As top predators, marine mammals can provide information on the accumulation of anthropogenic toxins which present the greatest risk to consumers. We assessed the impacts of persistent organic ...pollutants (POPs) on two cetacean species that feed on commercially important fish species in the eastern North Atlantic; the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and theharbourporpoise (Phocoena phocoena). In order to evaluate the possible long-term effects of POPs on the continued viability of these populations, we investigated their effects on reproductive activity in females, using ovarian scars as an index of reproductive activity. Inharbour porpoises, high POP burdens tended to be associated with lower ovarian scar number, possibly indicating that high contaminant levels were inhibiting ovulation, or some females may go through a number of infertile ovulations prior to a successful pregnancy, birth, and survival of their first offspring during early lactation. In contrast, initial results identified that the common dolphins with contaminant burdens above a threshold level for adverse health effects in marine mammals (17 µg g-1 total PCBs lipid) were resting mature females, with high numbers of ovarian scars. This suggests that (a) due to high contaminant burdens, females may be unable to reproduce, thus continue ovulating, or (b) females are not reproducing for some other reason, either physical or social, and started accumulating higher levels of contaminants. Additional analyses were carried out on a control group of ''healthy'' D.delphis, i.e. stranded animals diagnosed as bycatch and were assessed for evidence of any infectious ornon infectiousdisease that would inhibit reproduction. Results suggested that high contaminant burdens, above the threshold level, were not inhibiting ovulation, conception or implantation in female D.delphis, though the impact on thefoetalsurvival rate (in both species) requires further examination. Investigations into accumulation and persistence of ovarian scars and use as an index of reproductive activity were also undertaken within this study.
A silicon pressure microsensor fabrication process is reported. The microsensor has been designed as a low-cost disposable device for invasive blood pressure measurements. Results obtained from ...static, dynamic and leakage pressure tests are presented. A sensitivity of 20 ( mu V/V)/mmHg has been measured. The combined linearity and hysteresis is less than 1.5% FSO. The dynamic response is fast enough to reproduce the blood pressure waveform of the human heart. Results based on a material biocompatibility study are also included.
Renal impairment is a very frequent complication of aortic surgery requiring prolonged suprarenal clamping, especially if it is associated with previous hemorrhage. The aim of this study was to ...assess the beneficial effect of the administration of a nitric oxide (NO) donor on renal function through a modulation of the systemic inflammatory response in a model of abdominal aortic surgery.
Twenty-five minipigs were divided into five groups. Under anesthesia, the animals were subjected to suprarenal aortic-iliac clamping (for 30 minutes) and bypass with a Dacron-collagen prosthetic graft impregnated in rifampicin, with or without associated hemorrhage (40% of total blood volume). Prophylaxis with cefazolin was implemented. The five groups were (1) the sham group (only aortic dissection), (2) the clamping and bypass (C) group, (3) hemorrhage preclamping and bypass (H+C) group, (4) the same as group C but with the administration of the NO donor molsidomine (4 mg/kg intravenously) (C+NO group), (5) the same as the H+C group but with the administration of the NO donor molsidomine (4 mg/kg intravenously) (H+C+NO group). The following were determined: (1) kidney function (serum creatinine), (2) serum cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α TNF-α and interleukin-10 IL-10); (3) neutrophil infiltration (myeloperoxidase MPO) in the kidney, (4) oxygen free radicals (superoxide anion SOA and superoxide dismutase SOD) in the kidney, (5) serum nitrites, (6) soluble and kidney tissue cell adhesion molecule (soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 sICAM-1, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 sVCAM-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ICAM-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 VCAM-1), (7) inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the kidney, and (8) nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the kidney. Determinations were made during ischemia at 15 minutes post-reperfusion; at 24, 48, and 72 hours; and on day 7.
The different insults used in the experimental model led to deterioration in kidney function and an increase in the systemic (and renal) inflammatory response at all levels investigated. Treatment with an NO donor, both with and without associated hemorrhage, reduced the inflammatory response at the systemic (TNF-α and IL-10) and kidney (MPO, SOA, and SOD) levels, normalizing kidney function. Likewise, exogenous administration of NO improved the excessive production of NO (nitrites) via iNOS. This was also reflected in a reduction in CAMs and of NF-κB expression. The hypotension induced by molsidomine was transitory and did not elicit hemodynamic repercussions.
In our experimental model, prophylactic treatment with the NO donor molsidomine regulates the systemic inflammatory response and minimizes damage at the kidney level.
The importance of this article resides in the fact that an experimental study that clarifies the effect of the donors of NO under circumstances as similar as possible to those of the human clinic, such as aortic surgery under hypovolemic shock (ruptured aortic aneurysm) have been little studied, most of these studies being performed in rodents without bypass. Using a model with one or two simultaneous insults (aortic clamping with/without previous hemorrhage) that is very similar to the human clinical situation (abdominal aortic rupture), we confirm the findings of previous work related to the beneficial effects of NO donors.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
•The interaction between mucin and three oenological tannins was measured by SPR.•Thermodynamic and kinetic association and dissociation constants were determined.•Astringency index has good ...correlation with the dissociation constants.•Astringency depends on the trend to form the complex and the time to dissociate it.
The interaction between stomach porcine mucin and 3 oenological tannins (extract of ellagitannins from oak, extract of gallotannins from gall nuts and extract of proanthocyanidins from grape seeds) was measured by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). These tannins were analysed and their astringency was determined using the Astringency Index method and by tasting. The interaction constants were determined using a Biacore SPR device (1:1 Langmuir binding model). The results indicate that the ellagitannins are more astringent than gallotannins and those, in turn, are more astringent than seed proanthocyanidins if the richness of the commercial extracts is considered. The astringency index of these tannins had high correlation and regression coefficients with their kinetic and thermodynamic dissociation constants. This data support a hypothesis that astringency depends not only on the thermodynamic tendency to form the complex between tannins and salivary proteins but also probably on the time required to dissociate the complex.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The influence of different activation processes on the textural and surface chemical properties of carbon xerogels was studied. Carbon xerogels were prepared by the conventional sol–gel approach ...using resorcinol and formaldehyde; two different pHs of sol–gel processing led to carbon materials with distinct pore size distributions. The materials were subjected to controlled activation by three different methods: activation by oxygen plasma, activation by HNO
3, and activation by diluted air. Treatments with HNO
3 and diluted air created oxygen groups on the external surface as well as inside the pore channels, whereas plasma is more suitable for introducing oxygen groups selectively on the external surface. Nevertheless, it was shown that samples with wider pores can be oxidized to some extent on the pore interiors by plasma. Significant changes in total surface area by air activation were observed.
Deconvolution of the CO
2 TPD spectra for the oxygen plasma-activated carbon xerogel.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
La miel es un producto natural producido por las abejas (Apis mellifera) a partir del néctar de las plantas. El mercado español ofrece a los consumidores diferentes tipos de mieles producidas en ...varias zonas geográficas de la península y producidas a partir de diferentes tipos de flores y plantas. Los parámetros de calidad de la miel están regulados por la legislación española, armonizada con la legislación de la Unión Europea. El principal objetivo del presente trabajo ha sido determinar los parámetros de calidad en diferentes mieles producidas en la Alpujarra (Granada, España) y compararlos con los estándares de calidad definidos en la Norma de Calidad que regula la comercialización de las mieles en el territorio español. Ocho tipos diferentes de miel fueron adquiridas en un establecimiento local y clasificadas según su origen botánico: aguacate, azahar, castaño, roble, espliego, mil flores, romero y sierra. La composición de azúcares, el contenido en agua, cenizas totales y el perfil de minerales, el contenido de compuestos insolubles, acidez total, el pH y el color fueron medidos en las muestras siguiendo los métodos oficiales. Para el contenido en azúcares las muestras presentaron valores de acuerdo a la legislación, aunque se observaron pequeñas desviaciones como, por ejemplo, las mieles de castaño, roble y mil flores mostraron un contenido en superior, y para la suma de fructosa y glucosa las mieles de castaño y robles mostraron valores ligeramente inferiores. Sin embargo, el contenido de agua indicaría un buen grado de madurez para todas las mieles. La acidez titulable, el pH, y los contenidos de sólidos insolubles y cenizas estuvieron dentro de los valores establecidos en la legislación, mientras que el potasio fue el elemento más abundante. Las diferencias observadas en las muestras para todos los parámetros analizados están principalmente asociadas al origen botánico, ya que la composición del polen determina tanto las características organolépticas como los parámetros físico-químicos de las mieles.
E-cadherin (CDH1) gene expression is strictly regulated. The transcriptional factors SNAIL and ZEB1 are involved in its repression, whereas activation of vitamin D receptor (VDR) by vitamin D induces ...its transcription. We study the expression and functional correlation of SNAIL, CDH1, VDR and ZEB1 genes and examine their possible involvement in colon cancer. The expression of these four genes was measured by real time-PCR in 114 patients with colorectal cancer, and tumor characteristics were analyzed in each patient. SNAIL expression was associated with downregulation of CDH1 (P<0.001) and VDR (P<0.001) gene products. We also found a positive correlation between CDH1 and VDR expressions. However, the association between SNAIL and CDH1 was not found in patients with high expression of ZEB1. We observed a correlation between downregulation of: a) ZEB1 and presence of polyps in surgical resections; b) VDR and poor differentiation and c) CDH1 and poor differentiation, vascular invasion, presence of lymph node metastases and advanced stages; as well as a trend toward a correlation between SNAIL expression in tumors and vascular invasion. The correlations between SNAIL, CDH1, VDR and ZEB1 and the association between reduced expression of CDH1 and VDR and aggressive tumor characteristics emphasize the value of analyzing these genes in colon cancer patients for prognostic purposes and for predicting response to possible therapies with vitamin D or its analogs.
As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether ...COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway.
This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation).
Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2%
4.9%; adjusted odds ratio aOR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1%
3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76).
Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks.
Particular immunopathological features and their effects on the vascular permeability of different ocular structures were analysed in two dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum. The existence ...of specific anti-Leishmania immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the aqueous humour was confirmed by the ELISA technique. There was no correlation between antibody levels in the aqueous humour and the related serum. The histopathological study of the eyes showed the existence of lesions in various ocular structures. The ciliary processes, ciliary body, sclerocorneal limbus, iris and lacrimal duct showed intense inflammatory zones with lymphocyte infiltrates, plasmatic cells and macrophages with amastigote forms of Leishmania. In addition vasculitis with dilation and thrombi were also detected in both cases, with consequent oedema and hyalinization. The immunohistochemistry analysis revealed the presence of granular and diffuse IgG deposits in the ciliary body, ciliary processes, sclerocorneal limbus and iris. Furthermore, numerous thrombosed vessels were observed in the sclerocorneal zone and iris. Complement 3 (C3) fraction deposits were not present in the ocular structures. The present data suggest that the ocular lesions may have an immunopathological origin.
NnmfPack is a library for the nonnegative matrix factorization (NNMF) problem. Nowadays NNMF is an essential tool in many fields spanning machine learning, data analysis, image analysis or audio ...source separation, among others. NnmfPack is an efficient numerical library conceived for shared memory heterogeneous parallel systems, and it supports, from its conception, both conventional multi-core processors and many-core coprocessors. In this article, NnmfPack is extended to handle different metrics options ( \(\beta \) -divergence), and some other parallel algorithms have been added and tested. The performance of the new functionalities of NnmfPack is tested, and some precision results of the implementations are showed using an example borrowed from the image processing field.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
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