Ozone Therapy for Tumor Oxygenation: a Pilot Study

Tumor hypoxia is an adverse factor for chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Ozone therapy is a non-conventional form of medicine that has been used successfully in the treatment of ischemic disorders. This prospective study was designed to assess the effect of ozone therapy on tumor oxygenation. Eighteen subjects were recruited for the study. Systemic ozone therapy was administered by autohemotransfusion on three alternate days over one week. Tumor oxygenation levels were measured using polarographic needle probes before and after the first and the third ozone therapy session. Overall, no statistically significant change was observed in the tumor oxygenation in the 18 patients. However, a significant decrease was observed in hypoxic values ≤10 and ≤5 mmHg of pO(2). When individually assessed, a significant and inverse non-linear correlation was observed between increase in oxygenation and the initial tumor pO(2) values at each measuring time-point, thus indicating that the more poorly-oxygenated tumors benefited most (rho = −0.725; P = 0.001). Additionally, the effect of ozone therapy was found to be lower in patients with higher hemoglobin concentrations (rho = −0.531; P < 0.034). Despite being administered over a very short period, ozone therapy improved oxygenation in the most hypoxic tumors. Ozone therapy as adjuvant in chemo-radiotherapy warrants further research

Adjuvant Ozonetherapy in Advanced Head and Neck Tumors: A Comparative Study

Advanced head and neck (H&N) tumors have a poor prognosis, and this is worsened by the occurrence of hypoxia and ischemia in the tumors. Ozonetherapy has proved useful in the treatment of ischemic syndromes, and several studies have described a potential increase of oxygenation in tissues and tumors. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical effect of ozonetherapy in patients with advanced H&N cancer in the course of their scheduled radiotherapy. Over a period of 3 years, 19 patients with advanced H&N tumors who were undergoing treatment in our department with non-standard fractionated radiotherapy plus oral tegafur. A group of 12 patients was additionally treated with intravenous chemotherapy before and/or during radiotherapy. In the other group of seven patients, systemic ozonetherapy was administered twice weekly during radiotherapy. The ozonetherapy group was older (64 versus 54 years old, P = 0.006), with a higher percentage of lymph node involvement (71% versus 8%, P = 0.019) and with a trend to more unfavorable tumor stage (57% versus 8% IVb + IVc stages, P = 0.073). However, there was no significant difference in overall survival between the chemotherapy (median 6 months) and ozonetherapy (8 months) groups. Although these results have to be viewed with caution because of the limited number of patients, they suggest that ozonetherapy could have had some positive effect during the treatment of our patients with advanced H&N tumors. The adjuvant administration of ozonetherapy during the chemo–radiotherapy for these tumors merits further research

Revisión de los aspectos más importantes de la leptospirosis equina con mayor atención en su epidemiología y diagnóstico

La leptospirosis es una infección zoonótica común que afecta a la mayoría de los animales, incluso a aves, reptiles anfibios y artrópodos. Teniendo en cuenta lo mencionado se puede decir que la Leptospirosis es una enfermedad epidemiológicamente importante para la especie equina, donde los caballos contribuyen a la permanencia de la bacteria dentro de la población de animales domésticos y silvestres convirtiéndose en un factor de control dentro de la salud pública teniendo en cuenta la importancia zoonótica de esta enfermedad.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Increasing stratification as observed by satellite sea surface salinity measurements

9 pages, 4 figures, supplementary information https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-10265-1.-- This work is a contribution to CSIC PTI TeledetectChanges in the Earth’s water cycle can be estimated by analyzing sea surface salinity. This variable reflects the balance between precipitation and evaporation over the ocean, since the upper layers of the ocean are the most sensitive to atmosphere–ocean interactions. In situ measurements lack spatial and temporal synopticity and are typically acquired at few meters below the surface. Satellite measurements, on the contrary, are synoptic, repetitive and acquired at the surface. Here we show that the satellite-derived sea surface salinity measurements evidence an intensification of the water cycle (the freshest waters become fresher and vice-versa) which is not observed at the in-situ near-surface salinity measurements. The largest positive differences between surface and near-surface salinity trends are located over regions characterized by a decrease in the mixed layer depth and the sea surface wind speed, and an increase in sea surface temperature, which is consistent with an increased stratification of the water column due to global warming. These results highlight the crucial importance of using satellites to unveil critical changes on ocean–atmosphere fluxesThis work was supported in part by the Spanish R&D project L-BAND (ESP2017-89463-C3-1-R), which is funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and “ERDF A way of making Europe”, and project INTERACT (PID2020-114623RB-C31), which is funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. , and in part by the European Space Agency by means of the Contract SMOS ESL L2OS. We also acknowledge funding from the Spanish government through the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S)Peer reviewe

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

[Purpose]: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. [Methods]: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years,65 to 80 years,and ≥ 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. [Results]: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 ≥ 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients ≥80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%,65 years; 20.5%,65-79 years; 31.3%,≥80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%,<65 years;30.1%,65-79 years;34.7%,≥80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%,≥80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age ≥ 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI ≥ 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88),and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared,the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [Conclusion]: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Synthesis and structural characterisation of new mono and dinuclear pyrazolatopalladium (II) complexes self-assembled through robust hydrogen-bonds

11 pages, 6 tables, 9 figures.This work describes the reactivity of compounds [Pd(dmpz)2(Hdmpz)2] (A) (dmpz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazolate, Hdmpz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazol) and [Pd2(μ-dmpz)2(dmpz)2(Hdmpz)2] (B) towards several dicarboxylic acids and also towards perchloric acid. The compounds [Pd(Hdmpz)4](O2C–(CH2)n–CO2H)2 [n = 1 (1), 3 (2)] have been obtained by treatment of [Pd(dmpz)2(Hdmpz)2] (A) with two equivalents of malonic (HO2C–CH2–CO2H) and glutaric (HO2C–(CH2)3–CO2H) acids. The X-ray study on a crystal of [Pd(Hdmpz)4](O2C–(CH2)3–CO2H)2 (2) revealed that the glutarate anions link to the cationic complex [Pd(Hdmpz)4]2+ through the carboxylate group by charge-assisted N–H(+)cdots, three dots, centeredO(−) hydrogen bonds. Additionally, the carboxylate anions View the MathML source form uncommon dimeric rings on both sides of the metal complex via a pair of O–Hcdots, three dots, centeredO hydrogen bonds, yielding a hydrogen bonded polymeric chain with alternating inorganic [Pd(Hdmpz)4]2+ and organic View the MathML source fragments. The dinuclear complexes [Pd2(μ-dmpz)2(O2C–(CH2)n–CO2)(Hdmpz)2] [n = 0 (5), 1 (6)] were obtained from equimolar amounts of [Pd2(μ-dmpz)2(dmpz)2(Hdmpz)2] (B) and the corresponding dicarboxylic acid, HO2C–(CH2)n–CO2H (n = 0, 1). However, the synthesis of 5 and 6 requires two steps, the protonation of both terminal dmpz groups in B with HClO4 to give [Pd2(μ-dmpz)2(Hdmpz)4](ClO4)2 (4) and the subsequent treatment of this cationic palladium complex with salts of the corresponding dicarboxylic acids. The X-ray structures of compounds 5 and 6 are reported. Both in 5 and 6, the Pd2N4 ring shows a typical boat-like conformation and the metal atoms are separated in about 3.3 Å. Both 5 and 6 are asymmetric and contain two Hdmpz groups – H-bond donors – at one end, and two Cdouble bond; length as m-dashO groups from the dicarboxylate anion – H-bond acceptors – at the other, in such a way that the donor end of one molecule links with the acceptor end of its neighbour forming a hydrogen-bonded polymeric chain. The synthesis and X-ray study of compounds [Pd(Hdmpz)4](ClO4)2 (3) and [Pd2(μ-dmpz)2(Hdmpz)4](ClO4)2 (4), obtained by reaction of [Pd(dmpz)2(Hdmpz)2] (A) and [Pd2(μ-dmpz)2(dmpz)2(Hdmpz)2] (B) with two equivalents of perchloric acid, are also reported.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (Projects CTQ2005-08606-C02-01 and CTQ2005-03141) and the Gobierno de Aragón (Grupo de Excelencia: Química Inorgánica y de los Compuestos Organometálicos).Peer reviewe

Seawater carbonate chemistry and nutritional characteristics of mussels

Ocean Acidification (OA) has become one of the most studied global stressors in marine science during the last fifteen years. Despite the variety of studies on the biological effects of OA with marine commercial species, estimations of these impacts over consumers' preferences have not been studied in detail, compromising our ability to undertake an assessment of market and economic impacts resulting from OA at local scales. Here, we use a novel and interdisciplinary approach to fill this gap. We experimentally test the impact of OA on commercially relevant physical and nutritional attributes of mussels, and then we use economic discrete choice models to assess the marginal effects of these impacts over consumers' preferences and wellbeing. Results showed that attributes, which were significantly affected by OA, are also those preferred by consumers. Consumers are willing to pay on average 52% less for mussels with evidences of OA and are willing to increase the price they pay to avoid negative changes in attributes due to OA. The interdisciplinary approach developed here, complements research conducted on OA by effectively informing how OA economic impacts can be analyzed under the lens of marginal changes in market price and consumer' welfare. Thereby, linking global phenomena to consumers' wellbeing, and shifting the focus of OA impacts to assess the effects of local vulnerabilities in a wider context of people and businesses