Is eating wild rainbow trout safe? The effects of different land-uses on heavy metals content in Chile.

Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cd and Pb levels were measured in liver and muscle samples of Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss collected from three watersheds with different land-uses: native forest, exotic plantation, and agriculture in Chile, during January, April, July, and October 2012. Cd and Pb levels were not detected in the liver and muscle, probably since they are under the detection limits. Higher metal concentrations (liver-muscle tissues) were detected in samples from agriculture and exotic plantation streams, whereas trout from native forest streams had lower metal concentrations. Higher metal concentrations were detected in liver tissue compared to muscle tissue, and both negatively correlated to the length and weight of the fish. This suggest the liver had higher ability to accumulate Cu, Mn, Fe and Zn compared to muscle tissue. The concentration range of Fe and Zn recorded in the muscle are within the range reported by other authors, whereas Mn and Cu concentrations are higher than reported in the literature. However, at all sites the concentration of selected metals were below the limits permitted by current legislation (FAO), and therefore did not put the human population at risk, suggesting that is eating wild rainbow trout safe in Chile.

Effect of the earthquake-tsunami (Chile, 2010) on toxic metal content in the Chilean abalone mollusc Concholepas concholepas.

Toxic metal content were measured in samples of mollusc Concholepas concholepas obtained from the Chilean coast. Samples were collected during two periods, one before and one after the earthquake-tsunami which occurred in the Maule Region, Chile, February 27th, 2010 as a result of an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8. Quantification of toxic metals in samples of hepatopancreas and muscle tissue was performed using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The analytical methodology was validated with certified reference material. The content means measured in muscle tissue for January 2010 were Cu: 10.3; Cr: 0.7; Cd: < 0.1; Mn: 3.6 and Zn: 38.6 µg g-1 (dry weight). For October 2014, the means were Cu: 8; Cr: 2.4; Cd: < 0.1; Mn: 5.6 and Zn: 45.4 µg g-1 (dry weight). In hepatopancreas tissue, the content means were Cu: 14.8; Cr: 2.4; Cd: 246.2; Mn: 4.4 and Zn: 1552.9 µg g-1 (dry weight). For October 2014, the means were Cu: 53.7; Cr: 3.5; Cd: 118; Mn: 13.4 and Zn: 1352.3 µg g-1 (dry weight). Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn and Zn content in the samples of hepatopancreas were generally higher than those recorded in muscle tissue however they were not always statistically significant. Statistical analysis showed that Cu and Mn content in the post-tsunami period increased in the hepatopancreas tissue. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Zn measured in the muscular tissue (edible part) of the species Conchalepas concholepas, were lower than the maximum contents allowed by the current legislation (FAO/WHO, 2004; EU, 2001) and its consumption is not a risk to human health.

Ectoparasite Caligus rogercresseyi modifies the lactate response in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch).

Although Caligus rogercresseyi negatively impacts Chilean salmon farming, the metabolic effects of infection by this sea louse have never been completely characterized. Therefore, this study analyzed lactate responses in the plasma, as well as the liver/muscle lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and gene expression, in Salmo salar and Oncorhynchus kisutch infested by C. rogercresseyi. The lactate responses of Atlantic and Coho salmon were modified by the ectoparasite. Both salmon species showed increasing in plasma levels, whereas enzymatic activity increased in the muscle but decreased in the liver. Gene expression was overexpressed in both Coho salmon tissues but only in the liver for Atlantic salmon. These results suggest that salmonids need more energy to adapt to infection, resulting in increased gene expression, plasma levels, and enzyme activity in the muscles. The responses differed between both salmon species and over the course of infection, suggesting potential species-specific responses to sea-lice infection.

Effects on the metabolism, growth, digestive capacity and osmoregulation of juvenile of Sub-Antarctic Notothenioid fish Eleginops maclovinus acclimated at different salinities.

In this study we assessed the influence of three different environmental salinities (5, 15 and 31 psu during 90 days) on growth, osmoregulation, energy metabolism and digestive capacity in juveniles of the Notothenioid fish Eleginops maclovinus. At the end of experimental time samples of plasma, liver, gill, intestine, kidney, skeletal muscle, stomach and pyloric caeca were obtained. Growth, weight gain, hepatosomatic index and specific growth rate increased at 15 and 31 psu and were lower at 5 psu salinity. Gill Na(+), K(+)-ATPase (NKA) activity presented a "U-shaped" relationship respect to salinity, with its minimum rates at 15 psu, while this activity correlated negatively with salinity at both anterior and posterior intestinal portions. No significant changes in NKA activity were observed in kidney or mid intestine. Large changes in plasma, metabolite levels and enzymatic activities related to energy metabolism in liver, gill, intestine, kidney and muscle were generally found in the groups exposed to 5 and 31 psu compared to the 15 psu group. Only the pepsin activity (digestive enzymes) assessed enhanced with environmental salinity, while pyloric caeca trypsin/chymotrypsin ratio decreased. This study suggests that juvenile of E. maclovinus presents greater growth near its iso-osmotic point (15 psu) and hyperosmotic environment (31 psu). Acclimation to low salinity increased the osmoregulatory expenditure as seen by the gill and anterior intestine results, while at high salinity, branchial osmoregulatory activity was also enhanced. This requires the mobilization of lipid stores and amino acids, thereby holding the growth of fish back. The subsequent reallocation of energy sources was not sufficient to maintain the growth rate of fish exposed to 5 psu. Thus, E. maclovinus juveniles present better growth efficiencies in salinities above the iso-osmotic point and hyperosmotic environment of this species, showing their best performance at 15 psu as seen by the main osmoregulatory and energy metabolism enzymatic activities.

Combined effects of high stocking density and Piscirickettsia salmonis treatment on the immune system, metabolism and osmoregulatory responses of the Sub-Antarctic Notothenioid fish Eleginops maclovinus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate immunological, metabolic and osmoregulatory secondary stress responses in Eleginops maclovinus specimens submitted to three different stocking densities: i) low (3.1 kg m(-3)), medium (15 kg m(-3)) and high (60 kg m(-3)) during 10 days, alone or in combination with a previous treatment of a protein extract of the pathogen Piscirickettsia salmonis (0.5 µg g weight body(-1)). Plasma, liver, gill and kidney samples were obtained at the end of both experiments. Plasma cortisol and amino acid levels increased, while plasma glucose, triglyceride and lactate levels decreased at higher stocking densities. However, no effects were observed on serum Immunoglobulin type M (IgM anti P. salmonis level) values. Gill Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity enhanced under these experimental conditions, suggesting an osmotic imbalance. Energy metabolism changes, assessed by metabolite concentrations and enzyme activities, indicated a reallocation of energetic substrates at higher stocking densities. Specimens inoculated with a protein extract of P. salmonis and maintained at different stocking densities showed primary stress response, as all groups enhanced plasma cortisol concentrations. Serum IgM levels increased after treatment with P. salmonis extract but a negative influence of high stocking density on IgM production was observed when immune system was activated. Furthermore, treatment with P. salmonis protein extract evoked deep changes in the metabolite stores in all tissues tested, indicating a mobilization of energy substrates in response to infection. The results show that stocking density induced immunological, metabolic and osmoregulatory secondary stress responses in E. maclovinus specimens and that previous treatment with P. salmonis compromise these changes.

Stocking density and Piscirickettsia salmonis infection effect on Patagonian blennie (Eleginops maclovinus, Cuvier 1830) skeletal muscle intermediate metabolism.

The need to expand aquaculture production has led to other fish to be considered as potential species for culture, such as the sub-Antarctic notothenioid Eleginops maclovinus (Valenciennes, 1830). The aim of this study was to determine the cumulative effect of density and pathogen infection by protein extract of Piscirickettsia salmonis on skeletal muscle metabolism. In a first experiment, specimens were submitted to three different stocking densities: (1) 3.1 kg m(-3), (2) 15 kg m(-3) and (3) 60 kg m(-3), for a period of 10 days. In a second experiment, metabolic changes caused by an infection of P. salmonis protein extract (a single injection of 0.5 µL P. salmonis protein extract g body weight(-1) was inoculated in the fish) and its combined effect with stocking density was assessed during a period of 10 days. This study concludes that stress caused by high stocking density led to the reorganization of some metabolic routes to fulfill skeletal muscle energy needs. Furthermore, infection response by pathogen P. salmonis differed when stocking density increased, suggesting an increase of energy needs with density in skeletal muscle of infected fish.

Burnout and quality of life among Spanish healthcare personnel.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between perceived quality of life and levels of burnout among healthcare personnel. A sample of 1095 participants (nurses, physicians, nursing assistants and orderlies) from five hospitals in the province of Girona (Spain) were studied (78% women, mean age=36.6 years, SD=8.8) using the 36-item short-form health questionnaire (SF-36) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The results showed that health-related quality of life reported by this sample of healthcare personnel was lower than the reference population values, especially in those SF-36 dimensions that comprise the mental component. In comparing the dimensions of the SF-36 by profession, we found that physicians had better perceived health in the dimensions of the physical component than nurses and other professionals (P< 0.01). No statistical differences were observed between profession and the dimensions of the mental component (P>0.05). Moreover, perceived health was worse among those that reported a high level on any of the components of burnout. These results should be taken account when designing a burnout prevention programme in the workplace.

Biomonitoring of antioxidant and oxidative stress responses in Perinereis gualpensis (Polychaeta: Nereididae) in Chilean estuarine regions under different anthropogenic pressure.

This study aimed to analyze oxidative stress parameters, including levels of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH), activity of glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), total antioxidant capacity and protein oxidation, in the polychaete Perinereis gualpensis (Nereididae) collected from the Biobío, Itata, Valdivia and Lingue estuaries in Chile, which present different degrees of anthropogenic pressure. Sampling sites were characterized considering a geographic information system and the physicochemical characteristics of water and sediment. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the sampling sites for most of the responses (GSH, GCL, GST and antioxidant capacity), mainly related to human activities such as agriculture, industry, among others. Multivariate correlation analysis indicates a certain relationship of antioxidant responses with human activities, salinity, and worm weight, this last employed to standardize GST and antioxidant capacity. These results clearly indicate biomarker responses in P. gualpensis in Biobío and Valdivia estuaries, the more affected by human activities.

Bioactivation of alumina by surface modification: a possibility for improving the applicability of alumina in bone and oral repair.

OBJECTIVES: In regenerative medicine, surface engineering of bioinert synthetic materials is often required in order to introduce bioactive species that can promote cell adhesion, proliferation, viability and enhanced ECM-secretion functions. The aim of this work is to study cell interaction with alumina-modified surfaces. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this work, chemical properties of alumina surface were changed by a reaction at the surface of alumina with low molecular weight dicarboxylic acid, which produced carboxyl groups. RESULTS: These carboxyl groups were able to complex with Ca2+ on the surface, forming sites of precipitation for calcium phosphates that make alumina biocompatible, as indicated by cell culture of pre-osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1 cell line). CONCLUSIONS: The procedure presented in this work shows that the insertion of specific functional groups on the surface of alumina increases cell interaction with the surface of alumina. This knowledge can be important in oral science and orthopedics, for the construction of prosthesis.

The use of hydroxyapatite and autogenous cancellous bone grafts to repair bone defects in rats.

Bone grafts are frequently used in the treatment of bone defects. Bone harvesting can cause postoperative complications and sometimes does not provide a sufficient quantity of bone. Therefore, synthetic biomaterials have been investigated as an alternative to autogenous bone grafts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the repair of bone defects by autogenous cancellous bone grafts or porous bioceramic discs of hydroxyapatite/phosphate cement mixture. Two 5-mm diameter defects were made in the skulls of rats and filled with the bioceramic material or cancellous bone. The rats were sacrificed 2, 4, 8 and 24 weeks after surgery and tissue samples were analyzed by radiography and histology. By the 24th week, the defects filled with autogenous cancellous bone grafts or bioceramic material showed similar volumes of bone tissue within the defect. However, defects treated with bioceramic material were almost completely closed as a result of the joining of ceramic fragments and the neoformed bone tissue, while those filled with autogenous grafts showed several areas filled with connective tissue. These results indicated that the osteointegration of bioceramic fragments allowed the reconstruction of parietal bone defects without the need for a bone graft.

Estudio descriptivo de los usuarios que acuden sin concertar cita a las consultas de Atención Primaria / Descriptive study of patients attending Primary Care settings without previous appointment

Introducción y objetivos: 1. Determinar la prevalencia de las consultas sin cita ¿consultasfuera de agenda (CFA)? en nuestro medio. 2. Determinar el porcentaje de justificaciónde dichas consultas y los factores asociados a un motivo de consulta injustificado.Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal realizado en dos consultas de pediatríade un centro de salud.Participantes: 392 niños de 0-15 años que acudieron sin cita, recogidos mediantemuestreo consecutivo entre el 7 de marzo y el 15 de septiembre de 2003. Mediciones principales:prevalencia de CFA, porcentaje de CFA injustificadas, factores que se asocian a dichainjustificación. Estadística: t de Student-Fisher, prueba de X2, regresión logística con estimaciónde Odds Ratio (OR) y sus IC 95% (IC 95%).Resultados: prevalencia de CFA: 23% (IC 95%: 21%-25%). El 52,8% de los niños eranmenores de cinco años. El 73% (IC 95%: 68,6%-77,4%) de las consultas se consideraronsubjetivas. La subjetividad se asoció al sexo femenino (OR: 1,62; IC 95%: 1,02-2,56) y auna edad inferior a 5 años (OR: 1,9; IC 95%: 1,2-2,9).Conclusiones: la prevalencia de CFA es superior a la constatada por otros autores. Factorestales como la corta edad de la mayoría de los pacientes atendidos y la excelente accesibilidadgeográfico-horaria de nuestro centro pueden contribuir a explicar este hecho

Introduction and objectives: 1. To establish the prevalence of patients’ visits withoutappointment –out of agenda visits (OAV)– in our settings. 2. To establish the rate of not justificationof these visits and the circumstances associated to a not justified visit. Material and methods: transverse descriptive study undertaken in two pediatric settingsof a Primary Care Centre.Participants: 392 children 0-15 years of age arriving without advanced appointment.They were collected through consecutive sampling between March 7th and September 15th2003. Main measurements: Prevalence of OAV; percentage of not justifiable OAV; circumstancesassociated. Statistics: Student-Fisher t test, X2 test, logistic regression with Odds Ratio(OR) estimation and their 95% IC.Results: OAV prevalence: 23% (95% IC: 21%-25%). 52,8% of children were under 5years. 73% (95% IC: 68,6%-77,4%) of visits were considered as subjective. Subjectivitywas associated to females (OR: 1,62; 95% IC: 1,02-2,56) and to children under 5 years(OR: 1,9; 95% IC: 1,2-2,9).Conclusions: our prevalence of AOV is higher than published by others. Circumstancessuch as the short age of most of the visited children and the excellent geographic and agendaaccessibility of our Center may contribute to explain this fact

[Consumption of medicinal herbs in patients attending a gastroenterology outpatient clinic]. / Consumo de hierbas medicinales en los pacientes de consultas externas de digestivo.

The consumption of medicinal herbs is one of the most important topics in alternative and complementary medicine. The widespread use of these substances among the general population gives rise to the possibility of therapeutic or toxic effects in patients seeking conventional medical assistance. To determine the frequency of medicinal herb use, the species consumed and the profile of medicinal herb consumers among patients with gastrointestinal disorders, patients attending the gastroenterology outpatient clinic of the Francesc de Borja district hospital (Gandía, Spain) over a 5-month period were interviewed and 539 valid questionnaires were obtained. A total of 34.7% of the interviewees had taken medicinal herbs at some time and 26.9% had used them in the last year. Self-prescription was reported by 67.1%. Medicinal herbs were mainly obtained in the pharmacy or herbalist's (74.7%). The results of medicinal herb therapy were considered good or excellent by 80.3% of the interviewees, average by 18.6% and poor by 1.1%. In the univariate analysis, medicinal herb consumption was positively associated with female sex (p < 0.001), a university education (p < 0.05), consumption of psychotropic drugs (p < 0.005), use of trencar l'enfit (TE, a common practice of magic medicine in Valencia) (p < 0.001), functional gastrointestinal disorders (p < 0.005) and a diagnosis of lower gastrointestinal disorder (p < 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, the variables that remained statistically significant were female sex (p < 0.005), university education (p < 0.01), use of TE and a diagnosis of lower gastrointestinal disorder. Fifty-seven botanical varieties were used. The most frequent varieties were Santolina chamaecyparissus (18.8%), Tilia platyphyllos (6.5%), Thymus vulgaris (6%), Equisetum ramosissimum (4.7%), Mentha pulegium (4.4%) and Valeriana officinalis (4.4%). The results show that consumption of medicinal herbs is frequent among patients attending the gastroenterology outpatient clinic of a district hospital. The probable profile of those showing maximum consumption is: female sex, university education, lower gastrointestinal disorder, functional gastrointestinal disorder, psychotropic drug consumption and use of TE.

Behavior of dense and porous hydroxyapatite implants and tissue response in rat femoral defects.

Porous and dense hydroxyapatite cylinders (PHA and DHA) were implanted into cavities produced in rat femora and the sites of implantation were examined at different times over a period of 24 weeks by microradiologic and histological techniques. Microradiographs showed the presence of a layer of trabecular bone around the implants, which became more radiopaque and thinner along the experimental time. The microradiologic methodology used was suitable for the evaluation of the interface between hydroxyapatite and newly formed bone in nondecalcified materials. Microscopic observations showed that young bone grew over the surface of both types of implants after 1 and 2 weeks of surgery and that bone also grew inside PHA implants. Progressive bone absorption was observed in both types of implants after the fourth week. A layer of fibrous tissue was formed in the interface between new bone and DHA. Mature bone with haversian systems surrounded DHA implants and filled the pores of PHA implants throughout the experimental period. The pores of PHA implants were smaller than those commonly reported, which should have been a disadvantage, although it was observed that the extra cellular fluid induced disintegration of the ceramic granules, allowing the gradual growth of bone tissue into the spaces among them, without the interposition of fibrous tissue.

Transthecal digital block: digital anaesthesia through the sheath of the flexor tendon.

We studied the effectiveness of a local injection of 1 ml of 2% mepivacaine into the sheath of the flexor tendon in 64 fingers and found it to be a safe procedure giving satisfactory anaesthesia.

Interface potential of calcium phosphate in simulated body fluid.

Calcium phosphate ceramics are used in the substitution of injured or damaged bones. Nevertheless, the behaviour of these materials, and in particular, the mechanisms guiding their interface response in physiological environment is still unknown. This work describes the construction of hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate electrodes used to determine the interface potential behaviour of these materials in a simulated body fluid, in a pH range corresponding to the variation observed in human body injuries, at ambient and physiological temperatures. These measurements are associated with the adsorption/desorption of ions from the materials. The results show that hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate have similar behaviour in that they reach an interface potential equilibrium state faster when the solution pH is decreased and the temperature increased. This behaviour may be attributed to their ability to form a calcium-rich layer and is relevant to their quality as implantable materials.

[Comparison of thiopental and propofol in short-duration anesthesia]. / Comparación entre tiopental y propofol en anestesias de corta duración.

Forty healthy females, 18 to 65 years, undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic uterine curettage were studied with the purpose of comparing anesthetic characteristics of thiopental and propofol as induction agents. They were randomly allocated in two groups: A propofol induction group (2.5 mg/kg), and a thiopental induction group (4-5 mg/kg). Fentanyl (2 micrograms/kg), was administered 2 minutes before anaesthesia, and N2O/O2 (66%/33%) by mask was maintained during surgery. Changes in systolic and diastolic BP were not significantly different in two groups. The HR decreased more significantly in the propofol group (20% vs 10%; p less than 0.005). Apnea was significantly greater in the propofol group, in term of incidence (50% vs 15%; p = 0.025), and duration (92 seg vs 17 seg; p = 0.20). The lapses of time to opening the eyes and response to a command were not significantly different, but the time to be able to seat was significantly lower in the propofol group (12 min vs 21 min; p = 0.0003). Anaesthesia was clinically satisfactory for most patients in both treatment groups.