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Objectives: Psychotic symptoms are commonly observed among heroin users. Low serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels have been reported in schizophrenia and psychosis; however, studies assessing the relationship between serum BDNF levels and psychotic symptoms in heroin dependence are lacking. Method: A total of 31 heroin-dependent patients who had never experienced psychotic symptoms during heroin consumption and 21 patients with a history of psychotic symptoms were consecutively recruited. We measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) serum BDNF levels during early abstinence. A gender- and age-matched sample of healthy controls was also recruited and underwent measurement of BDNF. Results: BDNF levels were significantly lower in patients with psychotic symptoms than in those without psychotic symptoms (P < 0.001). BDNF levels were not found to be correlated with sex, age, age of onset, duration of heroin use, average daily dose of heroin use, frequency of heroin use, SDS scores, BAI scores and BDI scores in the psychotic subsamples (all P > 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that heroin-dependent patients with psychotic symptoms share some of the neurotrophic insult that characterizes schizophrenia and psychosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of particle size and sintering temperature of the mixtures of kyanite and metallic aluminum related to the thermal transformation of kyanite into primary mullite and free silica was studied. In addition, the reaction between α-Al2O3 (in situ produced by aluminum oxidation) and the silica was obtained in cristobalite structure from kyanite to obtain secondary mullite. The kyanite powders were milled by 0.5, 3, 6, and 12 hours and then were mixed with aluminum powder, which were previously milled by 3 hours. After that, the powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction technique (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the particle size was determined in a centrifugal analyzer particle size Shimadzu model SA-CP4. The mixed powders were pressed uniaxially into cylindrical samples (compacts), and then sintering was conducted at 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, and 1600°C; these samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, and thermodilatometry analysis (TD); density and open porosity measurements were performed by the Archimedes method. The samples were thermally etched to observe the microstructure, which consisted of mullite equiaxial grains contained in a glassy phase. It was observed that the nonmilled kyanite mineral becomes into mullite plus silica at temperatures between 1400 and 1500°C. When the particle size was reduced at sizes less than 1 µm, the transformation temperature was low until 200°C; the X-ray patterns of the sintered samples at 1400°C, ground for 6 hours, showed mullite peaks with small reflections of cristobalite and α-Al2O3, and these samples exhibited high density and low open porosity.

In the southern Amazon relationships have been established among drought, human activities that cause forest loss, fire, and smoke emissions. We explore the impacts of recent drought on fire, forest loss, and atmospheric visibility in lowland Bolivia. To assess human influence on fire, we consider climate, fire, and vegetation dynamics in an area largely excluded from human activities since 1979, Noel Kempff Mercado National Park (NK) in northeastern Bolivia. We use data from five sources: the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Collection 6 active fire product (2001–2015) (MODIS C6), Global Fire WEather Database (GFWED) data (1982–2015), MODIS land cover data (2001–2010), MODIS forest loss data (2000–2012), and the regional extinction coefficient for the southwestern Amazon (i.e., Bext), which is derived from horizontal visibility data from surface stations at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) level (1973–2015). The Bext is affected by smoke and acts as a proxy for visibility and regional fire emissions. In lowland Bolivia from 2001 to 2015, interannual Drought Code (DC) variability was linked to fire activity, while from 1982 to 2015, interannual DC variability was linked to Bext. From 2001 to 2015, the Bext and MODIS C6 active fire data for lowland Bolivia captured fire seasonality, and covaried between low- and high-fire years. Consistent with previous studies, our results suggest Bext can be used as a longer-term proxy of regional fire emissions in southwestern Amazonia. Overall, our study found drought conditions were the dominant control on interannual fire variability in lowland Bolivia, and fires within NK were limited to the Cerrado and seasonally inundated wetland biomes. Our results suggest lowland Bolivian tropical forests were susceptible to human activities that may have amplified fire during drought. Human activities and drought need to be considered in future projections of southern Amazonian fire, in regard to carbon emissions and global climate.

Objectives: To examine the differences of perinatal outcome in fetuses with absent and reversed enddiastolic flow velocity waveforms of the umbilical artery or fetal descending aorta. Design: In a retrospective study, 30 pregnant women with reversed enddiastolic flow in the umbilical artery or fetal aorta (group I) were compared with 30 cases of absent enddiastolic flow (group II). Patients were included in the groups according to the last Doppler finding before delivery. Perinatal and neonatal outcome was correlated with antenatal Doppler flow findings. Results: The mean gestational age at birth was 31 weeks in both groups. Fetuses with reverse flow showed higher perinatal (27% and 7% respectively) and overall mortality (53.3% and 10% respectively) compared to the absent enddiastolic flow group (p < 0.05). All the intrauterine fetal deaths occurred in the reversed flow group (n = 12).The rates of intrauterine growth retardation, oligohydramnios and hypocalcemia were different between the groups (p < 0.05).The cesarean section rate, perinatal and neonatal complications including the incidence of acidosis, the number of cases admitted to neonatal intensive care unit and mean treatment time were not different between the groups. A tendency to higher incidence of neonatal cerebral hemorrhage in reversed flow cases (28%) compared to absent enddiastolic flow cases (17%) was observed, but this was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The present study suggests that reversed flow should be seen as a particular clinical entity with higher incidences of perinatal and overall mortality, and severe intrauterine growth retardation (< 5. perc) compared to the absent enddiastolic flow group.The optimal timing of delivery in pregnancies complicated by highly pathological Doppler flow findings is only to be resolved in welldesigned randomized, multicenter clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Clinical and molecular mechanisms involved in the cause and time of death of alcoholic cirrhosis (AC) patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) are not entirely understood. In sudden death cases, judicial autopsy practice is mandatory for determining the cause and circumstances of death. The medico-legal autopsy data are essential for helping health authorities to guide future public health activities, assess the effectiveness of health systems, and adopt the necessary preventive measures to improve and adapt the treatments in order to increase these patients’ survival. Objective. Our study aimed to determine the different clinical and sociodemographic causes that influence the different causes of death and the short- and long-term survival of AC patients undergoing liver transplantation. Methods. A total of 122 deceased AC patients undergoing LT were analyzed at different times post-transplantation. The main pre- and post-transplant complications were analyzed in relation to the cause of death and the patient’s survival, as well as the causes and time at which the patient’s death occurred. Results. A total of 53.3% of non-sudden death was observed. A large number of the deaths of AC patients undergoing transplantation were due to non-sudden death, sepsis, and graft failure (GF), the main causes of death in the sample being similar in both sexes. In non-sudden deaths, there were no significant differences between the death rates either related or not related to the liver transplant. Sepsis was the main cause, with the highest percentage (21.3%) of mortality, followed by GF (18.9%) and multiorgan failure (15.6%) at ten years. Furthermore, our results showed how pre-transplant clinical complications, such as viral infections and encephalopathy, influence the age at which multiorgan failure occurs in the transplanted patient. Conclusion. Multiorgan failure is the leading cause of sudden death, with higher mortality during the first year after transplantation, followed by sepsis and GF. Our results show the vulnerability of AC patients, both in the hospital period after the transplant and outside.

Proxy records from a core site off Northwest Africa were generated and compared with data from the subpolar Northeast Atlantic to unravel some main climatic features of interglacial marine isotope stage (MIS) 11 (423–362 ka). The records point to an almost 25 kyr lasting full interglacial period during stage 11 that was preceded by a considerably long glacial-interglacial transition (Termination V). Off NW Africa, a strong reduction of terrestrially derived iron input is noted after 420 ka suggesting a pronounced increase in continental humidity and vegetation cover over Northwest Africa. In analogy to the Holocene climate of the region, this early wet phase of MIS 11 was likely associated with enhanced influence of the West African monsoon system on the Saharan-Sahel region which led to both a reduction in trade wind intensity off NW Africa and the formation of sapropel S11 in the Mediterranean Sea. A detailed comparison with data from the subpolar North Atlantic indicates a remarkable coherent timing for the main environmental changes in both regions giving evidence for strong interglacial climate connection between the low and high latitude North Atlantic. Although our records of MIS 11 compare well with the Holocene in terms of some major climate characteristics there are distinct differences in the temporal evolution of each peak warm interval. This suggests that care should be taken when using MIS 11 as analogue to forecast future interglacial conditions.

Objetivo: El Liber de arte medendi (Lyon, 1564) es la obra más relevante del catedrático de Prima de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Alcalá, el doctor Cristóbal de Vega (1510-1573). Se trata de un tratado -674 páginas in folio- de medicina teórica y práctica. Esta exposición doctrinal, erudita y libresca cambia de tono en la segunda de las tres partes, el liber II, que versa de las "cosas no naturales" del galenismo, las cuales necesariamente afectan al organismo y que, según se empleen, pueden fortalecer su salud o dañarla: aire, ejercicio físico, alimentos y bebidas, sueño, evacuaciones y pasiones del alma. Ámbito: Dentro de la sección consagrada a los alimentos y bebidas, hemos estudiado el interesante capítulo de los vinos, donde hace una valoración higiénica del vino. Material: El capítulo sobre los vinos españoles consignado en el Liber de arte medendi y algunas otras referencias a las capacidades terapéuticas de algunos de los vinos reseñados por el autor. Intervenciones: Hemos hecho un análisis crítico de dicho capítulo, glosando los textos más significativos sobre los diversos vinos españoles que menciona el autor. Resultados: En este capítulo alaba la categoría y aplicaciones higiénicas de los blancos alcarreños de Yepes, Lillo y Santorcaz, del gallego de Rivadavia, del salmantino de Cantalapiedra y de los andaluces de Jerez, Cazalla y Alanís. Encomia también los tintos suaves procedentes de Santorcaz; aunque el mejor de esta clase, por la adecuación de su temperamento a la naturaleza del hombre, sería el vino de Illana. Discusión: Se mencionan en el Liber de arte medendi los vinos de Cantalapiedra (Castilla la Vieja); Rivadavia (Galicia); Jerez, Cazalla y Alanís (Andalucía); Santorcaz, Corpa, Yepes, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Villalbilla, Illana y Lillo (Castilla la Nueva).Objective: The Liber de arte medendi (Lyon, 1564) is the most relevant book of Prima Professor of The Faculty of Medicine of Universidad de Alcalá, doctor Cristóbal de Vega (1510-1573). It is a treatise -674 pages in folio- of theoretical and practical medicine. This doctrinal exposé, scholar and bookisk, changes its tone in the second of the three parts, the liber II, that deals with "no natural things" of galenism, which necessarily affect the organism and that, depending on how they are used, they may strengthen or weaken its health: air, physical activity, foods and drinks, sleep, evacuations and passions of the soul. Scope: Within the section dedicated to foods and drinks, we have studied the interesting chapter about wines, where the author makes a hygienic assessment about wine. Material: The chapter on spanish wines consigned at the Liber de arte medendi and some other references about the therapeutic capabilities of some of the wines described by the author. Interventions: He we undertaken a critical analysis of that chapter, glossing the most significant texts about spanish wines mentioned by the author. Results: In this chapter vega praises the class and hygienic applications of white Alcarrian wines from Yepes, Lillo and Santorcaz, of the Galician from Rivadavia, from Cantalapiedra in the Salamanca region, and the Andalusians from Jerez, Cazalla and Alanís. He also extols the smooth reds from Santorcaz; though the best in this category would be, for the adaptation of its temperament to the human nature, the Illana wine. Discussion: at Liber de arte medendi, wines from Cantalapiedra (Ded Castille), Rivadavia (Galicia), Jerez, Cazalla and Alanís (Andalusia), Santorcaz, Corpa, Yepes, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Villalbilla, Illana and Lillo (New Castille) are mentioned.

This paper describes a project designed to improve services to library users by solving, through the application of operations research methods, a complex problem of delivery of library materials in an urban, multisystem library service region. Unique features, methodology, results, and limitations are discussed.