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Socialization is an adaptive behavior during the early stages of life because it helps young animals become independent and determines healthy adult social behavior. Therefore, it is probable that the brain areas involved in the processing of social stimuli are more sensitive to social novelty during early life stages. To test this hypothesis, four groups of young male rats were exposed to different socioenvironmental stimuli; nonsocial physical novelty, social familiarity, social novelty, and a control group which received no stimulation. After stimuli exposure, brains were fixed and cut in coronal sections for c-Fos immunohistochemistry. The number of c-Fos-immunoreactive (c-Fos-ir) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus, the main producers of oxytocin and vasopressin, was compared, as well as in the nucleus accumbens and ventral pallidum, the main areas involved in reinforced behavior. A significantly higher number of c-Fos-ir neurons were found in animals exposed to social novelty in all areas, except in the supraoptic nucleus. In particular, the increase in c-Fos-ir in the paraventricular nucleus seems to be selective in response to social novelty, while the increase of c-Fos-ir in the nucleus accumbens and ventral pallidum suggests that social novelty during youth is a highly rewarding stimulus compared with social familiarity and nonsocial physical novelty.

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of preemptive analgesia with gabapentinoids for patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Material and methods A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library and ScienceDirect databases. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) comparing gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin) with placebo in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopic surgery were retrieved. The primary endpoint was the visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 24 hours and cumulative morphine consumption at 24 hours. The secondary outcomes were complications of nausea/vomiting, sedation and dizziness. After tests for publication bias and heterogeneity among studies were performed, data were aggregated for random-effects models when necessary. Results Five clinical studies (gabapentin group n = 4 and pregabalin group n = 1) were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. Gabapentinoids were associated with reduced pain scores at 24 hours. Similarly, gabapentinoids were associated with a reduction in cumulative morphine consumption at 24 hours. Furthermore, gabapentinoids can significantly reduce the occurrence of nausea/vomiting. There were no significant differences in the occurrence of sedation and dizziness. Conclusions Preoperative use of gabapentinoids was able to reduce postoperative pain, total morphine consumption, and morphine-related complications following arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Further studies should determine the optimal dose and whether pregabalin is superior to gabapentin in controlling acute pain after shoulder surgery.

[EN] Periodic photonic configurations as photonic crystals (PhCs) and subwavelength grating (SWG) waveguides are gaining a renewed interest for the development of biosensing structures. By performing a proper design, these periodic configurations allow a significant sensitivity increase while keeping a compact footprint, what is achieved by exploiting concepts such as the slow-wave effect, the increase of the light-matter overlap or the interference of dispersion engineered modes., These results were achieved thanks to the funding received from the European Union (ICT-644242-SAPHELY, PHC634013-PHOCNOSIS and the operational program of the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) of the Valencia Regional Government 2014¿2020), the Spanish Government (TEC2015-63838-C3-1-R-OPTONANOSENS and PID2019-106965RB-C21-PHOLOW), the Generalitat Valenciana (AVANTI/2019/123, ACIF/2019/009 and PPC/2020/037), the Universitat Politècnica de València (PAID-01-17, PAID-01-18 and OCUSENSOR).

To assess the efficacy and safety of preemptive analgesia with gabapentinoids for patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery.A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library and ScienceDirect databases. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) comparing gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin) with placebo in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopic surgery were retrieved. The primary endpoint was the visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 24 hours and cumulative morphine consumption at 24 hours. The secondary outcomes were complications of nausea/vomiting, sedation and dizziness. After tests for publication bias and heterogeneity among studies were performed, data were aggregated for random-effects models when necessary.Five clinical studies (gabapentin group n = 4 and pregabalin group n = 1) were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. Gabapentinoids were associated with reduced pain scores at 24 hours. Similarly, gabapentinoids were associated with a reduction in cumulative morphine consumption at 24 hours. Furthermore, gabapentinoids can significantly reduce the occurrence of nausea/vomiting. There were no significant differences in the occurrence of sedation and dizziness.Preoperative use of gabapentinoids was able to reduce postoperative pain, total morphine consumption, and morphine-related complications following arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Further studies should determine the optimal dose and whether pregabalin is superior to gabapentin in controlling acute pain after shoulder surgery.Evaluar la eficacia y seguridad de la analgesia preventiva con gabapentinoides para pacientes sometidos a cirugía artroscópica del hombro.Se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática y metaanálisis conforme a PRISMA en las bases de datos PubMed, Cochrane Library y ScienceDirect. Se recuperaron ensayos controlados aleatorios (RCT) que comparaban los gabapentinoides (gabapentina y pregabalina) con placebo en pacientes sometidos a cirugía artroscópica del hombro. El punto final principal fue la puntuación de la escala analógica visual (VAS) a las 24 horas y el consumo acumulado de morfina a las 24 horas. Los resultados secundarios fueron complicaciones de náuseas/vómitos, sedación y mareos. Después de realizar pruebas de sesgo de publicación y heterogeneidad entre los estudios, se agregaron datos para modelos de efectos aleatorios cuando fue necesario.En última instancia, se incluyeron en el metaanálisis cinco estudios clínicos (grupo de gabapentina n = 4 y grupo de pregabalina n = 1). Los gabapentinoides se asociaron con puntuaciones de dolor reducidas a las 24 horas. Del mismo modo, los gabapentinoides se asociaron con una reducción en el consumo acumulado de morfina a las 24 horas. Además, los gabapentinoides pueden reducir significativamente la aparición de náuseas/vómitos. No hubo diferencias significativas en la ocurrencia de sedación y mareos.El uso preoperatorio de gabapentinoides fue capaz de reducir el dolor postoperatorio, el consumo total de morfina y las complicaciones relacionadas con la morfina después de la cirugía artroscópica del hombro. Otros estudios deben determinar la dosis óptima y si la pregabalina es superior a la gabapentina en el control del dolor agudo después de la cirugía de hombro.

[EN] Thrombin generation is a complex and finely regulated pathway that provokes dynamical changes of thrombin concentration in blood when a vascular injury occurs. In order to characterize the initiation phase of such process, when thrombin concentration is in the nM range, a label-free optical aptasensor is proposed here. This aptasensor combines a 1D photonic crystal structure consisting of a silicon corrugated waveguide with thrombin binding aptamers on its surface as bioreceptors. As a result, this aptasensor has been demonstrated to specifically detect thrombin concentrations ranging from 270 pM to 27 nM with an estimated detection limit of 33.5 pM and a response time of ~2 min. Furthermore, it has also been demonstrated that this aptasensor is able to continuously respond to consecutive increasing concentrations of thrombin and to detect binding events as they occur. All these features make this aptasensor a good candidate to continuously study how thrombin concentration progressively increases during the initiation phase of the coagulation cascade., This research was supported by a co-financed action by the European Union through the operational program of the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) of the Valencian Community 2014-2020, the Generalitat Valenciana through the PROMETEO project AVANTI/2019/123 and by Universitat Politecnica de Valencia through grants PAID-01-17 and the project OCUSENSOR.

The study is focused on locally-grown, such as carrots, beets and quinoa from the As-polluted Chiu Chiu area in Northern Chile. For the vegetables, were investigated: i) Their total As, Cu, Pb, Cr, Cd and Mn content ii) Arsenic speciation by LC-ICPMS analysis; iii) Arsenic bioaccessibility iv) Arsenic species present in the extracts and v) Arsenic dietary exposure. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion of As from carrots and beets, whereas efficiency was about 40% for quinoa. For carrots, only As(III) and As(V) species were found, being their concentration levels similar. In the case of quinoa, around 85% of the element was present as As(V).

The influence of H2O2 on the photodegradataion of 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) in ethanol and in waterethanol solutions upon exposure to KrCl excilamp radiation (λrad = 222 nm) and XeBr excilamp radiation (λrad = 283 nm) is investigated. A kinematic model of photodegradation of the investigated molecule is constructed. The addition of H2O2 resulted in a weak increase of the decay rate of 5-MOP in ethanol exposed to KrCl excilamp radiation. In water-ethanol solutions the addition of H2O2 altered the mechanism of decay of 5-MOP irradiated by the KrCl excilamp in comparison with irradiation by the XeBr excilamp. It has been shown that upon exposure to XeBr excilamp radiation in the presence of H2O2, the primary photoproduct of the transformation of 5-MOP in the reaction corresponding to the first-order kinetic model is formed both in ethanol and in the water-ethanol solutions. Maximum removal of 5-MOP takes place for the ratio of initial concentrations [5-MOP]:[H2O2] = 1:3 after 60 min irradiation. It is found that irradiation by the XeBr excilamp the decay rate of 5-MOP is 5 times higher in the water-ethanol solutions in comparison with ethanol. Upon exposure to KrCl excilamp radiation the mechanism of 5-MOP decay corresponds to a pseudo-firstorder kinetic model. The nature of the dependence of the decay rate of 5-MOP on the irradiation time for the ratio of initial concentrations [5-MOP]:[H2O2] = 1:24 indicates that during decay of the initial compound a photoproduct appears in the system which decays during the irradiation time into secondary compounds. Efficient removal of 5-MOP under this irradiation takes place for the ratio of initial concentrations [5-MOP]:[H2O2] = 1:10 after 60 min irradiation.

An innovative approach to produce silver nanorod (NRs) arrays with controlled morphological parameters and surface roughness is presented. The Ag NRs were obtained using a three-stage fabrication process based on the electron beam exposure of a metal-polymer nanocomposite resist on a transparent substrate and development, a post bake and then a series of non-electrochemical metallization steps. After each step the evolution of the Ag NRs was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphology and optical transmittance (T) measurements for Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR). The transmittance measurements were interpreted using models based on the Finite Element Method (FEM).

"A photopyroelectric methodology using pyroelectric devices in the thermally thin regime, for the measurement of the thermal effusivity of liquids, is described. A commercial buzzer, taking advantage of the pyroelectric activity of the ceramic material (PZT in this case), is used to achieve this goal. Equivalence for thermal effusivity measurements between this photopyroelectric methodology and a previously reported photoacoustic technique, in the front configuration, is established. The thermal effusivity of six liquids was measured using this device, and very good agreement was found with corresponding values reported in the literature."

Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) is used as an emulsifier in the food industry, especially in chocolate coatings and chocolate bars. PGPR improves the characteristics of molten chocolate by reducing yield stress, facilitating the coating of confectionery pieces, while limiting the amount of cocoa butter involved. The enzymatic synthesis of PGPR catalyzed by lipases presents several advantages over chemical synthesis, including enzyme specificity and the mild conditions needed, thereby avoiding undesirable side-reactions and by-products. A novel process to synthesize PGPR using a biocatalyst, Novozym® 435, is presented. Novozym® 435 is appropriate for catalyzing both the reactions involved in this process. A PGPR fulfilling European specifications for this food additive as well as recommendations set out in the Food Chemical Codex, was obtained using a discontinuous vacuum reactor with a dry nitrogen flow. In addition, the biocatalyst reuse would decrease costs. Moreover, it was confirmed that the ability to obtain PGPR in a one-step reaction significantly shortens the time required.

A diffusion-reaction kinetic model is presented for the kinetic analysis of the removal process of phenolic compounds using hydrogen peroxide and immobilized peroxidase. The good results obtained in the fitting of the experimental data to the model confirm its validity, in the experimental range considered, as well as the one of the extended version of the Dunford mechanism proposed in a previous paper. The phenomenon of enzyme deactivation and/or sequestration by the precipitated olygomers/polymers, which has been widely described in the literature, is here modeled as the growth of a polymeric film over the external surface and inside the pores of the catalytic particles that contain the enzyme, thus determining the appearance of diffusional limitations and an increasing loss of activity. The deactivation phenomena, interpreted and modeled in terms of the effectiveness factor, are included in the kinetic model. To confirm the validity of the model, several series of experiments were carried out in a discontinuous tank reactor. Some of these experimental series were used to obtain the values of the kinetic parameters by numerical calculation and using an error minimization algorithm. Since the model reproduces the behavior of the system for the series of experiments not used for the determination of the parameters, it can be affirmed that the model is suitable for the kinetic analysis of the system under study.

In this paper we review some recent results on the optical properties of nitride nanostructures, in particular on GaN quantum dots (QDs) and InN nanocolumns (NCs). First, we will give a brief introduction on the particularities of vibrational modes of wurtzite. The GaN QDs, embedded in AlN, were grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) in the Stransky-Krastanov mode on c- and a-plane 6H-SiC. We have studied the optical properties by means of photoluminescence (PL) and performed Raman scattering measurements to analyze the strain relaxation in the dots and the barrier, the effect of the internal electric fields, and the influence of specific growth parameters, like the influence of capping or the spacer on the relaxation of the QDs. A theoretical model, based on continuous elastic theory, were developed to interpret the Raman scattering results. On the other hand, InN NCs have been grown by MBE in the vapor-liquid-solid mode using Au as a catalyst. The nanocolumns have different morphology depending on the growth conditions. The optical properties can be correlated to the morphology of the samples and the best growth conditions can be selected. We observe, from the analysis of the Raman data in InN NCs, the existence of two space regions contributing to the scattering: the surface and the inner region. From the inner region, uncoupled phonon modes are clearly observed, showing the high crystal quality and the complete relaxation of the NCs (no strain). The observation of a LO-phonon-plasmon couple in the same spectra is a fingerprint of the accumulation layer predicted at the surface of the nanocolumns.

The E 2h and A 1 (LO) phonon modes of AlN films grown on sapphire are analyzed by Raman scattering as a function of silicon doping for concentrations covering from 5.5 x 10 19 cm ―3 to 5.2 x 10 21 cm ―3 . For high doping levels the appearance of a mode around 520 cm ―1 indicates the precipitation of crystalline silicon in the samples and its inhomogeneous incorporation to the AlN layer. The frequency of this mode shifts to lower energies with doping, indicating that the silicon crystals are embedded in the AlN lattice and under tensile strain. On the other hand, the AlN phonon modes are blue-shifted due to the compressive strain as a result of the silicon incorporation. This strain is partially relieved for very high doping levels. The coupling of the polar A 1 (LO) mode of the AlN films with the electronic cloud (phonon―plasmon coupling) is analyzed for electron concentrations up to 4 × 10 17 cm ― 3 . A 2 cm ―1 blue shift of the phonon frequencies is observed for the highest electron concentrations.

A short recursive procedure for calculating the effectiveness factor for enzymes immobilized in porous spherical particles is presented. The method is mathematically simple and very precise; it is valid for reversible Michaelis–Menten kinetics including, as particular situations, simple Michaelis–Menten and product competitive inhibition kinetics. The procedure is a modification of the two-parameter model previously published by the authors. The definition of an auxiliary dimensionless concentration leads to a recursive equation which simplifies the resolution of the model by means of elementary numerical methods. The solution algorithm has been transformed into a computer program, whose source code is appended. The exact values of the effectiveness factors for zero and first order kinetics, as a function of the Thiele module, were compared with those obtained with the numerical procedure proposed in this work. The good agreement between both results demonstrates the validity of the method.

The judicious use of cis-Pt as an intravenously administrable Pt(II) drug for chemotherapy requires the evaluation of its interactions with blood proteins. Therefore, the combined use of modern analytical chemical speciation and of analytical proteomics approaches to study these interactions is described here. The method involves incubation of cis-Pt with standard proteins and human serum samples. The separation of the proteins is conducted by liquid chromatography in an anion exchange column (Mono Q). Simultaneous molecular detection by UV absorption (280 nm) and elemental detection (195Pt) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are performed. Using this set-up, the effects of the incubation time as well as the drug concentration on cis-Pt interactions with transferrin, albumin and innmunoglobulin G were studied. In addition, the nature of interactions was also investigated by means of electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-Q-TOF) of the intact protein. Transferrin and albumin showed different interactions, binding one and four cisplatin molecules, respectively. Also, some typical proteomic studies were initiated by tryptic digesting the transferrin and albumin cis-Pt complexes followed by capillary-LC-ICP-MS and ESI-Q-TOF parallel detection of the peptides obtained. The capLC-ICP-MS chromatogram provided clear evidence of Pt-containing peptides remaining after tryptic digestion.

In this work, silver migration from commercial food containers was evaluated according to European Regulation 10/2011. Several experimental parameters affected silver release: food simulant, temperature, exposition time and sampled bag area. Results demonstrated a significant silver nanoparticle (AgNP) migration into aqueous and acidic simulants. The amount of silver migrated increased with storage time and temperature although, in general, silver showed a low tendency to migrate into food simulants (17 ng/g). However, the food simulant did not seem to be a really outstanding variable for long term storage. AF4-ICP MS was used to confirm the presence of AgNPs in the simulants. The low limit of detection achieved (0.4 μg L-1) allowed the identification of AgNPs and their size characterisation (40-60 nm). Finally, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis suggested a possible transformation of the AgNPs detected in the extracts, due to association with other ligands, such as chlorine and sulphur, present in the original containers.

Using synchrotron radiation nanoprobe, this work reports on the elemental distribution in single Inx Ga1–xN nanowires (NWs) grown by molecular beam epitaxy directly on Si(111) substrates. Single NWs dispersed on Al covered sapphire were characterized by nano-X-ray fluorescence, Raman scattering and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Both Ga and In maps reveal an inhomogeneous axial distribution inside sin- gle NWs. The analysis of NWs from the same sample but with different dimensions suggests a decrease of In segregation with the reduction of NW diameter, while Ga distribution seems to remain unaltered. Photoluminescence and Raman scattering measurements carried out on ensembles of NWs exhibit relevant signatures of the compositional disorder. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

In this work, silver migration from commercial food containers was evaluated according to European Regulation 10/2011. Several experimental parameters affected silver release: food simulant, temperature, exposition time and sampled bag area. Results demonstrated a significant silver nanoparticle (AgNP) migration into aqueous and acidic simulants. The amount of silver migrated increased with storage time and temperature although, in general, silver showed a low tendency to migrate into food simulants (17 ng/g). However, the food simulant did not seem to be a really outstanding variable for long term storage. AF(4)-ICP MS was used to confirm the presence of AgNPs in the simulants. The low limit of detection achieved (0.4 μg L(-1)) allowed the identification of AgNPs and their size characterisation (40-60 nm). Finally, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis suggested a possible transformation of the AgNPs detected in the extracts, due to association with other ligands, such as chlorine and sulphur, present in the original containers.

We have successfully grown InxGa1−xN nanowires by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy on silicon substrates. The alloy composition and crystal quality have been analyzed by Raman scattering, photoluminescence spectroscopy and x-ray fluorescence nanoprobe techniques. InxGa1−xN is an one-mode alloy, where the different optical modes have an intermediate frequency of that of pure InN and GaN. The sample composition can be derived from the Raman data. On the other hand, by using the optical gap provided by the emission spectra, we conclude that the samples have a lower Ga content than that provided by the Raman analysis. X-ray fluorescence maps and photoluminescence measured in single nanowires help to explain this contradictory result.

This study evaluated the feasibility of asymmetric flow field flow fractionation coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (AF4-ICP-MS) for separation, characterization and quantification of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in complex nutraceutical and beverage samples. For improved determination, different analysis conditions were proposed depending on the NP size, i.e. below 20nm and in the 20-60nm range. After optimization of the different experimental parameters affecting the AF4 separation process and the analyte detection, the proposed methods showed a wide dynamic linear range (i.e., in the 10-1000¿gL-1) and limits of detection below 28ngL-1. A previous probe ultrasonication for 90s (corresponding to 45 pulses of 2s) of the tested samples resulted in complete AgNPs disaggregation. As a result, a fast accurate determination was achieved (complete analysis was done in ca. 37min). The practicality of the proposed methodology for the intended determination was demonstrated by successful determination of the AgNPs present in a variety of nutraceuticals and a beverage at concentration levels in the 0.7-29.5×103¿gL-1 range. A good agreement was observed among these concentration data and those determined by more conventional sample preparation techniques, such as ultracentrifugation and acid digestion. Also, the estimated NP sizes using AF4 compared satisfactorily with those determined by image techniques, i.e. transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All together demonstrated the utility of this novel analytical methodology for the analysis of AgNPs of different size in complex matrices.

A rapid and sensitive on-line preconcentration method for the determination of silver in waters by flow injection flame atomic absorption spectrometry is described. Preconcentration is based on the retention of silver on a sulfhydryl cotton fibre microcolumn using a 0.05 mol l–1 HNO3 carrier solution and subsequent elution with 50 µl of 0.2 mol l–1 KCN. The preconcentration factor is 300 (50 µl elution volume) for a 15 ml sample volume. The detection limit under these conditions is 1 µg l–1 and the relative standard deviation is 3.5%(10 µg l–1 solution, n= 5).

In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in the number of procedures carried out under regional anesthesia. The techniques used can be associated with a number of complications, which should be understood so that they can be recognized and managed appropriately. The overall incidence of reported complications associated with these techniques is low and therefore, with currently available data, we can only have an approximate idea of their incidence. The objective of this study is to systematically describe the complications that may arise from the use of neuraxial and peripheral regional anesthesia techniques.

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can be applied to organic tissues obtained from experimental animals. Hearing loss does not correlate with the platinum (Pt) concentration found in the inner ear. Drug structure and affinity to inner ear proteins could explain ototoxicity caused by cisplatin.To analyse Pt affinity for brain and ear tissues (of similar embryologic origin) in the Wistar rat and clearance gradient after a single dose, and to correlate these findings with hearing changes.Thirty-two Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin at a dose of 5 mg/kg. Animals were sacrificed after obtaining auditory brain responses (ABRs) at 3, 7, 30 and 90 days (nine, seven, seven and nine animals, respectively). Brain and both temporal bones were extracted from each animal and analysed by ICP-MS to determine the absolute concentrations of the metal. Eight non-treated animals were employed as a control group.The ABR thresholds were significantly elevated in animals from all groups after cisplatin treatment. A maximum accumulation of Pt for inner ear and brain was revealed around the first week: 3.175 (57%) and 0.342 (72%), respectively. Pt significantly accumulated in greater quantities in ear than in brain (p0.01) and was cleared at a higher rate in brain than in ear (p0.01) following cochlea/brain ratio analysis. No statistically significant correlation was found between amounts of Pt and hearing loss in the study animals.

Flow injection systems incorporating microcolumns of Amberlyst A-26 and sulfhydryl cotton were combined with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry for on-line preconcentration and determination of gold in waters. Use of a sampling volume of 10 ml and an eluent volume of 250 µl resulted in preconcentration factors of 40 and 50 with Amberlyst A-26 (eluent, ammonia solution) and sulfhyrdyl cotton (eluent, potassium cyanide solution), respectively. The limit of detection was about 1 µg l–1(for both microcolumns) and the precision was 1.2–3.5% at the 50 µg l–1 level. Application to the determination of gold in refinery effluent was demonstrated.

We report, after 3 years of work, a case series showing our initial results (efficacy, tolerability, and safety) with the addition of venlafaxine immediate release (IR) to either clomipramine or imipramine in depressed patients who had shown only partial response to maximal doses of one of those tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and no further improvement after addition of usual augmentation drugs.Eleven patients were treated, 10 of them having a recurrent depressive disorder (DSM-IV) and all of them having current major depression (DSM-IV) that in 9 patients was moderate or severe despite intense TCA treatment as well as usual augmentations. Under open and outpatient conditions, we maintained TCA doses, discontinued previous augmentations, and then added venlafaxine IR to a maximum dosage, if necessary, of 150 mg every 12 hours. There was no control group. Response was assessed using the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), DSM-IV criteria, the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Illness scale, and persistence of improvements after 6 months. We measured clinical tolerance (using the UKU Side Effect Rating Scale), blood pressure and heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG), and blood TCA levels after adding venlafaxine IR.A sustained improvement (50% decrease in HAM-D score plus decrease in DSM-IV severity level) appeared in 9 patients, and sustained full remission (DSM-IV criteria plus HAM-D score5) in 7. Panic-agoraphobic symptoms improved in the 2 patients suffering from them. There were no dropouts, and tolerability was good. No significant changes in blood pressure and heart rate, ECG, or blood tricyclic levels were found.Addition of venlafaxine to clomipramine or imipramine could be an effective and safe augmentation strategy in depressive patients with partial response to maximum-dose monotherapy. A consistent replication of these initial findings is strongly needed.

The search for risk factors for development of germ cell tumors (GCT) in children who lived in Mexico City (MC). A protective, observational, case-control study was conducted in children under 15 years of age resident in MC, insurer by the Mexican Institute of Social Security. The study population was selected between January 1st, 1990 and December 31st, 1994. Parents of the children were interviewed with a 230-items precoded questionnaire, validated previously with a pilot study. For analysis were obtained simple frequencies and odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). There were 21 cases and 105 controls. The most significant risk factors were winter conception (OR = 7.6, 95% CI 1.5-39.3; P = 0.007); low parental education level (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.1-7.5; P = 0.026); and parental combined dust and electricity exposure before pregnancy (OR = 26, 95% CI 2.28-1291.86; P = 0.0007). during (OR8.58, 95% CI 0.89-106.55; P = 0.041) and after pregnancy (OR = 9.66, 95% CI 0.99-120.22; P = 0.027). There was a protective effect with repetitive infections during infancy. In conclusion, Winter conception is in accordance with infectious etiology theory of GCT development. The low parental education level and the combined exposure to dust and electricity are very important. The protective effect of repetitive infections and other factors make necessary more epidemiologic studies in this field.

At the Hospital de Ginecobstetricia del Centro Médico "La Raza", were taken EKG to 30 healthy premature newborn during a six month period. The first EKG was recorded 3 hours after birth, the second in 8 hours, the third in 24 h, the fourth in 48 h, the fifth in 72 hours, the sixth at the end of the first week, the seventh at the fifteen days and the eighth at 30 days after birth. The mean heart rate was 135 +/- 10 beats/min in the first week. There were heart rate elevation for the first three days after birth. The QRS mean axis were + 130 +/- 25 degrees, without changes during the study time. The QTc interval in all cases was higher than 0.42 sec. The voltage of waves R and S at right and left precordial leads were similar. At this gestational age the ventricular masses are equals. The T waves changes reflected hemodynamic changes. It is concluded what the healthy premature newborn had a typical EKG as a reflex to the cardiocirculatory adaptations.

Shows the general findings in a cohort of newborn babies born to diabetic mothers.Prospective and observational study, during a year (1988).Hospital de Ginecoobstetricia del Centro Médico "La Raza", a terciary Center.There were 92 newborn babies born to diabetic mothers; 62 were delivery with cesarean section and 30 were vaginally; 51 were males and 41 females; with 49% prematurelly born, 38% with macrosomia; there were eight stillbirths and four neonatal deaths, with a perinatal mortality of 13%. From the live born babies in 50% had any problem with icterus in 40%, respiratory insufficiency in 22.5%, hypoglycemia in 16.2% and polycytemia in 13%; 44.5% had an uncomplicate course. There were five patients with congenital anomalies.The newborn baby born to diabetic mother needed a special control from early stages of pregnancy, preferable for a interdisciplinary medical team, with the goal to obtained in our perinatal mortality rate will be similar to published in the international literature, lesser of 2%.

We describe the results of surgical repair of atrial septal defects in 36 children who did not undergo pre-op cardiac catheterization. These cases were seen at the Hospital de Cardiologia y Neumología Dr. Luis Méndez del Centro Médico Nacional. There were 24 (67%) females and twelve (33%) males. The mean age was 6.4 +/- 2.4 years with a range from three to thirteen. All cases had auscultatory findings typical of atrial septal defect. Five patients with associated tricuspid murmur (chest film showed grade I cardiomegaly in 21 (58.3 per cent), grade II cardiomegaly in fifteen (41.7 percent). Pulmonary artery shadow was normal in 24 (66.6 percent) and increased in twelve (33.3%). Pulmonary blood flow was increased in all of them. Electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm in 35 (97.2%). In one instance left atrial rhythm; all EKGs demonstrated right axis deviation, complete right bundle branch block and right ventricular hypertrophy with diastolic overload. Only three had right atrial hypertrophy. The M-mode echocardiogram showed right ventricular dilatation in all and paradoxically septal motion in 26 (72.2%). Two-dimensional echo with the subxiphoid view allowed direct visualization of the defect in all cases. We performed contrast echocardiogram in eight cases and Doppler echocardiogram in six of them. Cardiac surgery findings were ostium secundum atrial septal defect in 34 (94.4%). Two of them also had partial anomalous venous connection. All had uneventful recovery. We conclude that in typical atrial septal defects operative repair is feasible without prior cardiac catheterization.

The medical records of children who died from asthmatiform syndrome at Hospital de Pediatría del Centro Médico Nacional, during 1963 through 1980. were examined. There were sixteen asthmatic deaths; out of these, ten were males and six females; 88% occurred before the age of five years. Half of the deaths occurred during the first asthmatiform attack. In 69%, an upper respiratory tract infection was the precipitating factor and in 31%, bronchopneumonia was associated. There were cardiac failures in 88%. A poor medical management was the main factor in about 66%. The mortality rate was 0.5%. The significance of the clinical course is discussed and a program for treatment outlined.

A case of non-coronary myocardial infarct in the newborn period is reported. There are only 25 cases in the world literature. A review is made of the the etiology, pathogenesis and of the news methods used for diagnosis.

We present the clinical picture of a patient with the fetal hydantoin syndrome. A review was made on etiology, pathogenesis, in this syndrome and the recommended medical management for the epileptic mother during pregnancy.

The study shows the gasometric and electrolytic features during the first five day from newborns from toxemic mothers. It is a prospective study, carried out during a four month period at the obstetrics premature ward at the Gynecological-Obstetrics Hospital of "La Raza" Medical Center. Thirty-three newborn babies with evidences of toxemia and who had not received any intravenous therapy were studied. Blood samples were taken and serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels were measured at 24, 48, 72 and 120 hours after birth. The results showed that six patients (18%) were anemic, and another had polycythemia. Twelve others (36%) had plaquetopenia, one had hypercalcemia, another hypocalcemia, and eleven (33%) presented hypophosphatemia. Of the initial 33 patients, 75% presented metabolic acidosis which spontaneously corrected itself within the following 72 hours. Three showed signs of hypernatremia, four hyponatremia, and two others hyperkalemia, with a return to normal levels within the next 24 hours. No chloride alterations were found in any of the patients. Some newborn babies born from toxemic mothers can spontaneously correct their electrolytic and acid-base imbalance within 72 hours of their birth. Electrolytes; toxemia.