Synergistic Effect of He for the Fabrication of Ne and Ar Gas-Charged Silicon Thin Films as Solid Targets for Spectroscopic Studies.

Sputtering of silicon in a He magnetron discharge (MS) has been reported as a bottom-up procedure to obtain He-charged silicon films (i.e., He nanobubbles encapsulated in a silicon matrix). The incorporation of heavier noble gases is demonstrated in this work with a synergistic effect, producing increased Ne and Ar incorporations when using He-Ne and He-Ar gas mixtures in the MS process. Microstructural and chemical characterizations are reported using ion beam analysis (IBA) and scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM). In addition to gas incorporation, He promotes the formation of larger nanobubbles. In the case of Ne, high-resolution X-ray photoelectron and absorption spectroscopies (XPS and XAS) are reported, with remarkable dependence of the Ne 1s photoemission and the Ne K-edge absorption on the nanobubble's size and composition. The gas (He, Ne and Ar)-charged thin films are proposed as "solid" targets for the characterization of spectroscopic properties of noble gases in a confined state without the need for cryogenics or high-pressure anvils devices. Also, their use as targets for nuclear reaction studies is foreseen.

Digital PCR Improves Sensitivity and Quantification in Monitoring CAR-T Cells in B Cell Lymphoma Patients.

Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) has emerged as a promising therapy, over 60% of patients fail to sustain a long-term response. The underlying factors that leads to the effectiveness of this therapy are not completely understood, CAR-T cell persistence and monitoring seems to be pivotal for ensuring a successful response. Various monitoring methods such as multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) or quantitative PCR (qPCR) have been applied. Our objective is to develop digital PCR (dPCR) assays for detection and quantification of CAR-T cells, comparing them with MFC and qPCR. Samples taken at different follow-up times from 45 patients treated with CAR-T therapy were analyzed to assess the correlation between the different methodologies. dPCR presented a high correlation with MFC and qPCR (r = 0.97 and r = 0.87, respectively), while offering a higher sensitivity (0.01%) compared to MFC (0.1%) and qPCR (1%). dPCR emerged as an alternative and highly sensitivity method for monitoring CAR-T cell dynamics. This technique is well-suited for implementation in clinical practice as a complementary technique to MFC.

Pd-C Catalytic Thin Films Prepared by Magnetron Sputtering for the Decomposition of Formic Acid.

Formic acid is an advantageous liquid organic hydrogen carrier. It is relatively nontoxic and can be synthesized by the reaction of CO2 with sustainable hydrogen or by biomass decomposition. As an alternative to more widely studied powdery catalysts, supported Pd-C catalytic thin films with controlled nanostructure and compositions were newly prepared in this work by magnetron sputtering on structured supports and tested for the formic acid decomposition reaction. A two-magnetron configuration (carbon and tailored Pd-C targets) was used to achieve a reduction in Pd consumption and high catalyst surface roughness and dispersion by increasing the carbon content. Activity and durability tests were carried out for the gas phase formic acid decomposition reaction on SiC foam monoliths coated with the Pd-C films and the effects of column width, surface roughness and thermal pre-reduction time were investigated. Activity of 5.04 molH2·gPd-1·h-1 and 92% selectivity to the dehydrogenation reaction were achieved at 300 °C for the catalyst with a lower column width and higher carbon content and surface roughness. It was also found that deactivation occurs when Pd is sintered due to the elimination of carbon and/or the segregation and agglomeration of Pd upon cycling. Magnetron sputtering deposition appears as a promising and scalable route for the one-step preparation of Pd-C catalytic films by overcoming the different deposition characteristics of Pd and C with an appropriate experimental design.

Influencia de la implantación de un servicio de nutrición en el control de factores de riesgo cardiovascular en una población trabajadora / Influence of the implantation of a service of nutrition in the control of factors of cardiovascular risk in a hard-working population

Introducción: Las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) siguen siendo la primera causa de muerte en España. La obesidad como uno de los mayores factores de riesgo, es la enfermedad metabólica más prevalente del mundo desarrollado. Así pues, en nuestro estudio hemos comprobado cómo influye la incorporación de un servicio de nutrición en una empresa del sector industrial, tras la recogida de parámetros antropométricos a un grupo de trabajadores observamos la evolución de dichos parámetros, después de la implantación de un programa de ejercicio físico diario, y estableciendo pautas de evaluación y seguimiento en el ámbito sanitario, con el fin de evaluar si hay mejoras en los parámetros antropométricos, consiguiendo una reducción en los factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Objetivos: Analizar la implantación de un servicio de nutrición en la empresa para la reducción de los factores de ECV en los trabajadores. Metodología: Se trata de un estudio de investigación observacional longitudinal retrospectivo, con análisis de los parámetros antropométricos relacionados con la ECV obtenidos durante el seguimiento en el servicio de nutrición durante 6 meses. Resultados: Aparecen diferencias significativas al analizar algunas variables relacionadas con el RCV entre la medición basal y a la medición a los 6 meses, como el peso (t-student, P=0.002), IMC (t-student, P=0.002) y metabolismo basal (t-student, P=0.000). Discusión: La introducción de un programa de nutrición y ejercicio en una empresa del sector industrial ofrece una reducción de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular (RCV), siendo el entorno donde pasamos gran cantidad de nuestro tiempo, y facilitando la accesibilidad y adherencia al programa. Conclusiones: Tras el análisis de los resultados se deduce que la intervención realizada ha conseguido una disminución significativa de los diferentes parámetros relacionados con el RCV (AU)

Introduction: The cardiovascular diseases (CVD) continue being the first reason of death in Spain. The obesity like one of the major factors of risk, it is the metabolic disease more prevalente of the developed world. This way so, in our study we have verified how it influences the incorporation of a service of nutrition in a company of the industrial sector, after the withdrawal of health-releated variables to a roup of workers we observe the evolution of the above mentioned parameters, after the implantation of a program of physical daily exercise, and establishing guidelines of evaluation and follow-up, in order to evaluate if there are improvements in the health variables, obtaining a reduction in the factors of cardiovascular risk. Objective: To analyze the implantation of a service of nutrition in the company or the reduction of CVD’s factors in the workers. Methodology: Observacional longitudinally retrospectively, with analysis of the health variables related to the CVD obtained during the follow-up in the service of nutrition for 6 months. Results: significant differences appear on having analyzed some variables related to the CV risk between the basal measurement and to the measurement to 6 months, as the weight (t-student, P=0.002), BMI (t-student, P=0.002) and basal metabolism (t-student, P=0.000). Discussion: The introduction of a program of nutrition and exercise in a company of the industrial sector offers a reduction of the factors of cardiovascular risk (CVR), being the environment where we spend great quantity of our time, and facilitating the accessibility and adherence to the program. Conclusions: After the analysis of the results there is deduced that the realized intervention has obtained a significant decrease of the different parameters related to the CVR (AU)

Characterization and Validation of a-Si Magnetron-Sputtered Thin Films as Solid He Targets with High Stability for Nuclear Reactions.

In this work, we present our magnetron sputtering based methodology to produce amorphous silicon coatings with closed porosity, as a strategy to fabricate solid helium targets, in the form of supported or self-supported thin films, for nuclear reactions. We show how by changing the He working pressure it is possible to obtain highly porous homogeneous structures incorporating different He amounts. These porous coatings (a-Si:He) are very reproducible from run to run, and the high He amount incorporated makes them excellent candidates for solid He targets. The possibility of producing self-supported films is illustrated here, and its potential use in inverse kinematics experiments with radioactive beams is shown through the dispersion in forward geometry of a stable 6Li beam. Also the elastic scattering cross-sections for proton from helium were determined using an a-Si:He coating. The results agree well with the ones reported in the literature. These two examples validate our coatings as good candidates to be used as solid He targets in nuclear reactions. The stability of He inside the coatings, fundamental for its use as solid He targets, was investigated, both over time and after irradiation. The coatings proved to be very stable, and the amount of He inside the pores remains unaltered at least 2 years after deposition and after high irradiation fluence (5 × 1017 particles/cm2; with a dose rate of 5 × 1012 particles/(cm2 s)).

Pericarditis constrictiva: espectro etiológico, presentaciones clínicas, factores pronósticos y seguimiento a largo plazo / Constrictive pericarditis: etiologic spectrum, patterns of clinical presentation, prognostic factors, and long-term follow-up

Introducción y objetivos: Algunos estudios han descrito un cambio en el espectro etiológico de la pericarditis constrictiva. Además, no hay datos sobre la relación entre la forma de presentación clínica y la etiología. El objetivo de este estudio es describir las etiologías de la enfermedad, su relación con la forma de presentación clínica y los hallazgos quirúrgicos, así como identificar los factores predictivos de una mala evolución. Métodos: Se analizó a un total de 140 pacientes consecutivos a los que se practicaron intervenciones quirúrgicas por pericarditis constrictiva en un mismo centro en un periodo de 34 años. Resultados: La etiología fue idiopática en 76 pacientes (54%) y tras pericarditis aguda idiopática en 24 (17%), pericarditis tuberculosa en 15 (11%), pericarditis purulenta en 10 (7%) y cirugía cardiaca en 5 (4%), radioterapia en 3 (2%) y uremia en 2 (1%). La duración media de los síntomas antes de la pericardiectomía fue de 19 meses (desviación estándar: 44 meses); la forma de presentación clínica más aguda fue la de las pericarditis purulentas (26 [intervalo, 7-60] días) y la más crónica, la de los casos idiopáticos (29 meses [4 días-360 meses]). La mortalidad perioperatoria fue del 11%. No hubo diferencias en la mortalidad según etiologías. La mediana de seguimiento fue de 12 (0,1-33,0) años, durante los cuales fallecieron 50 pacientes. En un análisis de regresión de Cox, la edad en el momento de la operación, la clase funcional de la New York Heart Association avanzada (III–IV) y los antecedentes de pericarditis aguda idiopática se asociaron a una mayor mortalidad durante el seguimiento. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los casos de pericarditis constrictiva son idiopáticas. La cirugía cardiaca y la radioterapia causan una minoría de los casos. Las presentaciones aguda y subaguda merecen un estudio etiológico. La edad, la clase funcional avanzada y la pericarditis aguda idiopática previa se asocian a mayor mortalidad (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Some reports have described a change in the etiologic spectrum of constrictive pericarditis. In addition, data on the relationship between its clinical presentation and etiology are lacking. We sought to describe the etiologies of the disease, their relationship with its clinical presentation and surgical findings, and to identify predictors of poor outcome. Methods: We analyzed 140 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for constrictive pericarditis over a 34-year period in a single center. Results: The etiology was idiopathic in 76 patients (54%), acute idiopathic pericarditis in 24 patients (17%), tuberculous pericarditis in 15 patients (11%), purulent pericarditis in 10 patients (7%), and cardiac surgery, radiation and uremia in 5, 3 and 2 patients respectively (4%, 2% and 1%).Mean duration of symptoms before pericardiectomy was 19 months (standard deviation=44 months), the most acute presentation being for purulent pericarditis (26 days [range, 7-60 days]) and the most chronic for idiopathic cases (29 months [range, 4 days-360 months]). Perioperative mortality was 11%. There was no difference in mortality between etiologies. Median follow-up was 12 years (range, 0.1-33.0 years) in which 50 patients died. In a Cox-regressionanalysis, age at surgery, advanced New York HeartAssociation functional class (IIIto IV) and previous acute idiopathic pericarditis were associated with increased mortality during follow-up. Conclusions: Most cases of constrictive pericarditis are idiopathic. Cardiac surgery and radiation accounted for a minority of cases. Etiologic investigations are warranted only in acute or subacute presentations. Age, advanced functional class, and previous acute idiopathic pericarditis are associated with increased mortality (AU)

Full solution processed mesostructured optical resonators integrating colloidal semiconductor quantum dots.

Herein we show a solution based synthetic pathway to obtain a resonant optical cavity with embedded colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (CSQDs). The optical cavity pore network, surrounded by two dense Bragg mirrors, was designed ad hoc to selectively host the quantum dots, while uncontrolled infiltration of those in the rest of the layered structure was prevented. Coupling between the optical resonant modes of the host and the natural emission of the embedded nanoparticles gives rise to the fine tuning of the luminescence spectrum extracted from the ensemble. Our approach overcomes, without the need for an encapsulating agent and exclusively by solution processing, the difficulties that arise from the low thermal and chemical stability of the CSQDs. It opens the route to achieving precise control over their location and hence over the spectral properties of light emitted by these widely employed nanomaterials. Furthermore, as the porosity of the cavity is preserved after infiltration, the system remains responsive to environmental changes, which provides an added value to the proposed structure.

Fabrication of Optical Multilayer Devices from Porous Silicon Coatings with Closed Porosity by Magnetron Sputtering.

The fabrication of single-material photonic-multilayer devices is explored using a new methodology to produce porous silicon layers by magnetron sputtering. Our bottom-up methodology produces highly stable amorphous porous silicon films with a controlled refractive index using magnetron sputtering and incorporating a large amount of deposition gas inside the closed pores. The influence of the substrate bias on the formation of the closed porosity was explored here for the first time when He was used as the deposition gas. We successfully simulated, designed, and characterized Bragg reflectors and an optical microcavity that integrates these porous layers. The sharp interfaces between the dense and porous layers combined with the adequate control of the refractive index and thickness allowed for excellent agreement between the simulation and the experiments. The versatility of the magnetron sputtering technique allowed for the preparation of these structures for a wide range of substrates such as polymers while also taking advantage of the oblique angle deposition to prepare Bragg reflectors with a controlled lateral gradient in the stop band wavelengths.

Constrictive Pericarditis: Etiologic Spectrum, Patterns of Clinical Presentation, Prognostic Factors, and Long-term Follow-up.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Some reports have described a change in the etiologic spectrum of constrictive pericarditis. In addition, data on the relationship between its clinical presentation and etiology are lacking. We sought to describe the etiologies of the disease, their relationship with its clinical presentation and surgical findings, and to identify predictors of poor outcome. METHODS: We analyzed 140 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for constrictive pericarditis over a 34-year period in a single center. RESULTS: The etiology was idiopathic in 76 patients (54%), acute idiopathic pericarditis in 24 patients (17%), tuberculous pericarditis in 15 patients (11%), purulent pericarditis in 10 patients (7%), and cardiac surgery, radiation and uremia in 5, 3 and 2 patients respectively (4%, 2% and 1%). Mean duration of symptoms before pericardiectomy was 19 months (standard deviation, 44 months), the most acute presentation being for purulent pericarditis (26 days [range, 7-60 days]) and the most chronic for idiopathic cases (29 months [range, 4 days-360 months]). Perioperative mortality was 11%. There was no difference in mortality between etiologies. Median follow-up was 12 years (range, 0.1-33.0 years) in which 50 patients died. In a Cox-regression analysis, age at surgery, advanced New York Heart Association functional class (III to IV) and previous acute idiopathic pericarditis were associated with increased mortality during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Most cases of constrictive pericarditis are idiopathic. Cardiac surgery and radiation accounted for a minority of cases. Etiologic investigations are warranted only in acute or subacute presentations. Age, advanced functional class, and previous acute idiopathic pericarditis are associated with increased mortality.

[Implementation of the food choice questionnaire in young adolescents and their relationship to overweight and other socio-demographic variables]. / APLICACIÓN DEL FOOD CHOICE QUESTIONNAIRE EN JÓVENES ADOLESCENTES Y SU RELACIÓN CON EL SOBREPESO Y OTRAS VARIABLES SOCIO-DEMOGRÁFICAS.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze the behavior in choosing food among Spanish young teens, and its effect on the potential problems related to their weight (overweight and obesity) and other socio-demographic variables. METHODOLOGY: In the study included 590 students attended public and private schools in the city of Valencia, aged between 14 and 17 years, randomly selected. A personal questionnaire based on the Food Choice Questionnaire was conducted. RESULTS: In general, young people choose their food based on the sensory aspects and the price thereof, and do not care about the effects on weight have their eating habits. No differences between students in public or private schools, or between those with normal weight or overweight are detected. If there is any difference in terms of gender of the respondent. CONCLUSIONS: Teens, when food choices are not very aware of the possible effects of these on their current and future health.

Objetivo: El objetivo del presente trabajo se centra en analizar el comportamiento en la elección de los alimentos entre los jóvenes adolescentes españoles, así como su efecto sobre los posibles problemas relacionados con su peso (sobrepeso y obesidad) y otras variables socio-demográficas. Método: En el estudio participaron 590 alumnos de colegios públicos y privados de la ciudad de Valencia, con edades entre los 14 y 17 años, elegidos aleatoriamente. Se realizó un cuestionario personal basado en el Food Choice Questionaire. Resultados: En general, los jóvenes eligen sus alimentos en función de los aspectos sensoriales y el precio de los mismos, y no les preocupan los efectos que sobre su peso tienen sus hábitos alimentarios. No se detectan diferencias entre los alumnos de centros públicos o privados, ni tampoco entre aquellos con normopeso o sobrepeso. Si que existe alguna diferencia en cuanto al género del encuestado. Conclusiones: Los adolescentes, a la hora de elegir su alimentación, no son muy conscientes de los posibles efectos de los mismos sobre su salud actual y futura.

Aplicación del Food Choice Questionnaire en jóvenes adolescentes y su relación con el sobrepeso y otras variables socio-demográficas / Implementation of the food choice questionnaire in young adolescents and their relationship to overweight and other socio-demographic variables

Objetivo: El objetivo del presente trabajo se centra en analizar el comportamiento en la elección de los alimentos entre los jóvenes adolescentes españoles, así como su efecto sobre los posibles problemas relacionados con su peso (sobrepeso y obesidad) y otras variables socio-demográficas. Método: En el estudio participaron 590 alumnos de colegios públicos y privados de la ciudad de Valencia, con edades entre los 14 y 17 años, elegidos aleatoriamente. Se realizó un cuestionario personal basado en el Food Choice Questionaire. Resultados: En general, los jóvenes eligen sus alimentos en función de los aspectos sensoriales y el precio de los mismos, y no les preocupan los efectos que sobre su peso tienen sus hábitos alimentarios. No se detectan diferencias entre los alumnos de centros públicos o privados, ni tampoco entre aquellos con normopeso o sobrepeso. Si que existe alguna diferencia en cuanto al género del encuestado. Conclusiones: Los adolescentes, a la hora de elegir su alimentación, no son muy conscientes de los posibles efectos de los mismos sobre su salud actual y futura (AU)

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the behavior in choosing food among Spanish young teens, and its effect on the potential problems related to their weight (overweight and obesity) and other socio-demographic variables. Methodology: In the study included 590 students attended public and private schools in the city of Valencia, aged between 14 and 17 years, randomly selected. A personal questionnaire based on the Food Choice Questionnaire was conducted. Results: In general, young people choose their food based on the sensory aspects and the price thereof, and do not care about the effects on weight have their eating habits. No differences between students in public or private schools, or between those with normal weight or overweight are detected. If there is any difference in terms of gender of the respondent. Conclusions: Teens, when food choices are not very aware of the possible effects of these on their current and future health (AU)

Clinical comparison of 10q26 overlapping deletions: delineating the critical region for urogenital anomalies.

The 10q26 deletion syndrome is a clinically heterogeneous disorder. The most common phenotypic characteristics include pre- and/or postnatal growth retardation, microcephaly, developmental delay/intellectual disability and a facial appearance consisting of a broad nasal bridge with a prominent nose, low-set malformed ears, strabismus, and a thin vermilion of the upper lip. In addition, limb and cardiac anomalies as well as urogenital anomalies are occasionally observed. In this report, we describe three unrelated females with 10q26 terminal deletions who shared clinical features of the syndrome, including urogenital defects. Cytogenetic studies showed an apparently de novo isolated deletion of the long arm of chromosome 10, with breakpoints in 10q26.1, and subsequent oligo array-CGH analysis confirmed the terminal location and defined the size of the overlapping deletions as ∼ 13.46, ∼ 9.31 and ∼ 9.17 Mb. We compared the phenotypic characteristics of the present patients with others reported to have isolated deletions and we suggest that small 10q26.2 terminal deletions may be associated with growth retardation, developmental delay/intellectual disability, craniofacial features and external genital anomalies whereas longer terminal deletions affecting the 10q26.12 and/or 10q26.13 regions may be responsible for renal/urinary tract anomalies. We propose that the haploinsufficiency of one or several genes located in the 10q26.12-q26.13 region may contribute to the renal or urinary tract pathogenesis and we highlight the importance of FGFR2 and probably of CTBP2 as candidate genes.

STEM-EELS analysis reveals stable high-density He in nanopores of amorphous silicon coatings deposited by magnetron sputtering.

A broad interest has been showed recently on the study of nanostructuring of thin films and surfaces obtained by low-energy He plasma treatments and He incorporation via magnetron sputtering. In this paper spatially resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy in a scanning transmission electron microscope is used to locate and characterize the He state in nanoporous amorphous silicon coatings deposited by magnetron sputtering. A dedicated MATLAB program was developed to quantify the helium density inside individual pores based on the energy position shift or peak intensity of the He K-edge. A good agreement was observed between the high density (∼35-60 at nm(-3)) and pressure (0.3-1.0 GPa) values obtained in nanoscale analysis and the values derived from macroscopic measurements (the composition obtained by proton backscattering spectroscopy coupled to the macroscopic porosity estimated from ellipsometry). This work provides new insights into these novel porous coatings, providing evidence of high-density He located inside the pores and validating the methodology applied here to characterize the formation of pores filled with the helium process gas during deposition. A similar stabilization of condensed He bubbles has been previously demonstrated by high-energy He ion implantation in metals and is newly demonstrated here using a widely employed methodology, magnetron sputtering, for achieving coatings with a high density of homogeneously distributed pores and He storage capacities as high as 21 at%.

Estudio comparativo entre sondajes lacrimonasales de primera intención con y sin control endoscópico / Comparative study of primary intention lacrimal probing with and without nasal endoscopy

Objetivo: Comparar los resultados de dos series de sondajes de primera intención, sin y con endoscopia nasal, acompañados en este segundo caso de luxación de cornete inferior y corrección de enfermedad del meato inferior si la hubiera, en casos de obstrucción nasolagrimal congénita. Métodos: Se practica un estudio de cohortes retrospectivos con 36 sondajes simples (grupo 1) frente a 36 sondajes con endoscopia (grupo 2), entre enero de 2011 y enero de 2013, en 2 grupos de población parecidos sin intervenciones previas. El rango de edad fue entre 8 y 27 meses en el grupo 1 y entre 7 y 30 meses en el grupo 2. Resultados: El 50% de cirugías lagrimales fueron realizadas con éxito en el grupo de los sondajes sin endoscopia, frente al 97,22% en el grupo guiado por endoscopia. En el grupo 2 se diagnosticó y corrigió intraoperatoriamente un 16,67% de vías lagrimales con aposición del cornete inferior en su porción distal y un 11,11% de falsas vías o trayectos submucosos. En un 30,56% de los sondajes practicados con endoscopia se observó más de una anomalía nasolagrimal, tanto a nivel del canal como en el meato inferior, que influía negativamente en su funcionamiento. Conclusión: Aunque clásicamente se ha reservado la endoscopia para fracasos quirúrgicos en reintervenciones, su utilización de primera intención mejora significativamente los éxitos. En nuestra serie un 97,22% tuvieron resolución completa de los síntomas, evitando un segundo paso por quirófano y la utilización de materiales y técnicas más costosas. Nos ayuda a la visualización y compresión de esta enfermedad y es el único método para confirmar directamente un correcto sondaje en tiempo real (AU)

Objective: Our objective was to compare the results of probing with and without endoscopy in cases of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction without prior probing. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis on 2 non-randomized cohorts, 36 simple soundings (group 1) and 36 soundings with endoscope (group 2), between January 2011 and January 2013. Both groups were similar in age and had no previous surgery. The age of the patients studied ranged between 8 and 27 months in the first group and between 7 and 30 months in the second group. Results: The procedure was successful in 50% of the conventional probing group and in 97.22% in the endoscopy probing group. In this group 16.67% of patients with tight inferior turbinate and 11.11% of those where the probe passed into the submucosal space were diagnosed and corrected intraoperatively. Some anomaly was observed in 30.56% of patients undergoing endoscopy. Conclusion: Although nasal endoscopy is classically reserved for unsuccessful probing, its use in primary intention increases the success rate of the procedure. In our study, 97.22% of eyes had complete resolution of symptoms, avoiding a second surgery and the use of more expensive materials and techniques. Nasal endoscopy helps intraoperative visualisation, understanding and management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction and is the only method that confirms the correct anatomic position of the catheterisation in real time (AU)

Shape-defined nanodimers by tailored heterometallic epitaxy.

The systematic construction of heterogeneous nanoparticles composed of two distinct metal domains (Au and Pt) and exhibiting a broad range of morphologically defined shapes is reported. It is demonstrated that careful Au overgrowth on Pt nanocrystal seeds with shapes mainly corresponding to cubeoctahedra, octahedra and octapods can lead to heterometallic systems whose intrinsic structures result from specific epitaxial relationships such as {111} + {111}, {200} + {200} and {220} + {220}. Comprehensive analysis shows also that nanoparticles grown from octahedral seeds can be seen as comprising of four Au tetrahedral subunits and one Pt octahedral unit in a cyclic arrangement that is similar to the corresponding one in decahedral gold nanoparticles. However, in the present case, the multi-component system is characterized by a broken five-fold rotational symmetry about the [011] axis. This set of bimetallic dimers could provide new platforms for fuel cell catalysts and plasmonic devices.

Transmission electron microscopy of unstained hybrid Au nanoparticles capped with PPAA (plasma-poly-allylamine): structure and electron irradiation effects.

Hybrid (organic shell-inorganic core) nanoparticles have important applications in nanomedicine. Although the inorganic components of hybrid nanoparticles can be characterized readily using conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, the structural and chemical arrangement of the organic molecular components remains largely unknown. Here, we apply TEM to the physico-chemical characterization of Au nanoparticles that are coated with plasma-polymerized-allylamine, an organic compound with the formula C3H5NH2. We discuss the use of energy-filtered TEM in the low-energy-loss range as a contrast enhancement mechanism for imaging the organic shells of such particles. We also study electron-beam-induced crystallization and amorphization of the shells and the formation of graphitic-like layers that contain both C and N. The resistance of the samples to irradiation by high-energy electrons, which is relevant for optical tuning and for understanding the degree to which such hybrid nanostructures are stable in the presence of biomedical radiation, is also discussed.

Impacto del Reiki en el manejo del dolor por pancreatitis aguda / Impact of Reiki on the management of acute pancreatitis pain

OBJETIVO: determinar el impacto del Reiki en el manejo y percepción del dolor en pancreatitis aguda, así como la aparición de posibles efectos adversos derivados de la terapia complementaria. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: ensayo clínico aleatorizado (tres ramas: a) Reiki impartido por maestros en la técnica, b) Reiki simulado impartido por profesionales sanitarios sin formación en la terapia de Reiki, c) Sin intervención, realizado en la unidad de Patología Digestiva del Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón de Madrid). La medida del dolor se efectuó mediante la escala EVA. Otras variables de estudio: edad, sexo, zona de origen, religión, origen de la pancreatitis, tipo de analgesia, dosis recibidas, abandonos del estudio y causas de esta salida. Las pruebas de contraste de hipótesis utilizadas fueron chi cuadrado, ANOVA y el test de Kruskal-Wallis. RESULTADOS: se incluyeron para el análisis 30 pacientes, 10 en cada grupo, siendo estos homogéneos. No se produjeron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los tres grupos en lo que a las mediciones del dolor se refiere, ni tampoco en lo que respecta al tipo y dosis de analgésicos. CONCLUSIONES: en este estudio no se ha podido demostrar que el Reiki disminuya el dolor en 2 puntos según escala EVA, en los pacientes ingresados en nuestra unidad de hospitalización con pancreatitis aguda, si bien existe la limitación del reducido tamaño muestral

OBJECTIVE: to determine the impact of Reiki on pain management and perception in acute pancreatitis, as well as the presence of potential adverse effects associated with the complementary therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: randomized clinical trial, with three arms: a) Reiki training by masters in the technique, b) Mock Reiki training by Healthcare Professionals not trained in Reikitherapy, c) No intervention. Conducted at the Gastroenterology Unit of the Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Pain measurement was conducted through the VAS Scale. Other study variables were: age, gender, area of origin, religion, cause of pancreatitis, type of analgesia, doses received, clinical trial discontinuations and their causes. The hypothesis contrast tests used were: Square chi, ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: thirty patients were included for analysis, 10 in each arm; these arms were homogeneous. There were no statistically significant differences among the three arms either regarding pain measurements, or in terms of type and dose of analgesics. CONCLUSIONS: it could not be demonstrated in this study that Reiki can reduce pain by 2 points in the AVS Scale, in patients hospitalized in our unit with acute pancreatitis, although there is a limitation in terms of the small sample size

Comparative study of primary intention lacrimal probing with and without nasal endoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to compare the results of probing with and without endoscopy in cases of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction without prior probing. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis on 2 non-randomized cohorts, 36 simple soundings (group 1) and 36 soundings with endoscope (group 2), between January 2011 and January 2013. Both groups were similar in age and had no previous surgery. The age of the patients studied ranged between 8 and 27 months in the first group and between 7 and 30 months in the second group. RESULTS: The procedure was successful in 50% of the conventional probing group and in 97.22% in the endoscopy probing group. In this group 16.67% of patients with tight inferior turbinate and 11.11% of those where the probe passed into the submucosal space were diagnosed and corrected intraoperatively. Some anomaly was observed in 30.56% of patients undergoing endoscopy. CONCLUSION: Although nasal endoscopy is classically reserved for unsuccessful probing, its use in primary intention increases the success rate of the procedure. In our study, 97.22% of eyes had complete resolution of symptoms, avoiding a second surgery and the use of more expensive materials and techniques. Nasal endoscopy helps intraoperative visualisation, understanding and management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction and is the only method that confirms the correct anatomic position of the catheterisation in real time.

Array CGH detection of a novel cryptic deletion at 3q13 in a complex chromosome rearrangement.

Complex chromosome rearrangements (CCRs) are extremely rare in humans. About 20% of the apparently balanced CCRs have an abnormal phenotype and the degree of severity correlates with a higher number of breakpoints. Several studies using FISH and microarray technologies have shown that deletions in the breakpoints are common although duplications, insertions and inversions have also been detected. We report a patient with two simultaneous reciprocal translocations, t(3;4) and t(2;14;18), involving five chromosomes and six breakpoints. He showed dysmorphic features, preaxial polydactyly in the left hand, brachydactyly, postnatal growth retardation and developmental delay. The rearrangement was characterized by FISH analysis which detected an interstitial segment from chromosome 14 inserted in the derivative chromosome 2, and by whole genome array which revealed an interstitial deletion of approximately 4.5 Mb at the breakpoint site on chromosome 3. To our knowledge this microdeletion has not been previously reported and includes ~12 genes. The haploinsufficiency of one or several of these genes is likely to have contributed to the clinical phenotype of the patient.

Tomographic heating holder for in situ TEM: study of Pt/C and PtPd/Al2O3 catalysts as a function of temperature.

A tomographic heating holder for transmission electron microscopy that can be used to study supported catalysts at temperatures of up to ~1,500°C is described. The specimen is placed in direct thermal contact with a tungsten filament that is oriented perpendicular to the axis of the holder without using a support film, allowing tomographic image acquisition at high specimen tilt angles with minimum optical shadowing. We use the holder to illustrate the evolution of the active phases of Pt nanoparticles on carbon black and PtPd nanoparticles on γ-alumina with temperature. Particle size distributions and changes in active surface area are quantified from tilt series of images acquired after subjecting the specimens to increasing temperatures. The porosity of the alumina support and the sintering mechanisms of the catalysts are shown to depend on distance from the heating filament.