Raman Interferometry between Autoionizing States to Probe Ultrafast Wave-Packet Dynamics with High Spectral Resolution.

Photoelectron interferometry with femtosecond and attosecond light pulses is a powerful probe of the fast electron wave-packet dynamics, albeit it has practical limitations on the energy resolution. We show that one can simultaneously obtain both high temporal and spectral resolution by stimulating Raman interferences with one light pulse and monitoring the modification of the electron yield in a separate step. Applying this spectroscopic approach to the autoionizing states of argon, we experimentally resolved its electronic composition and time evolution in exquisite detail. Theoretical calculations show remarkable agreement with the observations and shed light on the light-matter interaction parameters. Using appropriate Raman probing and delayed detection steps, this technique enables highly sensitive probing and control of electron dynamics in complex systems.

Capillaroscopy: A Valuable Diagnostic Tool. / Capilaroscopia: una herramienta diagnóstica valiosa.

Capillaroscopy produces in vivo images of skin microcirculation. It is a simple, noninvasive tool for analyzing microvascular abnormalities and, as such, can be used in both adults and children. Capillaroscopy has proven useful in many diseases, but it is of particular value in Raynaud phenomenon and other autoimmune diseases. The test is used to analyze capillaroscopic patterns in the nailfold bed of the second to fifth fingers of each hand. A normal capillaroscopic pattern is characterized by the presence of 7 to 11 capillaries in a hairpin shape. Pathologic patterns are characterized by morphologic and structural alterations, such as ectasias, giant capillaries, pathologic hemorrhages, avascular areas, and neoangiogenesis. In this article, we review the fundamentals of capillaroscopy, with an emphasis on the technique and its indications, diagnostic value, and use as a prognostic tool for rheumatologic disorders.

Hypokalemic Paralysis due to Primary Sjögren Syndrome: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) is the main renal involvement associated with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS). TIN can manifest as distal renal tubular acidosis (RTA), nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, proximal tubular dysfunction, and others. We present a 31-year-old female with hypokalemic paralysis due to distal RTA (dRTA). She received symptomatic treatment and hydroxychloroquine with a good response. There is insufficient information on whether to perform a kidney biopsy in these patients or not. The evidence suggests that there is an inflammatory background and therefore a potential serious affection to these patients, such as hypokalemic paralysis. We found 52 cases of hypokalemic paralysis due to dRTA in pSS patients. The majority of those patients were treated only with symptomatic medication. Patients who received corticosteroids had stable evolution even though they did not have another symptomatology. With such heterogeneous information, prospective studies are needed to assess the value of adding corticosteroids as a standardized treatment of this manifestation.

Impact of Maintenance Therapy for the Prevention of Peri-implant Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

At the present time, peri-implantitis has become a global burden that occurs with a frequency from 1% to 47% at implant level. Therefore, we aimed herein at assessing the impact of peri-implant maintenance therapy (PIMT) on the prevention of peri-implant diseases. Electronic and manual literature searches were conducted by 3 independent reviewers using several databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register, for articles up to June 2015 without language restriction. Articles were included if they were clinical trials aimed at demonstrating the incidence of peri-implant diseases under a strict regime or not of PIMT. Implant survival and failure rate were studied as secondary outcomes. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the influence of PIMT and other reported variables upon peri-implant diseases. Thirteen and 10 clinical trials were included in the qualitative and quantitative analysis, respectively. Mucositis was affected by history of periodontitis and mean PIMT at implant and patient levels, respectively. Similarly, significant effects of history of periodontal disease were obtained for peri-implantitis for both implant and patient levels. Furthermore, mean PIMT interval was demonstrated to influence the incidence of peri-implantitis at implant but not patient level. PIMT interval showed significance at both levels. For implant survival, implants under PIMT have 0.958 the incident event than those with no PIMT. Within the limitations of the present systematic review, it can be concluded that implant therapy must not be limited to the placement and restoration of dental implants but to the implementation of PIMT to potentially prevent biologic complications and hence to heighten the long-term success rate. Although it must be tailored to a patient's risk profiling, our findings suggest reason to claim a minimum recall PIMT interval of 5 to 6 mo. Additionally, it must be stressed that even in the establishment of PIMT, biologic complications might occur. Thus, patient-, clinical-, and implant-related factors must be thoroughly explored.

Is the Production of Embryos in Small-Scale Farming an Economically Feasible Enterprise?

The present assay attempts to evaluate the feasibility of using embryo transfer in small community farmers by in vivo study and by modelling the results obtained. From the total of 59 donor cows, 62.7% responded to treatment, with a significant difference (p = 0.002) in the percentage of the response between breeds, being 90.5% (19/21) in Holstein and 47.4% (18/38) in Brahman. A total of 283 embryos were graded as transferable, while 141 as non-transferable, without difference in the percentage of transferable embryo by breed (p = 0.18). The mean of transferable embryos graded as class I and II was not different between Holstein and Brahman (p = 0.96 and p = 0.92, respectively); besides, no differences were observed in the other grades (non-transferable). The highest difference in costs, regardless of its quality by breed, was seen in the lower levels of probable fertility of the embryo transferred, even reaching several hundred dollars. When modelling the expected costs for embryo produced and transferred, values can reach nearly $2000.00 when the probable fertility is only 10%. However, when the probable fertility was 60%, embryo cost was close to $300.00. This technology seems to be viable on average or high-scale systems, having a superovulatory response between 60 and 80% with 4-6 transferrable embryos. Yet, in small-scale farming, due to the reduced number of donors and/or recipients, the costs surpass the economical feasibility of the technique.

Observation of fresh Bos indicus embryos comparing stereoscopic and phase contrast microscopy.

Summary The precision of embryo evaluation using stereoscopic microscopy (SM) and inverted phase contrast microscopy (PCM) was compared in 20 Bos indicus cows superovulated at two different times of the year. In total, 118 embryos were collected and classified according to their developmental stage and quality by two independent evaluators using SM and inverted PCM. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to determine concordance between SM and PCM observations. A good level of agreement (k = 0.616) was found for quality level, and a moderate one (k = 0.464) for developmental stage, particularly at the morula stage. Using the TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labelling) technique, concordance level was deemed to be low with the SM (k = 0.169), and poor with the PCM (k = 0.217). Differences in concordance levels were also found between observations made at the two times of year, 78 embryos were evaluated in the rainy season when concordance level was good (k = 0.68), in contrast to the 40 embryos evaluated in the dry season when agreement was found to be poor (k = 0.24). In conclusion, inverted PCM was somewhat more effective for evaluating embryos, particularly at the morula stage. However, considering the high cost of an inverted PCM, the differences observed do not justify its purchase for routine embryo evaluation.

Effect of five irreversible inhibitors on beta-lactamase from Shigella flexneri UCSF-129.

The effect of five irreversible inhibitors on purified enzyme from Shigella flexneri USCF-129 and also in vitro, was investigated. The I50 was 0.091, 0.30, 0.40 and 0.87 microgram/ml for 6 beta-iodopenicillanic, clavulanic, olivanic and 6 beta-bromopenicillanic acids, respectively, and 255 micrograms/ml for sulbactam. The synergic responses of these inhibitors (10 micrograms/ml) were studied with ampicillin and cephradin on S. flexneri. The MIC of ampicillin was reduced by 128 times using 6 beta-iodopenicillanic, 6 beta-bromopenicillanic and clavulanic acids. This indicates that the beta-lactamase of S. flexneri is a penicillinase. Since these inhibitors have a strong action against the beta-lactamase and last for at least 6 h, further work is expected to reveal their medical value.

An arginine residue at the active site of beta-lactamase from Shigella flexneri UCSF-129.

The role of a residue of arginine at the active site of beta-lactamase from Shigella flexneri UCSF-129 was studied. It is a local pathogenic strain which produces intestinal problems, especially in children. Purified enzymes were obtained by affinity chromatography on phenylboronic acid-agarose gels. The enzyme was serine dependent with a molecular weight of 23.6 kD. It was specifically modified with phenylglyoxal (1/830 molar ratio) and incubated for 20 min in the presence of 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer at pH 8.3. The chemical change was established by isoelectric focusing, since a loss of one positive charge was detected. Protection by cephradine, a substrate, indicated the presence of a residue of arginine at its active site. Controls were conducted by differential spectroscopy. Similar results were obtained with 2,3,butanedione. This vital arginine stabilizes the negative charge of the carboxylic group of C-3 or C-4 from the substrates.

Induction of beta-lactamase from Shigella flexneri UCSF-129: purification by affinity chromatography and some properties.

Lincomycin, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, was an excellent inductor of beta-lactamase, and its total activity and specific activity were increased 2.5- and 3.6-fold respectively. The beta-lactamase produced by Shigella flexneri UCSF-129 was purified by affinity chromatography on phenylboronic acid-agarose with a type B column using an hydrophobic spacer arm (6-aminohexanoic acid activated with succinimide). The yield and specific activity were 96% and 29,283 U/mg, respectively. These were 1.7- and 3.8-fold higher, respectively, than those obtained by the traditional method using ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The working-time was reduced to a third, and the enzyme preparation was shown to be pure by several criteria. From nine divalent cations assayed, only Sn(II) inhibited the enzyme by 74%, and the chloride ion did not have any effect on enzyme activity.

[Loss of intravenous nitroglycerin administered with polyvinyl chloride infusion systems]. / Pérdidas de nitroglicerina intravenosa al administrarla mediante sistemas de infusión de cloruro de polivinilo.

To evaluate the consequences of the interaction between intravenous nitroglycerin (NTG) and infusion systems made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), 20 dilutions of NTG were prepared in glass bottles with an initial concentration of 200 micrograms/ml, which were infused through 20 infusion systems at a rate of 20 ml/hour during 12 hours. NTG concentrations collected at the terminal part of the infusion systems were evaluated after 5 minutes, 6 hours and 12 hours. The results showed a substantial loss of NTG through PVC systems. The loss was 20% after 5 minutes and up to 32% after 12 hours. These results, obtained with a preparation similar to that used in clinical practice, may be helpful to estimate the real dose of the infused drug.