Hyperammonemia decreases body fat content in rat

AbstractWe have developed an animal model of hyperammonemia consisting of feeding rats a diet containing 20% (w/w) ammonium acetate. Ingestion of this diet markedly affects carcass composition, with a 46% reduction in lipid content. The ammonium diet alters levels of several key compounds involved in lipid metabolism. Long-chain acylcarnitine is increased in liver by approx. 60% while free carnitine and acetylcarnitine are unaffected. The hepatic content of acetyl-CoA increases by approx. 50%. The level of ketone bodies in blood increases by 32% but remains unchanged in liver. Our data indicate that hyperammonemia alters lipid metabolism and results in a significant decrease in body lipid content

First record of the mangrove palm Nypa from the northeastern Ebro Basin, Spain : with taphonomic criteria to evaluate the drifting duration

Fossil fruits pertaining to the mangrove palm genus Nypa Steck, (Arecaceae, Arecales) were collected from a new plant-bearing assemblage in the Arguis Formation (Fm.), northeastern Ebro Basin (Arguis, Huesca Province, Spain). This formation is Bartonian to early Priabonian in age and comprises pro-delta and carbonate platform deposits. The new assemblage consists of nine specimens of fossil Nypa fruits and one monocotyledon leaf fragment. Over half of these fossil fruits are nearly-complete (i.e. with preserved mesocarps) while the other represent endocarps. From the point of view of morphology and size they resemble other European records of this genus. The type of remain preserved (fruits or endocarps), presence of abrasion, Teredo borings and sedimentary facies provide criteria to infer contrasting lengths of transport (drifting). However, they indicate in all cases that these fossil fruits were afloat in seawater for a considerable time. The discovery of Nypa fruits suggests a tropical-subtropical climate in the area, as well as the presence of a coastal environment and littoral forests during deposition. This interpretation corroborates previous findings from the nearby Eocene outcrops of the Catalan Central Depression (Eastern Pyrenees range)

El gasto sanitario en España en comparación con el de la Europa desarrollada, 1985–2001. La atención primaria española, Cenicienta europea

ObjetivoDescribir la evolución de la distribución de fondos en nuestro sistema sanitario desde el inicio de la reforma de atención primaria hasta 2001, en comparación con la de los países europeos de la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económico (OCDE)DiseñoEstudio descriptivo longitudinal y retrospectivoEmplazamientoPaíses de la OCDEParticipantesPaíses europeos de la OCDEMedicionesSe utilizan datos de la base Health Data 2003 (OCDE) referidos al período 1985–2001 respecto a variables de gasto sanitario por sectores y de renta. Se comparan los datos españoles con los del conjunto de los 22 países europeos de la OCDEResultadosEuropa aumentó el gasto ambulatorio público, tanto como porcentaje del gasto sanitario público como del producto interior bruto (PIB). España redujo el gasto ambulatorio público en ambos sentidos. Nuestro gasto hospitalario público recuperó gran parte del retraso respecto a Europa y desde 1995 se encuentra, como parte del PIB, en la media europea y, en términos per cápita, acorde con nuestra renta. Sin embargo, nuestro gasto ambulatorio público como parte del PIB es muy inferior al promedio europeo y, per capita, muy inferior a nuestra renta. Nuestro gasto ambulatorio privado es de los más altos de Europa y, en relación con ella, muy superior a nuestra renta, al contrario que su homónimo público. Nuestro gasto privado hospitalario es de los más bajos de Europa y, en relación con ella, muy inferior a nuestra rentaConclusionesRespecto a los recursos públicos comprometidos, la reforma de la atención primaria española no ha servido para aproximarla a Europa, tal y como sí lo ha hecho nuestro nivel hospitalario. La distancia entre España y Europa en el esfuerzo público ambulatorio es incluso mayor que la que había al inicio de la reformaObjetiveTo describe the evolution of the funds distribution in our health care system since the start of the primary care reform to 2001, in comparison with the European countries members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation andDevelopment (OECD)DesignA longitudinal descriptive and retrospective studyParticipantsEuropean countries members of the OECDSettingCountries members of the OECDMethodsThe data come from the OECD database Health Data 2003. The data refer to period 1985–2001, and to a group of variables of health care expenditure by sectors and of income (Gross Domestic Product [GDP] per capita). We compare Spanish data series with those of the group of 22 European members countries of the OECDResultsEurope increased public expenditure on outpatient care both as a percentage of public health care expenditure and as a percentage of GDP. Spain reduced public expenditure on outpatient care in both senses. Spanish publicexpenditure on in-patient care reduced a great partof its difference with Europe so that since 1995 it isfound, as a percentage of GDP, in the Europeanaverage and, as per capita, it is according with theSpanish income. In contrast, public expenditure onout-patient care as a percentage of GDP in Spain isvery much lower than the European average and, asper capita, is very much lower than the Spanishincome. The Spanish private expenditure on outpatient is found among the highest in Europe and, compared with Europe, exceeds very much Spanish income, in contrast with his homonymous public. The Spanish private expenditure on in-patient care is found among the lowest in Europe and, compared with Europe, is very much lower than Spanish income levelConclusionsWith respect to public resources assigned, the reform of primary care in Spain has not been useful to approach Spanish primary health care level to Europe, in contrast with the Spanish hospital level. The difference between Spain and Europe in public expenditure on out-patient care as a percentage of GDP is, even, bigger than the one there was when the reform of Spanish primary care starte

Prototype Drop Tests of Cube and Cubipod Armor Units

In this paper, an experimental methodology is described to assess the structural strength of unreinforced concrete armor units (CAUs). The methodology is applied to measure the structural integrity under impact loads of the new Cubipod CAU compared with the conventional cube CAU. The casting systems and clamps are described for manufacturing and handling the 15-t conventional cubic block and 16-t Cubipod prototypes used for the drop tests. Two separate reinforced concrete platforms were used for overturning and for free-fall tests, respectively. Compared with conventional cubes of similar size and concrete strength, Cubipods withstand drops that are more than 50% higher. Two extreme free-fall tests confirmed the structural robustness of Cubipod armor units. Manufacturing cycle time, as well as storage and handling procedures, are similar for both Cubipods and conventional cubic blocks. © 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.The writers are grateful for the logistic support provided by the Port Authority of Alicante and the consortium TMS. Financial support was received from CDTI (CUBIPOD Project). The writers also thank Roman Goumy for his assistance during the prototype drop tests and Debra Westall for revising the manuscript.Medina, JR.; Gómez-Martín, ME.; Corredor-Molguero, A.; Torres-Samper, R.; Miñana, JV.; Fernández, E.; Menéndez, CF.... (2011). Prototype Drop Tests of Cube and Cubipod Armor Units. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering. 137(2):54-63. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)WW.1943-5460.0000064S5463137

Technical study of high strength steel in structural elements in vehicles

[EN] Forming is the main problem when working with steel in sheet form. The friction between the working tool and the workpiece is very important, and a precise knowledge of friction in these fields for proper process design, tool design, surface quality and process control training is needed. Forming causes tangential forces, which act between the die and the workpiece, in a resisting relative movement between the two surfaces. The frictional force can be easily varied with adequate lubrication or altering the tool or workpiece surface roughness. This research is carried out to study these phenomena to decrease manufacturing costs, and improve production and forming. The material tested in this study is steel used in the automotive industry, more specifically in the manufacturing of car chassis.Sellés Cantó, MÁ.; Sanchez-Caballero, S.; Pla-Ferrando, R.; Estruch Miñana, D.; Pérez Bernabeu, E. (2016). Technical study of high strength steel in structural elements in vehicles. Annals of The University of Oradea. Fascicle of Management and Technological Engineering. XV(1):63-66. doi:10.15660/auofmte.2016-1.3213S6366XV

FIRST PALAEOBOTANICAL DATA FROM THE UPPER DEVONIAN BOLLONCILLOS FORMATION (ZARAGOZA PROVINCE, NE IBERIAN PENINSULA)

peer reviewe

Real-world assessment and characteristics of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in primary care and urology clinics in Spain

Objectives: To describe the real-world demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) as a result of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Spain. Methodology: This observational, retrospective, multicentre study conducted in primary care and urology clinics in Spain included men aged ≥50 years diagnosed (≤8 years prior to study visit) with LUTS caused by BPH. The primary endpoint was demographic and clinical characteristics; secondary endpoints included disease progression and diagnostic tests across both healthcare settings. Results: A total of 670 patients were included (primary care: n = 435; urology: n = 235). Most patients had moderate/severe LUTS (74.6%) and prostate volume >30 cc (81.7%), with no differences between settings. More patients had prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≥1.5 ng/mL in primary care (74.5%) versus urology (67.7%). Progression criteria were prevalent (48.9%). Clinical criteria were more commonly used than the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) to evaluate LUTS at diagnosis (primary care: clinical criteria 73.0%; IPSS: 26.9%; urology: clinical criteria 76.5%; IPSS: 23.4%). Proportion of patients with moderate/severe LUTS at diagnosis was lower using clinical criteria than IPSS, and the proportion of patients with 'worsening' LUTS (diagnosis to study visit) was higher when using clinical criteria versus IPSS. In both healthcare settings, the most commonly used diagnostic tests were general and urological clinical history and PSA. Conclusion: Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with BPH in Spain were similar in primary care and urology; however, assessment criteria to evaluate LUTS severity differ and are not completely aligned with clinical guideline recommendations. Increased use of recommended assessments may enhance optimal BPH management

Glycosylation defects underlying fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a novel pathogenetic model: “When the wine goes in, strange things come out” – S.T. Coleridge, The Piccolomini

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the craniofacial dysmorphic features, malformations, and disturbances in growth, neurodevelopment and behavior occurring in individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) represents the severe end of this spectrum. Many pathophysiological mechanisms have hitherto been proposed to account for the disrupted growth and morphogenesis seen in FAS. These include impaired cholesterol-modification of the Sonic hedgehog morphogen, retinoic acid deficiency, lipoperoxidative damage due to alcohol-induced reactive oxygen species combined with reduced antioxidant defences, and malfunctioning cell adhesion molecules. In this report, we propose a completely novel concept regarding the pathogenesis of FAS. Based on our observation that transferrin isoelectric focusing (TIEF) – the most widely used screening tool for congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) – was transiently abnormal in a newborn with FAS and a confirmed maternal history of gestational alcohol abuse, we came to believe that FAS exemplifies a congenital disorder of glycosylation secondary to alcohol-inflicted disruption of (N-linked) protein glycosylation. Various pieces of evidence were found in the literature to substantiate this hypothesis. This observation implies, among others, that one might need to consider the possibility of maternal alcohol consumption in newborns with transient glycosylation abnormalities. We also present an integrated pathophysiological model of FAS, which incorporates all existing theories mentioned above as well as our novel concept. This model highlights the pivotal role of disrupted isoprenoid metabolism in the origination of FAS

Efficacy and safety of a hexanic extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon (R)) for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH): systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and observational studies

Objectives To comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety of the hexanic extract of Serenoa repens (HESr, Permixon (R); Pierre Fabre Medicament, Castres, France), at a dose of 320 mg daily, as monotherapy for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH). Materials and methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective observational studies in patients with LUTS/BPH identified through searches in Medline, Web of Knowledge (Institute for Scientific Information), Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and bibliographic references up to March 2017. Articles studying S. repens extracts other than Permixon were excluded. Data were collected on International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), nocturia, quality of life, prostate volume, sexual function, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Data obtained from RCTs and observational studies were analysed jointly and separately using a random effects model. A sub-group analysis was performed of studies that included patients on longer-term treatment (= 1 year). Results Data from 27 studies (15 RCTs and 12 observational studies) were included for meta-analysis (total N = 5 800). Compared with placebo, the HESr was associated with 0.64 (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.98 to -0.31) fewer voids/ night (P < 0.001) and an additional mean increase in Q(max) of 2.75 mL/s (95% CI 0.57 to 4.93; P = 0.01). When compared with a-blockers, the HESr showed similar improvements on IPSS (weighted mean difference [WMD] 0.57, 95% CI -0.27 to 1.42; P = 0.18) and a comparable increase in Q(max) to tamsulosin (WMD -0.02, 95% CI -0.71 to 0.66; P = 0.95). Efficacy assessed using the IPSS was similar after 6 months of treatment between the HESr and 5a-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs). Analysis of all available published data for the HESr showed a mean improvement in IPSS from baseline of -5.73 points (95% CI -6.91 to -4.54; P < 0.001). HESr did not negatively affect sexual function and no clinically relevant effect was observed on prostate-specific antigen. Prostate volume decreased slightly. Similar efficacy results were seen in patients treated for = 1 year (n = 447). The HESr had a favourable safety profile, with gastrointestinal disorders being the most frequent ADR (mean incidence of 3.8%). Conclusion The present meta-analysis, which includes all available RCTs and observational studies, shows that the HESr (Permixon) reduced nocturia and improved Q(max) compared with placebo and had a similar efficacy to tamsulosin and short-term 5ARI in relieving LUTS. HESr (Permixon) appears to be an efficacious and well-tolerated therapeutic option for the longterm medical treatment of LUTS/BPH