Applications of Direct Injection Soft Chemical Ionisation-Mass Spectrometry for the Detection of Pre-blast Smokeless Powder Organic Additives

Analysis of smokeless powders is of interest from forensics and security perspectives. This article reports the detection of smokeless powder organic additives (in their pre-detonation condition), namely the stabiliser diphenylamine and its derivatives 2-nitrodiphenylamine and 4-nitrodiphenylamine, and the additives (used both as stabilisers and plasticisers) methyl centralite and ethyl centralite, by means of swab sampling followed by thermal desorption and direct injection soft chemical ionisation-mass spectrometry. Investigations on the product ions resulting from the reactions of the reagent ions H3O+ and O2+ with additives as a function of reduced electric field are reported. The method was comprehensively evaluated in terms of linearity, sensitivity and precision. For H3O+, the limits of detection (LoD) are in the range of 41-88 pg of additive, for which the accuracy varied between 1.5 and 3.2%, precision varied between 3.7 and 7.3% and linearity showed R20.9991. For O2+, LoD are in the range of 72 to 1.4 ng, with an accuracy of between 2.8 and 4.9% and a precision between 4.5 and 8.6% and R20.9914. The validated methodology was applied to the analysis of commercial pre-blast gun powders from different manufacturers.(VLID)4826148Accepted versio

Perfil psicopatológico de pacientes con Dependencia Emocional

Diversos autores defienden la Dependencia Emocional como una categoría diagnóstica propia. El perfil psicopatológico de las personas afectadas por este trastorno ha sido expuesto a nivel teórico o basado en observaciones clínicas. Con este estudio se pretende determinar el perfil psicopatológico de una muestra de pacientes que presentaban problemas de Dependencia Emocional, desadaptativa, así como estudiar la relación entre autoestima y síntomas psicopatológicos. Se analiza el perfil sintomático a través de los resultados del Symptom CheckList-90 items-Revised (SCL-90-R) y el nivel de autoestima medido a través del Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) de una muestra de 33 pacientes de género femenino admitidos consecutivamente, que consultaron por problemas de dependencia emocional. Las pacientes presentaban elevada puntuación en las escalas obsesión-compulsión, sensibilidad interpersonal, depresión, ansiedad, hostilidad, ideación paranoide, psicoticismo (medidas a través del SCL-90-R) comparados con baremos normativos de población psiquiátrica española y una autoestima baja (medida a través del RSES). En la muestra la autoestima correlaciona de manera negativa con somatización, obsesión-compulsión, depresión y hostilidad. Se discuten las características y perfiles de esta muestra clínica. English abstract: Several authors defend that Affective Dependence is a diagnostic category. The psychopathological profile of these patients has been explained from a theoretical point of view or based on clinical observations. In that study we want to determinate the pathological profile of a sample of patients with problems of affective dependence, and to study the relationship between their self-esteem and their psychopathological symptoms. We analyzed the symptomatic profile of a sample of 33 female consecutive patients consulting for affective dependence, measured trough the Symptom CheckList-90 items-Revised (SCL-90-R) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Patients present high obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, paranoid ideation, psychoticism (measured by the SCL- 90-R) compared with compared with normative scores of Spanish psychiatric population, and low self-esteem (measured by the RSES). In these subjects the self- esteem showed negative correlation with somatization, obsessive-compulsive, depression and hostility. These characteristics and profiles are discussed

Microbial catabolic activities are naturally selected by metabolic energy harvest rate

The fundamental trade-off between yield and rate of energy harvest per unit of substrate has been largely discussed as a main characteristic for microbial established cooperation or competition. In this study, this point is addressed by developing a generalized model that simulates competition between existing and not experimentally reported microbial catabolic activities defined only based on well-known biochemical pathways. No specific microbial physiological adaptations are considered, growth yield is calculated coupled to catabolism energetics and a common maximum biomass-specific catabolism rate (expressed as electron transfer rate) is assumed for all microbial groups. Under this approach, successful microbial metabolisms are predicted in line with experimental observations under the hypothesis of maximum energy harvest rate. Two microbial ecosystems, typically found in wastewater treatment plants, are simulated, namely: (i) the anaerobic fermentation of glucose and (ii) the oxidation and reduction of nitrogen under aerobic autotrophic (nitrification) and anoxic heterotrophic and autotrophic (denitrification) conditions. The experimentally observed cross feeding in glucose fermentation, through multiple intermediate fermentation pathways, towards ultimately methane and carbon dioxide is predicted. Analogously, two-stage nitrification (by ammonium and nitrite oxidizers) is predicted as prevailing over nitrification in one stage. Conversely, denitrification is predicted in one stage (by denitrifiers) as well as anammox (anaerobic ammonium oxidation). The model results suggest that these observations are a direct consequence of the different energy yields per electron transferred at the different steps of the pathways. Overall, our results theoretically support the hypothesis that successful microbial catabolic activities are selected by an overall maximum energy harvest rate

Daily consumption of a dairy drink enriched with DHA, Vitamins and minerals enhanced nutritional status and cognitive abilities parameters

Preadolescence is a period of growth with special nutritional requirements. In this research we investigated the effects produced by a 5-month consumption of an enriched dairy drink on biochemical and cognitive development parameters in children. Methods: 119 children (8 14y) of both genders (male 49%, female 51%) were randomly distributed into two study groups. The supplemented group (SG, n = 60) consumed 0.6 L/day (breakfast, elevenses and teatime) of an enriched dairy drink containing fish oils (high in DHA), oleic acid, carbohydrates (sugar and honey), vitamins (A, B complex, C, D, and E) and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, zinc) (Puleva Max®). The control group (CG, n = 59) consumed 0.6 L/day of standard whole milk. Both groups received the same dietary advice and consumed the dairy drinks for 5-moths, in addition to their usual diet. Blood samples and psychometric tests (some subscales of W.I.S.C.-IV of Wechsler and EVALUA of Vidal) were taken at 0 and 5 months. RM ANOVA was applied. Data are expressed as mean±SEM. Results: The consumption of the enriched dairy drink (SG) produced significant (p < 0.05) increases in plasma DHA (20%) and calcium (1.5%). Total proteins (1.9%), transferrine (2.1%), total cholesterol (3.3%) and HDLcholesterol (5.2%), but not LDL-cholesterol, decreased significantly in CG. Regarding psychometric parameters, digits span (working memory test), speed reading and reading comprehension scores showed significant increases in SG at the end of the study (16.8%, 19.1%, and 19.0% respectively) whereas CG only showed higher scores in the reading comprehension test (19.2%). Conclusion: The dietary supplementation with the enriched dairy drink improved the nutritional and biochemical status and a number of cognitive performance markers in children of 8 and 14 years. Supported by Puleva Food SA.Universidad e Granada Puleva Biotech S

Health care utilization in the elderly Mexican population: Expenditures and determinants

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Worldwide population aging has been considered one of the most important demographic phenomena, and is frequently referred as a determinant of health costs and expenditures. These costs are an effect either of the aging process itself (social) or because of the increase that comes with older age (individual).</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To analyze health expenditures and its determinants in a sample of Mexican population, for three dimensions acute morbidity, ambulatory care and hospitalization focusing on different age groups, particularly the elderly.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A secondary analysis of the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT), 2006 was conducted. A descriptive analysis was performed to establish a health profile by socio-demographic characteristics. Logistic regression models were estimated to determine the relation between acute morbidity, ambulatory care, hospitalization and age group; to establish the determinants of hospitalization among the population 60 years and older; and to determine hospitalization expenditures by age.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Higher proportion of elderly reporting health problems was found. Average expenditures of hospitalization in households were $240.6 am dlls, whereas in households exclusively with elderly the expenditure was$308.9 am dlls, the highest among the considered age groups. The multivariate analysis showed higher probability of being hospitalized among the elderly, but not for risks for acute morbidity and ambulatory care. Among the elderly, older age, being male or living in a city or in a metro area implied a higher probability of hospitalization during the last year, with chronic diseases playing a key role in hospitalization.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The conditions associated with age, such as chronic diseases, have higher weight than age itself; therefore, they are responsible for the higher expenditures reported. Conclusions point towards a differentiated use and intensity of health services depending on age. The projected increase in hospitalization and health care needs for this group requires immediate attention.</p

Carotid ultrasound is useful for the cardiovascular risk stratification in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

INTRODUCTION: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory cutaneous disease which has been associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. Adequate stratification of the CV risk is an issue of major importance in patients with HS. To analyze the usefulness of carotid ultrasound (US) assessment for the CV disease risk stratification compared with a traditional score, the Framingham risk score (FRS), in a series of patients with HS. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 60 patients with HS without history of CV events, diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease. Information on CV risk factors was collected and the FRS was calculated. Thus, the patients were classified into low, intermediate and high-CV disease risk categories based on FRS. Carotid US was performed in all participants, and the presence of atherosclerotic plaques was considered as a marker of high CV risk. RESULTS: HS patients had a mean age of 45.1±10.2 years, and 55% were female. The median FRS was 5.7 (IQR: 3.1-14.7). Twenty-four (40%) of the patients were classified into the low risk group, 28 (46.7%) in the intermediate risk group, and 8 (13.3%) into the FRS-high risk category. Noteworthy, carotid US revealed that about one-third of the patients (17/52; 32.6%) in the FRS-based low and intermediate risk categories had carotid plaques, and, therefore, they were reclassified into a high-risk category. CONCLUSION: CV risk in HS patients may be underestimated by using the FRS. Carotid US may be useful to improve the CV risk stratification of patients with HS.This study was funded through an unrestricted grant provided by AbbVie to MGL. AbbVie has not played any role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript

Influence of elevated-CRP level-related polymorphisms in non-rheumatic Caucasians on the risk of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis

Association between elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels and subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular (CV) events was described in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). CRP, HNF1A, LEPR, GCKR, NLRP3, IL1F10, PPP1R3B, ASCL1, HNF4A and SALL1 exert an influence on elevated CRP serum levels in non-rheumatic Caucasians. Consequently, we evaluated the potential role of these genes in the development of CV events and subclinical atherosclerosis in RA patients. Three tag CRP polymorphisms and HNF1A, LEPR, GCKR, NLRP3, IL1F10, PPP1R3B, ASCL1, HNF4A and SALL1 were genotyped in 2,313 Spanish patients by TaqMan. Subclinical atherosclerosis was determined in 1,298 of them by carotid ultrasonography (by assessment of carotid intima-media thickness-cIMT-and presence/absence of carotid plaques). CRP serum levels at diagnosis and at the time of carotid ultrasonography were measured in 1,662 and 1,193 patients, respectively, by immunoturbidimetry. Interestingly, a relationship between CRP and CRP serum levels at diagnosis and at the time of the carotid ultrasonography was disclosed. However, no statistically significant differences were found when CRP, HNF1A, LEPR, GCKR, NLRP3, IL1F10, PPP1R3B, ASCL1, HNF4A and SALL1 were evaluated according to the presence/absence of CV events, carotid plaques and cIMT after adjustment. Our results do not confirm an association between these genes and CV disease in RA

Cognitive impairment induced by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol occurs through heteromers between cannabinoid CB1 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound of marijuana, induces numerous undesirable effects, including memory impairments, anxiety, and dependence. Conversely, THC also has potentially therapeutic effects, including analgesia, muscle relaxation, and neuroprotection. However, the mechanisms that dissociate these responses are still not known. Using mice lacking the serotonin receptor 5-HT2A, we revealed that the analgesic and amnesic effects of THC are independent of each other: while amnesia induced by THC disappears in the mutant mice, THC can still promote analgesia in these animals. In subsequent molecular studies, we showed that in specific brain regions involved in memory formation, the receptors for THC and the 5-HT2A receptors work together by physically interacting with each other. Experimentally interfering with this interaction prevented the memory deficits induced by THC, but not its analgesic properties. Our results highlight a novel mechanism by which the beneficial analgesic properties of THC can be dissociated from its cognitive side effects

Adipokines induce pro-inflammatory factors in activated Cd4+ T cells from osteoarthritis patient

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic systemic musculoskeletal disorder involving inflammation, immunity and metabolic alterations. OA is commonly regarded as non-inflammatory disease; still inflammation is recognized as contributing to the symptoms and progression of OA. New evidence suggests that adipokines are involved in the pathophysiology of OA and might modulate the production of inflammatory mediators including in immune cells. However, the role of immune component in osteoarthritis is still poorly investigated. To gain further insights into the interaction of immune cells in OA and the role of adipokines on these cells, we performed experiments aimed to determine the cytokine profile in activated CD4+ T cells from OA patients. For completeness, we also explored the cross talk between T lymphocytes and chondrocytes in OA by co-culturing human primary chondrocytes with activated CD4+ T cells in two ways: the first by incubating the cells by direct contact (D.C.) or by transwell system. Our results show that the exposure of activated CD4+ T cells to adipokines modulates IL-6, IL-8 and CCL-3 production. In addition, the production of key macromolecules of ECM (aggrecan and collagen-2) and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) in co-cultured chondrocytes with activated CD4+ T cells was altere