surveillance programme. A protocol and software tool for data collection was developed, and the case definitions and methodology follow those of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

FINDINGS

For 2010, 18 hospitals provided data on 59 observation quarters, 6478 ICU patients and 52,593 ICU patient-days. The mean incidence rates of ICU-acquired pneumonia and intubation-associated pneumonia were 13 per 1000 patient-days and 12 per 1000 intubation-days, respectively. The mean incidence rates of ICU-acquired bloodstream infections, central vascular catheter (CVC)-associated bloodstream infections and CVC-associated primary bloodstream infections were 3.2 per 1000 patient-days, 2.6 per 1000 catheter-days and 2.3 per 1000 catheter-days, respectively. Between 1997 and 2010, stable trends in ICU-acquired pneumonia and bloodstream infections were observed, together with decreasing trends for intubation-associated pneumonia and CVC-associated bloodstream infections, and a stable trend for CVC-associated primary bloodstream infections.

CONCLUSIONS

In Belgium, national surveillance of ICU-acquired infections allows acute care hospitals to track the incidence of infections at local level, enabling comparison with national and European reference data. Between 1997 and 2010, the incidence of ICU-acquired infections increased and the incidence of device-associated infections decreased.

Novel drugs affecting tau behavior in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and tauopathies

The anomalous aggregation of proteins into pathological filaments is a common feature of a many human diseases, often related to aging. In this context, neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) account for a major part of these protein misfolding diseases. AD is characterized by pathological aggregation of two proteins, tau and Aβ-amyloid. The intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and neuropil threads consists of filaments of the modified microtubule-associated protein tau, while extracellular amyloid plaques consists of filaments of Aβ-peptide. It is noteworthy that tau oligomers with a prefilamentous structure appear to play a role at early stages of AD and tauopathies, but also in asymptomatic patients with Braak-stage I neuropathology, where clinical symptoms of AD and NFTs in frontal cortex are absent. This suggests that an increase in tau oligomers levels occurs before individuals manifest clinical symptoms of AD. NFTs are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer disease and other tauphaties. These aggregates are thought to be toxic to neurons, either by causing some neurotoxic signalling defects or by obstructing the cell function. Factors contributing to accumulation of tau aggregates include the increased rate of protein misfolding, generation of amyloidogenic oligomers, underactivity of repair systems such as chaperones and ubiquitin-proteasome system, or a failure of energy supply and antioxidant defense mechanisms. There is not clear evidence if the aggregated tau or oligomers cause cellular damage, but on the basis of the emergent need to have an early and effective treatment, lowering the production or removal of these aggregates appears as a pathway toward alleviating the disease. In the context of some of most relevant reports, we analyze why tau protein seems to be an interesting target for AD treatment, and the importance to understand the pathways of tau. aggregation. This knowledge will allow us to identify and optimize potential inhibitors that interact with aggregated forms of tau and hyperphosphorylated tau before the formation of the NFTs, offering a possible therapeutic route for AD treatment.

Short communication: Detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in healthy cattle and pigs in Lima, Peru

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in cattle and pigs as a possible STEC reservoir in Lima, Peru. One hundred and fourteen cattle and 112 pigs from 10 and 4 farms, respectively, were studied. Five E. coli colonies per culture were studied by a multiplex real-time PCR to identify Shiga toxin-producing (stx1, stx2, eaeA), enterotoxigenic (lt, st), enteropathogenic (eaeA), enteroinvasive (ipaH), enteroaggregative (aggR), and diffusely adherent E. coli (daaD). Shiga toxin-producing E. coli were isolated from 16 cattle (14%) but none from pigs. stx1 was found in all bovine isolates, 11 of which also carried eaeA genes (69%); only 1 sample had both stx1 and stx2. Thirteen stx-positive strains were classified as Shiga-toxigenic (81%) using an enzymatic immunoassay, 2 STEC strains were from serogroup O157 (13%), and 7 were sorbitol negative (44%). Enteropathogenic E. coli were detected more frequently in cattle (18%, 20/114) than in pigs (5%, 6/112). To our knowledge, this is the first study on the prevalence of STEC in farms animals in Peru using molecular methods. Further studies are needed in a large number of farms to determine the relevance of these findings and its consequences for public health.

Acanthosis nigricans as an indicator of insulin resistance in Chilean adult population

BACKGROUND

Insulin resistance (IR) is associated with a higher risk of multiple diseases and its early detection would allow to minimize the associated risk; the presence of acanthosis nigricans (AN) it's associated to the presence of IR.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the sensibility and specificity of AN to diagnose IR in a group of Chilean patients.

METHODS

We designed a cross-sectional study and it was included subjects that were attended at the Center for the Attention of Metabolic Diseases at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile. Sixty subjects (18-60 years age) were included. It was determined BMI and diagnosed AN and skin phototype; blood samples were taken and calculated the HOMA-IR. The normality of the variables where analyzed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. There were used χ² and the diagnostic concordance between AN and IR was determined using the Kappa index and Pearson's correlation. Sensibility, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were calculated and accepted p<0.05.

RESULTS

The IR diagnose was 67% and AN was 43%. The major proportion of subjects diagnosed as positive for IR were also positive for AN (84.6%). The sensibility of AN to find IR was an 84% and specificity was 100%. Positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 89% respectively. It was observed a positive association between BMI and HOMA-IR (r=0.674; r²=0.454; p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

To detect acanthosis nigricans in Chilean population may be effective for the early diagnose of insulin resistance and, therefore, reduce the associated cost of the late treatment of glucose metabolic disturbances.

Use of the LightCycler SeptiFast test for rapid etiologic diagnosis of nosocomial infection in gynecological sepsis

A new molecular biology technique was used in 2 subjects with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and negative blood cultures, in which broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered, without a visible improvement. Case 1: A 33-year-old female patient with a diagnosis of septic shock originating in the abdomen was admitted in a bad general state, presenting with systemic inflammatory response. The patient's general condition did not improve. As an alternative, we used molecular biology. Candida krusei was reported and the patient responded well to the treatment. Case 2: A woman in the 36th week of pregnancy, with diabetes mellitus and secondary renal insufficiency, presented with fever and hematological alterations. The patient's progress was slow and accompanied by persistent fever, bandemia and leukopenia, as well as signs of multiple organ dysfunction. The SeptiFast test identified Enterobacter cloacae/aerogenes as the cause of the disorder. However, the patient died 24 h after the antibiotics were changed.

Systematic exploration of the equine tarsus by ultrasonography

The authors propose a standard protocol of ultrasonographic exploration of the tarsal region in transversal and longitudinal planes, with the aim to spread with an accurate location of the anatomical structures. For this study, 10 adult horses of different races and ages (ranged 5-10 years) were used, with the characteristic of not having suffered any kind of tarsic pathology. The equipment was a real time ultrasound machine with a 7.5 mHz lineal transducer. Some different anatomical structures in this region of the hind-limb such as the tendons, ligaments, muscles and articular components were identified and labelled as regards their echoic characteristics.

Different levodopa actions on the extracellular dopamine pools in the rat striatum

Levodopa has been the mainstay treatment for Parkinson's disease for several decades, but the precise mechanism for its therapeutic action is still not well understood. To date, little distinction has been made between the effects of levodopa on the different brain DA pools. We studied the levodopa action on two extracellular DA pools: one was analyzed by microdialysis (often considered as indicative of volume transmission) and the other by in vivo amperometry during nigrostriatal cell stimulation (more indicative of neurotransmission). Levodopa administration induced a moderate (increased 200%) and tardy (began at 60 min) increase in the DA-pool measured by microdialysis, an effect that increased (increased 500%) and accelerated (began at 10 min) after DA-cell degeneration. Levodopa action on the DA-pool measured by amperometry was very fast (10 min) and prominent (increased 600%) in normal rats. The DA-denervated striatum showed a fast exhaustion during cell stimulation, which prevented further study of the levodopa effect on the DA amperometry-pool under this condition. This study suggests a different kinetic for levodopa action on the volume transmitter and neurotransmitter DA-pool, showing marked changes in levodopa action in the denervated striatum.

Increased sperm DNA damage in patients with varicocele: relationship with seminal oxidative stress

BACKGROUND

The pathophysiology of the testicular damage in varicocele has not been completely understood. Oxidative stress and related sperm DNA damage have been identified as significant causes of male infertility. The current study was designed to determine the extent of sperm nuclear DNA damage in patients with varicocele and to examine its relationship with oxidative stress.

METHODS

Semen samples from 55 patients with clinical varicocele and 25 normozoospermic donors were examined. Varicocele sperm samples were classified as normal or abnormal according to World Health Organization guidelines. Sperm DNA damage was evaluated by the sperm chromatin structure assay/flow cytometry and by the terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assay. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total antioxidant capacity were assessed by a chemiluminescence assay.

RESULTS

DNA fragmentation index (DFI) (percentage of sperm with denatured DNA) values and the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells were significantly greater in patients with varicocele, either with normal (DFI, 20.7 +/- 4.0; TUNEL positive, 26.1 +/- 3.2) or with abnormal (DFI, 35.5 +/- 9.0; TUNEL positive, 32.2 +/- 4.1) semen profile, compared with controls (DFI, 7.1 +/- 0.9; TUNEL positive, 14.2 +/- 1.2). Similarly, ROS levels were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in both groups of patients with varicocele.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of a varicocele is associated with high levels of DNA-damage spermatozoa even in the presence of normal semen profile. The results also indicate that oxidative damage is associated with sperm DNA damage in these patients.

An outbreak of abortions and high neonatal mortality associated with Trypanosoma evansi infection in dromedary camels in the Canary Islands

Trypanosoma evansi was diagnosed for the first time in the Canary Islands (Spain) in 1998 in a dromedary camel. Seroprevalences of 4.8% up to 9% have been observed using different diagnostic methods. Affected animals have been treated but the dissemination of the disease is unknown. This article presents an outbreak of abortions and high neonatal mortality attributable to T. evansi infection in camels as well as the clinical assessment of the affected animals. The patients were diagnosed by routine checking (three pregnant animals), after abortion (five dams), or after delivered premature or weak calves (eight dams). At clinical examination, 2 out of 16 affected animals showed moderate signs of chronic form, particularly hyporexia and intolerance to exercise. The aborted fetuses were aged 6-8 months of gestation, approximately. The main laboratorial findings were regenerative anemia (haemolytic anemia), lymphocytic and monocytic leukocytosis, hyperproteinemia, hyperglobulinemia, hypoglycaemia, serum urea increased and serum iron decreased. Treatment using trypanocidal drug (Cymelarsan) resulted highly effective. Massive treatment would be recommended in the entire camel population in the Canary Islands (less than 2000 animals), as therapeutic or preventive measure, in order to control and to achieve an eventual eradication of the disease.

Congenital Duplication of the Caudal Region (Monocephalus Dipygus) in a Kid Goat

A case of congenital duplication (monocephalus dipygus) in a goat is described. Two pelvis and four pelvic limbs were observed in the kid. Conjoined or fused symmetric twins were diagnosed. Associated abnormalities were cleft palate and anal atresia. Most of the classically recognized teratogens were ruled out by history and serology. However, progenitors were related in the second degree. Thus, genetic factors could be suspected in this case. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first report of monocephalus dipygus in a goat.

Clinical graft evolution of lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear cells, and antigen expression in tubular renal cells in the urine sediment of 20 renal allograft recipients

Urinary samples from 20 kidney transplant recipients were studied to determine the cellular composition of the sediments using an immunocytological (IC) technique. The expression of HLA class I (A, B, C) and class II (DR, DQ, DP), CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8, and interleukin (IL)-2 receptor (IL-2R) on lymphocytes was assessed using a panel of monoclonal antibodies. The results were correlated with graft function and with the number of episodes of acute renal graft rejection (AR) during a period of 6 months posttransplantation. The cellular infiltration of lymphocytes (LC) and polymorphonuclear cells (PMNC) also was studied using a standard cytology (SC) technique. During this period, 17 of 30 episodes of graft dysfunction due to AR occurred in 12 patients: 8 to acute tubular necrosis (ATN) (n = 8); 4 to cyclosporine (CsA) toxicity (n = 4) and 1 to amphotericin toxicity (n = 1). The diagnosis of AR was made clinically by 3 independent observers, using biopsy in some cases. The immunocytology showed a significantly increased expression of HLA-DR, DO, and DP namely, greater than 20% positivity in 10% of samples on the tubular epithelial cells (TEC) of patients presenting with versus without AR (P < or =.001). In addition, a high correlation was observed between the expression of IL-2R and the presence of AR (p < or =.002). The standard cytology results showed a significantly increased percentage of LC and decreased percentage of PMNCs in samples obtained 2 days prior to the clinical manifestations of patients who developed AR (P =.001). A greater level of expression of antigen determinants was observed prior to AR. These results suggest that immunocytology of urinary sediments, which is a noninvasive technique, has enormous clinical potential for the differential diagnosis of AR, ATN, and CsA toxicity. In our study, the use of HLA class IL-specific monoclonal antibodies (Abs) gave a 100% specificity, 95% sensitivity, and 95% predictability. Although our results also indicate a potential value in the increased IL-2R expression, these findings must be confirmed by further studies. Furthermore, the combination of both immunologic and SC techniques in urinary sediments allows early detection of AR and is cost effective and simple features that could be used routinely for follow-up of renal transplant recipients.

Orally administered tryptophan and experimental type 2 diabetes

There is a link between diabetes and oxidative stress. Hyperglycaemia leads to free radical generation and alterations of endogenous antioxidants. Our aim is to study the effect of orally administered L-tryptophan (TRP), the melatonin precursor, an endogenous antioxidant, on circulating levels of glycaemia, insulin and melatonin, and on the superoxide dismutase and catalase antioxidant systems in non-diabetic (ND) and type 2 diabetic (n5-STZ) male Wistar rats. At 19:30 every day for 15 days, TRP (125 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally. At 09:00 every two days the glycaemia was measured and every day the intake of food and water was recorded. At the beginning and end of treatment (at 09:00; 21:00; 02:00) plasma insulin and melatonin levels were measured, and (at 09:00) the enzymatic activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in erythrocytes were also measured. Glycaemia values were greater (p < 0.01) in n5-STZ rats than in ND rats, while insulin levels were lower (p < 0.05) at all times studied and these parameters were not altered by the TRP administration. Melatonin levels at 02:00 were lower in n5-STZ than in ND rats (p < 0.05). The TRP administration did not modify the circulating melatonin levels in ND rats, but raised (p < 0.01) the levels at 02:00 in the treated n5-STZ group. In ND rats after TRP administration there was a decline in catalase activity (p < 0.05), while in n5-STZ rats there was a rise (p < 0.01) at the end of treatment. However, there were no significant changes in SOD activity. There was increased food intake (g/day) in the treated n5-STZ group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the oral administration of TRP did not modify glycaemia or insulinaemia levels, but raised melatonin levels in diabetic rats at 02:00, lowered catalase activity in ND rats but raised it in n5-STZ rats, and increased food intake in n5-STZ rats.

The ICU-HELICS programme: towards European surveillance of hospital-acquired infections in intensive care units

The creation of a database intended for the comparative analysis of the rates of hospital-acquired infections in the 15 countries of the European Union is among the objectives of the HELICS network (Hospitals in Europe Link for Infection Control through Surveillance).

Clinical course and outcome of patients admitted to an ICU for status asthmaticus

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To describe the prognostic factors, clinical course, and outcome of patients with status asthmaticus treated in a medical ICU (MICU).

DESIGN

Analysis of prospective data.

SETTING

A multidisciplinary MICU of an inner-city university hospital.

PATIENTS

We collected data on 132 hospital admissions of 89 patients with status asthmaticus treated in our MICU from August 1995 through July 1998.

MEASUREMENTS

APACHE (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation) II scores were among the parameters measured.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine percent of the patients were female, and 67% were African American (mean +/- SD age, 42.4 +/- 15.1 years). Patients in 48 of the 132 hospital admissions (36%) required invasive mechanical ventilation; sepsis developed in patients during 17 hospital admissions (13%), nonpulmonary organ failure developed during 16 hospital admissions (12%), and ARDS developed during 2 hospital admissions (2%). Pneumothorax developed in four patients and required tube thoracostomy in all four patients. The median APACHE II score was 11. Predicted mortality and actual mortality were 6.7% and 8.3%, respectively. The two most common immediate causes of death were pneumothorax (n = 3) and nosocomial infection (n = 3). All the deaths occurred in female patients. Compared with survivors, nonsurvivors had higher APACHE II scores (median, 26 vs 15; p < 0.0001), PaCO(2) (63.8 +/- 21.3 mm Hg vs 47.8 +/- 19.1 mm Hg, p = 0.0101), and lower arterial pH (7.09 +/- 0.12 vs 7.27 +/- 0.12, p < 0.0001), respectively. Patients in 10 of 48 hospital admissions (21%) who required mechanical ventilation died.

CONCLUSIONS

The hospital mortality of patients admitted to an MICU for status asthmaticus is higher than expected. Higher APACHE II score and PaCO(2) and lower arterial pH within 24 h of hospital admission are associated with increased mortality. Sepsis and nonpulmonary organ failure are more likely to develop in nonsurvivors than survivors.