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Copper salts/2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinoxyl radical (TEMPO) catalytic systems enable efficient aerobic oxidations of primary alcohols but they generally show a reduced reactivity in aqueous medium. Herein, we report an oxidative catalytic system composed of Trametes versicolor laccase and TEMPO, which is able to work in buffer solutions at room temperature using ambient air. Although this catalytic system displays great efficiency in aqueous systems, the addition of methyl tert-butyl ether allows the reduction of TEMPO loading, also enhancing the solubility of hydrophobic compounds. This practical methodology promotes the chemoselective aerobic oxidation of hydroxy or amino groups, leading to interesting organic derivatives such as aldehydes, lactones, hemiaminals or lactams.

Hand based biometry includes some of the most useful technologies for person identification. The search for new techniques, which complement the battery of existing methods, is an open topic. This paper examines the utility of hyperspectral imagery for hand recognition. Hyperspectral technology permits the sensing of the subsurface tissue structure, which is significantly different from person to person. The data are collected using a SWIR camera in conjunction with an optical spectrograph. This transforms the camera into a line-scan hyperspectral imaging device. Three feature extraction methods for hyperspectral hand curve characterization are examined. They are based on the area, slope or curvature at different automatically selected spatial hand positions. We report a set of experiments which explore: best hand zones for extracting local hyperspectral features; robustness against the number of training samples; error detection; and occlusion. Different strategies for combining the spectral features with geometric traits available in the hyperspectral cube are discussed. Our experiments show that local spectral properties of human tissue are effective discriminants for biometric recognition with a performance near to or better than that obtained by other hand traits. Equal Error Rates of 0.05% and an identification rate of 96.71% are obtained from a database of 154 people. These results along with their higher robustness to spoofing attacks make the hyperspectral features a promising alternative for person identification.

Background: Acral melanoma (AM) is still one of the most poorly studied melanomas. It generally presents beyond the fifth decade of life and usually is a BRAF wild-type melanoma. Objective: To report the first cases of multiple primary AM in Caucasians. Methods: Clinical, dermoscopic, pathological and molecular profiles. Results: A healthy 34- year-old male presented an in situ subungual melanoma on his finger, and 22 months later a fast-growing nodular melanoma appeared in an existing nevus on the sole. Both melanomas carried the V600E BRAF mutation. A 19-year-old female patient presented 2 in situ melanomas on different parts of her left foot within a 6-year period of time. The patients have neither familiar melanoma nor germline mutations in CDKN2A/CDK4 genes. Conclusion: Multiple AM in Caucasians is very rare. BRAF mutations are possible, especially in a high-risk set of patients with multiple nevi. Specific acral examination must be recommended since AM still suffers delayed detection.

The isolation of component sugars from biomass represents an important step in the bioprocessing of sustainable feedstocks such as sugar beet pulp. Centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) is used here, as an alternative to multiple resin chromatography steps, to fractionate component monosaccharides from crude hydrolysed sugar beet pulp pectin. CPC separation of samples, prepared in the stationary phase, was carried out using an ethanol: ammonium sulphate (300gL

Acid ceramidase (AC) catalyzes the hydrolysis of ceramide into sphingosine, in turn a substrate of sphingosine kinases that catalyze its conversion into the mitogenic sphingosine- 1-phosphate. AC is expressed at high levels in several tumor types and has been proposed as a cancer therapeutic target. Using a model derived from PC-3 prostate cancer cells, the highly tumorigenic, metastatic, and chemoresistant clone PC-3/Mc expressed higher levels of the AC ASAH1 than the nonmetastatic clone PC-3/S. Stable knockdown of ASAH1 in PC-3/Mc cells caused an accumulation of ceramides, inhibition of clonogenic potential, increased requirement for growth factors, and inhibition of tumorigenesis and lung metastases. We developed de novo ASAH1 inhibitors, which also caused a dose-dependent accumulation of ceramides in PC-3/Mc cells and inhibited their growth and clonogenicity. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis of primary prostate cancer samples showed that higher levels of ASAH1 were associated with more advanced stages of this neoplasia. These observations confirm ASAH1 as a therapeutic target in advanced and chemoresistant forms of prostate cancer and suggest that our new potent and specific AC inhibitors could act by counteracting critical growth properties of these highly aggressive tumor cells. Copyright © 2013 by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc., This work was supported by Ministry of Science and Innovation Grants SAF2008-00706 and SAF2011-22444 (to G.F.); Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca de la Generalitat de Catalunya Grant 2009SGR1072 (to G.F.); Ministry of Science and Innovation Grants SAF2008-04136-C02-01 and SAF2011-24686 (to T.M.T.); Ministry of Economy and Competitivity Grant SAF2012-40017-C02-01 (to T.M.T.); Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca de la Generalitat de Catalunya Grant 2009SGR1482 (to T.M.T.); Xarxa de Bancs de Tumours de Catalunya-Pla Director d'Oncologia and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), Unión Europea “Una manera de hacer Europa” and Ministry of Economy and Competitivity Grant SAF2012-40017-C02-02 (to P.L.F.); Red Nacional de Biobancos (ReTBioH) (to P.L.F. and R.B.); Generalitat de Catalunya Grant 2009SGR1072 (to L.C.), Ministry of Science and Innovation FPU fellowship (to O.M-C.); I3P fellowship (CSIC) (to T.C-T.); and Generalitat de Catalunya FI fellowship (to F.C.)

The objective of this study was to analyse the safety, feasibility and survival outcomes of our treatment of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) since the introduction of more aggressive approaches (en bloc, vascular and extended liver resections) in 2007. From July 2007 to December 2014, 32 consecutive patients with PHC underwent surgery with curative intent. Surgery with resection and reconstruction of the portal vein bifurcation and right hepatic artery was performed if necessary for a complete removal of the tumour. Perioperative data and postoperative histological findings, tumour recurrence rates and survival rates were recorded. Seventeen (53%) of the patients presented with stage IIIb or IV according to the UICC classification system. The 5-year survival rate in our series was 45%, and this percentage increased to 65% when patients with advanced stage cancer (stage IIIb or higher) were excluded. We performed 3 arterials and 23 portal vein reconstruction. Twelve patients underwent extended hemihepatectomy. We achieved cancer-free margins in 19 patients (60%). Tumour stage and nodal involvement were the most important prognostic factors. The perioperative morbidity and mortality rates of this cohort were 72% (23) and 15.6% (5), respectively; these results were similar to data published by other groups. An aggressive approach involving en bloc or extended liver resection combined with vascular reconstruction provides acceptable morbidity and mortality and increases the 5-year survival rate of PHC.

Enzymes are able to perform a multitude of chemical and biochemical transformations with efficiencies that are typically unrivalled by chemical catalysts. However, these evolved systems may lack breadth or utility in other non-natural applications. Altering enzyme and protein scaffolds through covalent modification can expand the usefulness of native biocatalysts not only for synthetic application but also for therapeutic use. This review summarizes recent developments in the field of chemical modification of enzymes and how they can be applied to synthesis and biological research.

Transaminases are valuable enzymes for industrial biocatalysis and enable the preparation of optically pure amines. For these transformations they require either an amine donor (amination of ketones) or an amine acceptor (deamination of racemic amines). Herein transaminases are shown to react with aromatic β-fluoroamines, thus leading to simultaneous enantioselective dehalogenation and deamination to form the corresponding acetophenone derivatives in the absence of an amine acceptor. A series of racemic β-fluoroamines was resolved in a kinetic resolution by tandem hydrodefluorination/deamination, thus giving the corresponding amines with up to greater than 99 % ee. This protocol is the first example of exploiting the catalytic promiscuity of transaminases as a tool for novel transformations.

Transaminases are valuable enzymes for industrial biocatalysis and enable the preparation of optically pure amines. For these transformations they require either an amine donor (amination of ketones) or an amine acceptor (deamination of racemic amines). Herein transaminases are shown to react with aromatic β-fluoroamines, thus leading to simultaneous enantioselective dehalogenation and deamination to form the corresponding acetophenone derivatives in the absence of an amine acceptor. A series of racemic β-fluoroamines was resolved in a kinetic resolution by tandem hydrodefluorination/deamination, thus giving the corresponding amines with up to greater than 99 % ee. This protocol is the first example of exploiting the catalytic promiscuity of transaminases as a tool for novel transformations.

et al., Malignant progression in cancer requires populations of tumor-initiating cells (TICs) endowed with unlimited self renewal, survival under stress, and establishment of distant metastases. Additionally, the acquisition of invasive properties driven by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is critical for the evolution of neoplastic cells into fully metastatic populations. Here, we characterize 2 human cellular models derived from prostate and bladder cancer cell lines to better understand the relationship between TIC and EMT programs in local invasiveness and distant metastasis. The model tumor subpopulations that expressed a strong epithelial gene program were enriched in highly metastatic TICs, while a second subpopulation with stable mesenchymal traits was impoverished in TICs. Constitutive overexpression of the transcription factor Snai1 in the epithelial/ TIC-enriched populations engaged a mesenchymal gene program and suppressed their self renewal and metastatic phenotypes. Conversely, knockdown of EMT factors in the mesenchymal-like prostate cancer cell subpopulation caused a gain in epithelial features and properties of TICs. Both tumor cell subpopulations cooperated so that the nonmetastatic mesenchymal-like prostate cancer subpopulation enhanced the in vitro invasiveness of the metastatic epithelial subpopulation and, in vivo, promoted the escape of the latter from primary implantation sites and accelerated their metastatic colonization. Our models provide new insights into how dynamic interactions among epithelial, self-renewal, and mesenchymal gene programs determine the plasticity of epithelial TICs., T. Celià-Terrassa is a recipient of a doctoral fellowship from the CSIC. Ó. Meca-Cortés, A. Arnal-Estapé, and C. Estarás are recipients of doctoral fellowships and F. Mateo of a Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral fellowship from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN). R.R. Gomis is a researcher of the Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats. Financial support was provided to T.M. Thomson by MICINN (SAF2008-04136-C02-01 and SAF2011-24686), the Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (2009SGR1482), the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional y Desarrollo (A/023859/09), and the Xarxa de Referencia en Biotecnologia; to P.L. Fernández by MICINN (FIS-PI080274), the Fondo de Investigaciones de la Seguridad Social (PI080274), the Spanish National Biobank Network, the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII-RETIC RD06/0020), the Xarxa de Bancs de Tumours de Catalunya-Pla Director d’Oncologia, and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) — Unión Europea “Una manera de hacer Europa”; and to R.R. Gomis by the BBVA Foundation and MICINN (SAF2007-62691).

We studied the lymphoid tissue biopsies of 20 patients with chronic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by analyzing collagen deposition, CD4+ cell number, and gene expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs; MMP-2, MMP-9) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs; TIMP-1, TIMP-2). HIV-infected patients had significantly increased collagen deposition (P = .001), fewer CD4+ T cells (P = .05), and decreased MMP-9/TIMP-1 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios (P = .01), compared with HIV-negative control patients. Moreover, we found a significant negative correlation between collagen deposition and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio (ρ = −0.50; P = .047). To our knowledge, this is the first time that MMP/TIMP imbalance has been correlated with lymphoid tissue collagen deposition and incomplete immune recovery in HIV-infected patients, even after long-term antiretroviral treatment.

Supercritical carbon dioxide is a convenient medium for performing the selective oxidation of sulfides 1 to either sulfoxides 2 or sulfones 3 with [2-percarboxyethyl]-functionalized silica (4) under flow conditions. The chemoselectivity of the reaction, which results from the different diffusion rates of sulfide and sulfoxide over the reagent bed, can be controlled by adjusting the pressure and the hydration of the silica surface as both the solvating power of the mobile phase and the surface activity of the stationary phase determine the migration rates of sulfide 1 and sulfoxide 2 over the supported peroxide. The results elucidate the impact of surface phenomena on the course of chemical reactions carried out under flow conditions.

Purpose Two advanced modalities for radiosurgery treatment in selected patients with brain lesions are CyberKnife (CK) and volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) through a TrueBeam Linac. We aim to evaluate and compare multiple radiosurgery metrics between both modalities to establish the benefits when treating with each one. Methods 13 patients having single brain lesions were used to create plans on each system, which were performed according to their usual methodologies, meaning stronger maximum dose restriction for VMAT. The comparison was performed by means of Pearson and Wilcoxon tests of various representative parameters distributions, such as: Conformity Index, Paddick Conformity Index, Homogeneity Index, Gradient Index, tissue volume receiving more than 12 and 10 Gy, beam-on time (BOT), Monitor Units (MU), as well as the V10%, V25%, V50% and V80% isodose volumes. Also, maximum and mean doses were taken for several organs at risk (OARs). Results Being both systems set to have the same coverage, the tumor volume received significantly more dose in CK plans, which agrees with the better homogeneity achieved in VMAT plans (μ ± σ = 1.25 ± 0.06 (CK) vs. 1.09 ± 0.03 (VMAT), p Both systems showed comparable results in terms of conformity (p = 0.388). Maximum dose for skin was significantly smaller for CK (μ ± σ = 5.0 ± 2.6 (CK) vs. 6.6 ± 3.4 (VMAT) Gy, p CK showed significantly steeper gradients (μ ± σ = 4.3 ± 1.1 (CK) vs. 5.8 ± 2.3 (VMAT) cc, p = 0.002), significantly more MU (μ ± σ = 22,177 ± 11,295 (CK) vs 3405 ± 1093 (VMAT), p Regarding dose spread, V10% indicated no significant difference, unlike V20%, V50% and V80% that showed progressively smaller values for CK (50%, 35% and 19% respectively, p The mean volume of brain receiving 12 Gy achieved better results for CK (μ ± σ = 6.5 ± 11.6 (CK) vs. 10.1 ± 18.5 (VMAT) cc, p Conclusions Considering different planning methodologies, preliminary results show that in general equivalent quality can be achieved using both modalities, with the distinctive feature that in cases OARs are adjacent to the target, CK would be a better option since steeper gradients can be achieved. On the other hand, VMAT could benefit from the reduced MUs and BOT. Further studies are being held where the methodology used for CK is performed for VMAT, regarding optimization objectives and beam geometry, expecting to improve gradient when planning with VMAT.

Purpose Radiotherapy treatments of simultaneous breast-nodes cancer are usually performed using 3-dimensional static fields (3D) or intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). IMRT improves 3D regarding conformity (CI) and maximum doses to organs at risk (OR). However, IMRT implies longer treatment times due to an increment of Monitor Units (MU). In this study a new hybrid radiotherapy technique (HYB) is presented and its differences compared to 3D and IMRT are analyzed. Methods Three dosimetric plans were performed for 15 patients with breast-nodes cancer in Eclipse (Varian Medical System). 1. 3D:2 half tangencial beams for the breast matching the isocenter plus 2 or more half-beams for the nodes using 6 and 18 MV photon energy. 2. IMRT:7 coplanar, single-isocentric and different angled 6 MV fields covering the breast-nodes volume simultaneously. 3. HYB:3 IMRT 6 MV fields (2 tangencials and 1 confronting the PTV) delivering 70% of the prescribed dose to the breast-nodes plus 2 coplanar 6 MV half-arcs with the same isocenter delivering the remaining 30%. The distributions of Dmax, Dmean, D98-2%, CI and Homogeneity Index (HI) for the PTV; D2%, Dmean, V5Gy for the contralateral breast; V2%, Dmean, V10Gy for the contralateral lung; D2%, Dmean, V5-10-20-30Gy for the ipsilateral lung and D3%, Dmean, V5-25Gy for the heart, were compared for the three techniques using Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon tests. The correlation between MU nad PTV volume was also analyzed. Results All the PTV dose distributions are statistically equivalent for 3D, IMRT and HYB. CI is inferior and HI superior for 3D, while equivalent for IMRT and HYB. All the aforementioned OR variable distributions for HYB and IMRT are statistically equivalent, but different in respect to 3D for some of them, in accordance with literature. The MU distributions are statistically different: IMRT has more MU, followed by HYB and finally 3D. The MU increase more rapidly with the PTV volume with IMRT than with HYB and 3D. Conclusions Regarding dosimetry, IMRT and HYB techniques are equivalent. However HYB implies fewer MU than IMRT, regardless of the PTV volume. Moreover, the higher the PTV volume, the more benefit the HYB seems to have in respect to the MU, since this implies less treatment time, less inconvenience for the patient, and better treatment reproducibility.

Purpose In this work a suitable metric named dosimetric quality index (DQI) for quality assurance of dose planning performance is developed and implemented by means of statistical control process tools. We analyzed its robustness and reliability in performing good quality dosimetries while monitoring the process in order to progressively improve them. Methods The DQI definition relies on the radiobiological concept that an optimal dosimetry should maximize the Tumor Control Probability (TCP) while minimizing the Normal Tissue Control Probability (NTCP). A series of 126 intermediate risk prostate cancer dosimetries provides the database from which distributions of minimum dose to PTV, and mean dose to rectum, bladder and femoral heads have been obtained in order to create a DQI set, assumed as the initial reference state (IRS), according to the expression: DQI = TCP Π ( 1 - NTCP ) For statistical control purposes, a lower DQI limit has been assessed by generating dosimetries of different quality levels using MC methods based on the real distributions of the aforementioned variables. We consider the dosimetries in the 5% lower quartile of the DQI probability function distribution as improvable, and we analyze its features. Results The statistical analysis shows that dosimetries with a DQI smaller than the DQI lower limit are characterized by having more than two OR with mean doses bigger than the mean of the corresponding IRS distributions. Also, if the minimum dose to the PTV is smaller than the mean of the IRS distribution, and at least one OR is over irradiated, the dosimetry may have as well a DQI smaller than the DQI lower limit. The DQI statistical control process tool provides a time evolution visualization of the quality dosimetries. Conclusions A radiobiological based control quality metric, DQI, has been designed and utilized to statistically perform a quality assurance of dose plans. The DQI helps to improve the dosimetry before its evaluation by the physician, and therefore may be a routinely used, time saving procedure. Better and better quality dosimetries may be achieved by progressively raising the overall DQI value and eventually, changing the IRS to a higher quality level.

Objectives: Neoplasms associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection occur at increased frequency in patients with HIV infection/AIDS. Although laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (LSCCs) in HIV-positive patients are uncommon, a higher incidence of this malignancy in HIV-positive patients than in the general population has been reported. As a proportion of LSCCs are associated with HPV in the general population, the clinicopathological features of a series of LSCCs developing in HIV-positive patients were evaluated to investigate the possible relationship with HPV infection, and infection with other oncogenic viruses. Methods: All HIV-positive patients with LSCC diagnosed at a single institution from 1998 to 2007 were retrospectively evaluated. The clinicopathological features were analysed and tissues were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using the short PCR fragment 10 (SPF10) primer, a highly sensitive method for HPV DNA detection. Immunohistochemical studies for HIV p24, p16INK4a and p53 were performed. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) were also investigated. Results: Six out of 4987 HIV-infected patients seen in this period in the Infectious Diseases Department developed LSCC (median age 41.5 years; male to female ratio 1:1). All patients were heavy smokers and the tumours presented at an advanced clinical stage. HPV was not detected in any tumour, not even in two patients with coexisting HPV-associated gynaecological neoplasm. Staining for HIV p24 and p16INK4a was negative, whereas p53 was positive in half the cases. EBV and HHV-8 were also negative. Conclusion: LSCC developing in HIV-positive patients is an infrequent neoplasm, not usually associated with HPV infection. It develops in young, heavy smokers and presents at an advanced clinical stage. © 2009 British HIV Association., This work was supported in part by a grant from the Asociación española contra el cáncer–Catalunya contra el càncer.

Resumen La gangrena gaseosa espontanea es una entidad rara, de evolucion fatal y diagnostico dificil. Esta producida por clostridios, se asocia a enfermedades malignas en un alto porcentaje de casos y la puerta de entrada es presumiblemente la region ileocecal. Existen muy pocos casos descritos en la literatura. Presentamos un nuevo caso de gangrena gaseosa no traumatica, diagnosticada en autopsia.

Laccase from Trametes versicolor along with TEMPO is found to be a very efficient catalytic system for the deprotection of N-benzylated primary amines using oxygen as a mild oxidant in aqueous medium.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have described the clinical and dermoscopic features of atypical Spitz tumors. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the clinical and dermoscopic features of a series of atypical Spitz tumors as compared with those of conventional Spitz nevi. METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective, case-control study, analyzing the clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of 55 atypical Spitz tumors and 110 Spitz nevi that were excised and diagnosed histopathologically. RESULTS: The majority of atypical Spitz tumors presented clinically as a plaque or nodule, dermoscopically typified by a multicomponent or nonspecific pattern. A proportion of lesions (16.4%) exhibited the typical nonpigmented Spitzoid pattern of dotted vessels and white lines under dermoscopy. Nodularity, ulceration, linear vessels, polymorphic vessels, white lines, and blue-white veil were associated with atypical Spitz tumors by univariate analysis, but only nodularity and white lines remained significant after multivariate analysis. In contrast, a pigmented typical Spitzoid pattern was a potent predictor of Spitz nevi, associated with 6.5-fold increased probability. LIMITATIONS: Differentiation from Spitzoid melanoma and other nonmelanocytic lesions was not investigated. CONCLUSION: Atypical Spitz tumors are polymorphic melanocytic proliferations with a nodular clinical appearance. Dermoscopically they demonstrate a multicomponent and nonspecific pattern. A typical nonpigmented Spitzoid pattern on dermoscopy (with dotted vessels and white lines) does not exclude atypical Spitz tumors.

Financial support of this work by the Spanish MICINN (Projects CTQ2011-24237 and CTQ2013-44153) is gratefully acknowledged.

Objetivos: Comparar la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en niños y adolescentes españoles aplicando referencias nacionales e internacionales para el índice de masa corporal (IMC). Establecer la relación entre criterios basados en el IMC y la composición corporal. Proponer estándares de porcentaje graso para aumentar la precisión diagnóstica en los casos de exceso ponderal. Material y métodos: La muestra se compone de 7.228 sujetos de ambos sexos entre los 6 y 20 años. A partir de medidas antropométricas (talla, peso y pliegues subcutáneos) se obtuvo el IMC y el porcentaje de grasa según las expresiones de Durnin y Womersley, Siri y Slaughter et al. Como criterios diagnóstico de la obesidad y el sobrepeso se utilizaron los patrones nacionales de Hernández et al y las normas internacionales de Cole et al. Se estableció la correlación entre IMC y porcentaje de grasa mediante el método de Spearman y se estimó la variabilidad de este último en relación a los puntos de corte de IMC propuestos por IOTF (Internacional Obesity Task Force). Resultados y conclusiones: El sobrepeso y la obesidad afectan en mayor proporción a los varones que a las mujeres y a los sujetos más jóvenes.De acuerdo a los patrones nacionales presentaron sobrepeso entre el 9,6% (de 6 a 12 años) y el 9,5 % (de 13 a 20) de las chicas y entre 10,62 % (de 13 a 20) y 12,50 % (de 6 a 12) de los chicos. Respecto a las normas internacionales, se clasifican como obesos entre el 4,68 % (de 13 a 20) y el 6% (de 6 a 12) de los varones y con sobrepeso entre el 18,83% (de 13 a 20) y el 21,6 % (de 6 a 12); en la serie femenina las cifras de obesidad oscilan entre el 2,81 % (de 13 a 20) y el 5,9% (de 6 a 12), siendo el sobrepeso de 25,9% para el intervalo de 6-12 años y del 14,55 % en el de 13-20.El análisis efectuado muestra que las relaciones entre IMC y la adiposidad no son iguales en individuos normales que en los que presentan exceso ponderal, y que las referencias internacionales de Cole et al tienden a subestimar la obesidad y a sobreestimar el sobrepeso. Por ello, su validez se limita a estudios poblacionales comparativos, y no se recomienda su uso en el diagnóstico clínico, en el que resulta más eficaz la utilización de patrones propios, en particular los correspondientes al porcentaje de grasa. : Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to compare the frequency of overweight and obesity in Spanish children and teenagers by using national and international standards for the body mass index (BMI). The second aim was to establish the association between criteria based on BMI and body composition. The third aim was to propose new standards of fat percentages in order to increase diagnostic accuracy in patients with excess weight. Material and methods: The sample was composed of 7,228 boys and girls aged between 6 and 20 years. Anthropometric measurements were taken (height, weight and subcutaneous skinfolds),and BMI and the percentage of fat were obtained using the methods of Durnin and Womersley, Siri and Slaughter et al. To classify obesity and overweight, the national standards of Hernández et al and the international standards published by Cole et al were used. The correlation between BMI and percentage of fat was established using Spearman’s method and the variability fat percentage was estimated in relation to the BMI cut-off points proposed by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). Results and conclusions: Overweight and obesity were more frequent in boys than in girls and in the youngest individuals. According to national standards, between 9.6% (6-12 years) and 9.5% (13-20 years) of girls and between 10.62 % (13-20 years) and 12.50 % (6-12 years) of boys were overweight. According to international standards, between 4.68% (13-20 years) and 6% (6-12 years) of boys were obese and between 18.83 % (13-20 years) and 21.6 % (6-12 years) were overweight.The proportion of obesity in girls ranged from 2.81 % (13-20 years) to 5.9% (6-12 years); the prevalence of overweight was 25.99 % in the group aged 6-12 years and was 14.55 % in that aged 13-20 years.The analysis carried out shows that the association between BMI and adiposity differs in normal individuals and in those with excess weight. The international standards of Cole et al tend to underestimate obesity and to overestimate overweight. Therefore, their usefulness is limited to comparative studies and their use cannot be recommended in clinical diagnosis, where it would be more effective to use of specific population standards, especially those for fat percentage.

Copper salts/2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinoxyl radical (TEMPO) catalytic systems enable efficient aerobic oxidations of primary alcohols but they generally show a reduced reactivity in aqueous medium. Herein, we report an oxidative catalytic system composed of Trametes versicolor laccase and TEMPO, which is able to work in buffer solutions at room temperature using ambient air. Although this catalytic system displays great efficiency in aqueous systems, the addition of methyl tert-butyl ether allows the reduction of TEMPO loading, also enhancing the solubility of hydrophobic compounds. This practical methodology promotes the chemoselective aerobic oxidation of hydroxy or amino groups, leading to interesting organic derivatives such as aldehydes, lactones, hemiaminals or lactams.

Introduccion. Las crisis de ausencia son el paradigma de las crisis generalizadas idiopaticas de la infancia segun la clasificacion de la Liga Internacional contra la Epilepsia de 1981. A pesar de que las ausencias son mayoritariamente de origen idiopatico, existen ausencias sintomaticas, que suponen un 10% de los casos de ausencia. Se piensa que una patologia estructural puede favorecer la aparicion de ausencias en individuos geneticamente predispuestos. Casos clinicos. Se presentan dos pacientes con crisis de ausencia sintomaticas de inicio en la infancia. El primero muestra un dano talamico de origen perinatal, y el segundo, un deficit del transportador de glucosa cerebral. Conclusion. Existe un porcentaje de las crisis de ausencia en la infancia que presenta un origen sintomatico. Este hecho ocurre con mayor frecuencia en ninos que presentan otros tipos de epilepsia, danos cerebrales focales o difusos, y en las ausencias que comienzan de forma precoz.

The enantioselectivity of product (II) is influenced by the presence of a substituent as well as its position.

CD4(+) count increase has been reported to be different with lopinavir/r (LPV/r) and efavirenz (EFV)-containing regimens. The different effect of these two regimens on other immune function parameters and the relationship with the gain of CD4(+) count have not been assessed in a randomized clinical trial. Fifty antiretroviral treatment (cART) naïve HIV-infected individuals were randomized to receive LPV/r or EFV both with tenofovir/emtricitabine for 48 weeks. A substudy of immunological function restoration was performed in 22 patients (LPV/r n=10 and EFV n=12). Activation, thymic function, apoptosis, senescence, exhaustion, Treg cells, interleukin (IL)-7-receptor/IL-7 system, thymic volume, and lymphoid tissue fibrosis were evaluated at baseline and at week 48. Both groups experienced a CD4(+) count increase that was higher in the EFV group (ΔCD4(+) 88 vs. 315 cells/μl LPV/r vs. EFV, respectively, p0.001). Despite this difference in CD4(+) gain, the change in other immune function parameters was similar in both treatment groups. Most of parameters evaluated tended to normalize after 48 weeks of cART. A significant decrease in levels of activation, senescence, exhaustion, and apoptosis on CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells (p0.001 for all) and a significant increase in markers of thymic function, IL-7 receptor, and in the levels of central memory CD4(+) T cells and naive subsets of CD8(+) T cells (p0.001 for all) with respect to baseline values were observed without any difference between groups. These data indicate that the differences in CD4(+) gain with different cART regimens are not immunologically meaningful and might explain the similar clinical efficacy of these regimens.

Visual inspection may fail to accurately evaluate field cancerisation (subclinical actinic keratoses [AKs]). We aimed to describe field cancerisation by confocal reflectance microscopy and changes induced by the application of 3% diclofenac sodium gel in 2.5% hyaluronic acid. Fourteen male patients, > 50 years old, with AKs on the bald scalp were included. Clinical examination, confocal microscopy and histological study of clinically visible lesions and 'normal appearing' adjacent skin before and after treatment was completed. Reflectance confocal microscopy showed a decrease in scaling (p = 0.001) and atypia of the honeycomb pattern (p = 0.001) at 2 weeks of treatment. Changes in parakeratosis, inflammation and dermal collagen remodelling were also observed. Histology correlated with confocal features in AK and subclinical AK. Reflectance confocal microscopy was useful in the evaluation of field cancerisation and monitoring of treatment response. A rapid improvement in epidermal atypia was observed.

Horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (HLADH) has been found to be a versatile biocatalyst for the desymmetrization of prochiral 3-arylpentane-1,5-diols, based on a two-step one-pot oxidation. This procedure has allowed the formation of valuable (S)-lactones in good to excellent conversions and enantiomeric excess. The catalytic performance of HLADH has been studied using several cofactor regeneration systems and cosolvents, finding great improvements in terms of activity with L-lactate dehydrogenase, while the stereoselectivity of the process was significantly improved when using tetrahydrofuran. Docking studies has revealed the pattern substitution importance in the selectivity and activity of this oxidative process.

The study of specific chromosomal loci through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is useful in differential diagnosis of melanocytic tumors. However, sensitivity rates vary, probably because of molecular heterogeneity. Acral lentiginous melanomas are characterized by copy number gains of small genomic regions, including CCND1, TERT, and AURKA. In a series of 58 acral melanocytic lesions, we explored the value of a four-color FISH probe, used in addition to determining MYC gene status, and assessed the potential diagnostic usefulness of newly developed probes targeting TERT and AURKA. Moreover, we tested CCND1, TERT, and AURKA protein expression by immunohistochemistry. The four-color FISH probe detected 85.3% of melanomas and 29.4% of TERT and AURKA copy number gains. Sensitivity was 97% (confidence interval 95%, 82.9% to 99.8%) for the combined results of all probes. No MYC copy number gains were detected. No nevi showed aberrations. Immunohistochemistry revealed a higher percentage of cells positive for CCND1, TERT, and AURKA protein in melanomas than in nevi (P ≤ 0.001). A significant correlation between gene copy number gain and protein expression was found for CCND1 (P = 0.015). Our results indicate that addition of specific FISH probes to the current probe could improve sensitivity for the diagnosis of acral melanomas. Further studies in larger numbers of cases are needed to validate these results.

The laccase/TEMPO catalyzed aerobic oxidation of 1,5-diols to lactones in aqueous media is reported.

It has been reported that high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is a causative agent of a subgroup of oropharyngeal carcinomas. In these tumors, the presence of the transcriptionally active HPV has been proved through the identification of HPV E6 or E7 messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts. The aim of the study was to assess the HPV-active transcription in a series of sinonasal carcinomas, in correlation with the HPV DNA identification and the p16 immunohistochemistry. Seventy patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the sinonasal tract were included in the survey. The main clinicopathological characteristics were recorded. All tumors were investigated for HPV through the HPV DNA detection by PCR, using the SPF10 primers and by in situ hybridization, using the high-risk GenPoint probe (Dako, Glostrup, Denmark). HPV16 E7 mRNA transcripts detection was performed by RT-PCR in 27 cases. The immunostaining for p16 was performed in all cases. Fourteen carcinomas (20%) were positive for high-risk HPV by PCR: 13 HPV16 and one HPV35. In situ hybridization showed a dotted nuclear positivity in all these cases. HPV16 E7 mRNA was detected in seven tumors harboring HPV16; in the remaining HPV-positive cases, RNA did not reach the quality for analysis. Strong, diffuse positivity for p16 was observed only in the HPV-positive cases. The 14 HPV-positive squamous cell carcinomas were non-keratinizing or scarcely keratinizing tumors. No significant differences were found in terms of gender, age, or staging at diagnosis between HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumors. However, differences in disease-free survival and overall survival between both groups of patients were significant (P=0.004 and P=0.028, respectively). In conclusion, we have shown that HPV is the etiological agent of a subset of sinonasal carcinomas demonstrating the transcriptionally active HPV in these tumors. Immunostaining for p16 can be used as a surrogate marker to identify these tumors.