Replacement therapy for iron deficiency improves exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease and/or the Eisenmenger syndrome

La teràpia suplementària de ferro millora la capacitat d'exercici i la qualitat de vida en malalts amb una cardiopatia congènita cianòtica i/ o síndrome d'Eisenmenger El dèficit de ferro és una troballa comú en la cardiopatia congènita cianòtica, i pot ser la causa d'una reducció en la capacitat d'exercici. Actualment, està indicada la reposició dels dipòsits de ferro en aquest grup de malalts, éssent les evidències científiques escasses. En el present treball investiguem la seguretat i eficàcia del tractament amb ferro en malalts amb una cardiopatia congènita cianòtica. Per tal motiu, vint-i-cinc malalts amb una cardiopatia congenita cianòtica i dèficit de ferro van ser inclosos de forma prospectiva entre Agost del 2008 i Gener del 2009. El tractament utilitzat fou fumarat ferròs oral, fins a una dosi màxima de 200 mg tres vegades al dia. En l'anàlisi basal i als tres mesos de seguiment es va utilitzar el test de qualitat de vida "CAMPHOR", el test de la marxa dels 6 minuts i la prova d'esforç amb consum d'oxigen. L'edat mitja fou 39.9+/-10.9 anys, 80% dones. Catorze malalts tenien la síndrome d'Eisenmenger, sis una malaltia cianòtica complexa i cinc circulació de Fontan. Cap d'ells va haver d'interrompre el tractament degut a efectes adversos. Després de tres mesos de tractament, l'hemoglobina (19.0+/-2.9g/dL a 20.4+/-2.7g/dL, p 0.001), ferritina (13.3+/-4.7mug/L a 54.1+/-24.2mug/L, p 0.001) i saturació de transferrina (17.8+/-9.6% a 34.8+/-23.4%, p 0.001) van augmentar significativament. També hi va haver una millora significativa en la puntuació del test de qualitat de vida (20.7+/-10.9 a 16.2+/-10.4, p=0.001) i el test de la marxa (371.7+/-84.7m a 402.8.0+/-74.9m, p=0.001). No es van evidenciar canvis significatius en els valors de consum d'oxigen (40.7+/-9.2% a 43.8+/-12.4%, p=0.15). En definitiva, la teràpia suplementària amb ferro en els malats amb una cardiopatia congènita cianòtica i dèficit de ferro és segura i millora la qualitat de vida i la capacitat funcional. En aquest grup de malalts, per tant, és aconsellable identificar el dèficit de ferro i restaurar-ne els seus dipòsits.Iron deficiency is common in cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) and results in reduced exercise tolerance. Currently, iron replacement is advocated with limited evidence in cyanotic CHD. We investigated the safety and efficacy of iron replacement therapy in this population. METHODS: Twenty-five iron-deficient cyanotic CHD patients were prospectively studied between August 2008 and January 2009. Oral ferrous fumarate was titrated to a maximum dose of 200mg thrice-daily. The CAMPHOR QoL questionnaire, 6minute walk test (6MWT) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing were conducted at baseline and after 3months of treatment. RESULTS: Mean age was 39.9+/-10.9years, 80% females. Fourteen had Eisenmenger syndrome, 6 complex cyanotic disease and 5 Fontan circulation. There were no adverse effects necessitating termination of treatment. After 3months of treatment, hemoglobin (19.0+/-2.9g/dL to 20.4+/-2.7g/dL, p 0.001), ferritin (13.3+/-4.7mug/L to 54.1+/-24.2mug/L, p 0.001) and transferrin saturation (17.8+/-9.6% to 34.8+/-23.4%, p 0.001) significantly increased. Significant improvements were also detected in the total CAMPHOR score (20.7+/-10.9 to 16.2+/-10.4, p=0.001) and 6MWT distance (371.7+/-84.7m to 402.8.0+/-74.9m, p=0.001). Peak VO(2) remained unchanged (40.7+/-9.2% to 43.8+/-12.4% of predicted, p=0.15). CONCLUSION: Three months of iron replacement therapy in iron-deficient cyanotic CHD patients was safe and resulted in significant improvement in exercise tolerance and quality of life. Identification of iron deficiency and appropriate replacement should be advocated in these patients

Results of sardine daily egg production off the northern coast of Spain for April 2008.

This document presents the results of the SAREVA0408 ichthyoplankton survey conducted by IEO (Instituto Español de Oceanografía). This survey was carried out on board R/V Cornide de Saavedra during April 2008. The covered area was the North and North-western Iberian Peninsula waters and the inner part of the Bay of Biscay (from 42°N to 45°N).The present paper includes data on sardine (Sardina pilchardus) egg distribution and abundance from the SAREVA0408 survey, as well as the estimation of daily egg production (DEPM) for sardine in the North Spanish Atlantic, Cantabrian waters and south of the Bay of Biscay

Preliminary results of sardine daily egg production off the northern coast of Spain in April 2008.

This document presents the results of the SAREVA0408 ichthyoplankton survey conducted by IEO (Instituto Español de Oceanografía). This survey was carried out on board R/V Cornide de Saavedra for April 2008. The covered area was the North and North-western Iberian Peninsula waters and the inner part of the Bay of Biscay (from 42°N to 45°N).The present paper includes data on sardine (Sardina pilchardus) egg distribution and abundance from the SAREVA0408 survey, as well as the estimation of daily egg production (DEPM) for sardine in the north Spanish Atlantic, Cantabrian waters and south of the Bay of Biscay

Soluble RAGE in COPD, with or without coexisting obstructive sleep apnoea

Background: Hypoxia can reduce the levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE), a new anti-infammatory biomarker of COPD. We assessed sRAGE in patients with hypoxia-related diseases such as COPD, OSA and OSA-COPD overlap. Methods: Plasma levels of sRAGE were measured in 317 subjects at baseline (57 heathy nonsmokers [HNS], 84 healthy smokers [HS], 79 OSA, 62 COPD and 35 OSA-COPD overlap patients) and in 294 subjects after one year of follow-up (50 HNS, 74 HS, 77 OSA, 60 COPD and 33 overlap). Results: After adjusting for age, sex, smoking status and body mass index, sRAGE levels showed a reduction in OSA (− 12.5%, p=0.005), COPD (− 14.8%, p<0.001) and OSA-COPD overlap (− 12.3%, p=0.02) compared with HNS. There were no diferences when comparing sRAGE plasma levels between overlap patients and those with OSA or COPD alone. At follow-up, sRAGE levels did not change signifcantly in healthy subjects, COPD and OSA or OSA-COPD overlap nontreated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Moreover, in patients with OSA and OSA-COPD overlap who were treated with CPAP, sRAGE increased signifcantly. Conclusions: The levels of sRAGE are reduced in COPD and OSA. Treatment with CPAP appears to improve sRAGE levels in patients with OSA who also had COPD.The EPIOSA study (NCT02131610) was supported by Grants Number PI12/02175, PI15/01940 and PI18/01524 from the Instituto Salud Carlos III, Spanish Ministry of Health, Madrid, Spain and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and by a Grant Number 01/2010 from the SADAR-Pneumo Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain

Characterising the spawning habitats of sardine from the northern coast of Spain in april 2008

This document presents the results of the analysis from sardine (Sardina pilchardus) egg densities in relation to environmental (temperature, salinity) and geographic (longitude, depth) variables. Data were obtained from the SAREVA0408 ichthyoplankton survey conducted by IEO (Instituto Español de Oceanografía) in April 2008. Quotient analysis, temperature-salinity plots and time distribution for eggs per stage of development, were employed to study spawning habitat of the sardine off north Spanish Atlantic, Cantabrian waters and south of the Bay of Biscay

Quartz crystallite size and moganite content as indicators of the mineralogical maturity of the carboniferous chert: the case of cherts from Eastern Asturias (Spain)

Chert samples from different coastal and inland outcrops in the Eastern Asturias (Spain) were mineralogically investigated for the first time for archaeological purposes. X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, transmission electron microscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopy and total organic carbon techniques were used. The low content of moganite, since its detection by X-ray diffraction is practically imperceptible, and the crystallite size (over 1000 Å) of the quartz in these cherts would be indicative of its maturity and could potentially be used for dating chert-tools recovered from archaeological sites. Also, this information can constitute essential data to differentiate the cherts and compare them with those used in archaeological tools. However, neither composition nor crystallite size would allow distinguishing between coastal and inland chert outcrops belonging to the same geological formations.This research was funded by the Spanish State Plan for R+D, grant number HAR2017–82557-

S-Nitroso-N-Acetylcysteine Ameliorates Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury In The Steatotic Liver

BACKGROUND: Steatosis is currently the most common chronic liver disease and it can aggravate ischemia-reperfusion (IR) lesions. We hypothesized that S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC), an NO donor component, can ameliorate cell damage from IR injury. In this paper, we report the effect of SNAC on liver IR in rats with normal livers compared to those with steatotic livers. METHODS: Thirty-four rats were divided into five groups: I (n=8), IR in normal liver; II (n=8), IR in normal liver with SNAC; III (n=9), IR in steatotic liver; IV (n=9), IR in steatotic liver with SNAC; and V (n=10), SHAN. Liver steatosis was achieved by administration of a protein-free diet. A SNAC solution was infused intraperitoneally for one hour, beginning 30 min. after partial (70%) liver ischemia. The volume of solution infused was 1 ml/100 g body weight. The animals were sacrificed four hours after reperfusion, and the liver and lung were removed for analysis. We assessed hepatic histology, mitochondrial respiration, oxidative stress (MDA), and pulmonary myeloperoxidase. RESULTS: All groups showed significant alterations compared with the group that received SHAN. The results from the steatotic SNAC group revealed a significant improvement in liver mitochondrial respiration and oxidative stress compared to the steatotic group without SNAC. No difference in myeloperoxidase was observed. Histological analysis revealed no difference between the non-steatotic groups. However, the SNAC groups showed less intraparenchymal hemorrhage than groups without SNAC (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that SNAC effectively protects against IR injury in the steatotic liver but not in the normal liver

Assessment of Multilocus Sequence Analysis (MLSA) for Identification of Candidatus Liberibacter Solanacearum from Different Host Plants in Spain

[EN] Liberibacteris a bacterial group causing different diseases and disorders in plants. Among liberibacters,CandidatusLiberibacter solanaceraum (CLso) produces disorders in several species mainly within Apiaceae and Solanaceae families. CLso isolates are usually grouped in defined haplotypes according to single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes associated with ribosomal elements. In order to characterize more precisely isolates of CLso identified in potato in Spain, a Multilocus Sequence Analysis (MLSA) was applied. This methodology was validated by a complete analysis of ten housekeeping genes that showed an absence of positive selection and a nearly neutral mechanism for their evolution. Most of the analysis performed with single housekeeping genes, as well as MLSA, grouped together isolates of CLso detected in potato crops in Spain within the haplotype E, undistinguishable from those infecting carrots, parsnips or celery. Moreover, the information from these housekeeping genes was used to estimate the evolutionary divergence among the different CLso by using the concatenated sequences of the genes assayed. Data obtained on the divergence among CLso haplotypes support the hypothesis of evolutionary events connected with different hosts, in different geographic areas, and possibly associated with different vectors. Our results demonstrate the absence in Spain of CLso isolates molecularly classified as haplotypes A and B, traditionally considered causal agents of zebra chip in potato, as well as the uncertain possibility of the present haplotype to produce major disease outbreaks in potato that may depend on many factors that should be further evaluated in future worksThis research was funded by Instituto Nacional de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), grant numbers AT2016-007 and RTA2014-00008-C04-03-E, co-financed by FEDER.Ruiz-Padilla, A.; Redondo, C.; Asensio, A.; Garita-Cambronero, J.; Martinez, C.; Perez-Padilla, V.; Marquinez, R.... (2020). Assessment of Multilocus Sequence Analysis (MLSA) for Identification of Candidatus Liberibacter Solanacearum from Different Host Plants in Spain. Microorganisms. 8(9):1-19. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8091446S11989Haapalainen, M. (2014). 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Complete genome sequence of Liberibacter crescens BT-1. Standards in Genomic Sciences, 7(2), 271-283. doi:10.4056/sigs.3326772Teresani, G. R., Bertolini, E., Alfaro-Fernández, A., Martínez, C., Tanaka, F. A. O., Kitajima, E. W., … Font, M. I. (2014). Association of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ with a Vegetative Disorder of Celery in Spain and Development of a Real-Time PCR Method for Its Detection. Phytopathology®, 104(8), 804-811. doi:10.1094/phyto-07-13-0182-rLi, W., Hartung, J. S., & Levy, L. (2006). Quantitative real-time PCR for detection and identification of Candidatus Liberibacter species associated with citrus huanglongbing. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 66(1), 104-115. doi:10.1016/j.mimet.2005.10.018Munyaneza, J. E., Sengoda, V. G., Crosslin, J. M., De la Rosa-Lozano, G., & Sanchez, A. (2009). First Report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous’ in Potato Tubers with Zebra Chip Disease in Mexico. 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Factors Associated with Postpartum Sexual Dysfunction in Spanish Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

(1) Background: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) has a high prevalence globally, and perinatal factors favor FSD, especially in the postpartum period. The aim was to determine the prevalence and factors influencing FSD in the postpartum period; (2) Methods: An observational study carried out in three primary care centers in southern Spain, with women in the postpartum period who had a single low-risk birth. One hundred and seventeen women answered the Female Sexual Function questionnaire during the 4th month postpartum, between January 2020 and December 2021. Sociodemographic, obstetric, neonatal variables and level of self-esteem were analyzed. A multiple logistic regression model was carried out; (3) Results: 78.4% had high level of self-esteem. FSD prevalence was 89.7%. Factors related to FSD were having an instrumental vaginal delivery, women with university studies, and prenatal preparation. Maternal age ≥ 35, multiparity, pathological processes in the child, a medium–low level of self-esteem and newborn weight were associated with disorders in some of domains of sexual function; (4) Conclusions: FSD is highly prevalent in the postpartum period and is associated with preventable factors. A preventive approach by health professionals to these factors is essential. Health services should implement postpartum follow-up programs, which may coincide in time and place with newborn follow-up programs

Frequency of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis among elderly patients with transthyretin cardiomyopathy

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is increasingly recognized as a cause of heart failure in the elderly. Although wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis is the most frequent form of ATTR-CM found in the elderly, hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) can also occur. We sought to determine the prevalence of ATTRv among elderly ATTR-CM patients, identify predictors of ATTRv and evaluate the clinical consequences of positive genetic testing in this population. Prevalence of ATTRv in elderly ATTR-CM patients (≥70 years) was assessed in a cohort of 300 consecutive ATTR-CM patients (median age 78 years at diagnosis, 82% ≥70 years, 16% female, 99% Caucasian). ATTRv was diagnosed in 35 (12%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.1–8.8) and 13 (5.3%; 95% CI 5.6–26.7) patients in the overall cohort and in those ≥70 years, respectively. Prevalence of ATTRv among elderly female patients with ATTR-CM was 13% (95% CI 2.1–23.5). Univariate analysis identified female sex (odds ratio [OR] 3.66; 95% CI 1.13–11.85; p = 0.03), black ancestry (OR 46.31; 95% CI 3.52–Inf; p = 0.005), eye symptoms (OR 6.64; 95% CI 1.20–36.73; p = 0.03) and polyneuropathy (OR 10.05; 95% CI 3.09–32.64; p<0.001) as the only factors associated with ATTRv in this population. Diagnosis of ATTRv in elderly ATTR-CM patients allowed initiation of transthyretin-specific drug treatment in 5 individuals, genetic screening in 33 relatives from 13 families, and identification of 9 ATTRv asymptomatic carriers. Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis is present in a substantial number of ATTR-CM patients aged ≥70 years. Identification of ATTRv in elderly patients with ATTR-CM has clinical meaningful therapeutic and diagnostic implications. These results support routine genetic testing in patients with ATTR-CM regardless of ageThis study has been funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) through the projects ‘PI18/0765 & PI20/01379’ (co-funded by European Regional Development Fund/European Social Fund ‘A way to make Europe’/‘Investing in your future’). AMB receives grant support by ISCIII (CM20/002209). The CNIC is supported by the ISCIII, MCIN, the Pro-CNIC Foundation, and the Severo Ochoa grant (CEX2020-001041-S