1
|
Ceñera Fernández J, González Esteban L, Moure García C, Cernuda Martínez JA. Conocimientos sobre COVID-19 en población general adulta tras dos años de pandemia. Glob Health Promot 2024; 31:111-119. [PMID: 37933817 DOI: 10.1177/17579759231204352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJETIVO identificar el nivel de conocimientos sobre la COVID-19 que tiene la población adulta residente en Gijón (España) después de dos años de pandemia. MÉTODOS se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal entre marzo del 2021 y marzo del 2022. Los datos se obtuvieron mediante un cuestionario telefónico sobre una muestra estratificada de tres zonas básicas de salud de Gijón, España (Calzada, Zarracina y Parque-Somió). El tamaño muestral se compuso de 305 personas. Se empleó el análisis ji-cuadrado para estudiar la relación entre variables categóricas y ANOVA para comparar las medias de la puntuación total por zona básica. Se realizaron regresiones logísticas para calcular las odds ratio entre la variable dependiente (poseer conocimientos avanzados) y las independientes (variables sociodemográficas). Se construyó un modelo predictivo entre la existencia o no de conocimiento avanzado y las variables independientes mediante regresión logística. RESULTADOS se encontraron diferencias en la puntuación media del nivel de conocimientos entre Parque-Somió y Calzada (p = 0.000) y Parque-Somió y Zarracina (p = 0.045), obteniendo mayor puntuación media la de Parque-Somió. Se observó una asociación entre el nivel de conocimientos y las variables medio de información utilizado (p = 0.018), edad (p = 0.036), zona básica de salud (p = 0.000), nivel educativo (p = 0.000) e historia previa de contacto estrecho (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONES el nivel de conocimientos avanzado se presenta sobre todo en las zonas básicas de salud con mayor nivel socioeconómico, población con nivel educativo alto, de 25 a 45 años, que se ha informado por su entorno y con historia previa de seguimiento por ser contacto estrecho.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Camino Moure García
- Servicio de Salud del Principado de Asturias (SESPA). Oviedo, Asturias, España
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Figueroa CM, Suárez BN, Molina AM, Fernández JC, Torres Z, Griebenow K. Smart Release Nano-formulation of Cytochrome C and Hyaluronic Acid Induces Apoptosis in Cancer Cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 8. [PMID: 28706754 PMCID: PMC5505692 DOI: 10.4172/2157-7439.1000427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Herein we tested a nanosized cancer-cell targeted delivery system based on cytochrome c (Cyt c) and hyaluronic acid. Cyt c was chosen since it is a per se non-toxic protein but causes apoptosis when delivered to the cytoplasm of target cells. Hyaluronic acid was employed to create the nanosized delivery system with passive targeting capability in order to exploit the enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect and active targeting capability of hyaluronic acid. In addition, our goal was to incorporate a smart release strategy to only promote protein release upon reaching its target. Nanoparticles were formed by a simple yet precise nanoprecipitation process based on desolvation. They were physically characterized to select precipitation conditions leading to adequate size, shape, protein bioactivity, and protein loading to produce a feasible targeted cancer treatment. We synthesized nanoparticles of around 500 nm diameter with a 60% protein loading and more than 80% of protein bioactivity. In vitro, cumulative release of 92% of Cyt c was observed after 8 h under conditions mimicking the reductive intracellular environment, while under non-denaturing conditions only 20% was released. The nanoparticles displayed a selective cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. After 6 h of incubation with the nanoparticles, hyaluronic acid receptor over expressing A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells showed a viability of ca. 20% at 0.16 mg/ml of Cyt c concentration. Only a negligible effect was observed on viability of COS-7 African green monkey kidney fibroblast, a normal cell line notoverexpressing the hyaluronic acid receptor. Confocal microscopy confirmed that the drug delivery system indeed delivered Cyt c to the cytoplasm of the target cells. We conclude that we were able to create a smart stimuli-responsive targeted drug delivery system with significant potential in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C M Figueroa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR 00931, Puerto Rico
| | - B N Suárez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR 00931, Puerto Rico
| | - A M Molina
- Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR 00931, Puerto Rico
| | - J C Fernández
- Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR 00931, Puerto Rico
| | - Z Torres
- Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR 00931, Puerto Rico
| | - K Griebenow
- Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR 00931, Puerto Rico
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bang W, Albright BJ, Bradley PA, Vold EL, Boettger JC, Fernández JC. Linear dependence of surface expansion speed on initial plasma temperature in warm dense matter. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29441. [PMID: 27405664 PMCID: PMC4942619 DOI: 10.1038/srep29441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent progress in laser-driven quasi-monoenergetic ion beams enabled the production of uniformly heated warm dense matter. Matter heated rapidly with this technique is under extreme temperatures and pressures, and promptly expands outward. While the expansion speed of an ideal plasma is known to have a square-root dependence on temperature, computer simulations presented here show a linear dependence of expansion speed on initial plasma temperature in the warm dense matter regime. The expansion of uniformly heated 1–100 eV solid density gold foils was modeled with the RAGE radiation-hydrodynamics code, and the average surface expansion speed was found to increase linearly with temperature. The origin of this linear dependence is explained by comparing predictions from the SESAME equation-of-state tables with those from the ideal gas equation-of-state. These simulations offer useful insight into the expansion of warm dense matter and motivate the application of optical shadowgraphy for temperature measurement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W Bang
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - B J Albright
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - P A Bradley
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - E L Vold
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - J C Boettger
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - J C Fernández
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bang W, Albright BJ, Bradley PA, Vold EL, Boettger JC, Fernández JC. Uniform heating of materials into the warm dense matter regime with laser-driven quasimonoenergetic ion beams. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 2015; 92:063101. [PMID: 26764832 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.92.063101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In a recent experiment at the Trident laser facility, a laser-driven beam of quasimonoenergetic aluminum ions was used to heat solid gold and diamond foils isochorically to 5.5 and 1.7 eV, respectively. Here theoretical calculations are presented that suggest the gold and diamond were heated uniformly by these laser-driven ion beams. According to calculations and SESAME equation-of-state tables, laser-driven aluminum ion beams achievable at Trident, with a finite energy spread of ΔE/E∼20%, are expected to heat the targets more uniformly than a beam of 140-MeV aluminum ions with zero energy spread. The robustness of the expected heating uniformity relative to the changes in the incident ion energy spectra is evaluated, and expected plasma temperatures of various target materials achievable with the current experimental platform are presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W Bang
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - B J Albright
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - P A Bradley
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - E L Vold
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - J C Boettger
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - J C Fernández
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bang W, Quevedo HJ, Bernstein AC, Dyer G, Ihn YS, Cortez J, Aymond F, Gaul E, Donovan ME, Barbui M, Bonasera A, Natowitz JB, Albright BJ, Fernández JC, Ditmire T. Characterization of deuterium clusters mixed with helium gas for an application in beam-target-fusion experiments. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 2014; 90:063109. [PMID: 25615207 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.90.063109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We measured the average deuterium cluster size within a mixture of deuterium clusters and helium gas by detecting Rayleigh scattering signals. The average cluster size from the gas mixture was comparable to that from a pure deuterium gas when the total backing pressure and temperature of the gas mixture were the same as those of the pure deuterium gas. According to these measurements, the average size of deuterium clusters depends on the total pressure and not the partial pressure of deuterium in the gas mixture. To characterize the cluster source size further, a Faraday cup was used to measure the average kinetic energy of the ions resulting from Coulomb explosion of deuterium clusters upon irradiation by an intense ultrashort pulse. The deuterium ions indeed acquired a similar amount of energy from the mixture target, corroborating our measurements of the average cluster size. As the addition of helium atoms did not reduce the resulting ion kinetic energies, the reported results confirm the utility of using a known cluster source for beam-target-fusion experiments by introducing a secondary target gas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W Bang
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, 87544, USA
| | - H J Quevedo
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - A C Bernstein
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - G Dyer
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - Y S Ihn
- Department of Physics, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - J Cortez
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - F Aymond
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - E Gaul
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - M E Donovan
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - M Barbui
- Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843, USA
| | - A Bonasera
- Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843, USA and LNS-INFN, Via Santa Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - J B Natowitz
- Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843, USA
| | - B J Albright
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, 87544, USA
| | - J C Fernández
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, 87544, USA
| | - T Ditmire
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Vivancos J, Gilo F, Frutos R, Maestre J, García-Pastor A, Quintana F, Roda JM, Ximénez-Carrillo A, Díez Tejedor E, Fuentes B, Alonso de Leciñana M, Alvarez-Sabin J, Arenillas J, Calleja S, Casado I, Castellanos M, Castillo J, Dávalos A, Díaz-Otero F, Egido JA, Fernández JC, Freijo M, Gállego J, Gil-Núñez A, Irimia P, Lago A, Masjuan J, Martí-Fábregas J, Martínez-Sánchez P, Martínez-Vila E, Molina C, Morales A, Nombela F, Purroy F, Ribó M, Rodríguez-Yañez M, Roquer J, Rubio F, Segura T, Serena J, Simal P, Tejada J. Clinical management guidelines for subarachnoid haemorrhage. Diagnosis and treatment. Neurologia 2012; 29:353-70. [PMID: 23044408 DOI: 10.1016/j.nrl.2012.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2012] [Revised: 07/11/2012] [Accepted: 07/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To update the Spanish Society of Neurology's guidelines for subarachnoid haemorrhage diagnosis and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS A review and analysis of the existing literature. Recommendations are given based on the level of evidence for each study reviewed. RESULTS The most common cause of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is cerebral aneurysm rupture. Its estimated incidence in Spain is 9/100 000 inhabitants/year with a relative frequency of approximately 5% of all strokes. Hypertension and smoking are the main risk factors. Stroke patients require treatment in a specialised centre. Admission to a stroke unit should be considered for SAH patients whose initial clinical condition is good (Grades I or II on the Hunt and Hess scale). We recommend early exclusion of aneurysms from the circulation. The diagnostic study of choice for SAH is brain CT (computed tomography) without contrast. If the test is negative and SAH is still suspected, a lumbar puncture should then be performed. The diagnostic tests recommended in order to determine the source of the haemorrhage are MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and angiography. Doppler ultrasonography studies are very useful for diagnosing and monitoring vasospasm. Nimodipine is recommended for preventing delayed cerebral ischaemia. Blood pressure treatment and neurovascular intervention may be considered in treating refractory vasospasm. CONCLUSIONS SAH is a severe and complex disease which must be managed in specialised centres by professionals with ample experience in relevant diagnostic and therapeutic processes.
Collapse
|
7
|
Castaño G, Fernández L, Mas R, Illnait J, Mesa M, Fernández JC. Comparison of the effects of policosanol and atorvastatin on lipid profile and platelet aggregation in patients with dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clin Drug Investig 2012; 23:639-50. [PMID: 17535079 DOI: 10.2165/00044011-200323100-00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolaemia increase the risk for coronary heart disease, with type 2 diabetes mellitus being the most prevalent form of diabetes, frequently accompanied by dyslipidaemia. The main goal of dyslipidaemia control in nondiabetic and diabetic patients is to lower elevated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug, purified from sugarcane wax, with a therapeutic range of 5-20 mg/day, which significantly reduces LDL-C levels. Atorvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor that, across its dose range (10-80 mg/day), has shown significantly greater lipid-lowering effects than all previously marketed statins. OBJECTIVE To compare the effects on lipid profile and platelet aggregation of policosanol and atorvastatin in patients with dyslipidaemia due to type 2 diabetes. PATIENTS AND METHODS This randomised, single-blind, parallel-group study was conducted in patients with type 2 diabetes (fasting glucose </=7 mmol/L and glycosylated haemoglobin [HbA(1c)] <8.5%) and high LDL-C levels (>/=3.0 mmol/L). After 6 weeks on a cholesterol-lowering diet, 40 patients were randomised to policosanol or atorvastatin 10mg tablets taken once daily with the evening meal for 8 weeks. Assessments of lipid profile, platelet aggregation tests, safety indicators and adverse events were performed. RESULTS After 8 weeks of therapy, policosanol significantly lowered LDL-C by 25.7% (p < 0.0001 versus baseline) and total cholesterol (TC) by 18.2% (p < 0.001 versus baseline). In turn, atorvastatin 10 mg/day decreased LDL-C by 41.9% and TC by 31.5% (p < 0.0001 versus baseline). Atorvastatin was more effective than policosanol in reducing LDL-C and TC (p < 0.001). Policosanol also significantly reduced the TC/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (25.2%; p < 0.0001) and triglycerides (15.6%; p < 0.001), while atorvastatin lowered TC/HDL-C by 30.5% (p < 0.0001) and triglycerides by 13.9% (p < 0.001); the reductions on these variables were similar in the two groups. Policosanol, but not atorvastatin, significantly increased HDL-C (11.1%; p < 0.01), the effect being significantly different from that of atorvastatin (p < 0.0001). Also, policosanol, but not atorvastatin, significantly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid 0.75 and 1.5 mmol/L (39.0% and 33.3%, respectively) and by collagen 0.25 and 0.5 mug/mL (15.7% and 28.5%, respectively) [p < 0.001]; these inhibitions were significantly different (p < 0.05) from the changes that occurred with atorvastatin. Neither drug significantly changed platelet aggregation elicited by adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Both treatments were well tolerated, with glycaemic control being unaffected. Neither drug impaired physical safety indicators or glucose control indicators (fasting glucose and HbA(1c)). Atorvastatin significantly increased levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) [p < 0.05] and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) [p < 0.01], while policosanol did not significantly change any safety indicator. Only three atorva-statin recipients showed individual values of ALT and CPK that were moderately enhanced (<3 times above the normal upper limit). No patients withdrew from the study. Four patients reported adverse events: two policosanol (insomnia and pruritus) and two atorvastatin (myalgia and raised arterial blood pressure) recipients. CONCLUSION Policosanol (10 mg/day) for 8 weeks was less effective than similar doses of atorvastatin in reducing LDL-C and TC in patients with dyslipidaemia due to type 2 diabetes, but more effective in increasing HDL-C. Both drugs similarly reduced the TC/HDL-C ratio and triglycerides. Policosanol showed additional advantages regarding inhibition of platelet aggregation. Nevertheless, further studies of longer duration and using dose-titration schemes to achieve LDL-C goals are needed for wider conclusions about the respective effects of these two drugs in such a population subset.
Collapse
|
8
|
Jung D, Yin L, Albright BJ, Gautier DC, Hörlein R, Kiefer D, Henig A, Johnson R, Letzring S, Palaniyappan S, Shah R, Shimada T, Yan XQ, Bowers KJ, Tajima T, Fernández JC, Habs D, Hegelich BM. Monoenergetic ion beam generation by driving ion solitary waves with circularly polarized laser light. Phys Rev Lett 2011; 107:115002. [PMID: 22026679 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.107.115002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Experimental data from the Trident Laser facility is presented showing quasimonoenergetic carbon ions from nm-scaled foil targets with an energy spread of as low as ±15% at 35 MeV. These results and high-resolution kinetic simulations show laser acceleration of quasimonoenergetic ion beams by the generation of ion solitons with circularly polarized laser pulses (500 fs, λ=1054 nm). The conversion efficiency into monoenergetic ions is increased by an order of magnitude compared with previous experimental results, representing an important step towards applications such as ion fast ignition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Jung
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yin L, Albright BJ, Bowers KJ, Jung D, Fernández JC, Hegelich BM. Three-dimensional dynamics of breakout afterburner ion acceleration using high-contrast short-pulse laser and nanoscale targets. Phys Rev Lett 2011; 107:045003. [PMID: 21867015 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.107.045003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2010] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Breakout afterburner (BOA) laser-ion acceleration has been demonstrated for the first time in the laboratory. In the BOA, an initially solid-density target undergoes relativistically induced transparency, initiating a period of enhanced ion acceleration. First-ever kinetic simulations of the BOA in three dimensions show that the ion beam forms lobes in the direction orthogonal to laser polarization and propagation. Analytic theory presented for the electron dynamics in the laser ponderomotive field explains how azimuthal symmetry breaks even for a symmetric laser intensity profile; these results are consistent with recent experiments at the Trident laser facility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Yin
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Jung D, Hörlein R, Gautier DC, Letzring S, Kiefer D, Allinger K, Albright BJ, Shah R, Palaniyappan S, Yin L, Fernández JC, Habs D, Hegelich BM. A novel high resolution ion wide angle spectrometer. Rev Sci Instrum 2011; 82:043301. [PMID: 21528999 DOI: 10.1063/1.3575581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
A novel ion wide angle spectrometer (iWASP) has been developed, which is capable of measuring angularly resolved energy distributions of protons and a second ion species, such as carbon C(6 +), simultaneously. The energy resolution for protons and carbon ions is better than 10% at ∼50 MeV/nucleon and thus suitable for the study of novel laser-ion acceleration schemes aiming for ultrahigh particle energies. A wedged magnet design enables an acceptance angle of 30°(∼524 mrad) and high angular accuracy in the μrad range. First, results obtained at the LANL Trident laser facility are presented demonstrating high energy and angular resolution of this novel iWASP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Jung
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Palaniyappan S, Shah RC, Johnson R, Shimada T, Gautier DC, Letzring S, Jung D, Hörlein R, Offermann DT, Fernández JC, Hegelich BM. Pulse shape measurements using single shot-frequency resolved optical gating for high energy (80 J) short pulse (600 fs) laser. Rev Sci Instrum 2010; 81:10E103. [PMID: 21033968 DOI: 10.1063/1.3464258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Relevant to laser based electron/ion accelerations, a single shot second harmonic generation frequency resolved optical gating (FROG) system has been developed to characterize laser pulses (80 J, ∼600 fs) incident on and transmitted through nanofoil targets, employing relay imaging, spatial filter, and partially coated glass substrates to reduce spatial nonuniformity and B-integral. The device can be completely aligned without using a pulsed laser source. Variations of incident pulse shape were measured from durations of 613 fs (nearly symmetric shape) to 571 fs (asymmetric shape with pre- or postpulse). The FROG measurements are consistent with independent spectral and autocorrelation measurements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Palaniyappan
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Albright BJ, Yin L, Hegelich BM, Bowers KJ, Huang C, Henig A, Fernández JC, Flippo KA, Gaillard SA, Kwan TJT, Yan XQ, Tajima T, Habs D. Ultraintense laser interaction with nanoscale targets: a simple model for layer expansion and ion acceleration. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/244/4/042022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|
13
|
Henig A, Kiefer D, Markey K, Gautier DC, Flippo KA, Letzring S, Johnson RP, Shimada T, Yin L, Albright BJ, Bowers KJ, Fernández JC, Rykovanov SG, Wu HC, Zepf M, Jung D, Liechtenstein VK, Schreiber J, Habs D, Hegelich BM. Enhanced laser-driven ion acceleration in the relativistic transparency regime. Phys Rev Lett 2009; 103:045002. [PMID: 19659362 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.103.045002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We report on the acceleration of ion beams from ultrathin diamondlike carbon foils of thickness 50, 30, and 10 nm irradiated by ultrahigh contrast laser pulses at intensities of approximately 7 x 10;{19} W/cm;{2}. An unprecedented maximum energy of 185 MeV (15 MeV/u) for fully ionized carbon atoms is observed at the optimum thickness of 30 nm. The enhanced acceleration is attributed to self-induced transparency, leading to strong volumetric heating of the classically overdense electron population in the bulk of the target. Our experimental results are supported by both particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations and an analytical model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Henig
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Garching, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
|
15
|
Albright BJ, Schmitt MJ, Fernández JC, Cragg GE, Tregillis I, Yin L, Hegelich BM. Studies in capsule design for mid-Z ion-driven fast ignition. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/112/2/022029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
|
16
|
Albright BJ, Yin L, Hegelich BM, Bowers KJ, Kwan TJT, Fernández JC. Theory of laser acceleration of light-ion beams from interaction of ultrahigh-intensity lasers with layered targets. Phys Rev Lett 2006; 97:115002. [PMID: 17025893 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.97.115002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2005] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Experiments at the LANL Trident facility demonstrated the production of monoenergetic ion beams from the interaction of an ultraintense laser with a target comprising a heavy ion substrate and thin layer of light ions. An analytic model is obtained that predicts how the mean energy and quality of monoenergetic ion beams and the energy of substrate ions vary with substrate material and light-ion layer composition and thickness. Dimensionless parameters controlling the dynamics are derived and the model is validated with particle-in-cell simulations and experimental data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B J Albright
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ortega LL, Sánchez J, Más R, Fernández L, Mendoza S, Gámez R, Fernández JC, Illnait J, Alvarez E. Effects of Policosanol on Patients with Ischemic Stroke: A Pilot Open Study. J Med Food 2006; 9:378-85. [PMID: 17004902 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2006.9.378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke is a major health problem worldwide. Its pharmacological management includes thrombolytic therapy for the acute phase and antiplatelet drugs for stroke recovery and prevention. Statins can help in the acute phase and in preventing stroke in secondary prevention patients. Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug with concomitant antiplatelet effects, with protective effects in stroke models. This observational study investigated the effects of policosanol (20 mg/day) administered during the acute phase and for 5 years later on the neurological recovery of patients with ischemic stroke treated with antiplatelets and vitamins. After hospital discharge, patients were followed up every 3 (first year) and 6 (thereafter) months. Neurological improvement was assessed with the modified Canadian Neurological Scale. Adverse events were recorded. Fifty patients were included; all completed the study. Neurological score improved throughout the study. No patient died, and most [40 (80.0%)] did not experience new vascular events; only one (2.0%) suffered a new stroke, and two (4.0%) suffered more than one transient ischemic attack. The time to the first recurrent event was 46.2 months. Policosanol persistently lowered serum total cholesterol, with such reduction correlating with the neurological improvement (R = 0.995253301). Triglycerides were unchanged. Treatment was well tolerated. Policosanol administered to patients suffering ischemic stroke treated with aspirin and vitamins showed good results on neurological outcomes and recurrent events. This study, however, has limitations, since it was open and uncontrolled, and patients also consumed aspirin and vitamins. New randomized, controlled studies are needed to assess the usefulness of policosanol in stroke management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L L Ortega
- National Institute of Neurology, National Centre for Scientific Research, Havana City, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Hegelich BM, Albright BJ, Cobble J, Flippo K, Letzring S, Paffett M, Ruhl H, Schreiber J, Schulze RK, Fernández JC. Laser acceleration of quasi-monoenergetic MeV ion beams. Nature 2006; 439:441-4. [PMID: 16437109 DOI: 10.1038/nature04400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 602] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2005] [Accepted: 11/03/2005] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Acceleration of particles by intense laser-plasma interactions represents a rapidly evolving field of interest, as highlighted by the recent demonstration of laser-driven relativistic beams of monoenergetic electrons. Ultrahigh-intensity lasers can produce accelerating fields of 10 TV m(-1) (1 TV = 10(12) V), surpassing those in conventional accelerators by six orders of magnitude. Laser-driven ions with energies of several MeV per nucleon have also been produced. Such ion beams exhibit unprecedented characteristics--short pulse lengths, high currents and low transverse emittance--but their exponential energy spectra have almost 100% energy spread. This large energy spread, which is a consequence of the experimental conditions used to date, remains the biggest impediment to the wider use of this technology. Here we report the production of quasi-monoenergetic laser-driven C5+ ions with a vastly reduced energy spread of 17%. The ions have a mean energy of 3 MeV per nucleon (full-width at half-maximum approximately 0.5 MeV per nucleon) and a longitudinal emittance of less than 2 x 10(-6) eV s for pulse durations shorter than 1 ps. Such laser-driven, high-current, quasi-monoenergetic ion sources may enable significant advances in the development of compact MeV ion accelerators, new diagnostics, medical physics, inertial confinement fusion and fast ignition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B M Hegelich
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Affiliation(s)
- J A Miranda
- Servicio de Reumatología. Hospital Xeral-Cíes. Vigo. Pontevedra. España
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Fuchs J, Sentoku Y, Karsch S, Cobble J, Audebert P, Kemp A, Nikroo A, Antici P, Brambrink E, Blazevic A, Campbell EM, Fernández JC, Gauthier JC, Geissel M, Hegelich M, Pépin H, Popescu H, Renard-LeGalloudec N, Roth M, Schreiber J, Stephens R, Cowan TE. Comparison of laser ion acceleration from the front and rear surfaces of thin foils. Phys Rev Lett 2005; 94:045004. [PMID: 15783566 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.94.045004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The comparative efficiency and beam characteristics of high-energy ions generated by high-intensity short-pulse lasers (approximately 1-6 x 10(19) W/cm2) from both the front and rear surfaces of thin metal foils have been measured under identical conditions. Using direct beam measurements and nuclear activation techniques, we find that rear-surface acceleration produces higher energy particles with smaller divergence and a higher efficiency than front-surface acceleration. Our observations are well reproduced by realistic particle-in-cell simulations, and we predict optimal criteria for future applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Fuchs
- General Atomics, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Montgomery DS, Focia RJ, Rose HA, Russell DA, Cobble JA, Fernández JC, Johnson RP. Observation of stimulated electron-acoustic-wave scattering. Phys Rev Lett 2001; 87:155001. [PMID: 11580704 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.87.155001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2001] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
A diffraction-limited laser interacts with a plasma whose conditions are uniform on the scale of the focused laser spot. Two distinct, narrow waves are observed in the backscattered spectrum with phase velocities of v(phi)/v(e) = 1.4+/-0.08 and 4.2+/-0.1, where v(e) is the electron thermal speed. The high-velocity wave is ordinary stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) from a Langmuir wave. The low-velocity wave corresponds to stimulated scattering from an electron-acoustic wave (SEAS), and implies strong electron trapping. Previous SRS data from low-density plasmas are reinterpreted in terms of SEAS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D S Montgomery
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Castaño G, Más R, Fernández JC, Illnait J, Fernández L, Alvarez E. Effects of policosanol in older patients with type II hypercholesterolemia and high coronary risk. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2001; 56:M186-92. [PMID: 11253161 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/56.3.m186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of policosanol in older patients with type II hypercholesterolemia and more than one concomitant atherosclerotic risk factor. METHODS After 6 weeks on a lipid-lowering diet, 179 patients randomly received a placebo or policosanol at doses of 5 followed by 10 mg per day for successive 12-week periods of each dose. Policosanol (5 and 10 mg/d) significantly (p < .001) reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; 16.9% and 24.4%, respectively) and total cholesterol (TC; 12.8% and 16.2%, respectively), while significantly (p < .01) increasing (p < .001) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) by 14.6% and 29.1%, respectively. RESULTS Policosanol significantly decreased (p < .01) the ratios of LDL-C to HDL-C (29.1%) and TC to HDL-C (28%) at study completion, although triglycerides remained unchanged. Policosanol, but not the placebo, significantly improved (p .01) cardiovascular capacity, which was assessed using the Specific Activity Scale. No serious adverse experiences occurred in policosanol patients (p < .01), compared with seven adverse experiences (7.9%) reported by placebo patients. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that policosanol is effective, safe, and well tolerated in older hypercholesterolemic patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Castaño
- Medical Surgical Research Center, National Center for Scientific Research, Havana City, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Castaño G, Más R, Arruzazabala ML, Noa M, Illnait J, Fernández JC, Molina V, Menéndez A. Effects of policosanol and pravastatin on lipid profile, platelet aggregation and endothelemia in older hypercholesterolemic patients. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 2001; 19:105-16. [PMID: 10939028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
This randomized, double-blind study was undertaken to compare the effects of policosanol and pravastatin administered at 10 mg/day on lipid profile, platelet aggregation and endothelemia in older patients with type II hypercholesterolemia and high coronary risk. After 6 weeks on a lipid-lowering diet, patients with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels > 3.4 mmol/l were randomized to receive, under double-blind conditions, policosanol or pravastatin 10 mg tablets that were taken with the evening meal for 8 weeks. Policosanol significantly (p < 0.00001) lowered LDL-cholesterol (19.3%), total cholesterol (13.9%) and the ratios of LDL-cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (28.3%) and total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol (24.4%). Pravastatin significantly (p < 0.00001) lowered LDL-cholesterol (15.6%), total cholesterol (11.8%) and the ratios (p < 0.0001) of LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol (18.9%) and total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol (15.7%). Policosanol, but not pravastatin, significantly increased (p < 0.001) levels of HDL-cholesterol (18.4%) and reduced (p < 0.01) triglycerides (14.1%). Policosanol was more effective (p < 0.05) than pravastatin in inhibiting platelet aggregation induced by all agonists and it significantly reduced (p < 0.0001) platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid at 1.5 and 3 mmol/l by 42.2% and 69.5%, respectively, platelet aggregation induced by collagen 0.5 microgram/ml (p < 0.05) (16.6%) and that induced by adenosine diphosphate 1 mumol/l (p < 0.01) (20.3%). Pravastatin significantly reduced (p < 0.001) (27%) only platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid 3 mmol/l. Both drugs significantly decreased (p < 0.00001) endothelemia levels but final values were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the policosanol than in the pravastatin group. Both treatments were safe and well tolerated. Pravastatin significantly (p < 0.01) increased serum levels of alanine amine transferase but individual values remained within normal. Two patients on pravastatin discontinued the study because of adverse experiences (myocardial infarction and jaundice, respectively). In conclusion, the effects of policosanol (10 mg/day) on lipid profile, platelet aggregation and endothelemia in older patients with type II hypercholesterolemia and high coronary risk are more favorable than those induced by the same doses of pravastatin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Castaño
- Medical Surgical Research Center, Havana, Cuba.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Menéndez R, Más R, Amor AM, González RM, Fernández JC, Rodeiro I, Zayas M, Jiménez S. Effects of policosanol treatment on the susceptibility of low density lipoprotein (LDL) isolated from healthy volunteers to oxidative modification in vitro. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2000; 50:255-62. [PMID: 10971310 PMCID: PMC2014982 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2125.2000.00250.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/1999] [Accepted: 05/25/2000] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of policosanol on the susceptibility of LDL-C to in vitro lipid peroxidation in human healthy volunteers. METHODS The effect of policosanol (5 and 10 mg day(-1) on LDL-C oxidation was studied in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 69 subjects. LDL-C samples isolated at baseline and after 8 weeks were subjected to in vitro tests of LDL-C oxidation. We tested the susceptibility of LDL-C to lipid peroxidation in a cell-free system by the addition of copper ions as well as in a more physiological system, macrophage-mediated oxidation. RESULTS At baseline all groups were well matched regarding all variables. After 8 weeks of therapy policosanol administered at 5 and 10 mg, significantly and in a dose-dependent manner increased the lag phase of conjugated diene generation (mean +/- s.d.) from 83.79+/-29.16 min to 94.90+/-25.50 min (5 mg day(-1)) and from 82.74+/-17.16 min to 129.89+/-35.71 min (10 mg day(-1)), while in the placebo group LDL-C oxidation did not change significantly. Policosanol (10 mg day(-1)), but not placebo, significantly decreased the rate of conjugated diene generation. Comparison with placebo after therapy also showed significant differences. Macrophage mediated-oxidation was also inhibited by policosanol as evident by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Policosanol (10 mg day(-1)) significantly lowered malondialdehyde (MDA) generation from 8.50+/-0.91 to 5.76+/- 1.01 nmol mg(-1) protein. Comparison with placebo after 5 and 10 mg day(-1) showed significant differences. Policosanol significantly lowered total cholesterol by 10.5% (5 mg day(-1)) and 12.4% (10 mg day(-1)) and LDL-C by 16.7% and 20.2%, respectively. Also, policosanol (10 mg day(-1)) increased HDL-C by 15.2%. Five subjects withdrew from the study, none because of adverse experiences. No clinical or blood biochemical drug-related disturbances were found. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrated that policosanol administered within its therapeutic dosage for lowering cholesterol (5 and 10 mg day(-1)), decreased the susceptibility of LDL-C to lipid peroxidation in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Menéndez
- Center of Natural Products, National Center for Scientific Research, PO Box 6880, Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Castaño G, Más R, Fernández L, Fernández JC, Illnait J, López LE, Alvarez E. Effects of policosanol on postmenopausal women with type II hypercholesterolemia. Gynecol Endocrinol 2000; 14:187-95. [PMID: 10923280 DOI: 10.3109/09513590009167681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to investigate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of policosanol, a cholesterol-lowering drug purified from sugar-cane wax, in postmenopausal women with type II hypercholesterolemia. A total of 244 women who had experienced the menopause and showed elevated serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels despite 6 weeks on a standard lipid-lowering diet were randomized to receive placebo or policosanol 5 mg/day for 12 weeks, after which the dose was doubled to 10 mg/day for the next 12 weeks. Policosanol (5 and 10 mg/day) significantly lowered LDL-C levels (17.7% and 25.2%, respectively) and total cholesterol (12.6% and 16.7%, respectively), as well as the ratios of LDL-C to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (17.0% and 29.3%, respectively) and total cholesterol to HDL-C (16.7% and 27.2%, respectively), compared to the baseline and placebo; at the same time, policosanol significantly raised HDL-C levels by 16.5% and 29.3%, respectively. The drug was safe and well tolerated. No drug-related adverse events were observed, and even the extent of adverse events was less in the policosanol group than in the placebo group. Four serious adverse events occurred in the placebo group (one myocardial infarction, two cases of hypertensive status and one surgical intervention) compared to none in the policosanol group. In conclusion, policosanol is effective, safe and well tolerated in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Castaño
- Medical Surgical Research Center (CIMEQ), Siboney, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Castaño G, Más R, Roca J, Fernández L, Illnait J, Fernández JC, Selman E. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of policosanol in patients with intermittent claudication. Angiology 1999; 50:123-30. [PMID: 10063942 DOI: 10.1177/000331979905000205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol, a new cholesterol-lowering drug with concomitant antiplatelet effects, in patients with intermittent claudication. After a baseline period of 6 weeks, 62 patients were randomized to receive, under double-blind conditions, either placebo (31 patients) or policosanol (31), 10 mg twice daily. Walking distances in a treadmill (constant speed 3.2 km/hr, slope 10 degrees) were assessed before and after 6 months of treatment. Both groups were similar at randomization. Policosanol increased significantly (p < 0.01) the initial claudication distance from 132.5+/-13.5 m (baseline) to 205.7+/-36.3 m (after therapy) and the absolute claudication distance (p<0.0001) from 229.5+/-22.0 m to 365.4+/-46.9 m; meanwhile both variables remained unchanged in the placebo group (p<0.05). The reduction of lower limb symptoms showed a greater benefit in the policosanol group. There was no significant change in either group in the ankle/arm pressure ratio. The treatment was well tolerated. There were 10 discontinuations (seven placebo, three policosanol) from the study. Six withdrawals occurred because of adverse events (AE); all were in placebo patients. There were five serious vascular AEs in the placebo group but none in the policosanol group (p<0.05). Overall, 12/31 (38.7%) placebo patients and 3/31 (9.7%) policosanol patients experienced AEs after randomization, which showed a lesser incidence of AEs in the policosanol group (p<0.01). The present study demonstrates a beneficial effect of policosanol in patients with intermittent claudication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Castaño
- Medical Surgical Research Center, Havana City, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Roca-Ferrer J, Mullol J, Lopez E, Xaubet A, Pujols L, Fernández JC, Picado C. Effect of topical anti-inflammatory drugs on epithelial cell-induced eosinophil survival and GM-CSF secretion. Eur Respir J 1997; 10:1489-95. [PMID: 9230235 DOI: 10.1183/09031936.97.10071489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Topical anti-inflammatory drugs decrease eosinophil infiltration. This action may be due to an effect on the release of epithelial cell products responsible for promoting eosinophil survival. We investigated the effect of fluticasone propionate, budesonide, beclomethasone dipropionate and nedocromil sodium on the release of granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and on eosinophil survival induced by secretions from cultured nasal epithelial cells. Human epithelial cell-conditioned media (HECM) were generated by cultured epithelial cells obtained from healthy subjects undergoing corrective nasal surgery. Normodense eosinophils isolated from peripheral blood were incubated with HECM generated with and without the drugs. All of the drugs tested inhibited eosinophil survival, and response was dose-dependent. Fluticasone propionate had the highest inhibitory potency (25% inhibitory concentration (IC25) 1x10(-9) M), followed by budesonide (IC25 3.3x10(-8) M), beclomethasone dipropionate (IC25 1.5x10(-6) M), and nedocromil sodium IC25 5x10(-6) M). Likewise, fluticasone was the strongest steroid in inhibiting release of GM-CSF (IC25 8.4x10(-11) M), followed by budesonide (IC25 2x10(-9) M), beclomethasone dipropionate (IC25 13x10(-8) M), and nedocromil sodium (IC25 >10(-5) M). A significant correlation was found between both inhibitory effects (r=0.955; p<0.05). Topical anti-inflammatory drugs may decrease eosinophil survival by abrogating the promoting effect of epithelial cells. These drugs may exert part of their therapeutic effect by modulating GM-CSF release. The following rank of potency was observed: fluticasone propionate > budesonide > beclomethasone dipropionate > nedocromil sodium. The study of the interaction between epithelial cells and eosinophils may be a useful method for investigating and comparing the potency of topical drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Roca-Ferrer
- Fundació Clinic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Departament de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Fernández JC, Cobble JA, Failor BH, DuBois DF, Montgomery DS, Rose HA, Vu HX, Wilde BH, Wilke MD, Chrien RE. Observed Dependence of Stimulated Raman Scattering on Ion-Acoustic Damping in Hohlraum Plasmas. Phys Rev Lett 1996; 77:2702-2705. [PMID: 10062024 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.77.2702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
|
29
|
Fernández JC, Cobble JA, Failor BH, Hsing WW, Rose HA, Wilde BH, Bradley KS, Gobby PL, Kirkwood R, Kornblum HN, Montgomery DS, Wilke MD. Dependence of stimulated Brillouin scattering on laser intensity, laser f number, and ion species in hohlraum plasmas. Phys Rev E Stat Phys Plasmas Fluids Relat Interdiscip Topics 1996; 53:2747-2750. [PMID: 9964564 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.53.2747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
|
30
|
Affiliation(s)
- P Gamboa
- Sección de Alergología, Hospital de Basurto, Bilbao, Spain
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether elevated levels of cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients could be decreased by policosanol, a new cholesterol-lowering drug. NIDDM predisposes patients to coronary artery disease (CAD) through the direct action of hyperglycemia on the arteries as well as the dyslipidemia induced by NIDDM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This double-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed in 29 patients with NIDDM and hypercholesterolemia. After stable glycemic control was achieved by diet and/or oral hypoglycemic drugs, patients were instructed to follow a cholesterol-lowering diet for 6 weeks. Patients who met entry criteria received, under double-blind conditions, policosanol (5 mg) or placebo tablets twice a day for 12 weeks. RESULTS Policosanol (10 mg/day) significantly reduced total cholesterol by 17.5% and LDL cholesterol by 21.8% compared with baseline and placebo. Furthermore, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was raised by 11.3% (not significant), and triglycerides showed a statistically nonsignificant decrease of 6.6%. These changes in lipid profile were similar to those induced by policosanol in nondiabetic patients with type II hyperlipoproteinemia. CONCLUSIONS Glycemic control was unaffected by treatment. No clinically or biochemically adverse effects attributable to treatment were observed. Only one patient (placebo) withdrew from the trial because of an adverse experience (erythema). We concluded that policosanol is effective and safe in patients with NIDDM and hypercholesterolemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- O Torres
- Julio Trigo Hospital, Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Antépara I, Fernández JC, Gamboa P, Jauregui I, Miguel F. Pollen allergy in the Bilbao area (European Atlantic seaboard climate): pollination forecasting methods. Clin Exp Allergy 1995; 25:133-40. [PMID: 7750005 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1995.tb01018.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Forecasting pollination can help the allergist to establish the appropriate treatment and advice for patients. Based on previous studies, we have related the climate variables with the grass pollen counts in the search for pollination predictors. By relating the meteorological data of the temperature recorded every 6 h and of the rainfall in hourly periods, together with the daily pollen counts obtained by the Hirst volumetric system, over a period of 3 years, we have tried to predict the start, duration and severity of the grass pollination, as well as the days of peak pollination. We have established a relationship by means of a polynomic regression originating from the mean cumulated temperature higher than 9 degrees C [R2 = 0.927 (P = 0.0001)], with the pollination season starting from 300 degrees C and the maximum peak at 356 degrees C, in the 3 years of the study. During the days of pollination, peaks higher than 50 grains/m3 coincide with average daily temperatures of 18.7 +/- 3 and lower than 50 grains/m3 with temperatures of 16.8 +/- 3 (significant to 95%). The duration of the pollination is influenced by the cumulated average temperatures (from 800 to 900 degrees C) and especially by precipitation at the start of and during pollination. In order to forecast grass pollination, the cumulated average temperatures are useful, starting from a basal (9 degrees C), pollination begins when this sum is greater than 300 degrees C, whereas when 800 degrees C is reached and depending on the rainfall during the season, pollination will end.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I Antépara
- Allergy Unit, Hospital de Basurto, Bilbao, Spain
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Cárdaba B, Vilches C, Martín E, de Andrés B, del Pozo V, Hernández D, Gallardo S, Fernández JC, Villalba M, Rodríguez R. DR7 and DQ2 are positively associated with immunoglobulin-E response to the main antigen of olive pollen (Ole e I) in allergic patients. Hum Immunol 1993; 38:293-9. [PMID: 7908014 DOI: 10.1016/0198-8859(93)90557-h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
We have studied the relationship between HLA class II haplotypes and alleles, and the IgE antibody response to a highly purified allergen, Ole e I, in allergic patients. Ole e I, is the major antigen from the pollen of olive tree that grows mainly in the Mediterranean. Genomic DNA typing was performed in 40 unrelated patients with seasonal allergic pollenosis who had specific IgE antibodies against Ole e I, detected by double-antibody radioimmunoassay. HLA-DRB and -DQB loci were analyzed by PCR-SSO and RFLP. Phenotypic frequencies were compared with those of 179 healthy unrelated individuals. Significant increases in the phenotypic frequencies of DR7 (pf = 67.5% vs 31.3% in the control population, pc = 0.0023) and DQ2 (pf = 90.0% vs 48.0%, pc = 0.0003) were found, indicating an association between DRB1*0701/2, DQB1*0201 alleles and the IgE antibody response to Ole e I. This is the first time that the HLA-DQ gene has been associated with a positive allergic response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Cárdaba
- Department of Immunology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Affiliation(s)
- J C Fernández
- Sección de Alergia, Hospital Civil de Basurto, Bilbao, Spain
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Del Pozo V, De Andrés B, Martín E, Cárdaba B, Fernández JC, Gallardo S, Tramón P, Leyva-Cobian F, Palomino P, Lahoz C. Eosinophil as antigen-presenting cell: activation of T cell clones and T cell hybridoma by eosinophils after antigen processing. Eur J Immunol 1992; 22:1919-25. [PMID: 1623930 DOI: 10.1002/eji.1830220736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
We have studied the role of murine eosinophils as antigen-presenting cells (APC). Eosinophils have several characteristics that support the hypothesis of its function as potential APC: they have phagocytic capacity, express adhesion molecules and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens and can produce and release interleukin-1 (IL-1). We have obtained several T cell clones specific for Mesocestoides corti antigens and used T cell hybridoma specific for ovalbumin (OVA) to test this hypothesis. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-activated pure eosinophils (99.9%), express class II antigens and are able to present M. corti antigens to specific T cell clones or OVA to T cell hybridoma 3DO 11.10, inducing the proliferation of T cell clones and IL-2 release by the T cell hybridoma. Proliferation of T cells clones is dependent on the number of eosinophils used as APC. We have compared the efficiency of the same number of macrophages and eosinophils as APC, and have found that macrophages are more efficient than eosinophils. Lysosomotropic agents, such as chloroquine and ammonium chloride, that inhibit antigen processing, impaired eosinophil presentation. This presentation is restricted by MHC class II and inhibited by anti-I-Ad monoclonal antibody. The present study provides clear evidence of APC function for eosinophils. Our investigation points to a new role for eosinophils in the immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Del Pozo
- Department of Immunology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Casal M, Linares MJ, Fernández JC, Solís F. [Dermatophytes and dermatophytosis in Córdoba (Spain)]. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 1991; 9:491-4. [PMID: 1805952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
During a two year period all patients referred to the Dermatology Department with the diagnosis of dermatophytosis were studied. We obtained 158 dermatophyte isolated belonging to 12 species of dermatophytes. The most frequent causal agents were M. canis in 58 (36.7%), T. mentagrophytes var mentagrophytes in 36 (22.7%), E. floccosum in 29 (18.3%) and T. rubrum in 17 (10.7%). M. canis was the most prevalent causal agent of tinea capitis and tinea corporis. The most frequent species in the tinea cruris was E. floccosum. In 4 patients there were simultaneous infection by two different agents. The incidence of dermatophytosis in Córdoba is high. Due to the similarities with other diseases, the mycologic examination by culture is essential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Casal
- Departamento de Microbiología Médica y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Córdoba
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
del Moral R, Ruiz de Almodóvar JM, Fernández JC, López-González JD, Villalba J, Olea N, Pedraza V. Relationship between proliferative activity and cellular hormono-dependence in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Rev Esp Fisiol 1990; 46:247-53. [PMID: 1965340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Research on kinetic and hormonal features of breast cancer has led to the development of indices which either reflect accurately the prognosis (incorporation of tritium labelled thymidine) or predict the response to hormonal treatment (presence and concentration of estrogen and progesterone receptors). However, the relationship between cellular proliferation and tumour hormono-dependence has been little studied so far. We describe this relationship in the hormone-dependent MCF-7 cell line cultured in monolayers in MEM + 10% FCS or MEM + 10% FCS (s). We have found that: 1) cellular proliferation and estrogen or progesterone receptor concentration were mutually dependent, the greatest estradiol binding capacity was obtained in cells in which mitotic activity had been slowed down (G0/G1) by the antiestrogenic action of hydroxytamoxifen added to the culture; 2) the presence of estradiol in the culture medium induced marked changes in the synthesis and catabolism of estrogen and progesterone receptors; and 3) both receptors acted as functional proteins whose intracellular concentrations varied depending on the phases of the mitotic cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R del Moral
- Departamento de Radiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, España
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Wysocki FJ, Fernández JC, Henins I, Jarboe TR, Marklin GJ. Improved energy confinement in spheromaks with reduced field errors. Phys Rev Lett 1990; 65:40-43. [PMID: 10042167 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.65.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
|
39
|
Ruiz de Almodóvar JM, López-González JD, del Moral R, Fernández JC, Gorgojo L, Olea N, Pedraza V. [Tissue polypeptide antigen liberation and proliferation of MCF-7 cells after synchronization with hydroxytamoxifen and rescue with estradiol]. Rev Esp Fisiol 1990; 46:205-10. [PMID: 2274705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The kinetic of release of the tissular polypeptide antigen (TPA) by MCF-7 cells synchronised by sequential treatment with hydroxytamoxifen (OH-TAM) and 17 beta-estradiol has been studied. The present findings confirm the proliferative effect of estradiol on MCF-7 cells, with a shortening of the doubling time (TD) (22.2 h versus 24.8 h) and an increase in the growing fraction (Fc) (94% versus 81%) when compared with the same parameters measured in cells rescued from OH-TAM but not treated with estradiol. In addition, the action of estradiol was followed by a simultaneous increase in the amount of TPA in the culture medium related with the phases G2/M and G1 of the mitotic cycle. This phenomenon seems to be the reason for the steplike shape of the TPA released curves. The experimental results suggest that in MCF-7 cells the sequential combination of antiestrogenic agents and estrogens leads to a cellular synchronization. Furthermore this synchronization is maintained for at least 3 cycles of cell division.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J M Ruiz de Almodóvar
- Departamento de Radiología, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, España
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Wysocki FJ, Fernández JC, Henins I, Jarboe TR, Marklin GJ. Evidence for a pressure-driven instability in the CTX spheromak. Phys Rev Lett 1988; 61:2457-2460. [PMID: 10039123 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.61.2457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
|
41
|
Coca A, Goday A, Ribalta T, Palacín A, Fernández JC, Font J, Ingelmo M, Balcells A. [Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system]. Rev Clin Esp 1985; 176:199-203. [PMID: 3839087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
|
42
|
López Pousa S, Sancho Poch FJ, Martí Vilalta JL, Fernández JC, Corominas Torres JM, Roig Arnall C. [Cysticercosis and angiomatosis. Clinicopathological study of one case (author's transl)]. Med Clin (Barc) 1979; 73:382-5. [PMID: 529873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This is a discussion of the clinical condition of a 49-year-old patient who had been presenting intermittent episodes of intracranial hypertension since the age of 9, at which time she suddenly began a serious psychic deterioration which impaired her normal intellectual development. A new episode of intracranial hypertension led to the emergency admittance to the medical center, and was the cause of death. The cerebral post mortem study showed a large ventricular dilatation and the existence of a translucent cysticercus of a lobular shape which was adhered by a fine filament ot the internal wall of the right ventricle, very near to Monro's foramen; the possibility, therefore, was attributed to it of having had the effect of a valve mechanism which might have been causing the crises and the intracranial hypertension. At the same time, it was also observed that there existed an angiomatosis at the level of the temporal lobe, which does not seem to be related to the process, especially because of its small area and the integrity of the blood vessels.
Collapse
|
43
|
Cantarovich F, Benedetti L, Fernández JC, Chena C, Castro L, Galli CJ, Pérez Loredo J, Locatelli A, Tizado J. High doses of furosemide and sodium in hypertension. A single therapeutic measure in severe cases. Nephron Clin Pract 1974; 12:133-9. [PMID: 4837749 DOI: 10.1159/000180276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
|
44
|
Lascalea MC, Cantarovich F, De Benedetti L, Fernández JC, Locatelli A, Pérez Loredo J. [Angiocolitis and acute renal insufficiency after obstruction of biliary tract in the aged]. G Gerontol 1970; 18:1103-5. [PMID: 5517040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
|
45
|
Cantarovich F, Locatelli A, Fernández JC, Pérez Loredo J, Cristhot J, De Benedetti L. [Furosemide in high doses in the treatment of acute renal insufficiency]. Prensa Med Argent 1970; 57:1812-5. [PMID: 5499115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
|
46
|
Fernández JC, Fefer S. [Experience with "buried" flat skin flaps]. Rev Argent Cir 1965; 8:236-7. [PMID: 4221553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
|