Projected reduction in healthcare costs in Belgium after optimization of iodine intake : impact on costs related to thyroid nodular disease

Background: Several surveys in the last 50 years have repeatedly indicated that Belgium is affected by mild iodine deficiency. Within the framework of the national food and health plan in Belgium, a selective, progressive, and monitored strategy was proposed in 2009 to optimize iodine intake. The objective of the present study was to perform a health economic evaluation of the consequences of inadequate iodine intake in Belgium, focusing on undisputed and measurable health outcomes such as thyroid nodular disease and its associated morbidity (hyperthyroidism). Methods: For the estimation of direct, indirect, medical, and nonmedical costs related to thyroid nodular diseases in Belgium, data from the Federal Public Service of Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, the National Institute for Disease and Disability Insurance (RIZIV/INAMI), the Information Network about the prescription of reimbursable medicines (FARMANET), Intercontinental Marketing Services, and expert opinions were used. These costs translate into savings after implementation of the iodization program and are defined as costs due to thyroid nodular disease throughout the article. Costs related to the iodization program are referred to as program costs. Only figures dating from before the start of the intervention were exploited. Only adult and elderly people (>= 18 years) were taken into account in this study because thyroid nodular diseases predominantly affect this age group. Results: The yearly costs due to thyroid nodular diseases caused by mild iodine deficiency in the Belgian adult population are similar to(sic)38 million. It is expected that the iodization program will result in additional costs of similar to(sic)54,000 per year and decrease the prevalence of thyroid nodular diseases by 38% after a 4-5-year period. The net savings after establishment of the program are therefore estimated to be at least (sic)14 million a year. Conclusions: Optimization of iodine intake in Belgium should be quite cost effective, if only considering its impact on nodular thyroid disease. There are likely added benefits relating to more optimal thyroid hormone influenced brain development that are more difficult to estimate but may be even more important

Amplificador de potencia Doherty de 25 W, 70% de eficiencia y back off de salida de 6 dB para aplicaciones a 2,4 GHz, con control de VGS, PEAK

This paper shows the design and simulation results of a hybrid Doherty power amplifier. The amplifier has been designed at 2,4 GHz, obtaining power-added efficiency above 70 % for 6 dB output power back-off, together with a small signal gain of 17 dB. Design and analysis equations are presented considering class AB bias conditions for the main amplifier and class C for the peak one in back-off larger than 6 dB, and FET device assumption. An additional control on the bias point of the peak device has been carried out, in order to increase the gain on the Doherty region and ease the design of the peak branch. A Cree’s GaN-HEMT CGH40010F device has been used with a nonlinear model guarantied up to 6 GHz and with an expected output power of 10 W. The obtained output power is higher than 25-W. The simulation has been carried out using Agilent ADS CAD tools. The present design could present the state of the art in terms of continuous-wave (CW) characterization.Este artículo muestra el diseño y los resultados de simulación de un amplificador de potencia Doherty sobre tecnología híbrida. El amplificador fue diseñado a 2,4 GHz, obteniendo una eficiencia de potencia aditiva arriba del 70 % a 6-dB debajo de saturación, junto con una ganancia a pequeña señal de 17 dB. Las ecuaciones de análisis y diseño son presentadas considerando polarización clase AB para el amplificador principal y clase C para el amplificador auxiliar a 6-dB debajo de saturación, y dispositivos FET. Un control adicional sobre el punto de polarización del dispositivo auxiliar se ha llevado a cabo, para incrementar la ganancia en la región Doherty y facilitar el diseño de la rama auxiliar. Un dispositivo GaN-HEMT CGH40010 de Cree ha sido usado con un modelo no-lineal garantizado hasta 6-GHz y con una potencia de salida esperada de 10-W. La potencia de salida obtenida es mayor a 25-W. La simulación ha sido llevada a cabo usando Agilent ADS. El presente diseño representaría el estado del arte en términos de caracterización de onda continua (OC)

Amplificador de Potencia Doherty de 25 W, 70% de Eficiencia y Back Off de Salida de 6 dB para Aplicaciones a 2,4 GHz, con Control de VGS, PEAK

This paper shows the design and simulation results of a hybrid Doherty power amplifier. The amplifier has been designed at 2,4 GHz, obtaining power-added efficiency above 70 % for 6 dB output power back-off, together with a small signal gain of 17 dB. Design and analysis equations are presented considering class AB bias conditions for the main amplifier and class C for the peak one in back-off larger than 6 dB, and FET device assumption. An additional control on the bias point of the peak device has been carried out, in order to increase the gain on the Doherty region and ease the design of the peak branch. A Cree’s GaN-HEMT CGH40010F device has been used with a nonlinear model guarantied up to 6 GHz and with an expected output power of 10 W. The obtained output power is higher than 25-W. The simulation has been carried out using Agilent ADS CAD tools. The present design could present the state of the art in terms of continuous-wave (CW) characterizationEste artículo muestra el diseño y los resultados de simulación de un amplificador de potencia Doherty sobre tecnología híbrida. El amplificador fue diseñado a 2,4 GHz, obteniendo una eficiencia de potencia aditiva arriba del 70 % a 6-dB debajo de saturación, junto con una ganancia a pequeña señal de 17 dB. Las ecuaciones de análisis y diseño son presentadas considerando polarización clase AB para el amplificador principal y clase C para el amplificador auxiliar a 6-dB debajo de saturación, y dispositivos FET. Un control adicional sobre el punto de polarización del dispositivo auxiliar se ha llevado a cabo, para incrementar la ganancia en la región Doherty y facilitar el diseño de la rama auxiliar. Un dispositivo GaN-HEMT CGH40010 de Cree ha sido usado con un modelo no-lineal garantizado hasta 6-GHz y con una potencia de salida esperada de 10-W. La potencia de salida obtenida es mayor a 25-W. La simulación ha sido llevada a cabo usando Agilent ADS. El presente diseño representaría el estado del arte en términos de caracterización de onda continua (OC)

Elección de estilos de vida no violentos ni autodestructivos en algunos adolescentes de la ciudad de Medellín. Un enfoque psicoanalítico

This article aims to communicate the results of a research executed at Medellin. This research had as institutional affiliation the Faculty of Psychology and Social Sciences of University Foundation Luis Amigo. The objective of the research was to identify unconscious intrapsychic factors of representational type that have contributed to conform the configuration of the subjectivity of young people between 14 and 17 and that influenced the choice of non-violent and non-self-destructive lifestyles. The methodology was qualitative, involved in-depth interviews and focus groups with teen persons in the Comuna 13 of Medellín City. The results showed that these adolescents displayed in their representation of themselves high marks for their skills and potential and that this assessment is directly related to sublimation opportunities that allow them to desexualize libidinal thrusts and use them in activities that are compatible with the culture. Similarly, it was found that these teenagers went through a typical identity crisis, but in this crisis were able to establish an ego ideal that promotes non-violent activities and the assumption of a clear and accepted cultural role. © Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Sociales.Este artículo tiene como objetivo comunicar los resultados de una investigación realizada en Medellín. La filiación institucional de la investigación fue  la Facultad de Psicología y Ciencias Sociales de la Fundación Universitaria Luis Amigó. El objetivo de la investigación era  En la investigación se pretendía identificar los factores intrapsíquicos inconscientes, de tipo representacional, que han influenciado  la configuración de la subjetividad de jóvenes entre 14 y 17 años y que incidieron en la elección de estilos de vida no violentos ni autodestructivos. La metodología fue de tipo cualitativo;  implicó la realización de entrevistas a profundidad y grupos focales con adolescentes   de la comuna 13 de la ciudad de Medellín. Los resultados mostraron que estos adolescentes muestran en su representación de sí mismos una  alta valoración de sus capacidades y potencialidades y que esta valoración se relaciona directamente con posibilidades de sublimación que  les permiten desexualizar los empujes libidinales y usarlos en acciones compatibles con la cultura. Del mismo modo, se observó que estos adolescentes pasaron por una típica  crisis de identidad,  pero en dicha crisis lograron establecer un ideal del yo que promueve la realización de  actividades no violentas y la asunción de un rol cultural claro y aceptado. © Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Sociales

Evaluation of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay to Detect Carbapenemases Directly from Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Spiked with Acinetobacter spp

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. mainly Acinetobacter baumannii are frequently causing nosocomial infections with high mortality. In this study, the efficacy of the Eazyplex® SuperBug Complete A system, based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), to detect the presence of carbapenemases in Acinetobacter spp. directly from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples was assessed. A total of 22 Acinetobacter spp. strains producing OXA-23, OXA-40, OXA-58, NDM, and IMP were selected. Eazyplex SuperBug Complete A kit, used with the Genie II device, is a molecular diagnostics kit that detects a selection of genes that express carbapenemases (bla KPC , bla NDM , bla VIM , bla OXA-48 , bla OXA-23 , bla OXA-40 , and bla OXA-58 ). Negative BAL samples were identified, McFarland solutions were prepared from each of the 22 Acinetobacter strains and serial dilutions in saline solution were made to finally spike BAL samples to a concentration of 102 and 103 CFU/ml. Fifteen concentrations out of the 44 tested out did not provide detection of the carbapenemase-producing gene, all but one being at the lowest concentration tested at 102 CFU/ml; therefore, the limit of sensitivity is 103 CFU/ml. This assay represents the kind of advantages that investing in molecular diagnostics brings to the clinical practice, allowing the identification of carbapenemases in less than 30 min with a sensitivity of 103 CFU/ml

Blocking Effects of Human Tau on Squid Giant Synapse Transmission and Its Prevention by T-817 MA

Filamentous tau inclusions are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative tauopathies, but the molecular mechanisms involved in tau-mediated changes in neuronal function and their possible effects on synaptic transmission are unknown. We have evaluated the effects of human tau protein injected directly into the presynaptic terminal axon of the squid giant synapse, which affords functional, structural, and biochemical analysis of its action on the synaptic release process. Indeed, we have found that at physiological concentration recombinant human tau (h-tau42) becomes phosphorylated, produces a rapid synaptic transmission block, and induces the formation of clusters of aggregated synaptic vesicles in the vicinity of the active zone. Presynaptic voltage clamp recordings demonstrate that h-tau42 does not modify the presynaptic calcium current amplitude or kinetics. Analysis of synaptic noise at the post-synaptic axon following presynaptic h-tau42 microinjection revealed an initial phase of increase spontaneous transmitter release followed by a marked reduction in noise. Finally, systemic administration of T-817MA, a proposed neuro-protective agent, rescued tau-induced synaptic abnormalities. Our results show novel mechanisms of h-tau42 mediated synaptic transmission failure and identify a potential therapeutic agent to treat tau-related neurotoxicityGrant sponsors: NIH AG027476 to Herman Moreno; NS13742/ NS/NINDS/NIH HHS to RLl; FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil) projects 2009/01571-6 and CinAPSe 05/56447-7 to Jorge E. Moreira.Peer Reviewe

Blocking Effects of Human Tau on Squid Giant Synapse Transmission and Its Prevention by T-817 MA

Filamentous tau inclusions are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative tauopathies, but the molecular mechanisms involved in tau-mediated changes in neuronal function and their possible effects on synaptic transmission are unknown. We have evaluated the effects of human tau protein injected directly into the presynaptic terminal axon of the squid giant synapse, which affords functional, structural, and biochemical analysis of its action on the synaptic release process. Indeed, we have found that at physiological concentration recombinant human tau (h-tau42) becomes phosphorylated, produces a rapid synaptic transmission block, and induces the formation of clusters of aggregated synaptic vesicles in the vicinity of the active zone. Presynaptic voltage clamp recordings demonstrate that h-tau42 does not modify the presynaptic calcium current amplitude or kinetics. Analysis of synaptic noise at the post-synaptic axon following presynaptic h-tau42 microinjection revealed an initial phase of increase spontaneous transmitter release followed by a marked reduction in noise. Finally, systemic administration of T-817MA, a proposed neuro-protective agent, rescued tau-induced synaptic abnormalities. Our results show novel mechanisms of h-tau42 mediated synaptic transmission failure and identify a potential therapeutic agent to treat tau-related neurotoxicity

The proline-rich motif of the proDer p 3 allergen propeptide is crucial for protease-protease interaction.

The majority of proteases are synthesized in an inactive form, termed zymogen, which consists of a propeptide and a protease domain. The propeptide is commonly involved in the correct folding and specific inhibition of the enzyme. The propeptide of the house dust mite allergen Der p 3, NPILPASPNAT, contains a proline-rich motif (PRM), which is unusual for a trypsin-like protease. By truncating the propeptide or replacing one or all of the prolines in the non-glycosylated zymogen with alanine(s), we demonstrated that the full-length propeptide is not required for correct folding and thermal stability and that the PRM is important for the resistance of proDer p 3 to undesired proteolysis when the protein is expressed in Pichia pastoris. Additionally, we followed the maturation time course of proDer p 3 by coupling a quenched-flow assay to mass spectrometry analysis. This approach allowed to monitor the evolution of the different species and to determine the steady-state kinetic parameters for activation of the zymogen by the major allergen Der p 1. This experiment demonstrated that prolines 5 and 8 are crucial for proDer p 3-Der p 1 interaction and for activation of the zymogen.Peer reviewe