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El neuroblastoma presenta alteraciones genéticas que predicen su evolución clínica. Ganancias cromosómicas completas están asociadas a estadios clínicos no avanzados y evolución favorable, mientras que pérdidas de 1p, ganancia de 17q y amplificación del gen MYCN (MNA) son indicativas de estadios clínicos avanzados y pronóstico desfavorable. Son neuroblastomas de alto riesgo (NB-HR) los presentes en niños mayores de un año: estadio 4 o MNA en cualquier estadio de enfermedad, excluyendo estadio 1. El pronóstico de estos enfermos es malo, incluso con tratamientos agresivos. Sólo MNA confiere valor pronóstico negativo. Se remitieron al Centro de Referencia Nacional del neuroblastoma 60 casos de NB-HR. En todos analizamos MYCN y 1p36 con la técnica de hibridación in situ fluorescente (FISH) y en 24 de ellos el perfil genómico con la técnica de hibridación genómica comparada (CGH). Mediante FISH detectamos 31 casos MNA presentando 29 pérdida de 1p36; 21 casos no amplificados (MNNA) con pérdida de 1p36 en 7 casos; y 8 casos con ganancia del gen MYCN (MNG), seis con pérdida de 1p36. Mediante CGH detectamos otros reordenamientos cromosómicos. De 11 casos MNA ninguno presentó pérdida en 11q, todos presentaban di-somía del 17 o ganancia 17q. De 7 casos MNNA, cuatro mostraron pérdida de 11q, 2 con pérdida de 3p. Todos mostraron disomía del 17 o ganancia 17q. De 6 casos MNG, cuatro mostraron pérdida de 11q y cinco disomía del 17 o ganancia 17q. El estudio del perfil genómico en NB-HR revela la interacción de alteraciones genéticas cuyo significado pronóstico debe ser evaluado para establecer nuevos criterios terapéuticos. : Different subtypes of neuroblastoma (NB) carry associated genetic aberrations that predict their clinical course. Whole chromosome gains are usually associated with early clinical stages and good prognosis, while 1p deletion, 17q gain and MYCN amplification (MNA) are related to advanced stages and poor prognosis. High-risk neuroblastomas (NB-HR) include NB in children aged more than 1 year old, either stage 4 or any stages showing MNA except stage 1. The prognosis of NB-HR patients remains poor, despite aggressive therapy. Only MNA confers poor prognosis. Between January 2000 and February 2005, tumoral specimens from 60 patients with NB-HR were sent to the Spanish Reference Center for NB biological studies. In all cases, MYCN together with 1p36 status was analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was performed in 24 cases. Using FISH we detected 31 MNA cases including 29 with 1p36 deletion; there were 21 cases without MYCN amplification (MNNA) but 7 of these had 1p36 deletion; 8 cases showed MYCN gain (MNG) but 6 of these had 1p36 deletion. CGH showed other chromosomal alterations. Of 11 MNA cases, none had 11q loss and all of them showed 17q gain or 17 disomy. Of the 7 MNNA cases, there were 4 with 11q loss including 2 with 3p loss and all presented 17q gain or 17 disomy. The 6 MNG cases included 4 cases with 11q loss and 5 cases with 17q gain or 17 disomy. Genomic profiling by CGH in NB-HR confirms the interaction among genetic alterations, the prognostic significance of which should be evaluated to establish new treatment criteria.

Resumen Introduccion La infeccion por Helicobacter pylori (HP) se ha implicado en la patogenia del adenocarcinoma gastrico. Se han publicado resultados contradictorios respecto a la infeccion por HP y su relacion tanto con el subtipo histologico como con la localizacion del tumor; hay pocos datos al respecto en nuestro medio. El objetivo del estudio ha sido la evaluacion de estos aspectos en nuestra serie de pacientes con adenocarcinoma gastrico. Material y metodo Evaluacion retrospectiva de todos los pacientes diagnosticados de neoplasia gastrica en el Hospital del Mar de Barcelona en el periodo comprendido entre 1995 y 2001. El subtipo histologico se ha establecido basandonos en la clasificacion de Lauren. Las muestras de tejido se obtuvieron a partir de la pieza de reseccion o de las biopsias realizadas con endoscopia. La infeccion por HP se determino histologicamente mediante tinciones con hematoxilinaeosina, tricromico de Masson y Giemsa. Resultados En el periodo del estudio se diagnosticaron 304 neoplasias gastricas: 275 (90,4%) adenocarcinomas, 22 (7,2%) linfomas, 3 (1,0%) leiomiosarcomas, 2 (0,7%) tumores del estroma gastrointestinal (GIST) degenerados y 2 (0,7%) sarcomas de Kaposi. En relacion con los pacientes con adenocarcinoma, la edad media en el momento del diagnostico fue de 69 anos y el sexo predominante varon (62%). En antro se localizo el 48,1% de las neoplasias; en cuerpo, el 23,7%, y en el fundus, el 19,1% (el 13,6% en el periodo 1994-1997 y el 25,4% en el periodo 1998-2001; p = 0,018). Se ha observado un patron intestinal en el 56% de los casos, difuso en el 28% e indeterminado en el 16%. En el 69% de los casos se confirmo la infeccion por HP (el 68% en el subtipo intestinal, el 69% en el difuso y el 69% en el indeterminado; p = 0,84), y de manera significativa en la mayoria de los adenocarcinomas distales respecto a los proximales (el 73,6 frente al 48,6%; p Conclusiones No se han observado diferencias entre el tipo histologico de adenocarcinoma y la infeccion por HP. En los ultimos anos se ha constatado un incremento en los adenocarcinomas de localizacion fundica; en estos tumores hay una menor asociacion con la infeccion por HP.

Male and female rats were treated daily for 13 weeks with an ethanol extract of Cissampelos sympodialis leaves (9, 45 and 225 mg[sol ]kg). The food consumption, body weight and behavioural effects in the open-field test were evaluated by weekly monitoring. The results showed that the extract chronic treatment in female rats (45 and 225 mg[sol ]kg) reduced significantly the food intake and the body weight, and produced several alterations in the open-field test. These findings indicate that repeated oral administration of the extract may produce a sex-dependent difference in anoretic and behavioural effects.

Background Prompt surgical intervention supplemented by appropriate antimicrobial therapy is usually required for successful treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections. The objective of this study was to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of ertapenem relative to ceftriaxone/metronidazole as treatment for complicated intra-abdominal infections. Methods Adult patients with intra-abdominal infections requiring surgery were eligible for this open-label randomized trial comparing ertapenem 1g daily with ceftriaxone 2g daily plus metronidazole 30mg/kg/day. The primary efficacy outcome was the clinical response rate in clinically and microbiologically evaluable participants at the test-of-cure (TOC) visit 2 weeks after discontinuation of therapy. All treated patients were included in the safety analysis. Results Participant demographics, disease characteristics, and duration of therapy in both treatment groups were generally similar. Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated baseline pathogen, recovered in 52% of cases in each treatment group. Favorable clinical responses were achieved at TOC in 143 (96.6%) of 148 ertapenem recipients and in 146 (96.7%) of 151 ceftriaxone/metronidazole recipients. The frequencies of drug-related adverse events, most commonly nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and elevated platelet count, were generally comparable in both treatment arms. Four ertapenem recipients (1.8%) and one ceftriaxone/metronidazole recipient (0.4%) experienced serious drug-related adverse events. Conclusions In this study, ertapenem and ceftriaxone/metronidazole were comparably effective treatments for adult patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections.

We describe the technical concept, properties, and performance of HERA (HEterodyne Receiver Array) at the IRAM 30 m telescope. HERA is a multibeam, waveguide SIS receiver that greatly improves mapping speed in various ob- serving modes and also provides possibilities for new high-sensitivity observing of small sources. Future extensions with a second polarization module will permit spectro-polarimetry. We present some examples of astronomical maps with HERA.

Las versiones breves de instrumentos de evaluación son controversiales pero representan un importante aliado para la práctica profesional por varios motivos; por ejemplo, cuando no se cuenta con los recursos y el tiempo suficiente para evaluar con un test completo, porque prescinden de ítems redundantes, reducen la fatiga, frustración y aburrimiento de responder repetidamente ítems muy parecidos2. Pero los procesos para obtener evidencias de validez de las versiones breves implican nuevos desafíos; es por ello que consideramos relevante el aporte de Guic, Galdames y Rebolledo para la evaluación de la discapacidad mediante la versión breve del Cuestionario Roland-Morris (RDQ, por sus siglas en inglés). Sin embargo, la obtención de evidencias de validez fue realizada omitiendo aspectos metodológicos importantes que pueden poner en discusión las conclusiones de los autores. En esta carta, presentamos dos cuestiones metodológicas.

Sr. Editor: Es comun entre los profesionales de la salud elegir instrumentos que se adecuen a las caracteristicas del grupo a evaluar, que tengan un marco teorico solido y propiedades psicometricas adecuadas, es decir, que las inferencias que se realizaran sean validas y sus puntajes confiables. En este sentido, el WHOQoL disenado por la Organizacion Mundial de la Salud (OMS) para la evaluacion de la calidad de vida (CV), incluyendo su version breve (WHOQoL-Bref) estudiada por Urzua y Caqueo-Urizar1, no deben escapar de esta pretension, especialmente si se usaran como linea base para programas de intervencion y estudios longitudinales de CV. Leer mas...

This phase II multicentric study evaluates a modified preoperative chemoradiotherapy schedule.Patients75 years with potentially resectable neoplasm were eligible. Treatment included an initial course of CDDP 100 mg/m2 (Day 1) and 5-FU CI 5000 mg/m2 (Days 1-5) followed by 45 Gy (Days 28-63) and 5-FU CI 5000 mg/m2 (Days 28-33), CDDP 75 mg/m2 (Day 56) and 5-FU CI 3750 mg/m2 (Days 56-61). Regional lymph nodes were irradiated.Nineteen patients were studied. Oesophagectomy was performed in 17. Clear margins were achieved in 16 of these. Eight patients showed a pathologic complete response (pCR). One patient died of infection during the preoperative treatment and four died due to acute surgical complications. The study was closed prematurely because of excessive mortality. Median follow-up was 19 months. Local and regional relapse occurred in one and three patients, respectively. Median time and actuarial 3-year of overall survival and progression free rates were 18.6 months and 28%, and 12.7 months and 10.4%, respectively.This schedule showed a high pCR, resectability and local control rate. Treatment-related mortality limits its clinical applicability, but further investigations are warranted.

The acute treatment of rats and mice with a hydroalcoholic extract from the seeds of Dioclea grandiflora (EHDg) at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, by intraperitoneal or oral administration, produced a significant antinociceptive effect in the tail flick and hot plate tests, an effect which was inhibited by naloxone. EHDg given to mice daily for 30 days at a dose of 500 mg/kg, did not cause any observable toxic effect nor any alteration in the pattern of antinociceptive response by the tail immersion test during the course of this treatment. These results suggest that EHDg has a central antinociceptive action devoid of tolerance effect typical of opioid drugs.

Most general-purpose processors provide support for memory pages of large sizes, called superpages. Superpages enable each entry in the translation lookaside buffer (TLB) to map a large physical memory region into a virtual address space. This dramatically increases TLB coverage, reduces TLB misses, and promises performance improvements for many applications. However, supporting superpages poses several challenges to the operating system, in terms of superpage allocation and promotion tradeoffs, fragmentation control, etc. We analyze these issues, and propose the design of an effective superpage management system. We implement it in FreeBSD on the Alpha CPU, and evaluate it on real workloads and benchmarks. We obtain substantial performance benefits, often exceeding 30%; these benefits are sustained even under stressful workload scenarios.

We report a successful VLBI observation at 147 GHz (2.1 mm) on the 3 100 km long baseline between the telescopes at Metsahovi (Finland) and Pico Veleta (Spain). The sources 3C 273B and 3C 279 were detected with a SNR of∼10. For these sources we estimate that 25-30% of the total flux is detectable as correlated flux on the 3 100 km baseline, which gives at 147 GHz a lower limit of the brightness temperature of the inner VLBI jet region of ∼1×10 1 0 K.

Life-cycle assessment (LCA) has been applied to many biofuel and bioenergy systems to determine potential environmental impacts, but the conclusions have varied. Different methodologies and processes for conducting LCA of biofuels make the results difficult to compare, in-turn making it difficult to make the best possible and informed decision. Of particular importance are the wide variability in country-specific conditions, modeling assumptions, data quality, chosen impact categories and indicators, scale of production, system boundaries, and co-product allocation. This study has a double purpose: conducting a critical evaluation comparing environmental LCA of biofuels from several conversion pathways and in several countries in the Pan American region using both qualitative and quantitative analyses, and making recommendations for harmonization with respect to biofuel LCA study features, such as study assumptions, inventory data, impact indicators, and reporting practices. The environmental management implications are discussed within the context of different national and international regulatory environments using a case study. The results from this study highlight LCA methodology choices that cause high variability in results and limit comparability among different studies, even among the same biofuel pathway, and recommendations are provided for improvement.

The melanocortin system is probably one of the most complex hormonal systems since it integrates agonist, encoded in the proopiomelanocortin precursor, endogenous antagonist, agouti signaling protein and agouti-related protein, five different G-protein coupled receptors and two accessory proteins. These accessory proteins interact with melanocortin receptors to allow traffic to the plasma membrane or to regulate the pharmacological profile. The MC1R fill the extension locus, which is primarily responsible for the regulation of pigmentation. In zebrafish, both MC1R and MRAP2 system are expressed in the skin. We demonstrate that zebrafish MC1R physically, or closely, interacts with the MRAP2 system, although this interaction did not result in modification of the studied pharmacological profile. However, progressive fasting induced skin darkening but also an upregulation of the MRAP2 expression in the skin, suggesting an unknown role for MRAP2a that could involve receptor desensitization processes. We also demonstrate that crowding stress induces skin darkening and a downregulation of MC1R expression in the skin. © 2014 Elsevier Inc., This work was supported by Grants AGL2010-22247-C03-01 and CSD2007-00002 from Spanish Science and Education Ministry (MEC) to JMC-R. Additional funding was obtained from the “Generalitat Valenciana” (PROMETEO 2010/006). MJA and RC are recipient of a “Juan de la Cierva” research contract (2009) and FPI fellow from the Spanish Science and Innovation Ministry, respectively.

Objective— To confirm the effect of the endothelial protein receptor gene ( PROCR ) haplotypes H1 and H3 on venous thromboembolism (VTE), to study their effect on endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and to investigate the functionality of H1 tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms in an in vitro model. Approach and Results— Protein C (PC), activated PC, and soluble EPCR (sEPCR) levels were measured in 702 patients with VTE and 518 healthy individuals. All subjects were genotyped for PROCR H1 and H3. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells isolated from 111 umbilical cords were used to study the relation between PROCR haplotypes, PROCR mRNA, cellular distribution of EPCR, and rate of PC activation. Finally, the functionality of the intragenic PROCR H1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms was analyzed using a luciferase-based method. We confirmed that individuals carrying H1 have reduced VTE risk, increased plasma activated PC levels, and reduced plasma sEPCR levels and that individuals with the H3H3 genotype have an increased VTE risk and increased plasma sEPCR levels. In cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells, H1 is associated with increased membrane-bound EPCR, increased rate of PC activation, and reduced sEPCR in conditioned medium, but does not significantly influence PROCR mRNA levels. In contrast, H3 is associated with reduced membrane-bound EPCR and increased sEPCR in human umbilical vein endothelial cell–conditioned medium, higher levels of a truncated mRNA isoform, and a lower rate of PC activation. Finally, we identified the g.2132T>C single-nucleotide polymorphism in intron 1 as an intragenic H1-specific functional single-nucleotide polymorphism. Conclusions— These results support a protective role of PROCR H1 against VTE and an increased risk of VTE associated with the H3 haplotype.

This paper presents a unique sustainability analysis of one of the first attempts to establish a biodiesel industry in Mexico. From 2008, several companies established medium to large-sized Jatropha curcas plantations in Yucatan, hiring local peasants to carry out the agricultural work. After five years, the plantations were abandoned due to poor seed yields and a lack of key knowledge for large-scale cultivation. Based on a multidisciplinary approach, we performed a three-dimensional sustainability evaluation of the potential biodiesel production chain, which included household interviews, a socioeconomic survey, and a life-cycle assessment (LCA). We identified both negative and positive effects in the three dimensions analyzed. Socially and culturally, the local peasant families understood sustainability as their ability to preserve their traditional lifestyle, and associated environmental services with their sense of identity. They therefore considered the jatropha plantations to be positive for sustainability, since they brought income, even though some perceived damage to the natural resources of the surrounding areas. Economically, peasants’ annual household income increased by approximately $1080 USD due to the increased salaries paid by the jatropha companies. The LCA predicted large savings of greenhouse gas emissions (>50% compared to fossil diesel), but also potential negative impacts in some categories (human/ecological toxicity and eutrophication potentials) associated with the use of mineral fertilizers, insecticides, and pesticides applied during the cultivation stage. Biodiesel production would be potentially energetically self-sufficient, in addition to producing a 40% energy surplus. Finally, even though the sustainability indicators suggested a positive overall assessment, the reality was that the jatropha projects failed because they were predicated on unrealistically optimistic projections and poor agronomic knowledge of the plant.

Resumen Introduccion Las lesiones vasculares abdominales presentan los mayores indices de mortalidad y morbilidad de entre todas las lesiones que puede sufrir un enfermo traumatico. Metodo Revision de la clinica, diagnostico, vias de abordaje y tratamiento de los pacientes con lesiones vasculares intraabdominales, basada en la experiencia en el tratamiento de 302 enfermos. Resultados Las heridas penetrantes abdominales constituyen entre el 90 y el 95% de las lesiones que afectan a los vasos abdominales. La lesion abdominal multiorganica es frecuente. Los hallazgos clinicos compatibles con hemoperitoneo o peritonitis y la ausencia de pulsos femorales son tributarios de laparotomia. En los pacientes que presentan paro cardiorrespiratorio se debe realizar una toracotomia de urgencia para el masaje cardiaco abierto y el pinzamiento aortico. La mortalidad global es del 54% y la exsanguinacion representa el 85% de la misma. El sindrome compartimental en el abdomen y en las extremidades, asi como el circulo vicioso de la acidosis, la hipotermia y la coagulopatia, son las principales complicaciones. Conclusiones Las lesiones vasculares abdominales presentan una alta mortalidad y morbilidad. El conocimiento anatomico del retroperitoneo y de las vias de abordaje de los vasos, asi como una exploracion clinica adecuada, ayudaran a disminuir las complicaciones y la mortalidad de estos pacientes.

We present an unusual case of thrombosis of coronary aneurysm causing myocardial infarction with ST-elevation in precordial leads. Emergent coronary angiography showed thrombotic occlusion of an aneurysm in the proximal segment of the left anterior descendent coronary artery (LAD). After the administration of tenecteplase, pain and ST-elevation disappeared with no overt complications. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed two weeks after admission showed thrombi partially filling the aneurysm together with further information regarding coronary anatomy, as well as a preserved global function even though delayed enhancement of the myocardium was patent throughout the territory irrigated by LAD. This case supports cardio MR usefulness in Kawasaki disease in order not only to depict coronary abnormalities, but also to provide accurate information regarding function and viability in a non-invasive way. It also highlighted the relevance of a proper selection of the sequence technique when thrombus is suspected. All these advantages point out to cardiac MRI as the modality of choice in the follow-up of patients in this clinical scenario.

Melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) is the only canonical ACTH receptor. Its functional expression requires the presence of an accessory protein, known as melanocortin receptor 2 accessory protein 1 (MRAP1). The vertebrate genome exhibits a paralogue gene called MRAP2, which is duplicated in zebrafish (MRAP2a and MRAP2b), although its function remains unknown. In this paper, we demonstrate that MRAP2a enables MC4R, a canonical MSH receptor, to be activated by ACTH with a similar sensitivity to that exhibited by MC2R. Both proteins physically interact and are coexpressed in the neurons of the preoptic area, a key region in the control of the energy balance and hypophyseal secretion in fish. ACTH injections inhibit food intake in wild-type zebrafish but not in fish lacking functional MC4R. Both MRAP1 and MRAP2a are hormonally regulated, suggesting that these proteins are substrates for feed-back regulatory pathways of melanocortin signaling. Fasting has no effect on the central expression of MRAP2a but stimulates MRAP2b expression. This protein interacts and is colocalized with MC4R in the tuberal hypothalamic neurons but has no effect on the pharmacologic profile of MC4R. However, MRPA2b is able to decrease basal reporter activity in cell lines expressing MC4R. It is plausible that MRAP2b decreases the constitutive activity of the MC4R during fasting periods, driving the animal toward a positive energy balance. Our data indicate that MRAP2s control the activity of MC4R, opening up new pathways for the regulation of melanocortin signaling and, by extension, for the regulation of the energy balance and obesity. © 2013 by The Endocrine Society.

In vertebrate cells, the small ubiquitin-like modifier SUMO plays a poorly defined role in targeting DNA topoisomerase II (TopoII) to centromeres (CENs) during mitosis, presumably to facilitate the untangling of sister chromatids as cells transition into anaphase. A new study by Dawlaty in the April 4 issue of Cell identifies the nucleoporin RanBP2 as a novel tumor suppressor that acts as a SUMO ligase for TopoII. Analysis of this interaction reveals TopoII recruitment to CENs is likely to play an important role in preventing chromosome segregation errors that lead to cancer.

An ethanolic extract of the leaves of Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. (Menispermaceae) was found to potentiate the toxicity of pentylenetetrazol in mice. Similar to imipramine, the extract also reduced the immobility period in the forced swimming test in mice and reversed the degree of ptosis and catalepsy induced by reserpine in rats. These results suggest that the extract possesses antidepressant activity and the reported phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity of the plant may account for the observed antidepressant effect.

The self-diffusion coefficient on ice surface has been measured by studying the formation of grain boundary (GB) grooves on the surface of polycrystalline ice samples annealed at temperatures between −2 and −15 °C. Samples were encapsulated with silicone oil, enabling the assumption that the formation of the groove takes place only by surface diffusion. Photographs of polycrystalline ice samples viewed between crossed-polaroid filters were used to determined the time taken by the groove to grow to a width of approximately 10 μm. It was shown that ice surface has a self-diffusion coefficient very close to those measured in supercooled water.

To compete with solid metal formed parts, sintered components must have better mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy. In the traditional, still most popular route which involves pressing and sintering, the possibility of improving both characteristics is realised by a re-pressing/sizing operation. Mechanical properties are enhanced due to densification of the aggregate as well as strain hardening of the matrix material. Dimensional accuracy is supposed to be improved by controlling the positions of rigid tools. Tools, however, are not rigid—they deflect under load and contract when unloaded. These phenomena, as well as springback of the component, affect its dimensional accuracy. This paper quantifies the above mentioned factors and investigates their dependence on the initial density of the sinter, the maximum force applied in the operation and the model used. The finite element method is employed to simulate re-pressing/sizing of a cylindrical billet. The work reported is an extension of a similar analysis carried out by the first author for solid components. A special emphasis will be put on secondary yielding of the porous component due to contraction of the die.

Resumen La deficiencia de piruvato cinasa es una causa rara de anemia hemolitica. Durante el embarazo, se ha tratado casos graves de esta deficiencia con transfusions profilacticas de concentrados de hematies para mantener unos valores de hemoglobina entre 7 y 8 g/dl. Caso clinico Se descubrio un caso de anemia hemolitica secundaria a deficit de piruvato cinasa durante el primer embarazo de una mujer de 32 anos. La anemia se trato con transfusiones de concentrados de hematies, y en la segunda gestacion fue necesario un mayor numero de ellas para mantener los valores de hemoglobina por encima de 7 g/dl. En ambos casos, los recien nacidos tuvieron pesos en el percentil adecuado para su edad gestacional. Conclusiones Este tipo de anemia es raro, y en ocasiones se descubre en situaciones especiales, como embarazo, infeccion o estres.

The effect of a tensile stress or an electric field on the conformation of a flexible polymer chain has been studied by combining theory with numerical simulation. In the presence of such external agents, the macromolecule experiences the action of two opposite forces at the chain ends. Two models are considered: the Gaussian bead-and-spring chain, and the freely jointed chain with segments of fixed length. From simulated Brownian trajectories we calculate steady-state properties of the polymer under the continuing action of the external forces. Thus, we compute the chain deformation and expansion, measured by the square radius of gyration, and analyze the influence of the external force on low-angle scattering of radiation. The effect of the link orientation in the optical anisotropy or birefringence is also analyzed. From existing theories, we predict very simple relationships between expansion, low-angle scattering, and birefringence, valid for Gaussian chains of any length, and for long freely jointed chains. The simulation results confirm those relationships. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys, 35: 689–697, 1997

To evaluate whether the presence or severity of endometriosis affects the outcome of assisted reproductive techniques (ART).In this systematic review, all studies comparing the outcome of ART in women with and those without endometriosis, or at different stages of the disease, were considered eligible. We used either risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) and their 95%CIs for comparisons. The primary outcome was live birth; the secondary outcome was clinical pregnancy. Miscarriage and the number of oocytes retrieved were examined as additional outcomes.We included 92 studies in the review and 78 in the meta-analysis: 20,167 women with endometriosis were compared with 121,931 women without endometriosis, and 1703 women with Stage-III/IV endometriosis were compared with 2227 women with Stage-I/II endometriosis. The following results were observed for the comparison of women with endometriosis vs women without endometriosis: live birth, RR = 0.99 (95%CI, 0.92-1.06); clinical pregnancy, RR = 0.95 (95%CI, 0.89-1.02); miscarriage, RR = 1.31 (95%CI, 1.07-1.59); number of oocytes retrieved, MD = -1.56 (95%CI, -2.05 to -1.08). The following results were observed for the comparison of women with Stage-III/IV vs Stage-I/II endometriosis: live birth, RR = 0.94 (95%CI, 0.80-1.11); clinical pregnancy, RR = 0.90 (95%CI, 0.82-1.00); miscarriage, RR = 0.99 (95%CI, 0.73-1.36); number of oocytes retrieved, MD = -1.03 (95%CI, -1.67 to -0.39).Women with endometriosis undergoing ART have practically the same chance of achieving clinical pregnancy and live birth as do women with other causes of infertility. No relevant difference was observed in the chance of achieving clinical pregnancy and live birth following ART when comparing Stage-III/IV with Stage-I/II endometriosis. The quality of the evidence for the additional examined outcomes was very low, not allowing meaningful conclusions to be drawn.

Professional Social Responsibility is now imperative for the practice of medicine. However, there are no instruments to assess it among physicians.To construct and evaluate the factorial structure and reliability of a questionnaire designed to measure socially responsible behavior in physicians.The Questionnaire on Medical Socially Responsible Behavior, consisting of 34 items, was constructed. It was applied to 284 physicians and medical students. After eliminating respondents who omitted questions, a valid sample of 214 individuals aged 23 to 67 years (51.4% males) was obtained. We assessed the factorial structure, reliability, discriminative ability of the items and correlation between factors.Exploratory factorial analysis, conducted using the principal axis method, identified the presence of three factors and considered 30 items. The reliability of the factors, assessed using Cronbach's alpha, ranged from 0.73 to 0.89. Only one item had a low correlation of 0.3. Correlations between the three factors were direct and high.The developed questionnaire presents a definite factorial structure, with internally consistent and correlated factors and with adequate psychometric properties.

The indications for radial head arthroplasty are essentially complex fractures with ligament damage (medial, lateral or Essex-Lopresti), and/or associated with bone damage (coronoids or olecranon). The aim of this study is to review our experience with the use of a radial head prosthesis in the context of a trauma.An observational, descriptive and retrospective study, with a follow-up of 1- 11 years, was performed on a study group of 82 patients with a mean age of 41.6 (± 9.2) years. The inclusion criteria were: patients of working age (25-64 years) with complex radial head fractures (Mason II, III, IV), with soft tissue and bone injuries that caused instability, non-reconstructable by osteosynthesis and treated using arthroplasty. The primary variables analysed were social demographics, Mason classification, or surgical aspects such as delay, surgical time, type of prosthesis (where the bipolar prosthesis was most used, 88.6%), need of fixation or further surgery. Rehabilitation time, causes of prosthesis failure, radiological findings (according to Van-Riet), areas of loosening (according to Popovic), as well as the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and the Cassebaum scale. Various associated injuries were observed, such as injuries in the lateral collateral ligament of the elbow in 39% of cases, coronoid fractures in 25.6%, and an olecranon fracture in 15.9% of the series. There was one case of an Essex- Lopresti injury. The tests used for the statistical analysis were Chi squared and Fisher test for categorical variables and contingency tables. The Mann Whitney U or Kruskall Wallis tests were used for the numerical variables. Evidence level: IV.The mean surgical time was 100 (± 56.8) minutes. The prosthesis was fixed in 53.8% of cases. The mean score on the MEPS scale was 80.4 (± 19.3) points, being good-excellent in 71.6%. The elbow was stable in 93.7% of cases. There was moderate instability, with 10° or more in varus or valgus, and in 1.3% in the rest of the series. The rehabilitation time was lower in the fixed cases (P=.03), and there was greater rigidity (P=.03) and more sequelae (limitations in mobility, residual pain), (P0.05) in the cases where the LCL had to be repaired (given that there were other serious injuries in these cases). When the surgical delay was less than one week, better results were obtained on the Cassebaum scale (P=.02), as well as more excellent results on the MEPS scale MEPS (P=.02). The prosthesis was removed in 11 cases (13.4%), with the main cause for removal being pain in pronosupination in 5 cases, and capitellar injuries in 4 cases, one dislocation, and one infections. The most frequent complication was rigidity (30.5%). There were 3 infections (3.7%). Popovic areas 1 and 7 had greater osteolysis.The presence of concomitant bone and ligament injuries determined a longer surgical time and more sequelae. Early surgery would achieve better clinical results.

In premenopausal women treated for breast cancer, loss of bone mineral density (BMD) follows from menopause induced by chemotherapy or loss of ovarian function biochemically or by surgical oophorectomy. The impact on BMD of surgical oophorectomy plus tamoxifen therapy has not been described.In 270 Filipino and Vietnamese premenopausal patients participating in a clinical trial assessing the impact of the timing in the menstrual cycle of adjuvant surgical oophorectomy on breast cancer outcomes, BMD was measured at the lumbar spine and femoral neck before this treatment, and at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgical and tamoxifen therapies.In women with a pretreatment BMD assessment and at least 1 other subsequent BMD assessment, no significant change in femoral neck BMD was observed over the 2-year period (-0.006 g/cm2 , -0.8%, P = .19), whereas in the lumbar spine, BMD fell by 0.045 g/cm2 (4.7%) in the first 12 months (P.0001) and then began to stabilize.Surgically induced menopause with tamoxifen treatment is associated with loss of BMD at a rate that lessens over 2 years in the lumbar spine and no significant change of BMD in the femoral neck.

Significant changes in the management of acute pancreatitis have taken place since the 2004 Pamplona Consensus Conference. The objective of this conference has been the revision and updating of the Conference recommendations, in order to unify the integral management of potentially severe acute pancreatitis in an ICU.Spanish and international intensive medicine physicians, radiologists, surgeons, gastroenterologists, emergency care physicians and other physicians involved in the treatment of acute pancreatitis. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE AND GRADES OF RECOMMENDATION: The GRADE method has been used for drawing them up. DRAWING UP THE RECOMMENDATIONS: The selection of the committee members was performed by means of a public announcement. The bibliography has been revised from 2004 to the present day and 16 blocks of questions on acute pancreatitis in a ICU have been drawn up. Firstly, all the questions according to groups have been drawn up in order to prepare one document. This document has been debated and agreed upon by computer at the SEMICYUC Congress and lastly at the Consensus Conference which was held with the sole objective of drawing up these recommendations.Eighty two recommendations for acute pancreatitis management in an ICU have been presented. Of these 84 recommendations, we would emphasize the new determinants-based classification of acute pancreatitis severity, new surgical techniques and nutritional recommendations. Note. This summary only lists the 84 recommendations of the 16 questions blocks except blocks greater relevance and impact of its novelty or because they modify the current management.

The 1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) ring and the cyclohexanone ring adopt similar conformations in both the title compounds, methyl 2,7,7-trimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-5-oxo-1,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydroquinoline-3-carboxylate, C 20 H 22 N 2 O 5 , (I) and 3-acetyl-2,7,7-trimethyl-4-phenyl-1,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-5-quinolone, C 20 H 23 NO 2 , (II). The 1,4-DHP rings have boat conformations with the aryl group occupying the pseudo-axial position and orthogonal to the plane through the 1,4-DHP ring. The cyclohexanone ring has an intermediate half-chair/sofa form. In both compounds, the carboxyl group is coplanar to the endocyclic double bond as a consequence of π conjugation. The molecules are linked by N-H...O hydrogen bonds but the packing is different in each case. In compound (I) a hydrogen bond is formed between the N-H and the carboxyl group while in compound (II), a hydrogen bond is formed between the N-H and the O atom of the cyclohexanone ring.

A method for the bulk storage of barley in the open air under Mediterranean conditions was developed. A large (75 × 25 m) concrete platform with low walls was filled with barley and covered with a PVC overliner and a polyethylene underliner. The barley formed a pile of 4018 tonnes with a peak 7 m high and was stored for 34 months under hermetic seal. Periodic monitoring was carried out to determine temperature fluctuations, intergranular gas composition, insect infestation, and grain quality parameters. Ambient temperatures were shown to create temperature gradients in the upper layers, and moisture migration occurred towards the peak of the grain bulk. However, the resulting spoilage by moulds was limited to 0.22% weight loss on an annual basis. An additional 0.12% loss due to insect damage, and spillage resulted in an annual storage loss of 0.34%. Possible solutions to this problem were discussed. The platform successfully protected the grain against insect, bird, and rodent attack and provided safe storage during the rainy season. At the end of storage the PVC overliner, which had been used continuously since 1988, remained with low gas-permeability, retained its mechanical characteristics and was suitable for reuse.

The disappearance kinetics of the carbamate insecticide, carbosulfan, applied at 2 kg AI ha -1 («Marshal» 250 g litre -1 EC) in peaches was studied. Degradation took place in two consecutive stages (0-28 and 28-57 days), with half-lives of 7.4 and 17.5 days, respectively. The residues obtained 57 days after treatment did not exceed 0.2 mg kg -1 . When treatments were carried out 30, 21 and 14 days before the probable date of harvest (date of fruit maturation) with two doses (1.0 and 2.0 g formulated product litre -1 ) and two volumes applied (750 and 1500 litre ha -1 ), the residual levels detected were between 0.122 mg kg -1 (30 days before harvest) and 0.4 mg kg -1 (14 days before harvest). The major metabolite, carbofuran, was never detected above its determination limit of 0.004 mg kg -1 throughout the whole study

We present the design, construction and test results of a prototype MMIC receiver for the 3 mm band (84-116 GHz). The receiver cryogenic module consists of a single corrugated feed horn cascaded with an Ortho Mode Traducer (OMT) that splits the two incoming linear polarized signals in two independent single-mode rectangular waveguides. Low noise MMIC HEMT amplification modules, attached to the OMT WR10 waveguide outputs, amplify the signal of each polarization channel. Outside the dewar, each signal is filtered, down-converted, and further amplified to provide a final 8 GHz IF bandwidth across 4-12 GHz. The receiver was installed on the Pico Veleta 30 m telescope in August 2010 where it was used to perform spectral line surveys of astronomical sources. The measured receiver noise temperature was below 75 K with an average value of ~55 K for both polarization channels across 84-116 GHz.

A 3mm band focal plane array heterodyne receiver is being developed for Nasmyth focus of the IRAM 30-m Pico Veleta Radio Telescope located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, south of Spain. This receiver will comprise 25 dual linear polarization pixels operating across the 80-116GHz nominal band. Design efforts are being made to enlarge the band to cover the full 3mm atmospheric transmission window available at Pico Veleta, i.e. 72-116GHz. The instrument will be coupled to the Pico Veleta Telescope via a purely reflective low-loss optical system that includes a de-rotator. The receiver will be based on 5 x 5 cryogenically cooled dual-linear polarized feed horns cascaded with Ortho Mode Transducers (OMT) and side band separating SIS mixers, a technology which offers state-of-the-art performances for millimeter and sub-millimeter receivers.

Background Yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus L.) is a minor legume crop characterized by its high seed protein content. Although grown in several temperate countries, its orphan condition has limited the generation of genomic tools to aid breeding efforts to improve yield and nutritional quality. In this study, we report the construction of 454-expresed sequence tag (EST) libraries, carried out comparative studies between L. luteus and model legume species, developed a comprehensive set of EST-simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and validated their utility on diversity studies and transferability to related species. Results Two runs of 454 pyrosequencing yielded 205 Mb and 530 Mb of sequence data for L1 (young leaves, buds and flowers) and L2 (immature seeds) EST- libraries. A combined assembly (L1L2) yielded 71,655 contigs with an average contig length of 632 nucleotides. L1L2 contigs were clustered into 55,309 isotigs. 38,200 isotigs translated into proteins and 8,741 of them were full length. Around 57% of L. luteus sequences had significant similarity with at least one sequence of Medicago, Lotus, Arabidopsis, or Glycine, and 40.17% showed positive matches with all of these species. L. luteus isotigs were also screened for the presence of SSR sequences. A total of 2,572 isotigs contained at least one EST-SSR, with a frequency of one SSR per 17.75 kbp. Empirical evaluation of the EST-SSR candidate markers resulted in 222 polymorphic EST-SSRs. Two hundred and fifty four (65.7%) and 113 (30%) SSR primer pairs were able to amplify fragments from L. hispanicus and L. mutabilis DNA, respectively. Fifty polymorphic EST-SSRs were used to genotype a sample of 64 L. luteus accessions. Neighbor-joining distance analysis detected the existence of several clusters among L. luteus accessions, strongly suggesting the existence of population subdivisions. However, no clear clustering patterns followed the accession’s origin. Conclusion L. luteus deep transcriptome sequencing will facilitate the further development of genomic tools and lupin germplasm. Massive sequencing of cDNA libraries will continue to produce raw materials for gene discovery, identification of polymorphisms (SNPs, EST-SSRs, INDELs, etc.) for marker development, anchoring sequences for genome comparisons and putative gene candidates for QTL detection.