The influence of Ni(II) on brushite structure stabilization

Brushite samples doped with Ni(II) in different concentrations, from 5% to 20%, were prepared in aqueous solution at pH = 7 and at two temperatures: 25 and 37 °C. The solid samples were characterized by chemical analysis, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and x-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). Chemical analysis has shown Ni(II) almost complete incorporation to the solid phase up to 15%. X-ray diffraction patterns have allowed to identify brushite phase with almost no modification of the line breadth and only small shifts of lines positions with increasing Ni(II) incorporation up to 15%. For larger Ni(II) concentration, in solution, a mixture of phases has been detected. Infrared spectra have supported diffraction results. For Ni(II) 20% and over the characteristic bands of HPO2-4 anions tend to vanish, and the typical shaped PO3=4 bands are observed. These results have allowed to establish that the presence of low levels of Ni in the synthetic process not only helps brushite formation; but, also prevents brushite from apatite conversion and, in addition, preserves brushite crystallinity. According to these findings, it is possible to propose that nickel traces present in the urinary system might be a trigger to brushite stone formation and/or growth, rather than the expected brushite conversion to hydroxyapatite. This outcome would explain the recurrent detection of difficult to treat brushite stones, observed in the last three decades.Centro de Química InorgánicaInstituto de Física La Plat

Prevalence and correlates of mild cognitive impairment among diverse Hispanics/Latinos: Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging results.

IntroductionWe estimated the prevalence and correlates of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among middle-aged and older diverse Hispanics/Latinos.MethodsMiddle-aged and older diverse Hispanics/Latinos enrolled (n = 6377; 50-86 years) in this multisite prospective cohort study were evaluated for MCI using the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association diagnostic criteria.ResultsThe overall MCI prevalence was 9.8%, which varied between Hispanic/Latino groups. Older age, high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, and elevated depressive symptoms were significant correlates of MCI prevalence. Apolipoprotein E4 (APOE) and APOE2 were not significantly associated with MCI.DiscussionMCI prevalence varied among Hispanic/Latino backgrounds, but not as widely as reported in the previous studies. CVD risk and depressive symptoms were associated with increased MCI, whereas APOE4 was not, suggesting alternative etiologies for MCI among diverse Hispanics/Latinos. Our findings suggest that mitigating CVD risk factors may offer important pathways to understanding and reducing MCI and possibly dementia among diverse Hispanics/Latinos

A survey on Anthozoa and its habitats along the Northwest African coast and some islands: new records, descriptions of new taxa and biogeographical, ecological and taxonomical comments. Part I

Varias especies de Actiniarios y Escleractinias han sido recolectadas y estudiadas a lo largo de la costa noroeste africana y algunos de sus archipiélagos. Esta es la primera parte de un artículo más extenso que está centrado en Marruecos y Cabo Verde pero que también incluye información de otras zonas geográficas (Islas Canarias, Madeira, Gabón y Mauritania). La segunda parte incluirá bastante material del Golfo de Guinea. Cuatro nuevas especies y un nuevo género son descritos además de cinco nuevos registros de especies para la región estudiada. Bellactis caeruleus, Tubastrea caboverdiana, Thalamophyllia wirtzi y Africana wirtzi son las cuatro especies y el nuevo género descrito para la ciencia. Se han completado algunas descripciones de especies que de una forma y otra no estaban bien estudiadas.Several species of Actiniaria and Scleractinia have been searched and collected along the Western African coast and some of its archipelagos. This paper constitutes the first part of an extensive paper and it is focused on Morocco and Cape Verde, although some material and images from other spots (Canary Islands, Madeira, Gabon or even Mauritania) are included. The second part will also include some material from Gulf of Guinea. Four new species and a new genus are described, and five new records are also included in the paper. Bellactis caeruleus, Tubastrea caboverdiana, Thalamophyllia wirtzi and Africana wirtzi are the four new species and the new genus described. Some species, due to previous lack of good descriptions, are presented more deeply from the point of view of the descriptive aspect

Sleep and stroke

Obstructive Sleep-Disordered Breathing (OSDB) is an under-recognized risk factor for stroke. OSDB is associatedwith traditional vascular risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, and can influence the risk for stroke through direct and indirect mechanisms. Untreated OSDB may also influence rehabilitation efforts and functional outcome following a stroke, as well as the risk for stroke recurrence. Stroke risk is greatly reduced if the OSDB is adequately treated. Conversely, OSDB may be exacerbated or caused by stroke. Increasing awareness and improving screening for OSDB is paramount in the primary and secondary prevention of stroke, and in improving stroke outcomes. The following reviewarticle is intended to highlight the current basics of epidemiology, clinical characteristics, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of OSDB in relation to stroke

A comparison between overweight cutoff points for detection of high blood pressure in adolescents

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a acurácia de três pontos de corte na determinação da pressão arterial elevada em adolescentes, dada a forte relação entre o excesso de peso e valores elevados de pressão arterial. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 1.021 adolescentes de ambos os sexos, selecionados de maneira aleatória nas escolas públicas e particulares de Londrina (PR). O peso corporal foi aferido por meio de balança digital, e a estatura, por um estadiômetro portátil com extensão máxima de 2 metros. A pressão arterial foi avaliada através de um aparelho automático. A capacidade do índice de massa corporal de detectar a pressão arterial elevada foi averiguada por meio da curva ROC e seus parâmetros (sensibilidade, especificidade e área sob a curva). RESULTADOS: Os pontos de corte da proposta nacional apresentaram maior acurácia (masculino: 0,636±0,038; feminino: 0,585±0,043) quando comparados aos pontos de corte das propostas internacional (masculino: 0,594±0,040; feminino: 0,570±0,044) e norte-americana (masculino: 0,612±0,039; feminino: 0,578±0,044). CONCLUSÃO: A proposta nacional foi a que apresentou melhor acurácia na indicação de valores elevados de pressão arterial.OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of three different cutoff points for the detection of high blood pressure in adolescents, given the strong relationship between overweight and high blood pressure levels. METHODS: A total of 1,021 adolescents of both sexes were enrolled in the study, selected at random from public and private schools in Londrina, Brazil. Their body weight was measured using a digital balance, and their height with a portable stadiometer with a maximum extension of 2 meters. Arterial blood pressure was measured using an automatic apparatus. The capacity of body mass index to detect high blood pressure was gauged using ROC curves and their parameters (sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve). RESULTS: The cutoff points proposed in a Brazilian standard exhibited greater accuracy (males: 0.636±0.038; females: 0.585±0.043) than the cutoff points proposed in an international (males: 0.594±0.040; females: 0.570±0.044) and a North-American standard (males: 0.612±0.039; females: 0.578±0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian proposal offered greatest accuracy for indicating high blood pressure levels

Impact of a partial smoke-free legislation on myocardial infarction incidence, mortality and case-fatality in a population-based registry: the REGICOR Study

Abstract Background and Objective Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death, and smoking its strongest modifiable risk factor. Our aim was to determine the impact of the Spanish 2006 partial smoke-free legislation on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) incidence, hospitalization and mortality rates, and 28-day case-fatality in Girona, Spain. Methods Using a population-based registry (the REGICOR Study), we compared population incidence, hospitalization, and mortality rates, and 28-day case-fatality in the pre- and post-ban periods (2002-2005 and 2006-2008, respectively) by binomial regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors. We also analyzed the ban's impact on the outcomes of interest using the AMI definitions of the American Heart Association (AHA)/European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the World Health Organization (WHO)-Monitoring trends and determinants in cardiovascular diseases (MONICA). Results In the post-ban period, AMI incidence and mortality rates significantly decreased (relative risk [RR] = 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.81-0.97 and RR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.71-0.94, respectively). Incidence and mortality rates decreased in both sexes, especially in women, and in people aged 65-74 years. Former and non-smokers (passive smokers) showed diminished incidence rates. Implementation of the ban was not associated with AMI case-fatality. Models tended to be more significant with the WHO-MONICA than with the AHA/ESC definition. Conclusions The 2006 Spanish partial smoke-free legislation was associated with a decrease in population AMI incidence and mortality, particularly in women, in people aged 65-74 years, and in passive smokers. These results clarify the association between AMI mortality and the enactment of a partial smoke-free legislation and reinforce the effectiveness of smoking regulations in preventing CH

Segundo informe y evaluación del operativo de vacunación para el control de la fiebre aftosa en la Sabana de Bogotá, Valles de Ubaté y Chiquinquirá

Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario - ICAGanadería bovin