Osteoprotegerin CGA Haplotype Protection against Cerebrovascular Complications in Anti-CCP Negative Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease with high incidence of cardiovascular disease due to accelerated atherosclerosis. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) has been associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic disease in the general population. Several polymorphisms in the OPG gene with functional effects on cardiovascular disease in non-rheumatic individuals have been described. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the effect of three of these functional OPG polymorphisms on the risk of cardiovascular disease in a large and well-characterized cohort of Spanish patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Three OPG gene variants (rs3134063, rs2073618 and rs3134069) were genotyped by TaqMan assays in 2027 Spanish patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody testing was positive in 997 of 1714 tested. Also, 18.3% of the whole series had experienced cardiovascular events, including 5.4% with cerebrovascular accidents. The relationship between OPG variants and cardiovascular events was assessed using Cox regression. RESULTS: No association between OPG gene variants and cardiovascular disease was observed in the whole group of rheumatoid arthritis patients or in anti-CCP positive patients. Nevertheless, a protective effect of CGA haplotype on the risk of cardiovascular disease in general, and specifically in the risk of cerebrovascular complications after adjusting for sex, age at disease diagnosis and traditional cardiovascular risk factors was disclosed in anti-CCP negative patients (HR = 0.54; 95%CI: 0.31-0.95; p = 0.032 and HR = 0.17; 95%CI: 0.04-0.78; p = 0.022, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a protective effect of the OPG CGA haplotype on cardiovascular risk, mainly due to a protective effect against cerebrovascular events in anti-CCP negative rheumatoid arthritis patients

Lack of Association between ABO, PPAP2B, ADAMST7, PIK3CG, and EDNRA and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, Carotid Plaques, and Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Introduction. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a polygenic disease associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular (CV) mortality. Recent studies have identified the ABO rs579459, PPAP2B rs17114036, and ADAMTS7 rs3825807 polymorphisms as genetic variants associated with coronary artery disease and the PIK3CG rs17398575 and EDNRA rs1878406 polymorphisms as the most significant signals related to the presence of carotid plaque in nonrheumatic Caucasian individuals. Accordingly, we evaluated the potential relationship between these 5 polymorphisms and subclinical atherosclerosis (assessed by carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and presence/absence of carotid plaques) and CV disease in RA. Material and Methods. 2140 Spanish RA patients were genotyped for the 5 polymorphisms by TaqMan assays. Subclinical atherosclerosis was evaluated in 620 of these patients by carotid ultrasonography technology. Results. No statistically significant differences were found when each polymorphism was assessed according to cIMT values and presence/absence of carotid plaques in RA, after adjusting the results for potential confounders. Moreover, no significant differences were obtained when RA patients were stratified according to the presence/absence of CV disease after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusion. Our results do not confirm association between ABO rs579459, PPAP2B rs17114036, ADAMTS7 rs3825807, PIK3CG rs17398575, and EDNRA rs1878406 and subclinical atherosclerosis and CV disease in RA

Contribution of cardio-vascular risk factors to depressive status in the PREDIMED-PLUS Trial. A cross-sectional and a 2-year longitudinal study

Background Cardio-vascular disease and depression are thought to be closely related, due to shared risk factors. The aim of the study was to determine the association between cardio-vascular risk (CVR) factors and depressive status in a population (55-75 years) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) from the PREDIMED-Plus trial. Methods and findings Participants were classified into three groups of CVR according to the Framingham-based REGICOR function: (1) low (LR), (2) medium (MR) or (3) high/very high (HR). The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was used to assess depressive symptoms at baseline and after 2 years. The association between CVR and depressive status at baseline (n = 6545), and their changes after 2 years (n = 4566) were evaluated through multivariable regression models (logistic and linear models). HR women showed higher odds of depressive status than LR [OR (95% CI) = 1.78 (1.26, 2.50)]. MR and HR participants with total cholesterol <160 mg/mL showed higher odds of depression than LR [OR (95% CI) = 1.77 (1.13, 2.77) and 2.83 (1.25, 6.42) respectively)] but those with total cholesterol ¿280 mg/mL showed lower odds of depression than LR [OR (95% CI) = 0.26 (0.07, 0.98) and 0.23 (0.05, 0.95), respectively]. All participants decreased their BDI-II score after 2 years, being the decrease smaller in MR and HR diabetic compared to LR [adjusted mean±SE = -0.52±0.20, -0.41 ±0.27 and -1.25±0.31 respectively). MR and HR participants with total cholesterol between 240-279 mg/mL showed greater decreases in the BDI-II score compared to LR (adjusted mean±SE = -0.83±0.37, -0.77±0.64 and 0.97±0.52 respectively). Conclusions Improving cardiovascular health could prevent the onset of depression in the elderly. Diabetes and total cholesterol in individuals at high CVR, may play a specific role in the precise response.The PREDIMED-Plus trial was supported by the European Research Council through a grant to MAM (Advanced Research Grant 2013-2018; 340918). The project was also supported by the official funding agency for biomedical research of the Spanish Government (ISCIII) through the Fondo de Investigación para la Salud (FIS), which is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (four coordinated FIS projects), who awarded grants to JS and JV (PI13/00673, PI13/00492, PI13/00272, PI13/01123, PI13/00462, PI13/00233, PI13/02184, PI13/00728, PI13/01090, PI13/01056, PI14/01722, PI14/00636, PI14/00618, PI14/00696, PI14/01206, PI14/01919, PI14/00853, PI14/01374, PI16/00473, PI16/00662, PI16/01873, PI16/01094, PI16/00501, PI16/00533, PI16/00381, PI16/00366, PI16/01522, PI16/01120, PI17/00764, PI17/01183, PI17/00855, PI17/01347, PI17/00525, PI17/01827, PI17/00532, PI17/00215, PI17/01441, PI17/00508, PI17/01732 and PI17/00926). The International Nut&Dried Fruit Council-FESNAD also provided funding through a grant to MAM (201302), and Recercaixa also awarded a grant to JS (2013ACUP00194). The Department of Health, Generalitat de Cataluña by the calls 'Acció instrumental de programes de recerca orientats en lámbit de la recercaila innovació en salut' and 'Pla estrategic de recerca i innovació en salut (PERIS),' also awarded a grant to FF (SLT006/17/00246). This research was also partially funded by: Consejería de Salud de la Junta de Andalucía (PI0458/2013, PS0358/2016, PI0137/2018); Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2017/017); SEMERGEN, CIBEROBN, FEDER and ISCIII (CB06/03); EU-H2020 Grants (Eat2beNICE/h2020-sfs-2016-2, ref.728018; PRIME/h2020-SC1-BHC-2018-2020, ref: 847879)

Procedimiento de preparación de briquetas combustibles sin humo con carbón y biomasa.

Referencia OEPM: P200100403.-- Fecha de solicitud: 2001/02/21.-- Titulares: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC).Se trata de la obtención de briquetas combustibles sin humo con mezclas de co-pirolizados de carbones de bajo rango y biomasas (serrín y huesos de aceituna). Las briquetas, de forma cilíndrica, se obtienen por prensado, en prensa hidráulica y a temperatura ambiente. Una vez curadas presentan alta resistencia mecánica y al agua. El proceso consta de las siguientes etapas: preparación de las materias primas con molienda y tamizado de las mismas, co-pirolizado, mezclado de los pirolizados con ligante y aditivo, prensado y curado. El proceso aporta novedades respecto al conjunto de materiales empleados, así como en la etapa de co-pirólisis, fundamental para la obtención de combustibles sin humos y en la etapa de curado, muy importante para la obtención de briquetas que cumplan las normas comerciales.Peer reviewe

Hydrocessing of an asphaltenic coal residue

A residue from deasphalting of coal liquids obtained by direct coal liquefaction of a subbituminous Spanish coal was processed by thermal and catalytic hydrotreatment under the conditions of hydrovisbreaking and hydrocracking respectively. The hydrotreatment reduced the viscosity of the starting material and the catalyst produced the inhibition of the coke formation.Peer reviewe

Catalytic hydrotreating of coal liquids

Liquids obtained by direct hydrogenation of a Spanish subbituminous coal have been ‘up-graded’ by catalytic hydrotreatment. The catalysts used were a commercially available Ni-Mo catalyst and a nickel hydrous titanate catalyst prepared in this laboratory. Liquid products were analysed for: oil, asphaltene and preasphaltene formation, elemental analysis, boiling range distribution, aromaticity (1H n.m.r. and FT-i.r.) and heteroatom removal. The results indicated that the upgraded liquids exhibited lower aromaticity and lower heteroatoms content than raw liquids. HT-400E catalyst displays the best behaviour, as regards hydrogenation and oil formation. On the removal of nitrogen and sulphur, both catalysts show a high efficiency, HT-400E catalyst being more efficient. The utilization of nickel hydrous titanate catalyst produces liquids of lower aromaticity.Peer reviewe

Diferentes tipos de estrategias en materia de política urbana para la regeneración de barrios vulnerables en ciudades latinoamericanas desde el análisis comparativo de la experiencia en las ciudades europeas

Encontro da Associação Nacional de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação em Arquitetura e Urbanismo (4º. 2016. Porto Alegre)El trabajo desarrollado tiene como objetivo dar a conocer los enfoques y las principales políticas existentes en Latinoamérica y en Europa orientadas al abordaje de la problemática de la precariedad urbana, como forma de contribuir para el avance en el tratamiento de esta problemática desde una perspectiva integral y multisectorial, sostenible y participativa. Para la consecución de este objetivo, se realiza una aproximación al marco evolutivo del tratamiento de la informalidad y precariedad urbana en Latinoamérica, que culmina con la adopción hegemónica del enfoque integrado de desarrollo urbano en los países de la región, exponiendo por medio de la experiencia brasileña la frágil relación entre el marco jurídico y político establecidos y los resultados de la aplicación de programas de regularización integrada de asentamientos informales en la región. En el trabajo también se recoge, vinculado a su objetivo general, la exposición de las políticas urbanas desarrolladas en el ámbito de la Unión Europea, principalmente por medio de la Iniciativa Comunitaria URBAN y la integración de su método en la actual Política de Cohesión Europea. La exposición de la experiencia española y de la francesa ilustra diferentes estrategias para la implementación de regeneración urbana cuya consideración y posible proyección resulta de interés para los asentamientos precarios de las ciudades latinoamericanas. Todo ello permeado por el análisis del marco jurídico facilitador de estas políticas y la identificación de los diferentes instrumentos normativos empleados en las diferentes aproximaciones nacionales

Model predictions and experimental results on self-heating prevention of stockpiled coals

The spontaneous combustion of coal stockpiles is a serious economic and safety problem. This phenomenon is herein analysed using a TNO-model modified to predict the spontaneous heating behaviour of coal piles built with “Mezcla”, a mixture of low rank coals from Teruel (Spain). The simulation carried out with the mathematical model for this coal showed that the pile porosity or voidage and wind speed play an important role, although voidage is decisive and controls the effect of the wind velocity. To reduce the negative effects of both factors, five test coal piles (2000–3000 t) were built and several measures were applied to four of them: periodic compaction, use of a low angle slope, protection of the stockpiled coal with an artificial wind barrier and covering it with an ash–water slurry. The heat losses were experimentally determined and it was found that the mathematical model gave predictions of the right order of magnitude of time, site of spontaneous combustion and magnitude of calorific losses. All the methods of protection applied to decrease the self-heating of coal were effective, but the experimental results indicate that the most economical way to avoid the heat losses is the use of an ash–water slurry to cover the coal pile.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by ECSC under contract number 7220-EA/754 and ENDESA which made it possible to carry out this research.Peer reviewe

Catalytic hydrogenation of a Spanish coal: a study of the operation variables

A Spanish subbituminous coal was hydrogenated batchwise in a 11 autoclave. A statistical fractional factorial design was used to determine the influence of reaction temperature, reaction time, slurry vehicle agent and catalyst on conversion, hydrogen consumption, liquid product volatility and HC ratio of liquid products. The results indicate that the variables of highest influence are the slurry vehicle agent and reaction temperature. The best results were obtained with hydrogenated anthracene oil, and low temperature and reaction time.Peer reviewe