hypersaline infusion protocol through the portal vein may focus electroporation on tumor tissue, but is it really safe? Ppreliminary results

Introduction: irreversible Electroporation (IRE) is highly dependent on the electrical conductivity of the tissue and the high conductivity of tumor tissue, which leads to a lower field than that in the surrounding healthy tissue. Hypersaline Infusion (HI) through the portal vein focuses IRE on scattered liver tumors, by creating a differential conductivity between the different types of tissue. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of the HI protocol on the hepatic and histological biochemical results. Methods: Ten male Sprague Dawley rats were used for HI protocol. Blood samples were collected at pre-, immediately post-, 24-hrs, 72-hrs, 1- week and 3-weeks post-HI. All the animals were sacrificed after a one-month follow-up in order to collect histological samples. Results: The mortality rate in this procedure reached 30% (3/10). Only the pH and transaminases at 24-hrs were significantly and directly linked to mortality (p=0.036 and p=0.004, respectively). The three non-surviving animals had a four-time higher AST level at 24-hrs. Natremianormalized at 24-hrs post-HI. Statistically significant differences were found in hepatic necrosis between the non-surviving (n=3) and surviving rats (n=7) (30.67 ± 10.97 vs. 2.86 ± 7.56% respectively, p=0.01). Discussion: HI through the portal system involves a significant risk of possibly lethal cytolysis and acidosis. Therefore, compensatory measures and a reduced saline overload are warranted to improve the survival rates

Dilemes ètics en la gestió de la incapacitat transitòria

La gestió de la Incapacitat Transitòria (IT), planteja freqüents dubtes al metge i sobretot al metge d'atenció primària. Amb l'objectiu de servir de guia i il·lustrar el que és el raonament ètic aplicat a la consulta diària, exposarem un cas en el ben entès que, encara que no s'hagi d'aplicar mimèticament a altres similars, puguin orientar al nostre col·lectiu. Aquest cas, l'utilitzarem per a dissenyar els passos a seguir en cada situació i intentar establir un marc general de maneig de la IT. Quedi clar que ens importa quasi més el raonament ètic que el resultat final donat al cas, doncs el lector pot arribar a solucions diferents des de l'òptica de la seva realitat concreta. En tot cas, el dolor moral que produeix l'error, sempre queda atenuat pel fet d'haver-nos esforçat en cercar la millor solució

Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality in Barcelona: 1992–2003

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The objective of this study was to assess trends in cancer mortality by educational level in Barcelona from 1992 to 2003.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study population comprised Barcelona inhabitants aged 20 years or older. Data on cancer deaths were supplied by the system of information on mortality. Educational level was obtained from the municipal census. Age-standardized rates by educational level were calculated. We also fitted Poisson regression models to estimate the relative index of inequality (RII) and the Slope Index of Inequalities (SII). All were calculated for each sex and period (1992–1994, 1995–1997, 1998–2000, and 2001–2003).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Cancer mortality was higher in men and women with lower educational level throughout the study period. Less-schooled men had higher mortality by stomach, mouth and pharynx, oesophagus, larynx and lung cancer. In women, there were educational inequalities for cervix uteri, liver and colon cancer. Inequalities of overall and specific types of cancer mortality remained stable in Barcelona; although a slight reduction was observed for some cancers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study has identified those cancer types presenting the greatest inequalities between men and women in recent years and shown that in Barcelona there is a stable trend in inequalities in the burden of cancer.</p

Dilemes ètics en la gestió de la incapacitat transitòria

La gestió de la Incapacitat Transitòria (IT), planteja freqüents dubtes al metge i sobretot al metge d'atenció primària. Amb l'objectiu de servir de guia i il·lustrar el que és el raonament ètic aplicat a la consulta diària, exposarem un cas en el ben entès que, encara que no s'hagi d'aplicar mimèticament a altres similars, puguin orientar al nostre col·lectiu. Aquest cas, l'utilitzarem per a dissenyar els passos a seguir en cada situació i intentar establir un marc general de maneig de la IT. Quedi clar que ens importa quasi més el raonament ètic que el resultat final donat al cas, doncs el lector pot arribar a solucions diferents des de l'òptica de la seva realitat concreta. En tot cas, el dolor moral que produeix l'error, sempre queda atenuat pel fet d'haver-nos esforçat en cercar la millor solució

Imaging at an x-ray absorption edge using free electron laser pulses for interface dynamics in high energy density systems

Tuning the energy of an x-ray probe to an absorption line or edge can provide material-specific measurements that are particularly useful for interfaces. Simulated hard x-ray images above the Fe K-edge are presented to examine ion diffusion across an interface between Fe$_2$O$_3$ and SiO$_2$ aerogel foam materials. The simulations demonstrate the feasibility of such a technique for measurements of density scale lengths near the interface with submicron spatial resolution. A proof-of-principle experiment is designed and performed at the Linac coherent light source facility. Preliminary data show the change of the interface after shock compression and heating with simultaneous fluorescence spectra for temperature determination. The results provide the first demonstration of using x-ray imaging at an absorption edge as a diagnostic to detect ultrafast phenomena for interface physics in high-energy-density systems