312 research outputs found
Fórmulas de inmunonutrición enteral en la cirugía del cáncer de cabeza y cuello: Una revisión sitemática
Introduction: Significant malnutrition exists in a high
percentage of patients with head and neck cancer. Malnutrition
is associated with defects in immune function that
may impair the host response to malignancy. Malnutrition
and immunosupression make patients highly susceptible
to postoperative infections and complications.
Objectives: Some studies of patients receiving immunonutrition
in the perioperative period in head and neck
cancer have shown beneficial effects on clinical outcome
and inmune status. The authors carried out a systematic
review of randomised control trials to determine whether
perioperative immunonutrition has a role in the treatment
of head and neck cancer.
Methods: 14 trials of polymeric nutritional supplementation
with immunonutrition were identified. Two studies
compared two types of immunonutrition.
Results: A reduction in the length of postoperative
hospital stay was seen in some trials, but the reason for
this reduction is not clear. Some studides showed statistical
differences with less complications in arginineenhanced
group and also showed a significant decrease of
fistula complications in patients treated with a high arginine
dose enhanced formula, if compared with a medium
dose of arginine.
Conclussion: Those planning future studies face
challenges. A suitable powered clinical trial is required
before firm recommendations can be made on the use of
immunonutrition in head and neck cancer patients postoperativelyIntroducción: Un alto porcentaje de pacientes con cáncer
de cabeza y cuello presentan un importante grado de
malnutrición. Esta malnutrición está asociada defectos de
la función inmune. Tanto la malnutrición como la inmunosupresión
hacen a estos pacientes susceptibles de padecer
complicaciones infecciosas en el postoperatorio.
Objetivos: Algunos trabajos de pacientes que han recibido
inmunonutrición en el postoperatorio de cirugía por
cáncer de cabeza y cuello han mostrado un efecto beneficioso
en la evolución clínica y el estado inmune. Los autores
han llevado a cabo una revisión sistemática de los
ensayos clínicos realizados hasta la fecha, para determinar
el papel que tiene la inmunonutrición enteral postoperatoria
en el tratamiento del cáncer de cabeza y cuello.
Métodos: Se identificaron 14 trabajos en los que se
habían utilizado fórmulas de inmunonutrición. Dos trabajos
compararon dos tipos de inmunonutrición. Resultados:
En algunos trabajos se observó una disminución en
los días de estancia hospitalaria, aunque la razón para
ello no está clara. Algunos estudios mostraron diferencias
significativas con menos complicaciones en los grupos que
recibieron nutriciones enriquecidas, presentando una
disminución significativa en el número de fístulas en
pacientes tratados con nutriciones con altas dosis de arginina,
si se compara con una nutrición con una dosis media
de arginina.
Conclusión: Los futuros trabajos presentan retos. Es
necesario un ensayo clínico extenso, para poder realizar
recomendaciones firmes sobre el uso de la inmunonutrición
en el postoperatorio de pacientes intervenidos de
cáncer de cabeza y cuell
Confident methods for the evaluation of the hydrogen content in nanoporous carbon microfibers
Abstract Nanoporous carbon microfibers were grown by chemical vapor deposition in the vapor-liquid solid mode using different fluid hydrocarbons as precursors in different proportions. The as-grown samples were further treated in argon and hydrogen atmospheres at different pressure conditions and annealed at several temperatures in order to deduce the best conditions for the incorporation and re-incorporation of hydrogen into the microfibers through the nanopores. Since there are some discrepancies in the results on the hydrogen content obtained under vacuum conditions, in this work, we have measured the hydrogen content in the microfibers using several analytical methods in ambient conditions: surface tension, mass density, and Raman measurements. A discussion on the validity of the results obtained through the correlation between them is the purpose of the present work.Peer Reviewe
Bronchoscopic balloon dilatation in the management of bronchial stenosis following lung transplantation
SummaryBackgroundBronchial stenosis (BS) is currently found in 7–15% of lung transplantation (LT) recipients. Current treatment strategies have included Nd:Yag laser, cryotherapy, bougie dilatation and stent placement. Bronchoscopic balloon dilatation has been used as alternative treatment in a few cases with controversial results. This is a study to prospectively assess the efficacy of bronchoscopic balloon dilatation as a first step in the management of post-LT BS.MethodsFrom January 1995 to December 2002, bronchoscopic balloon dilatation was evaluated as first therapeutic option in all consecutive LT patients with BS. Symptoms, pulmonary function tests, airway diameter and use of other therapeutic techniques were evaluated.ResultsA total of 10 out of 284 anastomed airways (3.5%) in 9 out of 152 LT patients were included in the study and follow-up lasted from 6 to 81 months. Dilatation of all but one BS met with initial success: increase of both luminal dimensions and forced vital capacity (P=0.01), and relief of symptoms. Bronchoscopic balloon dilatation long-term follow-up showed effective results in 5 out of 10 (50%) bronchial stenoses, after an average of 4 bronchoscopic balloon dilatation procedures (range 1–8). No severe complications were observed. Stent placement was required in the other 5 bronchial stenoses.ConclusionsBronchoscopic balloon dilatation is a safe method that should be considered as first therapeutic treatment of post-LT BS. Its use avoids the need for stent placement in up to 50% of cases
Measurement of body fat in young and elderly women: comparison between a four-compartment model and widely used reference methods
Identification of Colletotrichum species associated with anthracnose disease of coffee in Vietnam
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, C. acutatum, C. capsici and C. boninense associated with anthracnose disease on coffee (Coffea spp.) in Vietnam were identified based on morphology and DNA analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences from the internal transcribed spacer region of nuclear rDNA and a portion of mitochondrial small subunit rRNA were concordant and allowed good separation of the taxa. We found several Colletotrichum isolates of unknown species and their taxonomic position remains unresolved. The majority of Vietnamese isolates belonged to C. gloeosporioides and they grouped together with the coffee berry disease (CBD) fungus, C. kahawae. However, C. kahawae could be distinguished from the Vietnamese C. gloeosporioides isolates based on ammonium tartrate utilization, growth rate and pathogenictity. C. gloeosporioides isolates were more pathogenic on detached green berries than isolates of the other species, i.e. C. acutatum, C capsici and C. boninense. Some of the C. gloeosporioides isolates produced slightly sunken lesion on green berries resembling CBD symptoms but it did not destroy the bean. We did not find any evidence of the presence of C. kahawae in Vietnam
Molecular diversity of anthracnose pathogen populations associated with UK strawberry production suggests multiple introductions of three different Colletotrichum species.
Fragaria × ananassa (common name: strawberry) is a globally cultivated hybrid species belonging to Rosaceae family. Colletotrichum acutatum sensu lato (s.l.) is considered to be the second most economically important pathogen worldwide affecting strawberries. A collection of 148 Colletotrichum spp. isolates including 67 C. acutatum s.l. isolates associated with the phytosanitary history of UK strawberry production were used to characterize multi-locus genetic variation of this pathogen in the UK, relative to additional reference isolates that represent a worldwide sampling of the diversity of the fungus. The evidence indicates that three different species C. nymphaeae, C. godetiae and C. fioriniae are associated with strawberry production in the UK, which correspond to previously designated genetic groups A2, A4 and A3, respectively. Among these species, 12 distinct haplotypes were identified suggesting multiple introductions into the country. A subset of isolates was also used to compare aggressiveness in causing disease on strawberry plants and fruits. Isolates belonging to C. nymphaeae, C. godetiae and C. fioriniae representative of the UK anthracnose pathogen populations showed variation in their aggressiveness. Among the three species, C. nymphaeae and C. fioriniae appeared to be more aggressive compared to C. godetiae. This study highlights the genetic and pathogenic heterogeneity of the C. acutatum s.l. populations introduced into the UK linked to strawberry production
Inflammatory Response of Ischemic Tolerance in Circulating Plasma : Preconditioning-Induced by Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Phenomena in Acute Ischemia Patients (AIS)
Ischemic tolerance (IT) refers to a state where cells are resistant to the damaging effects caused by periods of ischemia. In a clinical scenario, the IT phenomenon would be activated by a recent transient ischemic attack (TIA) before an ischemic stroke (IS). The characterization of inflammatory protein expression patterns will contribute to improved understanding of IT. A total of 477 IS patients from nine hospitals, recruited between January 2011 and January 2016, were included in the current study and divided in three groups: 438 (91.9%) patients without previous TIA (group 1), 22 (4.6%) patients who suffered TIA 24 h before IS (group 2), and 17 (3.5%) patients who suffered TIA between 24 h and 7 days prior to IS (group 3). An inflammatory biomarker panel (IL-6, NT-proBNP, hsCRP, hs-Troponin, NSE, and S-100b) on plasma and a cytokine antibody array was performed to achieve the preconditioning signature potentially induced by TIA phenomena. Primary outcome was modified rankin scale (mRs) score at 90 days. Recent previous TIA was associated with better clinical outcome at 90 days (median mRS of group 1: 2.0 [1.0-4.0]; group 2: 2.0 [0.0-3.0]; group 3: 1.0 [0-2.5]; p = 0.086) and smaller brain lesion (group 1: 3.7 [0.7-18.3]; group 2: 0.8 [0.3-8.9]; group 3: 0.6 [0.1-5.5] mL; p = 0.006). All inflammation biomarkers were down regulated in the groups of recent TIA prior to IS compared to those who did not suffer a TIA events. Moreover, a cytokine antibody array revealed 30 differentially expressed proteins between the three groups. Among them, HRG1-alpha (Fold change 74.4 between group 1 and 2; 74.2 between group 1 and 3) and MAC-1 (Fold change 0.05 between group 1 and 2; 0.06 between group 1 and 3) expression levels would better stratify patients with TIA 7 days before IS. These two proteins showed an earlier inflammation profile that was not detectable by the biomarker panel. Inflammatory pathways were activated by transient ischemic attack, however the period of time between this event and a further ischemic stroke could be determined by a protein signature that would contribute to define the role of ischemic tolerance induced by TIA
Ipsilesional Hippocampal GABA Is Elevated and Correlates With Cognitive Impairment and Maladaptive Neurogenesis After Cortical Stroke in Mice.
BACKGROUND
Cognitive dysfunction is a frequent stroke sequela, but its pathogenesis and treatment remain unresolved. Involvement of aberrant hippocampal neurogenesis and maladaptive circuitry remodeling has been proposed, but their mechanisms are unknown. Our aim was to evaluate potential underlying molecular/cellular events implicated.
METHODS
Stroke was induced by permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery occlusion in 2-month-old C57BL/6 male mice. Hippocampal metabolites/neurotransmitters were analyzed longitudinally by in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Cognitive function was evaluated with the contextual fear conditioning test. Microglia, astrocytes, neuroblasts, interneurons, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and c-fos were analyzed by immunofluorescence.
RESULTS
Approximately 50% of mice exhibited progressive post-middle cerebral artery occlusion cognitive impairment. Notably, immature hippocampal neurons in the impaired group displayed more severe aberrant phenotypes than those from the nonimpaired group. Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, significant bilateral changes in hippocampal metabolites, such as myo-inositol or N-acetylaspartic acid, were found that correlated, respectively, with numbers of glia and immature neuroblasts in the ischemic group. Importantly, some metabolites were specifically altered in the ipsilateral hippocampus suggesting its involvement in aberrant hippocampal neurogenesis and remodeling processes. Specifically, middle cerebral artery occlusion animals with higher hippocampal GABA levels displayed worse cognitive outcome. Implication of GABA in this setting was supported by the amelioration of ischemia-induced memory deficits and aberrant hippocampal neurogenesis after blocking pharmacologically GABAergic neurotransmission, an intervention which was ineffective when neurogenesis was inhibited. These data suggest that GABA exerts its detrimental effect, at least partly, by affecting morphology and integration of newborn neurons into the hippocampal circuits.
CONCLUSIONS
Hippocampal GABAergic neurotransmission could be considered a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for poststroke cognitive impairment.S
Optimization of a chitosan solution as potential carrier for the incorporation of Santolina chamaecyparissus L. solid by-product in an edible vegetal coating on Manchego cheese
The occurrence of microorganisms in cheese rinds provokes important economic losses in cheese factories. This may be solved in an environmentally-friendly manner using different edible and biodegradable active coatings. Aromatic plants are particularly well placed to be included in such coatings as they contain different secondary metabolites with beneficial biological properties that could be transferred to the product. In this work, a chitosan solution was optimized for the incorporation of an extract from cotton lavender or Santolina chamaecyparissus L. solid by-product in an edible vegetal coating on Manchego cheese. Namely, the antifungal and antioxidant properties of coatings, as well as the physical characteristics of resulting films were studied. Results showed that the addition of the extract confers significant antioxidant capacities to the coating, increases its antifungal capacities and enhances some physical properties. In addition, the use of coatings containing S. chamaecyparissus by-products is a novel strategy leading to a better management of these residues from the essential oil industry sector.This research has been financially supported by the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias (INIA, http://inia.es) by the project RTA2015-00018-C03-02 and RTA2013-00005-00-00. Gonzalo Ortiz de Elguea-Culebras thanks to the Consejería de Educación, Cultura y Deportes (Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha) and the European Social Fund (FSE) for additional funding. Ana I. Bourbon and António A. Vicente thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) by strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684) and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. Manuel Carmona also thanks to the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities for the Ramón y Cajal Fellowships RyC-2014-16307. We are very grateful to Paula Pereira and Eduardo Gudiña for their assistance and technical support.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
An experimental study of dynamic behaviour of graphite polycarbonatediol polyurethane composites for protective coatings
Segmented polycarbonatediol polyurethane (PUPH) has been synthesized and modified with different
amounts of graphite conductive filler (from 0 to 50 wt%). Thermal and dynamical thermal analysis of
the composites clearly indicates changes in the polyurethane relaxations upon addition of graphite.
Broadband dielectric spectroscopy has been used to study the dielectric properties of the (PUPH) and
one composite in the frequency range from 10−2 to 107 Hz and in the temperature window of −140 to
170 ◦C. Relaxation processes associated with different molecular motions and conductivity phenomena
(Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars and electrode polarization) are discussed and related to the graphite contentWe acknowledge the financial support of the Ministry of Finances and Competitiveness through the Grant CDS2010-0044 belonging to the "Consolider-Ingenio Programme" and for the Grant MAT2012-33483. The authors thank UBE Chem Eur for the PCD supply for this work.Gómez, C.; Culebras, M.; Cantarero Saez, A.; Redondo Foj, MB.; Ortiz Serna, MP.; Carsí Rosique, M.; Sanchis Sánchez, MJ. (2013). An experimental study of dynamic behaviour of graphite polycarbonatediol polyurethane composites for protective coatings. Applied Surface Science. 275:295-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2012.12.108S29530227
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