Polyethylene Oxidation in Total Hip Arthroplasty: Evolution and New Advances

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) remains the gold standard acetabular bearing material for hip arthroplasty. Its successful performance has shown consistent results and survivorship in total hip replacement (THR) above 85% after 15 years, with different patients, surgeons, or designs

Effects of nitrogen fertilization and temperature on frost hardiness of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) seedlings assessed by chlorophyll fluorescence

In a 14-week study, 1-year-old Aleppo pine seedlings were grown in two growth chambers. Seedlings were artificially hardened by decreasing photoperiod and temperature. In each chamber half of the seedlings were fertilized with nitrogen (8.4 mg seedling(-1)). In order to determine the relative importance of the hardening environment versus fertilization, each chamber was programmed to decrease night temperatures down to a low of 8 or 4 degrees C. Chlorophyll fluorescence and frost hardiness was measured five times during the experiment. A sample of seedlings from each treatment was exposed to an artificial frost at -5 degrees C and the freezing effects were assessed by measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence and visual evaluation of needle damage. Seedlings increased their frost hardiness during the experiment in all the treatments but the ratio of variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence (F(v)/F(m)) measured before freezing did not vary during the experiment. This indicates that Aleppo pine maintains its photosynthetic ability during hardening in contrast to other coniferous species from colder climates. The effect of nitrogen fertilization on frost hardiness was small in comparison with chamber effect. Nitrogen fertilization slightly delayed the acquisition of hardening in the coldest chamber. Seedlings in the warmest chamber did not become fully resistant to -5 degrees C, but in the coldest chamber, where night temperature reached 4 degrees C, all the seedlings were resistant to the frost. Severe damage caused by frost could be related to a rapid rise of minimal fluorescence (F(0)) but the best index of damage was the drop of F(v)/F(m) after freezing

Effects of nutritional status and seedling size on field performance of Pinus halepensis planted on former arable land in the Mediterranean basin

Seedling size and nutrient concentration of nine Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) seedling sets, which differed in nursery fertilization, were measured before being planted out. Height and survival were monitored for 3 years after planting. Transplant stress indexes (TSI), defined as the relationships between initial height and growth were analysed for five growth periods: December 1998 (planting date) to June 1999, June 1999 to November 1999, November 1999 to November 2000, November 2000 to November 2001, and December 1998 to November 2001. Analyses of covariance were performed to separate set effects on growth from initial height effects, obtaining a TSI adjusted for set effects (TSI(adj)). Analysis of covariance revealed a negative TSI(adj) for the first period. Nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were related to height growth in this initial period. For subsequent periods, only seedling height influenced growth. Therefore, large seedlings (root-collar diameter >2.3 mm) are recommended for afforestation purposes. In addition, high nutrient content (>20 mg N seedling(-1)) is also desirable to enhance early growth of Aleppo pine after planting in the Mediterranean basin

Informing primary care physicians of patients' involvement in clinical trials carried out at a specialist care level

Joan Antoni Schoenenberger-Arnaiz,1,2 Montserrat Solanilla-Puertolas,2 Maria Acer-Puig,3 Javier Gomez-Arbones3,4 1Pharmacy Department, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital, 2Institutional Review Board, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital, 3Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lleida, 4IRB Lleida, University of Lleida, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital, Lleida, Spain Background: Patients enrolled in clinical trials continue to have frequent contacts with primary care physicians because of comorbidities or toxicities. The aim of the present study was to analyze the information provided at different levels, when participants are included in clinical trials organized at a specialized care level. The purpose was to verify if informing the patient’s primary care physician is contemplated in the inclusion process.Methods: The authors conducted a cross-sectional study that included the clinical trials approved in the last 2 years by the hospital’s Institutional Review Board. In addition, some of the participants in the included clinical trials were interviewed in order to check their knowledge of the type of research taking place.Results: In total, 67 protocols and the accompanying informed consent documents were reviewed. Half of the reviewed protocols (48%) did not provide participants with an identification card. Regarding the role of the primary care physician, 68.6% of clinical trials (46/67) had taken it into account in different ways. In only four trials, the method used to contact the primary care physician was documented. In total, 20 participants were interviewed. Only 3 (15%) knew the title of the study in which they were participating, 14 (70%) were aware of their illness and 6 (30%) did not know how to answer any of these two questions. Almost all participants in the study knew the name of the physician who was the principal investigator in the trial.Conclusion: Information given to health care practitioners, who are not directly involved in clinical trials conducted by specialized medical staff, is still scarce. In our clinical setting, patients participating in clinical trials have a low awareness of such studies. Keywords: informed consent, clinical trials, family physician, wallet car

Chemical and physical methodologies for the replacement/reduction of sulfur dioxide use during winemaking: review of their potentialities and limitations

Sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) is probably one of the most versatile and efficient additives used in winemaking due to its antiseptic and antioxidant properties. This compound is also important for minimizing phenolic polymerization rate and color loss during wine aging. However, allergies caused by SO 2 -derived compounds, namely the sulfites, are becoming more frequent, causing symptoms such as headaches, nausea, gastric irritation, and breathing difficulties in asthma patients. Consequently, the legislated maximum concentration of SO 2 allowed in wines has been gradually reduced. For this reason, it is crucial in a competitive global winemaking market strategy, to reduce or even eliminate the use of SO 2 as a preservative and to search for new healthier and safe strategies. This work gives an overview of the main methodologies that have been proposed so far and that have potential to be used in winemaking as an alternative to SO 2 . The addition of compounds such as dimethyl dicarbonate, bacteriocins, phenolic compounds, and lysozyme, and the use of physical methods, namely pulsed electric fields, ultrasound, ultraviolet radiation, and high pressure are discussed and critically evaluated