IR characterization of Ln2−xSrxCoO4 (x≥1; Ln=La, Nd) oxides

[Abstract] We have recorded the FTIR spectra of powder samples of Ln2−xSrxCoO4 (Ln=La, Nd) at room temperature. We have identified the infrared active modes (3A2u+4Eu), and analyzed how they change as a function of Ln and the Sr doping. We correlate the obtained results with structural data obtained from powder X-ray diffraction studies and with the electronic properties displayed by these samples

Peculiarities in the electrical and magnetic properties of cobalt perovskites Ln1−xMxCoO3 (Ln3+: La3+, M2+: Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+; Ln3+: Nd3+, M2+: Sr2+)

This is the accepted manuscript of the following article: Señarís-Rodríguez, M. et al. (1999). Peculiarities in the electrical and magnetic properties of cobalt perovskites Ln1−xMxCoO3 (Ln3+: La3+, M2+: Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+; Ln3+: Nd3+, M2+: Sr2+). International Journal Of Inorganic Materials, 1(3-4), 281-287. doi: 10.1016/s1466-6049(99)00042-2We refer here to the electrical and magnetic properties of the Ln1−xMxCoO3 systems (Ln3+: La3+, M2+: Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+; Ln3+: Nd3+, M2+: Sr2+), paying special attention to those ferromagnetic compounds that display M–I transitions as temperature rises: La1−xMxCoO3 (M2+: Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+) in the compositional interval x=0.2–0.3, and Nd1−xSrxCoO3, with x=0.40. The magneto-transport properties of such materials are peculiar and interesting: they show diodic behavior and large relaxation effects — these latter being specially important in the Nd compound — they display magnetoresistive effects specially at the M–I transition temperatures, and they age with time. All these results are discussed on the basis of the inhomogeneous electronic structure of these doped cobalt perovskites and taking into account the influence of the lanthanide ion on their magnetic and electrical propertiesWe thank the Spanish DGICYT for financial support under project MAT98-0416-C03-02S

Minimal residual disease evaluation by flow cytometry is a complementary tool to cytogenetics for treatment decisions in acute myeloid leukaemia

For PETHEMA Programa para el Estudio de la Terapéutica en Hemopatías Malignas Cooperative Study Group.The clinical utility of minimal residual disease (MRD) analysis in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is not yet defined. We analysed the prognostic impact of MRD level at complete remision after induction therapy using multiparameter flow cytometry in 306 non-APL AML patients. First, we validated the prognostic value of MRD-thresholds we have previously proposed (≥0.1%; ≥0.01-0.1%; and <0.01), with a 5-year RFS of 38%, 50% and 71%, respectively (p = 0.002). Cytogenetics is the most relevant prognosis factor in AML, however intermediate risk cytogenetics represent a grey zone that require other biomarkers for risk stratification, and we show that MRD evaluation discriminate three prognostic subgroups (p = 0.03). Also, MRD assessments yielded relevant information on favourable and adverse cytogenetics, since patients with favourable cytogenetics and high MRD levels have poor prognosis and patients with adverse cytogenetics but undetectable MRD overcomes the adverse prognosis. Interestingly, in patients with intermediate or high MRD levels, intensification with transplant improved the outcome as compared with chemotherapy, while the type of intensification therapy did not influenced the outcome of patients with low MRD levels. Multivariate analysis revealed age, MRD and cytogenetics as independent variables. Moreover, a scoring system, easy in clinical practice, was generated based on MRD level and cytogenetics.This work was supported in part by Spanish grants from Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria-ISCIII (FIS 00/0023-03, PI12/02321), DGCYT (SAF 94- 0308, SAF2001-1687), Conserjería de Educación de Castilla y León (HUS416A12), and Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Cáncer (RTICC-ISCIII) (RD12/0036/0069).Peer Reviewe

Early mobilization after total hip or knee arthroplasty: a substudy of the POWER.2 study

Background Early mobilization after surgery is a cornerstone of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs in total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Our goal was to determine the time to mobilization after this surgery and the factors associated with early mobilization. Methods This was a predefined substudy of the POWER.2 study, a prospective cohort study conducted in patients undergoing THA and TKA at 131 Spanish hospitals. The primary outcome was the time until mobilization after surgery as well as determining those perioperative factors associated with early mobilization after surgery. Results A total of 6093 patients were included. The median time to achieve mobilization after the end of the surgery was 24 hours [16–30]. 4,222 (69.3%) patients moved in ≤ 24 hours after surgery. Local anesthesia [OR = 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72–0.90); p = 0.001], surgery performed in a self-declared ERAS center [OR = 0.57 (95% CI: 0.55–0.60); p < 0.001], mean adherence to ERAS items [OR = 0.93 (95% CI: 0.92–0.93); p < 0.001], and preoperative hemoglobin [OR = 0.97 (95% CI: 0.96–0.98); p < 0.001] were associated with shorter time to mobilization. Conclusions Most THA and TKA patients mobilize in the first postoperative day, early time to mobilization was associated with the compliance with ERAS protocols, preoperative hemoglobin, and local anesthesia, and with the absence of a urinary catheter, surgical drains, epidural analgesia, and postoperative complications. The perioperative elements that are associated with early mobilization are mostly modifiable, so there is room for improvement

Bariatric surgery: evidence-based practical recommendations

[Resumen] La obesidad mórbida es, habitualmente, refractaria a los tratamientos convencionales, por lo que la modificación de hábitos dietéticos y de actividad física y/o el uso de fármacos consiguen pérdidas de peso parciales con habitual recuperación posterior. La cirugía bariátrica constituye una opción terapéutica para los casos de obesidad con elevado índice de masa corporal (IMC) asociada a comorbilidades, con buenos resultados a corto y largo plazo. El Grupo de Trabajo sobre Obesidad de la Sociedad Española de Endocrinología y Nutrición (GOSEEN) ha elaborado un documento con recomendaciones prácticas basadas en la evidencia para el tratamiento quirúrgico de la obesidad. La revisión se estructura en 3 partes. En la primera se definen los conceptos de obesidad y comorbilidades asociadas, los tratamientos médicos y sus resultados, las indicaciones y contraindicaciones para el tratamiento quirúrgico con los criterios de selección de los pacientes, el manejo pre y perioperatorio y la valoración de grupos especiales, como adolescentes y personas de edad avanzada. En la segunda parte se describen las distintas técnicas quirúrgicas, las vías de acceso y los resultados comparativos, las complicaciones tanto a corto como a largo plazo, la repercusión de la pérdida ponderal sobre las comorbilidades y los criterios para evaluar la efectividad de la cirugía. En la tercera parte se desarrolla el seguimiento postoperatorio, el control dietético en fases tempranas y más tardías tras la cirugía, y el calendario de control médico y analítico con la suplementación de los distintos macro y micronutrientes en función de la técnica quirúrgica empleada. Se incluye un apartado final sobre gestación y cirugía bariátrica, así como tablas y gráficos complementarios al texto desarrollado. La cirugía bariátrica sigue siendo un tratamiento discutido para la obesidad, pero los resultados en la corrección del exceso ponderal con mejoría en las patologías asociadas y en la calidad de vida confirman que puede ser el tratamiento de elección en pacientes seleccionados, con la técnica quirúrgica apropiada y con un correcto control pre y postoperatorio.[Abstract] Morbid obesity is usually refractory to conventional treatments. Consequently, weight that is lost by modifying diet and exercise and/or the use of drugs is usually later regained. Bariatric surgery constitutes a therapeutic option in obese patients with a high body mass index associated with comorbidities and achieves good results in both the short and the long term. The Obesity Working Group of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition has produced a document with practical, evidencebased recommendations for the surgical treatment of obesity. The review is structured in three parts. The first part defines the concepts of obesity and associated comorbidities, medical treatments, their results, and the indications and contraindications for surgical treatment, as well as the criteria for patient selection, pre- and perisurgical management, and assessment of special groups such as adolescents and the elderly. The second part discusses the different surgical techniques, approaches and comparative results, short- and long-term complications, the repercussions of weight loss on comorbidities, and the criteria for assessing the effectiveness of surgery. The third part discusses postsurgical follow-up, dietary control in the early and subsequent stages after surgery and the schedule for medical and laboratory follow-up, together with the different macro- and micronutrient supplements that should be used depending on the surgical technique employed. A final section is included on pregnancy and bariatric surgery, as well as tables and figures that complement the text. Although bariatric surgery continues to be a questionable treatment for obesity, the results correcting excess weight, with improvements in associated comorbidities and in quality of life, confirm that this option could be the treatment of choice in selected patients when the appropriate surgical technique and correct preand postoperative follow-up are employed

Guía clínica para el diagnóstico y seguimiento de la distrofia miotónica tipo 1, DM1 o enfermedad de Steinert

La enfermedad de Steinert o distrofia miotónica tipo 1 (DM1), (OMIM 160900) es la miopatía más prevalente en el adulto. Es una enfermedad multisistémica con alteración de prácticamente todos los órganos y tejidos y una variabilidad fenotípica muy amplia, lo que implica que deba ser atendida por diferentes especialistas que dominen las alteraciones más importantes. En los últimos anos ˜ se ha avanzado de manera exponencial en el conocimiento de la enfermedad y en su manejo. El objetivo de la guía es establecer recomendaciones para el diagnóstico, el pronóstico, el seguimiento y el tratamiento de las diferentes alteraciones de la DM1. Esta guía de consenso se ha realizado de manera multidisciplinar. Se ha contado con neurólogos, neumólogos, cardiólogos, endocrinólogos, neuropediatras y genetistas que han realizado una revisión sistemática de la literatura. Se recomienda realizar un diagnóstico genético con cuantificación precisa de tripletes CTG. Los pacientes con DM1 deben seguir control cardiológico y neumológico de por vida. Antes de cualquier cirugía con anestesia general debe realizarse una evaluación respiratoria. Debe monitorizarse la presencia de síntomas de disfagia periódicamente. Debe ofrecerse consejo genético a los pacientes con DM1 y a sus familiares. La DM1 es una enfermedad multisistémica que requiere un seguimiento en unidades especializadas multidisciplinares

Fungal spore content of the atmosphere of the Cave of Nerja (southern Spain): Diversity and origin

Fungal spores are of great interest in aerobiology and allergy due to their high incidence in both outdoor and indoor environments and their widely recognized ability to cause respiratory diseases and other pathologies. In this work, we study the spore content of the atmosphere of the Cave of Nerja, a karstic cavity and an important tourist attraction situated on the eastern coast of Malaga (southern Spain), which receives more than half a million visitors every year. This study was carried out over an uninterrupted period of 4 years (2002–2005) with the aid of two Hirst-type volumetric pollen traps (Lanzoni VPPS 2000) situated in different halls of the cave. In the atmosphere of the Cave of Nerja, 72 different spore types were detected during the studied period and daily mean concentrations of up to 282,195 spores/m3 were reached. Thirty-five of the spore types detected are included within Ascomycota and Basidiomycota (19 and 16 types, respectively). Of the remaining spore types, 32 were categorized within the group of so-called imperfect fungi, while Oomycota and Myxomycota were represented by 2 and 3 spore types, respectively. Aspergillus/Penicillium was the most abundant spore type with a yearly mean percentage that represented 50% of the total, followed by Cladosporium. Finally, the origin of the fungal spores found inside the cave is discussed on the basis of the indoor/outdoor concentrations and the seasonal behaviour observed