Use of Polymer Inclusion Membranes (PIMs) as Support for Electromembrane Extraction of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Highly Polar Acidic Drugs

The use of polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) as support of 1-octanol liquid membrane in electromembrane extraction (EME) procedure is proposed. Synthesis of PIMs were optimized to a composition of 29% (w/w) of cellulose triacetate as base polymer and 71% (w/w) of Aliquat®336 as cationic carrier. Flat PIMs of 25 µm thickness and 6 mm diameter were used. EME protocol was implemented for the simultaneous extraction of four non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (salicylic acid, ketoprofen, naproxen and ibuprofen) and four highly polar acidic drugs (anthranilic acid, nicotinic acid, amoxicillin and hippuric acid). Posterior HPLC separation of the extracted analytes was developed with diode array detection. Recoveries in the 81–34% range were obtained. EME procedure was applied to human urine samples.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia TM2015-67902-C-1-PPremio Mensual Publicación Científica Destacada de la US. Facultad de Químic

Geochemical evolution of pleistocene bears dentine amino acids

A linear correlation was established between aspartic acid racemization ratio from cave bear dentine collagen and absolute dating. The high correlation coefficient obtained allowed age calculation through amino acid racemization. Aspartic acid and glutamic acid racemization kinetics have also been explored in dentine from a North American black bear (Ursus americanus Pallas). Three sample sets were prepared for kinetic heating experiments in nitrogen atmosphere: one water soaked, one with a water-saturated nitrogen atmosphere, and one without any moisture. It was possible to show that the presence of water is a factor controlling amino acid racemization rate. The aspartic acid in a heating experiment at 105° C shows an "apparent kinetics reversal" which can be explained by a progressive hydrolysis of amino acid chains (proteins and polypeptides). Because of t h e low potential of collagen preservation over long periods of time, the apparent kinetics reversal phenomenon will not affect the dating of old material where no traces of collagen remain. An apparent kinetics reversal was not observed in glutamic acid, which racemizates more slowl

Validez de predicción de un cuestionario de conocimientos y actitudes hacia la medicina familiar

ResumenObjetivoconocer la validez de predicción de un cuestionario que evalúa los conocimientos y las actitudes de los estudiantes de medicina hacia la medicina familiar (mf).Material y métodoestudio de cohorte; los sujetos de estudio fueron estudiantes matriculados en una asignatura de Atención Primaria (ap) entre 2005 y 2006, que se graduaron en 2010 y eligieron especialidad en 2011. Se diseñó un cuestionario con 34 preguntas cerradas. A los estudiantes se les invitó a contestar antes y después de cursar ap, así como a los matriculados en el sexto curso (2009-2010). Se registró la especialidad que eligieron; para calcular la validez predictiva del cuestionario se estimó su sensibilidad y especificidad, analizando las curvas cor (características operativas del receptor).Resultadosrespondieron el cuestionario 44 estudiantes antes de cursar la asignatura y 79 después. Al final del sexto curso contestaron 76. El área bajo la curva cor fue, respectivamente, 0.299 (ic 95%: 0.094-0.504), 0.482 (ic 95%: 0.280-0.684) y 0.688 (ic 95%: 0.282-1.093). Solamente en el último caso la curva cor estaba por encima de la diagonal. El mejor punto de corte en este caso fue 31, con sensibilidad=0.75 y especificidad=0.714.Conclusionesel cuestionario tiene una deficiente validez de predicción en relación con la elección de la mf. Sólo mejora en el último curso de la licenciatura.SummaryObjectiveto learn about the validity of prediction of a questionnaire that assesses knowledge and attitudes of students of medicine towards Family Medicine (fm).Material and methodscohort study; the studied individuals were students enrolled in a Primary Care course (pc) between 2005 and 2006, who graduated in 2010 and chose a specialty in 2011. It was designed a questionnaire with 34 closed questions. Students were invited to answer before and after taking the pc course, as well as those students enrolled in the sixth course (2009-2010). The specialty chosen was registered; to calculate the predictive validity of the questionnaire, their sensitivity and specificity was estimated, analyzing the roc (receiver operating characteristic) curves.Resultsthe questionnaire was answered by 44 students before studying the course and 79 after studying it. At the end of the sixth course, 76 students answered the questionnaire. The area under the roc curve was, respectively, 0.299 (ic 95%: 0.094-0.504), 0.482 (ic 95%: 0.280-0.684) and 0.688 (ic 95%: 0.282-1.093). Only in the latter case the curve roc was above the diagonal. The best cut-off point was 31, with sensitivity=0.75 and specifcity=0.714.Conclusionsthe questionnaire has a poor validity of prediction concerning the choice of fm. It only improves during the last year of the degree

Prevention of falls and fractures in old people by administration of calcium and vitamin d. randomized clinical trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are many studies that associate vitamin D serum levels in older persons with muscle strength, physical performance and risk of fractures and falls. However, current evidence is insufficient to make a general recommendation for administrating calcium and vitamin D to older persons. The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of calcium and vitamin D supplementation in improving musculoskeletal function and decreasing the number of falls in person aged over 65 years.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Phase III, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of already marketed drugs in a new indication. It will be performed at Primary Care doctor visits at several Healthcare Centers in different Spanish Health Areas. A total of 704 non-institutionalized subjects aged 65 years or older will be studied (sample size calculated for a statistical power of 80%, alpha error 0.05, annual incidence of falls 30% and expected reduction of 30% to 20% and expected loss to follow up of 20%). The test drug containing 800 IU of vitamin D and 1000 mg of calcium will be administered daily. The control group will receive a placebo. The subjects will be followed up over two years. The primary variable will be the incidence of spontaneous falls. The secondary variables will include: consequences of the falls (fractures, need for hospitalization), change in calcidiol plasma levels and other analytical determinations (transaminases, PTH, calcium/phosphorous, albumin, creatinine, etc.), change in bone mass by densitometry, change in muscle strength in the dominant hand and change in musculoskeletal strength, risk factors for falls, treatment compliance, adverse effects and socio-demographic data.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The following principles have been considered in the development of this Project: the product data are sufficient to ensure that the risks assumed by the study participants are acceptable, the study objectives will probably provide further knowledge on the problem studied and the available information justifies the performance of the study and its possible risk for the participants.</p> <p>If calcium and vitamin D supplementation is effective in the prevention of falls and fractures in the elderly population, a recommendation may be issued with the aim of preventing some of the consequences of falls that affect quality of life and the ensuing personal, health and social costs.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01452243">NCT01452243</a></p> <p>Clinical trial authorized by the Spanish Medicines Agency: EudraCT number 2006-001643-63.</p

IAA : Información y actualidad astronómica (38)

Sumario : La importancia del cielo oscuro.-- Viajes en el tiempo.-- CIENCIA EN HISTORIAS. Vera Rubin, la madre de la materia oscura.-- DECONSTRUCCIÓN Y otros ENSAYOS. Astrología amorosa para escépticos.-- EL “MOBY DICK” DE... Miguel Ángel Pérez Torres (IAA).-- ACTUALIDAD.-- ENTRE BASTIDORES.-- SALA LIMPIA.-- CIENCIA: PILARES E INCERTIDUMBRES. El origen de la vida.-- RECOMENDADOS.N

Clinical characteristics and mortality predictors of patients with cancer hospitalized by COVID-19 in a pediatric third-level referral center

BackgroundMore than 135 million COVID-19 cases (coronavirus disease 2019) have been reported worldwide until today, with over 2.9 million deaths. Several studies have demonstrated that disease severity is lower in the pediatric population than in adults; however, differences are described in patients with chronic diseases, including oncological patients. Current world literature suggests patients with comorbidities, including cancer, have an increased risk of unfortunate outcomes. Therefore, our objective was to describe the clinical characteristics and epidemiological factors associated with mortality in a cohort of pediatric cancer patients hospitalized for COVID-19.MethodsThis is a retrospective, descriptive study of the cases of patients with cancer hospitalized for COVID-19. A total of 40 pediatrics were included in the analysis. Data from pediatric patients with COVID-19 included clinical and epidemiological records, laboratory, imaging studies, COVID-19 diagnostic methods, and medical treatment.ResultsOf the 40 pediatric patients admitted with cancer with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, 42.5% were solid tumors, 40% leukemias, and 17.5% lymphomas. The clinical parameters associated with mortality were stage IV tumor (p = 0.029) and intubation (p &lt; 0.001). The biochemical factors associated with lower survival were thrombocytopenia under 25,000 cells/mm3 (p &lt; 0.001), D-dimer over 1 μg/ml (p = 0.003), clinical malnutrition (p = 0.023), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (p = 0.03).ConclusionOur findings showed that the fever was the most frequent symptom, and the clinical parameters associated with mortality were stage IV tumor, intubation, saturation percentage, RDW, platelets, creatinine, ALT, D-dimer, ferritin, and FiO2 percentage. The thrombocytopenia, D-dimer, nutritional status, and disseminated intravascular coagulation were significantly associated with lower survival

A blood microRNA classifier for the prediction of ICU mortality in COVID-19 patients: a multicenter validation study

Background: The identification of critically ill COVID-19 patients at risk of fatal outcomes remains a challenge. Here, we first validated candidate microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers for clinical decision-making in critically ill patients. Second, we constructed a blood miRNA classifier for the early prediction of adverse outcomes in the ICU. Methods: This was a multicenter, observational and retrospective/prospective study including 503 critically ill patients admitted to the ICU from 19 hospitals. qPCR assays were performed in plasma samples collected within the first 48 h upon admission. A 16-miRNA panel was designed based on recently published data from our group. Results: Nine miRNAs were validated as biomarkers of all-cause in-ICU mortality in the independent cohort of critically ill patients (FDR < 0.05). Cox regression analysis revealed that low expression levels of eight miRNAs were associated with a higher risk of death (HR from 1.56 to 2.61). LASSO regression for variable selection was used to construct a miRNA classifier. A 4-blood miRNA signature composed of miR-16-5p, miR-192-5p, miR-323a-3p and miR-451a predicts the risk of all-cause in-ICU mortality (HR 2.5). Kaplan‒Meier analysis confirmed these findings. The miRNA signature provides a significant increase in the prognostic capacity of conventional scores, APACHE-II (C-index 0.71, DeLong test p-value 0.055) and SOFA (C-index 0.67, DeLong test p-value 0.001), and a risk model based on clinical predictors (C-index 0.74, DeLong test-p-value 0.035). For 28-day and 90-day mortality, the classifier also improved the prognostic value of APACHE-II, SOFA and the clinical model. The association between the classifier and mortality persisted even after multivariable adjustment. The functional analysis reported biological pathways involved in SARS-CoV infection and inflammatory, fibrotic and transcriptional pathways. Conclusions: A blood miRNA classifier improves the early prediction of fatal outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 patients.11 página

El grupu neandertal de la Cueva d'El Sidrón (Borines, Piloña).

Na monografía clásica de Puig y Larraz (1896: 250-252) amiéntense delles cavidaes del Conceyu de Piloña2 , pero non la Cueva d’El Sidrón (Fig. 1). Esta conocíase, ensin dulda, dende la Guerra Civil y el maquis al servir d’abellugu a persiguíos políticos, y guarda una alcordanza imborrable nuna de les sos múltiples entraes, yá qu’ellí ta enterrada Olvido Otero González (1908-1938). Per El Sidrón pasaron munches persones a lo llargo de los años, pero en 1994 prodúxose’l descubrimientu per parte d’unos espeleólogos xixoneses d’unos güesos humanos que dieron un importante xiru a la conocencia de los nuesos antepasaos neandertale

Impact of a Primary Care Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on Bacterial Resistance Control and Ecological Imprint in Urinary Tract Infections

Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are a central component in reducing the overprescription of unnecessary antibiotics, with multiple studies showing benefits in the reduction of bacterial resistance. Less commonly, ASPs have been performed in outpatient settings, but there is a lack of available data in these settings. We implemented an ASP in a large regional outpatient setting to assess its feasibility and effectiveness. Over a 5-year post-implementation period, compared to the pre-intervention period, a significant reduction in antibiotic prescription occurred, with a reduction in resistance in E. coli urinary isolates. ASP activities also were found to be cost-effective, with a reduction in medication prescription