Isobaric VLE for the binary systems Isobutyl Acetate +Methaanol or +1-Propanol at 0.15 MPa

Vapor-Liquid Equilibria were measured at 0.15 MPa for binary mixtures of Isobutyl Acetate +Methanol and Isobutyl Acetate + 1-Propanol using a stainles-steel ebulliometer in which both phases are recirculated. The isobaric T-x-y data are reported, including the azeotropic point for the binary mixture of Isobutyl Acetate + 1-Propanol. Calculations ofthe non-ideality of the vapor phase were made with the second virial coefficients determined by the Hayden and O’Connell method. The Yen and Woods correlation was employed for the Poynting factor calculations. The activity coefficients of the liquid phase have been calculated. Thermodynamic consistency with the point-to-point test of Van Ness were examined on these systems. The ASOG and several UNIFAC group contribution models were used

Long-Term Food Storage, Insects, Pests and Insecticides: Archaeological Evidence from Pre-Hispanic (ca. 500-1500 AD) Granaries in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain)

Insect pests are one of the main problems in the long-term storage of food, especially for grains. It has been estimated that before chemical insecticides were used systematically, insects damaged around 10-20 % of the stored grain, and in certain conditions they could spoil the whole harvest. There are historical documents recording the use of organic and inorganic products to kill or dispel the insect, but there is little archaeological data about this important aspect in food storage. This is partially due to the lack of in situ finds of conserved ancient foods. What methods and techniques were used to store food and avoid insect pests in the past? In order to answer this question, this paper aims to provide new data on the methods and techniques employed in the past for the long-term storage of food plants by presenting the preliminary results of an analysis carried out in the framework of a multidisciplinary project of a group of granaries on the Island of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) from the Pre-Hispanic period (ca. 500-1500 AD). The indigenous populations of Gran Canaria were farmers that procured most of their food from cultivated plants and they built many granaries for their storage. The silos analyzed in the current work still contained archaeological remains of cereals, pulses, and both cultivated and wild fruits that were radiocarbon dated between 700-1440 AD. To assure a better conservation, the grains were originally stored in the form of ears and pods inside silos carved in the rock. The stores were accompanied by Canarian bay leaves placed inside the silos to repel insects. Nevertheless, there is clear evidence that the stores were damaged by weevils indicating the serious problem these insects represented for long-term storage.Les insectes constituent l'un des principaux problèmes rencontrés lorsqu’il s’agit de stocker sur le long terme des aliments, en particulier, des céréales. Avant l’emploi d’insecticides chimiques, les insectes, s’il n’abîmaient pas la totalité de la récolte, endommageaient au moins 10 à 20% du grain stocké. Des documents historiques témoignent de l'utilisation de produits organiques et inorganiques pour éliminer ou chasser les insectes. En revanche, les données archéologiques sur ce sujet si important pour le stockage sont rares. Ceci est en partie dû au manque de découvertes d'aliments anciens conservés in situ. Quelles méthodes et techniques ont été utilisées dans le passé pour stocker les denrées et éviter les infestations par les insectes? Pour répondre à cette question, nous présentons les résultats préliminaires d'une étude conduite dans le cadre d'un projet pluridisciplinaire sur un ensemble de greniers de l'île de Gran Canaria (îles Canaries, Espagne) datant de la période préhispanique (environ 500-1500 apr. J.-C.). Les populations autochtones de Gran Canaria étaient des agriculteurs. Leurs denrées alimentaires étaient avant tout des plantes cultivées. Ils ont construit de nombreux greniers pour leur stockage. Les silos analysés dans le cadre de ce travail contiennent encore des restes archéologiques de céréales, de légumineuses et de fruits cultivés et sauvages datant du 700 à 1440 apr. J.-C. Pour assurer une meilleure conservation, des épis et des légumes conservés dans leur cosse ont été stockés dans des silos creusés dans la roche. Un dépôt intentionnel de feuilles de laurier des Canaries a été identifié : il servait surement à repousser les insectes. Cela s’est avéré insuffisant : les produits de la récolte ont été endommagés par des charançons. Le problème que ces insectes représentaient pour le stockage à long terme est donc avéré

Du laurier dans les greniers de Grande Canarie

Image d’ouverture. Vue de l’accès au second niveau du grenier d’El Álamo-Acusa © E. Martín Les insectes constituent l’un des principaux problèmes rencontrés lorsqu’il s’agit de stocker sur le long terme des aliments, en particulier des céréales. On estime qu’avant l’emploi systématique d’insecticides chimiques, les insectes endommageaient au moins 10 à 20 % du grain stocké – lorsqu’ils n’altéraient pas la totalité de la récolte. Des documents historiques témoignent de l’utilisation de produi..

Du laurier dans les greniers de Grande Canarie (Espagne)

Insect pests are one of the main problems in the long-term storage of food, especially for grains. It has been estimated that before chemical insecticides were used systematically, insects damaged around 10-20 % of the stored grain, and in certain conditions they could spoil the whole harvest. There are historical documents recording the use of organic and inorganic products to kill or dispel the insect, but there is little archaeological data about this important aspect in food storage. This is partially due to the lack of in situ finds of conserved ancient foods. What methods and techniques were used to store food and avoid insect pests in the past ? In order to answer this question, this paper aims to provide new data on the methods and techniques employed in the past for the long-term storage of food plants by presenting the preliminary results of an analysis carried out in the framework of a multidisciplinary project of a group of granaries on the Island of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) from the Pre-Hispanic period (ca. 500-1 500 AD). The indigenous populations of Gran Canaria were farmers that procured most of their food from cultivated plants and they built many granaries for their storage. The silos analyzed in the current work still contained archaeological remains of cereals, pulses, and both cultivated and wild fruits that were radiocarbon dated between 700-1 440 AD. To assure a better conservation, the grains were originally stored in the form of ears and pods inside silos carved in the rock. The stores were accompanied by Canarian bay leaves placed inside the silos to repel insects. Nevertheless, there is clear evidence that the stores were damaged by weevils indicating the serious problem these insects represented for long-term storage.Les insectes constituent l'un des principaux problèmes rencontrés lorsqu’il s’agit de stocker sur le long terme des aliments, en particulier, des céréales. Avant l’emploi d’insecticides chimiques, les insectes, s’ils n’altéraient pas la totalité de la récolte, endommageaient au moins 10 à 20 % du grain stocké. Des documents historiques témoignent de l'utilisation de produits organiques et inorganiques pour éliminer ou chasser les insectes. En revanche, les données archéologiques sur ce sujet si important pour le stockage sont rares. Ceci est en partie dû au manque de découvertes d'aliments anciens conservés in situ.Quelles méthodes et techniques ont-elles été utilisées dans le passé pour stocker les denrées et éviter les infestations par les insectes ? Pour répondre à cette question, nous présentons les résultats préliminaires d'une étude conduite dans le cadre d'un projet pluridisciplinaire sur un ensemble de greniers de l'île de la Grande Canarie (îles Canaries, Espagne) datant de la période préhispanique (environ 500-1 500 apr. J.-C.). Les populations autochtones de la Grande Canarie étaient des agriculteurs. Leurs denrées alimentaires étaient avant tout des plantes cultivées. Ils ont construit de nombreux greniers pour les stocker. Les silos analysés dans le cadre de ce travail contiennent encore des restes archéologiques de céréales, de légumineuses et de fruits cultivés et sauvages datant de 700 à 1 440 apr. J.-C. Pour assurer une meilleure conservation, les céréales conservées en épis et les légumineuses dans leur cosse étaient stockées dans des silos creusés dans la roche. Des feuilles de laurier des Canaries ont été identifiées dans les silos : celles-ci servaient probablement à repousser les insectes. Cette méthode s’est avérée insuffisante : les produits de la récolte ont été endommagés par des charançons. Le problème que ces insectes représentaient pour le stockage à long terme est donc avéré

Prediction of clinical toxicity in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients by radio-induced apoptosis in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs)

Head and neck cancer is treated mainly by surgery and radiotherapy. Normal tissue toxicity due to x-ray exposure is a limiting factor for treatment success. Many efforts have been employed to develop predictive tests applied to clinical practice. Determination of lymphocyte radio-sensitivity by radio-induced apoptosis arises as a possible method to predict tissue toxicity due to radiotherapy. The aim of the present study was to analyze radio-induced apoptosis of peripheral blood lymphocytes in head and neck cancer patients and to explore their role in predicting radiation induced toxicity. Seventy nine consecutive patients suffering from head and neck cancer, diagnosed and treated in our institution, were included in the study. Toxicity was evaluated using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group scale. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated and irradiated at 0, 1, 2 and 8 Gy during 24 hours. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry using annexin V/propidium iodide. Lymphocytes were marked with CD45 APC-conjugated monoclonal antibody. Radiation-induced apoptosis increased in order to radiation dose and fitted to a semi logarithmic model defined by two constants: α and β. α, as the origin of the curve in the Y axis determining the percentage of spontaneous cell death, and β, as the slope of the curve determining the percentage of cell death induced at a determined radiation dose, were obtained. β value was statistically associated to normal tissue toxicity in terms of severe xerostomia, as higher levels of apoptosis were observed in patients with low toxicity (p = 0.035; Exp(B) 0.224, I.C.95% (0.060-0.904)). These data agree with our previous results and suggest that it is possible to estimate the radiosensitivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients determining the radiation induced apoptosis with annexin V/propidium iodide staining. β values observed define an individual radiosensitivity profile that could predict late toxicity due to radiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients. Anyhow, prospective studies with different cancer types and higher number of patients are needed to validate these results

Prediction of clinical toxicity in localized cervical carcinoma by radio-induced apoptosis study in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cervical cancer is treated mainly by surgery and radiotherapy. Toxicity due to radiation is a limiting factor for treatment success. Determination of lymphocyte radiosensitivity by radio-induced apoptosis arises as a possible method for predictive test development. The aim of this study was to analyze radio-induced apoptosis of peripheral blood lymphocytes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ninety four consecutive patients suffering from cervical carcinoma, diagnosed and treated in our institution, and four healthy controls were included in the study. Toxicity was evaluated using the Lent-Soma scale. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated and irradiated at 0, 1, 2 and 8 Gy during 24, 48 and 72 hours. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry using annexin V/propidium iodide to determine early and late apoptosis. Lymphocytes were marked with CD45 APC-conjugated monoclonal antibody.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Radiation-induced apoptosis (RIA) increased with radiation dose and time of incubation. Data strongly fitted to a semi logarithmic model as follows: RIA = βln(Gy) + α. This mathematical model was defined by two constants: α, is the origin of the curve in the Y axis and determines the percentage of spontaneous cell death and β, is the slope of the curve and determines the percentage of cell death induced at a determined radiation dose (β = ΔRIA/Δln(Gy)). Higher β values (increased rate of RIA at given radiation doses) were observed in patients with low sexual toxicity (Exp(B) = 0.83, C.I. 95% (0.73-0.95), p = 0.007; Exp(B) = 0.88, C.I. 95% (0.82-0.94), p = 0.001; Exp(B) = 0.93, C.I. 95% (0.88-0.99), p = 0.026 for 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively). This relation was also found with rectal (Exp(B) = 0.89, C.I. 95% (0.81-0.98), p = 0.026; Exp(B) = 0.95, C.I. 95% (0.91-0.98), p = 0.013 for 48 and 72 hours respectively) and urinary (Exp(B) = 0.83, C.I. 95% (0.71-0.97), p = 0.021 for 24 hours) toxicity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Radiation induced apoptosis at different time points and radiation doses fitted to a semi logarithmic model defined by a mathematical equation that gives an individual value of radiosensitivity and could predict late toxicity due to radiotherapy. Other prospective studies with higher number of patients are needed to validate these results.</p

Constitutive gene expression profile segregates toxicity in locally advanced breast cancer patients treated with high-dose hyperfractionated radical radiotherapy

Breast cancer patients show a wide variation in normal tissue reactions after radiotherapy. The individual sensitivity to x-rays limits the efficiency of the therapy. Prediction of individual sensitivity to radiotherapy could help to select the radiation protocol and to improve treatment results. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between gene expression profiles of ex vivo un-irradiated and irradiated lymphocytes and the development of toxicity due to high-dose hyperfractionated radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced breast cancer. Raw data from microarray experiments were uploaded to the Gene Expression Omnibus Database (GEO accession GSE15341). We obtained a small group of 81 genes significantly regulated by radiotherapy, lumped in 50 relevant pathways. Using ANOVA and t-test statistical tools we found 20 and 26 constitutive genes (0 Gy) that segregate patients with and without acute and late toxicity, respectively. Non-supervised hierarchical clustering was used for the visualization of results. Six and 9 pathways were significantly regulated respectively. Concerning to irradiated lymphocytes (2 Gy), we founded 29 genes that separate patients with acute toxicity and without it. Those genes were gathered in 4 significant pathways. We could not identify a set of genes that segregates patients with and without late toxicity. In conclusion, we have found an association between the constitutive gene expression profile of peripheral blood lymphocytes and the development of acute and late toxicity in consecutive, unselected patients. These observations suggest the possibility of predicting normal tissue response to irradiation in high-dose non-conventional radiation therapy regimens. Prospective studies with higher number of patients are needed to validate these preliminary results

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in DNA repair genes as risk factors associated to prostate cancer progression

Background Besides serum levels of PSA, there is a lack of prostate cancer specific biomarkers. It is need to develop new biological markers associated with the tumor behavior which would be valuable to better individualize treatment. The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in DNA repair and prostate cancer progression.Methods A total of 494 prostate cancer patients from a Spanish multicenter study were genotyped for 10 SNPs in XRCC1, ERCC2, ERCC1, LIG4, ATM and TP53 genes. The SNP genotyping was made in a Biotrove OpenArray® NT Cycler. Clinical tumor stage, diagnostic PSA serum levels, and Gleason score at diagnosis were obtained for all participants. Genotypic and allelic frequencies were determined using the web-based environment SNPator.Results SNPs rs11615 (ERCC1) and rs17503908 (ATM) appeared as risk factors for prostate cancer aggressiveness. Patients wild homozygous for these SNPs (AA and TT, respectively) were at higher risk for developing cT2b – cT4 (OR = 2.21 (confidence interval (CI) 95% 1.47 – 3.31), p < 0.001) and Gleason scores ≥ 7 (OR = 2.22 (CI 95% 1.38 – 3.57), p < 0.001), respectively. Moreover, those patients wild homozygous for both SNPs had the greatest risk of presenting D’Amico high-risk tumors (OR = 2.57 (CI 95% 1.28 – 5.16)).Conclusions Genetic variants at DNA repair genes are associated with prostate cancer progression, and would be taken into account when assessing the malignancy of prostate cancer.This work was subsidized by a grant from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad from Spain), ID: PI12/01867. Almudena Valenciano has a grant from the Instituto Canario de Investigación del Cáncer (ICIC)

Combined low initial DNA damage and high radiation-induced apoptosis confers clinical resistance to long-term toxicity in breast cancer patients treated with high-dose radiotherapy

Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't;BACKGROUND. Either higher levels of initial DNA damage or lower levels of radiation-induced apoptosis in peripheral blood lymphocytes have been associated to increased risk for develop late radiation-induced toxicity. It has been recently published that these two predictive tests are inversely related. The aim of the present study was to investigate the combined role of both tests in relation to clinical radiation-induced toxicity in a set of breast cancer patients treated with high dose hyperfractionated radical radiotherapy. METHODS. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were taken from 26 consecutive patients with locally advanced breast carcinoma treated with high-dose hyperfractioned radical radiotherapy. Acute and late cutaneous and subcutaneous toxicity was evaluated using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group morbidity scoring schema. The mean follow-up of survivors (n = 13) was 197.23 months. Radiosensitivity of lymphocytes was quantified as the initial number of DNA double-strand breaks induced per Gy and per DNA unit (200 Mbp). Radiation-induced apoptosis (RIA) at 1, 2 and 8 Gy was measured by flow cytometry using annexin V/propidium iodide. RESULTS. Mean DSB/Gy/DNA unit obtained was 1.70 ± 0.83 (range 0.63-4.08; median, 1.46). Radiation-induced apoptosis increased with radiation dose (median 12.36, 17.79 and 24.83 for 1, 2, and 8 Gy respectively). We observed that those "expected resistant patients" (DSB values lower than 1.78 DSB/Gy per 200 Mbp and RIA values over 9.58, 14.40 or 24.83 for 1, 2 and 8 Gy respectively) were at low risk of suffer severe subcutaneous late toxicity (HR 0.223, 95%CI 0.073-0.678, P = 0.008; HR 0.206, 95%CI 0.063-0.677, P = 0.009; HR 0.239, 95%CI 0.062-0.929, P = 0.039, for RIA at 1, 2 and 8 Gy respectively) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS. A radiation-resistant profile is proposed, where those patients who presented lower levels of initial DNA damage and higher levels of radiation induced apoptosis were at low risk of suffer severe subcutaneous late toxicity after clinical treatment at high radiation doses in our series. However, due to the small sample size, other prospective studies with higher number of patients are needed to validate these results.This work was subsidized by a grant from the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (CICYT: SAF 2004-00889) and Fundación del Instituto Canario de Investigación del Cáncer (FICIC).Yes2011-0

Arqueoentomología y arqueobotánica de los espacios de almacenamiento a largo plazo: el granero de Risco Pintado, Temisas (Gran Canaria)

Este trabajo pretende contribuir al estudio de las técnicas de almacenamiento utilizadas en el pasado mediante el análisis de los restos entomológicos y vegetales presentes en el granero prehispánico canario de Risco Pintado, fechado entre los siglos IX y XV cal DC. Este tipo de granero se caracteriza por agrupar numerosos silos excavados en la toba volcánica y situarse en lugares escarpados de difícil acceso y fácil defensa. Las excepcionales condiciones ambientales de estas infraestructuras han permitido la conservación en el interior de los silos de restos desecados de los productos vegetales almacenados y de las plagas asociadas al ensilado. Las especies domésticas documentadas incluyen cereales (cebada y trigo), legumbres (habas y lentejas) y frutales cosechados (higos), así como otros vegetales silvestres recolectados. Junto a estos restos se registran insectos que se desarrollan como plagas primarias y secundarias del almacenamiento (gorgojos del grano y dientes de sierra). Estas plagas se combatieron mediante insecticidas naturales como el laurel y el lentisco. Se analiza la presencia de estas plagas como un indicador de almacenamiento a largo plazo y de las estrategias desarrolladas para asegurar la integridad de los recursos vegetales almacenados. This contribution aims at understanding the storage techniques used in the past by means of studying the entomological and plant remains present in the pre-hispanic granary of Risco Pintado, dated between the IX and XV centuries cal AD. This type of granary groups together a large number of silos excavated in the volcanic tuff, situated on steep escarpments, difficult to access and easy to defend. The exceptional environmental conditions of these infrastructures have allowed the desiccated remains of the stored plant products and the pests associated with such storage to be preserved within the silos. The domestic species documented include cereals (barley and wheat), legumes (broad beans and lentils) and fruits (figs), as well as other gathered indigenous plants. Together with these remains, insects that developed as primary and secondary storage pests are recorded (grain weevil and sawtoothed grain beetle). To combat these infestations, the ancient Canarians used a number of natural insecticides (laurel and lentisk). The presence of these pests is analysed as an indicator of long-term storage and of the strategies developed to ensure the integrity of stored plant resources