An electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance is used for a continuous monitoring of the growth of the polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy) thiophene tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (PEDOT-TBAP), ...electropolymerized in acetonitrile on a gold electrode of a 10 MHz AT-cut quartz crystal resonator. The surface acoustic impedance of the resonator is analyzed starting from the electrical admittance continuously measured by means of a network analyzer. Changes in the acoustic impedance suggest that a mechanical resonance phenomenon occurs during the electrodeposition. To determine the origin of this effect, the evolution of the physical properties of the coating is analyzed. This analysis shows a significant change of the Viscoelastic properties of the coating during the electropolymerization and especially during the time interval of the suspected mechanical resonance. The effect of the surface roughness on the mechanical impedance of the coating is analyzed. This study seems to indicate that the changes in the effective Viscoelastic properties of the coating are due to the changes in the surface roughness. The mechanical resonance effect also seems to be more a result of this change in the coating effective Viscoelastic properties than of the growth of the coating thickness where coating Viscoelastic properties are maintained constant.
Diabetic obese patients are susceptible to the development of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and cardiac dysfunction culminating in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC), which represents a ...life-threatening health problem with increased rates of morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study is to characterize the effects of a new benzofuran
-acylhydrazone compound, LASSBio-2090, on metabolic and cardiovascular alterations in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats presenting DC.
Male non-diabetic lean Zucker rats (ZL) and ZDF rats treated with vehicle (dimethylsulfoxide) or LASSBio-2090 were used in this study. Metabolic parameters, cardiovascular function, left ventricle histology and inflammatory protein expression were analyzed in the experimental groups.
LASSBio-2090 administration in ZDF rats reduced glucose levels to 85.0 ± 1.7 mg/dL (
< 0.05). LASSBio-2090 also lowered the cholesterol and triglyceride levels from 177.8 ± 31.2 to 104.8 ± 5.3 mg/dL and from 123.0 ± 11.4 to 90.9 ± 4.8 mg/dL, respectively, in obese diabetic rats (
< 0.05). LASSBio-2090 normalized plasma insulin, insulin sensitivity and endothelial function in aortas from diabetic animals (
< 0.05). It also enhanced systolic and diastolic left-ventricular function and reverted myocardial remodeling by blocking the threefold elevation of TNF-α levels in hearts from ZDF rats.
LASSBio-2090 alleviates metabolic disturbance and cardiomyopathy in an obese and diabetic rat model, thus representing a novel strategy for the treatment of cardiovascular complications in obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Certain species of Hamadryas butterflies are known to use sounds during interactions with conspecifics. We have observed the behaviour associated with sound production and report on the acoustic ...characteristics of these sounds and on the anatomy and physiology of the hearing organ in one species, Hamadryas feronia, from Venezuela. Our observations confirm previous reports that males of this species will take flight from their tree perch when they detect a passing conspecific (male or female) and, during the chase, produce clicking sounds. Our analyses of both hand-held males and those flying in the field show that the sounds are short (approximately 0.5 s) trains of intense (approximately 80-100 dB SPL at 10 cm) and brief (2-3 ms) double-component clicks, exhibiting a broad frequency spectrum with a peak energy around 13-15 kHz. Our preliminary results on the mechanism of sound production showed that males can produce clicks using only one wing, thus contradicting a previous hypothesis that it is a percussive mechanism. The organ of hearing is believed to be Vogel's organ, which is located at the base of the forewing subcostal and cubital veins. Vogel's organ consists of a thinned region of exoskeleton (the tympanum) bordered by a rigid chitinous ring; associated with its inner surface are three chordotonal sensory organs and enlarged tracheae. The largest chordotonal organ attaches to a sclerite positioned near the center of the eardrum and possesses more than 110 scolopidial units. The two smaller organs attach to the perimeter of the membrane. Extracellular recordings from the nerve branch innervating the largest chordotonal organ confirm auditory sensitivity with a threshold of 68 dB SPL at the best frequency of 1.75 kHz. Hence, the clicks with peak energy around 14 kHz are acoustically mismatched to the best frequencies of the ear. However, the clicks are broad-banded and even at 1-2 kHz, far from the peak frequency, the energy is sufficient such that the butterflies can easily hear each other at the close distances at which they interact (less than 30 cm). In H. feronia, Vogel's organ meets the anatomical and functional criteria for being recognized as a typical insect tympanal ear.
Multilayer immobilization of antibody and redox polymer molecules on a gold electrode was achieved, as a strategy for the potential development of an amperometric immunosensor. The step-by-step ...assembly of antibiotin IgG on Os(bpy)(2)ClPyCH(2)NH poly(allylamine) redox polymer (PAH-Os) adsorbed on thiolated gold electrodes was proved by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments, confirming the electrochemical evidence. The increase of redox charge during the layer-by-layer deposition demonstrated that charge propagation within the layers is feasible. The multilayer structure proved to be effective for the molecular recognition of horseradish peroxidase-biotin conjugate (HRP-biotin), as confirmed by the QCM measurements and the electrocatalytic reduction current obtained upon H(2)O(2) addition. The catalytic current resulting from PAH-Os mediation was shown to increase with the number of assembled layers. Furthermore, the inventory of IgG molecules on the supramolecular self-assembled structure and the specific and non-specific binding of HRP-biotin conjugate were confirmed by the QCM transient studies, giving information on the kinetics of IgG deposition and HRP-biotin conjugate binding to the IgG.
Background: To evaluate the influence of nutrition support
(parenteral nutrition PN vs no parenteral nutrition nPN) on
nutrition outcome, complications, and hospital stay after bariatric surgery
...(BS). Methods: Sixty-seven consecutive BS patients (17 gastric bypass
and 50 biliopancreatic diversion). The first 38 received PN and the next 29
did not (nPN) during the fasting postoperative (PO) period. In both groups,
after fasting, a progressive oral diet was introduced. Data related to
nutrition status, perioperative complications, and postsurgical hospital stay
were compared. Results: Sixty-seven patients (58 women), mean age
39.4 ± 11.0 years, body mass index (BMI) 50.7 ± 6.1
kg/m2, were included. Thirty-eight patients received PN during 8.7±
2.6 days. Ingestion was initiated at a median 8 PO days in PN
vs 6.5 PO days in nPN (p < .04). No significant
differences between groups were found in age, final fasting serum albumin
(SA), and 30 days postoperative SA, with a similar weight loss. Nonsignificant
differences were found in non–catheter-related infectious complications,
being mainly urinary tract infections. Catheter-related infections were
present in 21.1% in the PN group and 13.8% in the nPN (p= .33).
Median hospital stay after surgery was 14 ± 10 days in PN and 12±
10 days in nPN (p = .003). Conclusions: (1)
Nutrition status after BS PO and 30 days postsurgery was no different between
PN and nPN. (2) Postsurgery hospital stay was significantly decreased in the
nPN group, without a greater incidence of complications. (3) According to
nutrition outcome, PN seems unnecessary at the perioperative period in BS
unless there are other postsurgical complications.
We evaluate the influence of nutrition support in 67 consecutive bariatric surgery patients. Postoperative and 30 days postsurgery nutrition status was similar with or without parenteral nutrition; postsurgery hospital stay significantly decreased in the latter without greater complications. Parenteral nutrition seems unnecessary in bariatric surgery unless there are other complications.
Objective: viral and host factors are related with progression of pathological lesion in chronic hepatitis B. We analyzed these factors in patients with moderate or intermittently elevated ALT ...levels, and its threshold that determinate significant histological activity. Patients and methods: retrospective analyses of viral and host parameters in 89 consecutive chronic hepatitis B patients biopsied because of moderate or intermittently elevated ALT levels 1-2 x ULN (ULN = 39 IU/mL) and/or DNA-HBV > 2 x 10³ IU/mL in AntiHBe+ patients. It was analyzed age, gender, ALT levels, HBeAg, viral load and genotype. It was considered advanced histological lesion a Knodell Score (KS) > 7 and histological lesion indicating treatment, lobular inflammation ≥ 2 or fibrosis ≥ 2 according to Scheuer Classification. Results: KS > 7 and histological lesion indicating treatment was found in 47.8 and 60.7% respectively. It was observed relationship between age, male gender, ALT levels and viral load with histological damage (p < 0.05). Frequency of advanced lesion indicating treatment was upper in patients with ALT levels > ULN (69.1 vs. 47.1%, p = 0.04). There were not significant upper frequencies of advanced lesion when a cut-off of 40 years or DNA-HBV > 2 x 10³ IU/mL viral load or serological status HBeAg was considerate. Histological activity was lesser in genotype D patients than those infected with others genotypes (p < 0.05). Conclusion: upper frequency of advanced histological lesion in chronic hepatitis B patients with moderate or intermittently elevated ALT levels make recommended liver biopsy, independent of viral load and serological status HBeAg. Other factors like age, gender or genotype can help to indicate biopsy in individual cases.
The recent development of highly effective treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) and the potential risk of infectious complications require the development of prevention and risk minimisation ...strategies. Vaccination is an essential element of the management of these patients. This consensus statement includes a series of recommendations and practical scenarios for the vaccination of adult patients with MS who are eligible for highly effective immunosuppressive treatments.
A formal consensus procedure was followed. Having defined the scope of the statement, we conducted a literature search on recommendations for the vaccination of patients with MS and specific vaccination guidelines for immunosuppressed patients receiving biological therapy for other conditions. The modified nominal group technique methodology was used to formulate the recommendations.
Vaccination should be considered in patients eligible for immunosuppressive therapy before the treatment is started, if the patient’s clinical situation allows it. We recommend administering the vaccines included in the adult vaccination calendar and some specific vaccines, depending on the patient’s pre-existing immune status. Live attenuated vaccines are contraindicated when immunosuppressive treatment has already started. For vaccines providing a correlate of protection, serological response should be monitored after an interval of 1–2 months after the last dose.
La reciente aparición de tratamientos de alta efectividad para el tratamiento de la Esclerosis Múltiple (EM) con potencial riesgo de complicaciones infecciosas obliga plantear estrategias de prevención y minimización de riesgos. La vacunación constituye una parte esencial del manejo de estos pacientes. Este consenso recoge una serie de pautas y escenarios prácticos de vacunación en pacientes adultos con EM candidatos a tratamiento inmunosupresor.
Se llevó a cabo un consenso de tipo formal. Tras definir el alcance del documento, se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica de vacunación en pacientes con EM así como guías de vacunación específicas de pacientes inmunosuprimidos y en tratamiento biológico con otras patologías. Para la formulación de las recomendaciones se empleó la metodología de Modified Nominal Group Technique.
La vacunación en pacientes candidatos a tratamiento inmunosupresor se debe plantear antes de iniciar un tratamiento inmunosupresor siempre que la situación clínica del paciente lo permita. Se recomendarán tanto aquellas indicadas en el calendario vacunal del adulto, como algunas específicas, en función de la inmunidad previa. Si ya está instaurado el tratamiento inmunosupresor las vacunas vivas atenuadas estarán contraindicadas. Para aquéllas vacunas que dispongan de un correlato de protección se recomienda monitorizar la respuesta serológica transcurridos 1–2 meses de la última dosis.
Layer-by-layer supramolecular structures composed of alternate layers of negatively charged enzymes and cationic redox polyelectrolyte have been assembled. Glucose oxidase (GOx), lactate oxidase ...(LOx) and soybean peroxidase (SBP) have been electrically wired to the underlying electrode by means of poly(allylamine) with Os(bpy)2ClPyCOH+ covalently attached (PAA-Os) in organized structures with high spatial resolution. Biotinylated glucose oxidase has also been used to assemble step-by-step on antibiotin goat immunoglobulin (IgG) layers and the enzyme was electrically wired by PAA-Os. These spatially organized multilayers with mono- and bienzymatic schemes can work efficiently in molecular recognition, redox mediation and generation of an electrical signal. The concentration of redox mediator integrated into the multilayers, obtained from the voltammetric charge and an estimation of the layer thickness, exceeds by 100-fold the amount of deposited enzyme assessed by quartz crystal microbalance. Differences in GOx electrical wiring efficiency have been detected with the different assembling strategies. The surface concentration of electrically wired enzyme represents a small proportion of all the enzyme molecules present in the multilayers which can be oxidized by the soluble mediator Os(bpy)2Cl PyCOOHCl. This proportion, as well as the rate of FADH2 oxidation by PAA-Os, increases with the number of electrically wired enzyme layers and with the spatial accessibility of the Os moiety to the enzyme active center.
Among patients with triple-negative breast cancer and high expression of PD-L1, pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy resulted in longer overall survival than chemotherapy alone.
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