Influence of a Former Mining Area in the Heavy Metals Concentrations in Blood of Free-Living Mediterranean Pond Turtles (Mauremys leprosa).

The objective of this study was to assess metal exposure in the Mediterranean Pond Turtle (Mauremys leprosa) inhabiting a watercourse in an ancient mining district polluted by different metals ("Rambla de Las Moreras", southeastern Spain) and included in the Ramsar Convention. For this purpose, mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) were analysed in blood samples from 42 M. leprosa healthy adults (27 males and 13 females). The highest median concentrations were found for Zn, followed by Cu, Pb, Hg and Cd (366, 33, 9, 0.83 and 0.14 µg/dL, respectively). Although the literature regarding toxic metals in freshwater turtles is relatively scarce, Pb may cause deleterious effects in our population. In general, males presented higher levels than females, which could be due to maternal transfer during egg formation. The significant correlations between Cu-Cd and Cu-Hg suggest the implication of an efficient mechanism of detoxification involving metallothioneins.

Necrosis gástrica masiva secundaria a ingesta de ácido clorhídrico / Massive gastric necrosis from hydrochloric acid ingestion

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Comparison of the efficacy and safety of ebrotidine in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. A multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II study.

Ebrotidine (N-[(E)-[[2-[[[2-[(diaminomethylene)amino]-4 -thiazoly]methyl]thio]ethyl]amino]methylene]-4-bromo-benzenesulfon amide, CAS 100981-43-9, FI-3542) is a new H2-receptor antagonist characterized by its high receptor affinity and gastroprotective effect. This Phase II study has been undertaken to establish the efficacy and safety of ebrotidine, administered in four dosages as a single evening dose versus placebo in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. A total of 110 duodenal ulcer patients were studied in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical trial. The patients were assigned to 5 groups: placebo, 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg and 800 mg of ebrotidine once daily. Controls were performed at baseline and every two weeks at four follow-up visits unless ulcer healed before. Endoscopic examination was the main parameter for the assessment of treatment efficacy and ulcer healing rate. Vital signs and blood/ urine analysis were used to establish safety. The three groups treated with higher dosages (400 to 800 mg of ebrotidine daily) showed an endoscopic ulcer healing rate of 90-95%, significantly higher than 55% achieved with placebo (p < 0.05), whilst the differences between these three dosages of ebrotidine were not statistically significant. Healing rate in the group treated with 200 mg of ebrotidine daily was not significantly different from that in the placebo group. The development of symptoms, number of episodes of ulcer-related pain, total ulcerated surface area or subjective ratings by the patients and investigators also differed significantly between ebrotidine (400, 600 and 800 mg daily) and placebo, and again, no marked differences were found between these three doses of ebrotidine. As far as tolerance is concerned, no clinically or statistically significant changes were observed in vital signs and analytical parameters. The incidence of side effects was less than that presented by the placebo group, possibly due to a greater consumption of antacids in this group. Results showed that a daily dose of 400 mg ebrotidine is effective and safe in the treatment of duodenal ulcers.

Prevalence and associated factors for gallstone disease: results of a population survey in Spain.

We conducted a cross-sectional survey to determine the prevalence of gallstone disease (gallstone or cholecystectomy) in a random sample of the adult population of Guadalajara, Spain. The sample stratified by age and sex was drawn from the municipal census. Stratum sample sizes were proportional to population sizes and to the expected prevalence rates calculated through a meta-analysis of the European literature. The screening protocol included a gallbladder ultrasonography, a questionnaire on personal and family history, a physical examination, and a blood sample for biochemical determinations. The response rate was 61.2%. The overall prevalence of gallstone disease was 9.7% (95% CI, 7.3-12.0). Prevalence was higher (but not statistically significant) in women (11.5%; 95% CI, 8.2-14.7) than in men (7.8%; 95% CI, 4.6-11.1). After controlling for confounding by multiple logistic regression, increasing age, body mass index, dyspeptic symptoms, smoking habit, and use of hypolipidemic drugs were positively associated with gallstone disease. Total serum cholesterol and alcohol consumption were negatively associated.