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Abstract The strict selection of pancreas for transplant has forced the development of different documents to select the suitable organ in order to minimize the risks and complications of the transplant. In 2008, Eurotransplant published the Preprocurement Pancreas Allocation Suitability Score (P-PASS) for pretransplant selection. In 2001 the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona developed a Clinical Consensus Document (CCD). Objectives We aimed to analyze the predictive decision of the pancreas acceptance to offers received in the hospital, according to the CCD criteria and compare it with the recommended value of suitability for accepting the pancreas according to the P-PASS value. Material and Methods We performed a retrospective comparative study between the criteria of selection of the CCD for pancreas from 2016–2017 in comparison with the values obtained if the P-PASS had been used: ≤ 17, acceptance criteria and P-PASS; > 17, risk criteria. We defined the organ reported as rejected or accepted. The accepted organ could be procured and transplanted or discarded. Results With the CCD criteria, 7 more organs were transplanted than if we only applied the potential P-PASS criteria. In contrast, P-PASS would have ruled out an additional 9% of pancreases in relation to CCD criteria. Conclusions According our experience, it is difficult to find an adequate prediction model to select pancreas for transplantation. The application of the DCC criteria increases the number of organs valid for transplantation. At present, new criteria should be re-evaluated within multicenter studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Postmortem tissue donation (TD) requires the establishment of strategies for family approach to clearly explain the characteristics of multi-tissue donation. In a tertiary university hospital with a long tradition of tissue generation, we designed a survey to be applied to tissue donor families to evaluate global hospital care, care from Transplant Coordinators (TC), quality and content of information given about TD, experience, and motivations after TD process. Methodology A prospective phone survey of 10 multiple-choice items was conducted to all TD relatives that agreed to donate one or more tissues. Results From the 166 calls made to TD relatives, 75 (45%) were answered: 50 were cornea donors and 25 were multiple-tissues donors. None of the relatives denied participating, the rest were not found. No statistical differences in demographical variables were found between both types of TD. The hospital and TC care perception, the quality of the given information about the processes of TD, the postdonation experiences in terms of procedures, and the impression about body appearance for relatives regardless of the type of donation, corneas or multiple tissues, were evaluated as good or very good for most of the TD relatives. Our study showed that 83% of the family members would agree to donate again; 40% of the relatives were surprised to be offered the option to donate; 10% did not know if they would donate again. Solidarity was the leading reason for TD. Conclusion The relatives' perception of care is a critical component of the quality evaluation of the TD process. The global evaluation results support our strategies for family approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During infection, interactions between Candida albicans and oral epithelial cells result in oral epithelial cell death. This is clinically manifested by the development of oral mucosal ulcerations generally associated with discomfort. In vitro studies have shown that C. albicans induces early apoptotic alterations in oral epithelial cells; however, these studies have also shown that treatment of infected cells with caspase inhibitors does not prevent their death. The reasons for these contradictory results are unknown and it is still not clear if C. albicans stimulates oral epithelial signaling pathways that promote apoptotic cell death. Activation of specific death pathways in response to microbial organisms plays an essential role in modulating the pathogenesis of a variety of infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to (i) characterize C. albicans-induced apoptotic morphological alterations in oral epithelial cells, and (ii) investigate the activation of apoptotic signaling pathways and expression of apoptotic genes during infection. Candida albicans induced early apoptotic changes in over 50% of oral epithelial cells. However, only 15% of those showed mid-late apoptotic alterations. At the molecular level, C. albicans caused a loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and translocation of mitochondrial cytochrome c. Caspase-3/9 activities increased only during the first hours of infection. Moreover, poly[ADP ribose] polymerase 1 was cleaved into apoptotic and necrotic-like fragments. Finally, five anti-apoptotic genes were significantly upregulated and two pro-apoptotic genes were downregulated during infection. Altogether, these findings indicate that epithelial apoptotic pathways are activated in response to C. albicans, but fail to progress and promote apoptotic cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Family denials for tissue donation are higher than denials obtained after organ donation. Objectives: To find out families'' perception toward tissue request as well as its relation with the degree of acceptance or denial. Materials and methods: Following the request for tissue donation (corneas or different tissues), a five closed-question survey was designed and immediately answered by the Transplant Coordinator. The main aim was to find out whether the request determined surprise, disapproval, understanding, knowledge, and immediacy in the decision-making process, as well as its relation with the decision to donate. Results: Of 1751 surveys, 991 were answered and collected from 2009 to 2011, which represents a 56% from the total. Data collected relate to families 510 who donated and 481 who did not (P = NS). The fact of requesting corneas only or different tissues did not influence the answers. Surprise and disapproval variables significantly predicted refusal to donation (P = .000). Conclusions: Regardless the request type (corneas or multitissue) variables influencing the decision making when approaching families are expression of surprise and disapproval. Neither understanding the application nor existence of a prior approach to donation has any influence whatsoever in the decision-making process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The capacity of Candida albicans to invade and damage oral epithelial cells is critical for its ability to establish and maintain symptomatic oropharyngeal infection. Although oral epithelial cells are reported dead after 18 h of candidal infection, activation of specific epithelial cell-death pathways in response to C. albicans infection has not yet been demonstrated. Considering the key role of oral epithelial cell damage in the pathogenesis of oropharyngeal candidiasis, the aim of this study was to characterize this event during infection. Using an oral epithelial– C. albicans co-culture system, we examined the ability of C. albicans to induce classic necrotic, pyroptotic and apoptotic cellular alterations in oral epithelial cells such as osmotic lysis, exposure of phosphatidylserine on the epithelial cell plasma membrane and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. It was found that the ability of C. albicans to kill oral epithelial cells depends on its capacity to physically interact with and invade these cells. Caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways were activated early during C. albicans infection and contributed to C. albicans-induced oral epithelial cell death. Earlier apoptotic events were followed by necrotic death of infected oral epithelial cells. Hence, C. albicans stimulates oral epithelial signaling pathways that promote early apoptotic cell death through the activation of cellular caspases, followed by late necrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Defining quality assessment and measurement tools in the area of tissue donation should be considered to be one of the most important strategies for developing health centers. The aim of this project was to identify, define, and analyze a set of indicators to assess the most important steps in the tissue donor detection and generation processes. Methods A prospective, descriptive, and comparative study of all potential tissue donors (TDs) detected and generated in a university hospital was performed. All deceased patients after cardiocirculatory death were evaluated in 2015 by the transplant coordinators (TCs). We defined as detection indicators: total deaths, percentage of detection and evaluation, percentage of clinical contraindications, tissue donor potentiality (TDP; corneal or multitissue potentiality), and the functional detection time (FDT); and as generation indicators: generation rate (corneal or multitissue generation), family request time, number of interviewed relatives, and TC experience (y). Results The detection and evaluation rate was 100% ( n = 1,235); tissue clinical contraindications were 57%, and TDP was 43% ( n = 528; corneal, 80%; multitissue, 20%). The FDT was 24 ± 30 minutes. The generation rate was 53.4% ( n = 282): corneal, 57% ( n = 241); and multitissue, 40% ( n = 41). Family request time was 10 ± 17 minutes, average number of interviewed relatives was 2.2 ± 1.6, and 35% of TCs had experience in the field for >5 years. Conclusions Obtaining indicators for quality assessment in the area of tissue donation is useful in predicting the outcome of the TD process as well as promoting the approach of continuous improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: One reason for the loss of donors is the impossibility to contact family members for an interview. We sought to determine the effectiveness [(donors/total deaths) × 100] and efficiency [(donors/potential donors) × 100] of the telephone interview to obtain tissue for transplant purposes. Methods: A prospective, comparative cross-sectional study was performed on the personal and telephone interviews with family members during the tissue donation application process from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2005. Results: Of the 3625 deaths hospital registered, we obtained 770 potential donors (21%). On 65% of occasions (503/770), the interview was held personally; on 29% (222/770), it had to be held over the telephone; and on 6% (45/770), family members could not be located. The refusals by family members over the telephone represented 48% (106/222), and the refusals during personal interviews were 37% (188/503). A positive family answer was obtained over the telephone on 116/431 donations (27%), and in the physical presence of the coordinator for 315/431 donors (73%). The donations obtained over the telephone were only for corneas in 83% (96/116) of cases, and for multiple tissues in 17% (20/116). The donor-generation effectiveness reached 9% in personal interviews and 12% if the telephone interviews were included. The donor generation efficiency reached 43% for personal interviews and 59% when telephone interviews were included. The use of the telephone enabled a 16% increase in tissue generation with a year-on-year increase of 4%. Conclusions: The telephone has shown itself to be a useful tool for obtaining tissues postmortem. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is the most common opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed patients. In OPC, Candida albicans persists intraepithelially triggering inflammatory events, without generally causing invasive infection. Since neutrophils play an important role in preventing invasive infection and since they establish contact with the microorganisms only within the epithelial cell layer, we examined the ability of Candida -infected oral epithelial cells to augment neutrophil-mediated hyphal damage in vitro . We found that challenge of neutrophils with hyphal organisms in the presence of C . albicans -infected oral epithelial cell supernatants resulted in a significantly greater suppression of hyphal cell metabolic activity compared to basal neutrophil anti-fungal function. Anti-hyphal activity in response to these supernatants was partly inhibited by neutralizing anti-IL-1α antibody and IL-1 receptor antagonist. Control supernatants from uninfected oral epithelial cells, as well as C . albicans conditioned-medium had a much less pronounced effect on neutrophil anti-fungal activity, which was not inhibited by these cytokine antagonists. We conclude that oral epithelial cells can act as activators of neutrophil anti-hyphal function, an effect that can be partly attributed to the generation of immunomodulatory cytokines during the interaction of oral mucosal cells with the pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Villar CC, Kashleva H, Dongari-Bagtzoglou A. Role of Candida albicans polymorphism in interactions with oral epithelial cells. Oral Microbiol Immunol 2004: 19: 262–269. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2004. Candida albicans is a polymorphic organism which undergoes morphologic transition between yeast, pseudohyphal and hyphal forms. The ability of C. albicans to change from yeast to filamentous types is a major virulence determinant of this organism. However, the exact role of hyphal transformation in establishing oral mucosal infection is still poorly understood. In this study we used mutants with defects in filamentation, as well as oral strains, which differ in their capacity to form true hyphae, to examine the role of hyphal transformation in the interactions of C. albicans with oral epithelial cells in vitro. These interactions included the ability of these strains to adhere to and injure epithelial cells, as well as their ability to trigger a proinflammatory cytokine response. We found that strains SC5314 and ATCC28366 formed true hyphae on epithelial cells, whereas strain ATCC32077 and the tup1/tup1 mutant formed only pseudohyphae. Double mutant efg1/efg1cph1/cph1 grew exclusively as blastospores. We also found that yeast and pseudohyphal strains showed reduced adherence capacity to oral keratinocytes and caused minimal cell damage. Moreover, we showed that both yeast and pseudohyphal forms have a strongly attenuated proinflammatory phenotype, since they failed to induce significant interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-8 responses by oral epithelial cells. Germination of C. albicans into true hyphae is particularly important in the interactions with oral epithelial cells in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the effects of a high-carbohydrate (CHO) diet and a high-monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) diet on LDL oxidative resistance in free-living individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Twenty-two men and women out-patients with Type 2 diabetes, with mean age 61 years and in fair metabolic control (HbA1c < 8.0%), were enrolled at a university hospital lipid clinic in a randomized, crossover feeding trial comparing two isocaloric diets for 6 weeks each: CHO (fat, 28% energy) and MUFA (fat, 40% energy) based on virgin olive oil. Outcome measurements were changes in LDL susceptibility to oxidation, body weight, glycaemic control, and lipoprotein profiles. Planned and observed diets were well matched. Participants preferred the MUFA diet over the CHO diet. The lag time of conjugated diene formation during Cu2+-induced LDL oxidation was similar after the CHO and MUFA diets (36.4 ± 12.2 min and 36.0 ± 13.7 min, respectively). Body weight, glycaemic control, total triglycerides, and total, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol levels also were similar after the two diets. Compared with the CHO diet, the MUFA diet lowered VLDL-cholesterol by 35% ( P = 0.023) and VLDL triglyceride by 16% ( P = 0.016). Natural food-based high-CHO and high-MUFA diets have similar effects on LDL oxidative resistance and metabolic control in subjects with Type 2 diabetes. A MUFA diet is a good alternative to high-CHO diets for nutrition therapy of diabetes because it also has a beneficial effect on the lipid profile and superior patient acceptance. Diabet. Med. **, ***–*** (2003) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cucumber production in Spain is being threatened by the cucumber vein yellowing virus (CVYV), which has been causing severe yield losses since it was first detected in 2000. Although most of the Spanish cucumber production is based on hybrid cultivars, farmers have grown cucumber landraces for centuries. A collection of 46 Spanish cucumber landraces, four melon cultivars and one accession of Cucumis africanus , were evaluated for resistance to CVYV. An isolate of CVYV from Almeria, closely related to CVYV from Israel, was used. CVYV was mechanically transmitted and detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and molecular hybridization. Only mild infections were observed in melons, while the wild species C. africanus was susceptible to this disease. Most of the cucumber accessions assayed were highly susceptible to CVYV and showed vein-clearing symptoms, severe growth reduction and a high viral accumulation. Several cucumber accessions were partially resistant to this virus, displaying mild symptoms and a significantly reduced viral accumulation. These partially resistant varieties could be cultivated under integrated production systems, and also be used as resistance sources to develop new cucumber hybrids resistant to CVYV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous kidney pancreas transplantation (SKP) is a common procedure for the patient with long-term type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) with terminal renal failure. It is unusual to consider the pancreas from a deceased donor who died after an acute intoxication with oral antidiabetic agent (OAA), which would suggest an abnormal functionality of the organ and preclude the potential use of the graft. We present a case of a successful pancreatic transplantation from a donor who died of acute cerebral edema secondary to severe hypoglycemia induced by OAA acute intoxication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SummaryAims To elucidate the effect of prophylactic insulin, in a treatment schedule previously demonstrated to achieve β-cell rest, in a group of high-risk, non-diabetic first-degree relatives of Type 1 diabetic patients. Methods Ten high risk subjects for Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) (seven male/three female, aged 19.8 ± 9.6 years) defined as: first-degree relatives of Type 1 DM patients, islet cell autoantibodies (ICA) ≥20 Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JDF) units twice, first phase insulin response (FPIR) to glucose in an intravenous glucose tolerance test ≤10th percentile of a control group were included in an open pilot trial. Five were treated with subcutaneous insulin: 0.1 IU/kg body weight/day of neutral protamine hagedorn (NPH) insulin once a day. Five declined treatment and were used as controls. Control and treatment groups did not differ in terms of age, ICA, insulin autoantibodies (IAA), glutamic acid dehydrogenase (GAD) and FPIR. Results Three out of five subjects in both groups developed Type 1 DM during follow-up: after 21, and 32–57 months in the insulin-treated group and after 4, and 18–60 months in the untreated group. Three out of six subjects who developed overt diabetes had a FPIR below the 2nd percentile of the control value at the onset of the study. All subjects who developed diabetes were positive for antibodies to GAD and expressed the HLA-DR3 or DR4 alleles, whereas only one of the nono-progessors had these parameters (P < 0.05). During follow-up, a decrease in ICA titres was observed in the group which received prophylactic insulin in contrast with the untreated group. GAD, as well as insulin secretory capacity, remained unchanged in both groups. Conclusion The subcutaneous administration of insulin (0.1 IU/kg body weight/day of NPH insulin once a day) in our group of high-risk subjects for Type 1 DM produced only a minor effect in some immunological markers (ICA), without preventing the... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variable frequency drive for an induction motor is proposed. The drive uses a power factor (PF) correction bridgeless single-ended primary inductor converter-controlled rectifier operating in discontinuous inductor current mode as a front-end in order to improve the input power quality and a variation of the constant volts per hertz controller, with feedback to regulate the velocity of the motor shaft. The frequency slip is measured and compensated, since the input stage. Experiments with and without load are carried out and presented. Input power quality measurements are also presented. The proposed system is effective to regulate the velocity and achieving a close to unity PF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solvothermal route to prepare Glutathione capped hybrid ytterbium/iron oxide nanoparticles with potential applications as multiplatform contrast agent in medical image techniques has been developed. The influence of ytterbium/iron molar ratio used as precursor, as well as the degree of the autoclave filling on the structural and morphological characteristics of the obtained nanoparticles has been extensively studied. Although all nanoparticles present similar composition, with YbFeO 3 being the majority phase, size and morphology of the as synthetized nanoparticles are highly influenced by the critical temperature and by the over -saturation reached during the solvothermal process. We have demonstrated that glutathione properly functionalizes the hybrid nanoparticles, increasing their colloidal stability and decreasing their cytotoxicity. Additionally, they show good imaging in magnetic resonance and X-ray computerized tomography, thereby indicating promising potential as a dual contrast agent. This work presents, for the first time, glutathione functionalized ytterbium/iron oxide nanoparticles with potential applications in Biomedicine. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Donors after brain death (DBD) older than 60 years have become 46.8% of our current activity, with higher risk of renal discard rate (RDR). Assessment of kidney suitability requires complementary strategies: macroscopic evaluation, kidney biopsy score (KBS), and renal hemodynamic evaluation with the Pulsatile Perfusion Machine (PPM). Methods Descriptive, cross-sectional, comparative study of kidneys procured and RDR, comparing 3 time periods: 2000 to June 2004, when only KBS were used; July 2004 to 2008 (introduction of PPM and learning period); and 2009 to 2013 (experienced use of PPM). Transplantation criteria were KBS <3 and PPM renal resistance <0.4 mm Hg/mL/min and arterial renal flow >70 mL/min. Results Between 2000 and 2013, a 59.2% reduction in DBD kidneys was observed. However, older kidneys had an increase from 33.5% to 46.8%. The RDR had increased, comparing the first to the third period from 25.4% to 38.3%. However, the RDR was lower when kidneys were evaluated with PPM than those evaluated only with KBS and preserved in cold storage (CS) (21.4% versus 43.7%). There was a significant difference in cold ischemia time, because CS kidney was grafted before PPM. During the third period, more kidneys with KBS ≥4 were assigned to PPM. Conclusions Notwithstanding the decrease in DBD-procured kidneys and the increase in older kidneys during last period, the use of PPM allowed low DR compared with CS. A bias in the results of PPM could be generated when kidneys with higher KBS were excluded from PPM. The use of KBS only to decide acceptance could preclude the use of an additional tool to evaluate suitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An optimization based approach for the regulation of excessive or insufficient forces at the end-effector level is introduced. The objective is to minimize the interaction force error at the robot end effector, while constraining undesired interaction forces. To that end, a dynamic optimization problem (DOP) is formulated considering a dynamic robot impedance model. Penalty functions are considered in the DOP to handle the constraints on the interaction force. The optimization problem is online solved through the gradient flow approach. Convergence properties are presented and the stability is drawn when the force limits are considered in the analysis. The effectiveness of our proposal is validated via experimental results for a robotic grasping task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral epithelial cells are primary targets of Candida albicans in the oropharynx and may regulate the inflammatory host response to this pathogen. This investigation studied the mechanisms underlying intertleukin-1 α (IL-1 α) release by oral epithelial cells and the role of IL-1 α in regulating the mucosal inflammatory response to C. albicans. Infected oral epithelial cells released processed IL-1α protein in culture supernatants. The IL-1α generated was stored intracellularly and was released upon cell lysis. This was further supported by the fact that different C albicans strains induced variable IL-1α release, depending on their cytolytic activity. IL-1α from C. albicans-infected oral epithelial cells upregulated proinflammatory cytokine secretion (IL-8 and GM-CSF) in uninfected oral epithelial or stromal cells. Our studies suggest that production of IL-1α, IL-8 and GM-CSF may take place in the oral mucosa in response to lytic infection of epithelial cells with C albicans. This process can act as an early innate immune surveillance system and may contribute to the clinicopathologic signs of infection in the oral mucosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diets based on meat products are not recommended in the case of ulcerative colitis (UC). The objective here is to test if some traditional cured meat products, as acorn-fed ham (high levels of oleic acid), may be useful for controlling inflammatory diseases as UC in animal models, which could represent a new dietary complementary intervention in the prevention of this inflammatory disease in humans. Methods: Two rat cohorts have been used: conventional vegetable rat feed and acorn-fed ham. UC was induced with DSS in drinking water ad libitum for 1 week. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and 16S rRNA metagenomics from bacterial populations were analyzed in cecum samples. Colon samples were analyzed for histological parameters. Results: Acorn-fed ham diet induced changes in gut microbiota composition, with pronounced enrichments in anti-inflammatory bacterial genera (Alistipes, Blautia, Dorea, Parabacteroides). The animals with this diet showed a strong reduction in most parameters associated to ulcerative colitis: disease activity index, macroscopic score of colitis, epitelium alteration in colon mucosa, inflammatory cell density in colon, myeloperoxidase titers in colon, proinflammatory cytokines (IL-17, IFN-γ). Also, acorn-fed ham diet animals showed increased total antioxidant activity an oleic acid levels in plasma, as well as higher short-chain fatty acid concentrations in cecum (isobutyric, isovaleric and valeric). Conclusions: In the acorn-fed ham cohort, as a result of the dietary intake of oleic acid and low intake of omega-6 fatty acids, a strong preventive effect against UC symptoms was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses Grapevine Red Blotch Virus in Mexico and how Grapevine Red Blotch Virus is the causal agent of grapevine red blotch disease affecting viticulture.

Demonstrates the asymmetric lattice distortion of pseudomorphic superlattices grown on misoriented substrates. Employment of High-resolution x-ray diffractometry; Study of InGaAs/GaAs superlattices grown by molecular beam epitaxy on (111)B GaAs; Nontrigonal deformation of the InGaAs unit cells; Retention of the GaAs' cubic symmetry.

Two distinct strategies were used to improve the colloidal properties of hybrid Yb/Fe oxide NPs previously prepared by the pulsed liquid laser ablation process for use as a contrast agent in medical imaging. First, an exhaustive optimization process of the laser ablation synthesis parameters was carried out to reduce the hydrodynamic diameters of the Yb/Fe NPs. The hydrodynamic size was successfully reduced to <200 nm, thereby decreasing the polydispertivity index. Second, ex situ and in situ functionalization processes using glutathione, cysteamine, or polyethylenimine as capping agents have been developed to increase their colloidal stability at physiological pH values. Transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, Z -potential measurements, and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy were used to examine the structure, morphology, colloidal and surface properties of Yb/Fe NPs. Colloidal stability of the Yb/Fe NPs as well as the linkage mechanism of functionalization have been studied extensively. This last parameter provides a critical information for subsequently bioconjugations in biomedical applications. Additionally, the biocompatibility of the Yb/Fe NPs was evaluated by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) experiments. These results indicate more appropriate colloidal characteristics and higher biocompatibility for ex situ-functionalized Yb/Fe NPs, especially when the capping agent is glutathione. Additionally, these Yb/Fe NPs show good magnetic resonance imaging and X-ray computerized tomography imaging abilities, thereby indicating promising potential as dual contrast agents. [Display omitted] • Scanning pulsed laser ablation in liquid is used to obtain Yb/Fe nanoparticles. • Optimization of laser parameters allows to improve the colloidal stability of NPs. • Functionalized NPs present colloidal stability at physiological pH range. • The ex situ functionalization route leads to an improvement biocompatibility. • Resulting NPs are suitable for use as multiplatform contrast agents in MRI and CT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The partial validation of the potentiometric method was conducted by means of selective electrodes for the nitrate contents quantification in samples of groundwater and wastewaters. First, the performance parameters were evaluated: linearity, sensitivity, limit of detection (LD), limit of quantification (LC), precision and matrix effect. A linear range was obtained from 0,5 to 100 mg/L of nitrate, detection limit of 0,367 mg/L and the quantification of 1,224 mg/L. The coefficient of variation is below two, which is considerably lower at nitrate concentrations above 30 mg/L. A comparison was also made between the established calibration curve and the standard addition method, displaying the matrix effect. The determination of nitrate was performed in samples of drinking water and wastewater, and did not comply with Cuban water and wastewater standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the growth of aluminum nitride (AlN) layers on Si(111) substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. Assessment of crystal quality using atomic force microscopy and high resolution x-ray diffraction; Effect of growth temperature changes on growth mode and surface roughness.

Introduction: The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) refers by Dual Pathology (DP) to people "with both an addictive disorder and another mental illness." The World Health Organisation (WHO) advocates for community treatment in mental health. Objectives: To present the innovative program of partial hospitalization for DP designed in the Àrea de Salut Eivissa Formentera (ASEF) meeting WPA and WHO recommendations. Methods: The intervention is structured in individual and group sessions from a medical, psychological and social approach. Fours hours per day of intensive therapy are designed for each user in a modular structure based on the principles of motivational interviewing (MI), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), mindfulnessbased relapse prevention (MBRP), metacognitive training (MCT) and rehabilitation programs. Individual consultations are also scheduled regularly. Sociodemographic and clinical data are evaluated. Results from the intervention in terms of symptoms, functional recovery and agreed individual objectives are evaluated for each user after three months. Results: Since its opening in June 2019, a total of 8 users have benefited from admission to the program. The outcomes measured so far show a positive impact of the intervention in functional recovery. Conclusions: The partial hospitalization program combines an intensive medical and psychological treatment with the possibility of testing and adapting the new treatments and skills to the real milieu of the users. It is still soon to evaluate the wider impact of this pioneering intervention, but the initial implementation indicates positive consequences in the global recovery of the users and their ability to adapt both to their environment and their personal life goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: ObjectiveTo evaluate both the opinion that living liver donors have of the process and the psychological, economic, and social consequences of donation.: Material and methodsSix months after the donation, an anonymous survey was sent to 22 donors of the right liver lobe between March 2000 and December 2002.: Results15 surveys were returned with all of the questions answered. Almost all the donors had no prior knowledge of living donation. When they were considered to be suitable donors, all of them felt happy, 21% were scared and 15% felt joy and insecurity. The information provided was well understood and accurately described the experiences of 93% of donors. All donors understood the vital risk, and 93% understood that transplantation is not always completely successful. All donors would repeat the experience. Mean hospital stay was 12.6 days. Mean convalescence was 50.6 days. Salaried donors were on sick leave for a mean of 96.4 days (21–150 days), causing financial problems in six cases (36%), due to no financial compensation and compulsory redundancy in one case. All donors had completely recovered at six months after donation.: DiscussionAdult living donation of the right liver lobe is an accepted therapeutic alternative. In order to regulate medical and economic protection to avoid additional disturbances after donation, the public, patients, and physicians require more complete information about living donation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

: ObjectiveTo evaluate the living kidney donation (LKD) process using donors'' opinions on the impact on social, emotional, and financial aspects affecting donor quality of life.: Materials and methodsFrom May 2000 to December 2002, we studied 22 donors of living kidneys at the Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain, who completed an anonymous survey 6 months after donation.: ResultsMost donors (86%) had themselves informed the recipient about their wish to donate, the other 14% were asked by family members. Eighty-eight percent stated that the information provided to the donor about the evaluation process was well explained and understood whereas 12% disagreed with the statement. At the time of thin decision, 90.5% of donors understood the vital risk. For 95%, the explanations about the process corresponded with the actual experience. One hundred percent of donors stated after donation that they would again favor it. Mean hospital stay was 6 days (range, 3–9 days). Those donors with a labor contract have been out of work for an average of 57.8 days (range, 18 days to 6 months). Twenty-five percent of donors admitted financial effects as a result of donation. All but 1 felt completely recovered with the same quality of life after donation.: DiscussionLKD is a good therapeutic alternative. Some aspects should be developed, such as more information about living donation and the need to considering donors as healthy persons without loss of earnings. Recognition of the benefits of living donation requires more wide participation of all citizens nationally. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]