An Algorithm for Emulsion Stability Simulations: Account of Flocculation, Coalescence, Surfactant Adsorption and the Process of Ostwald Ripening

The first algorithm for Emulsion Stability Simulations (ESS) was presented at the V Conferencia Iberoamericana sobre Equilibrio de Fases y Diseño de Procesos [Luis, J.; García-Sucre, M.; Urbina-Villalba, G. Brownian Dynamics Simulation of Emulsion Stability In: Equifase 99. Libro de Actas, 1st Ed., Tojo J., Arce, A., Eds.; Solucion’s: Vigo, Spain, 1999; Volume 2, pp. 364–369]. The former version of the program consisted on a minor modification of the Brownian Dynamics algorithm to account for the coalescence of drops. The present version of the program contains elaborate routines for time-dependent surfactant adsorption, average diffusion constants, and Ostwald ripening

Preparation, stability and applications of nano-emulsions

Edited by M. Garcia-Sucre, A. Loszan, A. J. Castellanos-Suarez and J. Toro-MendozaPeer reviewe

Effects of total table salt restriction on blood pressure

Aims The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of total omission of dietary salt intake on BP. Materials and methods The effects of total omission on the consumption of dietary salt over the BP, were evaluated for this study in a group of 30 hypertensive patients between 40-60 years old, uncontrolled, with monotherapy with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists. BP was recorded over three days at the same time, according to the guidelines of the American Heart Association for correct BP measurement in humans. The average of the three registers measurement was taken as baseline for comparison of the data. The only intervention was the total restriction of table salt and sauces with salt. The patients were followed monthly during the first five months recording BP under the same conditions that basal measurement, after this, were indicated to all the patients the consumption of salt 5g/day (provided by the researchers) and were followed for another five months in the same measurement conditions above. Results Total restriction of consumption of dietary salt caused highly significant reduction (P>0.0001) of SBP, which was progressive and was evident from the first week of follow up. In addition, caused a decrease in DBP during the first week of monitoring, but that effect was not continuous, and no significant decrease in DBP was observed during follow-up (P 0.0662) Discussion and сonclusions We recommend that a minimum restriction to 5g/day would be ideal in this population group

Efectos conductuales del consumo espontáneo de alcohol en ratones NRMI bajo estrés discontinuo

Con el propósito de evaluar los efectos conductuales del consumo espontáneo de alcohol en ratones NRMI bajo estrés continúo, se diseñó un experimento con 4 grupos de investigación: Control (n=21), control-estrés (n=25), alcohol (n=23) y alcohol-estrés (n=31); los cuales posterior a un precondicionamiento, recibieron etanol (10%) y agua ad libitum y fueron sometidos a nado forzado a 5°C por 1min tres veces/ semana. Posteriormente, se evaluó la actividad locomotora en caja de motilidad, ansiedad en laberintos en cruz y memoria de trabajo en laberinto radial de 8 brazos. Todas las mediciones pre-inducción resultaron iguales; el grupo alcohol-estrés registró un porcentaje significativamente mayor de permanencia en el brazo abierto respecto al cerrado del laberinto en cruz; poca motilidad vertical, y les tomó más tiempo resolver el laberinto radial, en comparación con todos los grupos. La tendencia de los resultados permite afirmar que el estrés potencia las alteraciones conductuales en los animales alcohólicos. With the aim to evaluate the effects of spontaneous alcohol consumption on NMRI mice submitted to discontinuous stress. We designed a 4 experimental groups: Control  (n=21), control-stress (n=25), Alcohol (n=23) and Alcoholstress (n=31); witch posterior to pre-trials, received ethanol (10%) and water ad libitum and were subject of force swimming test at 5ºC for 1minnute three times/week. Succeeding, we evaluate locomotor activity in motility cage, anxiety on cross maze and working memory on 8-arm radial maze. All pre-trials results were same; likewise a significant higher percent of alcohol-stress group remaining more time in open  arms than closed at cross maze, vertical hypomotility and displayed expend more time to solve the radial maze, all compared against the others groups. The results that stress behavior potentiate behavior disturbance observed in alcoholic animals

Novel formula to measure mean pulmonary artery pressure

Mean Pulmonary Arterial Pressure (MPAP) is an important parameter in evaluation of patients with pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study is to correlate a new formula using non-invasive blood pressure and Bernoulli’s right ventricle systolic pressure (RVSP) with invasive method. To archive the objectives, we enrolled 143 patients with suspected pulmonary hypertension from January 2015 till January 2016; all patients underwent right heart catheter evaluation and simultaneously RVSP by transthoracic echocardiography and non-invasive blood pressure to calculate MPAP by the formula MPAP = Pulse Pressure / (Mean Arterial Pressure/RVSP); and the results were compared using the Pearson’s simple-linear correlation method. We found a significant association between invasive and equation results with a Pearson’s correlation of 0,872 with a confidence interval from 0,795 to 0,921; sensitivity was 1,538% with a 95% confidence of interval (CI) from 0,038% to 8,276%, and Specificity was 100% with 95% CI from 94,48% to 100%. Our results suggest that the new formula have a good correlation estimating MPAP compared with invasive right heart catheterization method

Refractory septic shock and alternative wordings: A systematic review of literature

Background: We reviewed the different studies using the terms “refractory septic shock” and/or “catecholamine resistance” and/or “high dose norepinephrine” so as to highlight the heterogeneity of the definitions used by authors addressing such concepts. Method: A systematic review was conducted assessing the papers reporting data on refractory septic shock. We used keywords as exact phrases and subject headings according to database syntax. Results: Of 276 papers initially reviewed, we included 8 studies – 3 randomized controlled trials, 3 prospective studies and 2 retrospective studies, representing a total of 562 patients with septic shock. Catecholamine resistance was generally defined as “a decreased vascular responsiveness to catecholamine independently of the administered norepinephrine dose”. Refractory septic shock was broadly defined as “a clinical condition characterized by persistent hyperdynamic shock even though adequate fluid resuscitation (individualized doses) and high doses of norepinephrine (≥ 1 μg/kg/min)”. Reported “high doses” of norepinephrine were often ≥1 μg/kg/min. However, wide variability was found throughout the literature on the use of these terms. Discussion: Marked inconsistencies were identified in the usage of the terms for refractory septic shock. There is a pressing need to determine consensus definitions so as to establish a common language in the medical literature and to harmonize future studies