Mass diffusion and Soret coefficient measurements of triethylene glycol/water binary mixtures by dynamic shadowgraphy.

The investigation of the transport properties of binary fluid mixtures remains a topic of interest in relation to the more challenging studies of ternary mixtures. In fact, the study of the phase boundary limits of the Gibbs composition triangle can be the initial step for a more complete analysis of ternary mixtures. In this paper, we apply the dynamic shadowgraphy optical technique to study non-equilibrium fluctuations induced by the presence of a gradient of temperature and/or concentration in the triethylene glycol (TEG)/water system. These thermodiffusion and free-diffusion experiments aim at measuring the transport properties of samples of the studied system at different experimental conditions. We scan both the average temperature and the TEG concentration, which allows us investigating both positive and negative thermodiffusive behaviours. The obtained values of mass diffusion coefficient are consistent with data available in the literature in the range of temperature investigated in this study. The mass diffusion coefficient of the sample prepared at 0.7 w/w TEG concentration are characterised by shadowgraphy following the two proposed methods, exhibiting consistent results. An increase of the mass diffusion coefficient as a function of the average temperature is highlighted. On the other hand, the thermodiffusion coefficient appears to be independent of the average temperature of the sample at 0.3 w/w TEG concentration.

Impact of outbreak COVID-19 pandemic on psychiatry emergencies in Spain.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused an unprecedented clinical situation. A retrospective cross-sectional study was designed with the aim to evaluate psychiatric emergencies from March 14 to May 1, 2020, coinciding with the start of the emergency state and the lockdown until the attenuation of the confinement. Data obtained during this period were compared with the emergencies attended in the same period of 2019. A total of 213 psychiatric emergencies were attended in 2020 compared with 367 in 2019. The mean number of emergencies per day was significantly lower during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 (M=4.35, SD= 2.04) vs. the same period in 2019 (M=7.50, SD= 3.18). A higher percentage of patients with schizo/psychotic disorders (34.3% in 2020, vs. 24.3% in 2019), as well as a lower percentage of patients with anxiety/adaptive disorders (25.4% in 2020 vs. 35.4% in 2019) was observed during the outbreak. A significant lower mean discharge/emergency ratio (M=42.17, SD= 26.94 in 2020 vs. M=63.43, SD= 17.64 in 2019) and a higher referral to Internal Medicine/emergency ratio (M=20.55, SD= 22.16 in 2020 vs. M=3.32, SD= 6.63 in 2019) was observed. The results suggest important changes in psychiatric emergencies during the most critical period of the COVID-19 outbreak in Spain.

Coupled non-equilibrium fluctuations in a polymeric ternary mixture.

We investigate by dynamic shadowgraphy the non-equilibrium fluctuations at the steady state of a thermodiffusion experiment in a polymeric ternary mixture of polystyrene-toluene-n-hexane. The structure function of the refractive index reveals the existence of quite different decay times, thus requiring the analysis of a wide range of correlation times. This is related to the simultaneous presence of three distinct decay modes corresponding to (from fastest to slowest) the relaxation of temperature fluctuations, of the concentration fluctuations of the mixed solvent, and of the concentration fluctuations of the polymer in the binary solvent. An investigation of the decay times at the corresponding diffusive regimes provides a measurement of the thermal diffusivity and the two eigenvalues of the mass diffusion matrix of the ternary mixture. Similar experiments were performed in the past but here, to suppress the confinement effect and obtain a more direct comparison with the theory, a thicker sample is studied. Moreover, also a faster camera is used allowing the experimental observation of faster modes, like the propagative ones. The experimental values of the decay times are eventually compared with those predicted by different available theories. Finally, we present a more complete theoretical model to describe the non-equilibrium fluctuations in the bulk of a ternary mixture at the steady state of a thermodiffusion experiment.

European Space Agency experiments on thermodiffusion of fluid mixtures in space.

This paper describes the European Space Agency (ESA) experiments devoted to study thermodiffusion of fluid mixtures in microgravity environment, where sedimentation and convection do not affect the mass flow induced by the Soret effect. First, the experiments performed on binary mixtures in the IVIDIL and GRADFLEX experiments are described. Then, further experiments on ternary mixtures and complex fluids performed in DCMIX and planned to be performed in the context of the NEUF-DIX project are presented. Finally, multi-component mixtures studied in the SCCO project are detailed.

Preliminary analysis of Diffusion Coefficient Measurements in ternary mIXtures 4 (DCMIX4) experiment on board the International Space Station.

In the frame of the Diffusion Coefficient Measurements in ternary mIXtures 4 (DCMIX4) project the thermodiffusion experiments were conducted on the International Space Station (ISS) in the Selectable Optical Diagnostics Instrument (SODI) which is on orbit since 2009. We describe the results of the preliminary analysis of images downloaded during the execution of DCMIX4 in order to check the quality of the running experiments and, if needed, adjust the experiment parameters for the following runs. The quick analysis of raw data showed that they are meaningful and will allow to obtain the transport coefficients of examined ternary and binary mixtures.

MCCB cognitive profile in Spanish first episode schizophrenia patients.

The objective of the study was to examine the cognitive profile of Spanish patients with a first episode of schizophrenia (FESz) and to compare that to the profile of patients with a chronic schizophrenia (CSz) and non-psychiatric (NP) control subjects. The study included 106 FESz, 293 CSz, and 210 NP, assessed with the Spanish version of the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). The MCCB cognitive profile in a Spanish sample of FESz was similar to the cognitive profile of CSz with some discrepancies in select domains. The scores of both patient samples were about 1-2 SD below the scores of non-psychiatric control subjects.

bFGF interaction and in vivo angiogenesis inhibition by self-assembling sulfonic acid-based copolymers.

The antiangiogenic activity of different families of biocompatible and non-toxic polymer drugs based on 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) or polymethacrylic derivatives of 5-aminonaphthalen sulfonic acid (MANSA) is analyzed using directed in vivo angiogenesis assay and correlated with in vitro results. These active compounds were copolymerized with butylacrylate (BA) and N-vinylpyrrolidone in order to obtain two families of copolymers with different properties in aqueous media. The most hydrophobic copolymers poly(BA-co-MANSA) and poly(BA-co-AMPS) formed amphiphilic copolymers and presented micellar morphology in aqueous media. This supramolecular organization of the copolymers had a clear effect on bioactivity. Poly(BA-co-MANSA) copolymers showed the best antiangiogenic activity and very low toxicity at relatively low dose, with the possibility to be injected directly in the solid tumors alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents such as anti-VEGF drugs. The obtained results demonstrate that not only the chemical structure but also the supramolecular organization of the macromolecules plays a key role in the anti-angiogenic activity of these active polymers.

PM01183, a new DNA minor groove covalent binder with potent in vitro and in vivo anti-tumour activity.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: PM01183 is a new synthetic tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid that is currently in phase I clinical development for the treatment of solid tumours. In this study we have characterized the interactions of PM01183 with selected DNA molecules of defined sequence and its in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: DNA binding characteristics of PM01183 were studied using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, fluorescence-based melting kinetic experiments and computational modelling methods. Its mechanism of action was investigated using flow cytometry, Western blot analysis and fluorescent microscopy. In vitro anti-tumour activity was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and the in vivo activity utilized several human cancer models. KEY RESULTS: Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that PM01183 bound to DNA. Fluorescence-based thermal denaturation experiments showed that the most favourable DNA triplets providing a central guanine for covalent adduct formation are AGC, CGG, AGG and TGG. These binding preferences could be rationalized using molecular modelling. PM01183-DNA adducts in living cells give rise to double-strand breaks, triggering S-phase accumulation and apoptosis. The potent cytotoxic activity of PM01183 was ascertained in a 23-cell line panel with a mean GI(50) value of 2.7 nM. In four murine xenograft models of human cancer, PM01183 inhibited tumour growth significantly with no weight loss of treated animals. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: PM01183 is shown to bind to selected DNA sequences and promoted apoptosis by inducing double-strand breaks at nanomolar concentrations. The potent anti-tumour activity of PM01183 in several murine models of human cancer supports its development as a novel anti-neoplastic agent.

Análisis de los factores que influyen en el gasto sanitario de los lesionados medulares agudos mediante los grupos relacionados diagnósticos / Analysis to the factors influencing the health-care costs for acute spinal cord injury by diagnosis-related groups

Objetivo. Analizar los factores que influyen en el gasto sanitario de los pacientes con lesión medular en la última década valorado a través de los grupos relacionados diagnósticos (GRD). Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes dados de alta por la unidad de lesionados medulares desde el año 1997 hasta el año 2006. Se utilizan los datos obtenidos de la base de datos de los GRD de dicho hospital, que incluye los pacientes dados de alta en la unidad de lesionados medulares (n=698). El estudio investiga el número de altas, la estancia media (EM) total y el peso relativo del GRD. Se agrupó según si tenían EM normalizadas o eran outliers (pacientes con una estancia hospitalaria mayor que la media), y se estudiaron las mismas variables. Se realizó un estudio bivariable con el paquete estadístico SPSS® 15. Resultados. La EM fue de 70,3 días. El peso del GRD era de 4,65. La comparación de la EM de los outliers y no outliers mostró diferencias significativas (p<0,05). Existe una correlación entre la EM y el peso del GRD anual (–0,75). Existen 302 outliers. En los últimos 2 años ha habido un descenso importante en el número de outliers. Conclusiones. Descenso de la EM en los últimos años sin cambios en cuanto a la incidencia de ingresos, pero sí en el modelo de atención de la lesión medular aguda. Se ha producido un incremento del peso del GRD anual. Ha habido un descenso importante en el número de outliers en los últimos años (AU)

Objective. To analyze the factors influencing the health-care costs of the patients spinal cord injury in the last decade, valued through the Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG). Material and methods. A retrospective study of given discharged patients by Spinal Cord Unit following 1997 to 2006. The collected data of the data base of the DRG are used of this hospital, and that includes the given discharged patients in the Spinal Cord Injury unit (ULM) (N=698). The study investigates the number of discharges, the mean of long of stay (LOS) and relative weight DRG's. It was grouped according to if they had LOS standardized or they were outliers, and the same variables studied. It was analyzed using a bivariate study with the statistical package SPSS® 15. Results. The LOS was 70.3 days. Weight DRG was 4,65. The comparison of LOS between of outliers and not outliers patients did not show significant differences (p<0,05). It exists a correlation between the LOS and weight DRG. The outliers were 302. In the last 2 years there has been an important reduction in the number of outliers. Conclusions. Decrease LOS in the last years, without changes as far as the incidence of SCI, but in the model of attention of the SCI patients. An increase of the weight of the annual DRG has taken place. There were important reductions in the number of outliers in the last years (AU)

Structure, morphology, and bioactivity of biocompatible systems derived from functionalized acrylic polymers based on 5-amino-2-naphthalene sulfonic acid.

New therapeutic strategies for the treatment of neoplastic pathologies and, in particular, metastasis processes are based on the inhibitory effect of angiogenic processes. The present article deals with the design, preparation, and application of new "polymer drugs" with a clear inhibitory effect of the activation of fibroblast growth factors, which plays an important role in the proliferation of vascular cells and, consequently, in tumor angiogenesis. Two different copolymer systems based on 5-methacrylamide-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid (MANSA) and butylacrylate (BA) or vinylpyrrolidone (VP) were prepared by free radical copolymerization and exhaustively characterized. The molecular weight of the copolymers was moderate but both families presented very homogeneous macromolecular populations with a polydispersity index very close to unity, which indicates that MANSA presents a noticeable effect on the polymerization processes. The system poly(BA-co-MANSA) provides amphiphilic copolymers that give rise to the formation of oriented micelles with a core of the hydrophobic BA segments and a shell of MANSA components. The average size of these self-assembling nanoparticles is between 20 and 100 nm, depending on the composition of the copolymer system. However, poly(VP-co-MANSA) systems are more hydrophilic and give more homogeneous and water-soluble macromolecules. The bioactivity of both systems was studied by the analysis of proliferation of Balb/c 3T3 fibroblasts in the presence of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) as a function of the concentration of poly(BA-co-MANSA) or poly(VP-co-MANSA), and the results obtained demonstrated that the MANSA-containing polymers were not toxic for cells, but induced a clear inhibition of cell proliferation in the presence of aFGF. The effect was polymer-concentration dependent, but the activity was noticeably higher for poly(BA-co-MANSA) copolymers, owing to the self-assembled micellar morphology of the nanoparticles, which placed the sulfonic groups in the more adequate position to interact with the growth factor. These systems offer a good alternative for low toxicity treatments of angiogenic, processed based on inhibition of the activity of growth factors.

[Quality of life evaluation in spinal cord injured patients comparing different bladder management techniques]. / Evaluación de la calidad de vida en pacientes con lesión medular comparando diferentes métodos de vaciado vesical.

OBJECTIVES: This study examines quality of life among patients with spinal cord injury requiring bladder management techniques, according to the validated King s Health Questionnaire (KHQ). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective and observational study of 91 spinal cord-injured patients (21 women 23% and 70 men 77%). Mean age was 40 years (SD 13.4) and average time since spinal injury was 11.4 (SD 10.4) years. Patients completed the KHQ quality of life instrument and 10 additional questions related to urinary disturbance developed for the study, and filled in a form to subjectively rank their main concerns related to spinal injury. Patients were divided according to the bladder management techniques they regularly used: intermittent catheterization, condom catheter or indwelling catheter, and differences between the mean groups were assessed with de SPSS 13.0 statistic package. RESULTS: The overall KHQ score for the sample was 39.9 (SD 54.4) with higher scores (poorer QoL) in patients using an indwelling catheter. A thorough analysis of the test showed no significant differences between the groups other than in the physical role limitation item (p

Evaluación de la calidad de vida en pacientes con lesión medular comparando diferentes métodos de vaciado vesical / Quality of life evaluation in spinal cord injured patients comparing different bladder management techniques

Material y métodos: Estudio observacional y prospectivo con 91 pacientes (21 mujeres 23%, 70 hombres 77%) afectos de lesión medular que acudieron a la consulta durante marzo 2004 y diciembre del 2005, con media de edad 40 años (DS 13,4) y tiempo medio de evolución de la lesión 11,4 (DS 10,4) años. Los pacientes completaron el KHQ, así como una valoración subjetiva de los principales problemas relacionados con la lesión medular. Se clasificaron los pacientes en función del sistema de evacuación urinaria habitual en: Cateterismos Intermitentes (CI), Sondaje Vesical Permanente (SVP) y Colector Permanente (CP). Analizamos con el paquete estadístico SPSS 12.0 las diferencias entre las medias de las dimensiones del KHQ de los tres grupos. Resultados: La media de la puntuación total del KHQ fue de 39,9 puntos (DT 54,4), con mejor puntuación en el grupo portador de CP. Encontramos que no hay diferencias significativas, excepto en la dimensión de la limitación de los roles, donde obtienen mejor puntuación el grupo portador de CP que los de SVP y los CI (p=0,025).La sexualidad se presenta en primer lugar en la lista de problemas que más preocupa a los pacientes, seguidos de los trastornos de defecación y urinarios. Conclusión: El grupo con mejor puntuación global en el KHQ es el portador de CP, aunque no hay diferencias significativas entre los 3 grupos. Lo que más preocupa a nuestros pacientes son los problemas sexuales (AU)

Material and methods: Prospective and observational study of 91 spinal cord-injured patients (21 women 23% and 70 men 77%). Mean age was 40 years (SD 13.4) and average time since spinal injury was 11.4 (SD 10.4) years. Patients completed the KHQ quality of life instrument and 10 additional questions related to urinary disturbance developed for the study, and filled in a form to subjectively rank their main concerns related to spinal injury. Patients were divided according to the bladder management techniques they regularly used: intermittent catheterization, condom catheter or indwelling catheter, and differences between the mean groups were assessed with de SPSS 13.0 stadistic pakagge. Results: The overall KHQ score for the sample was 39.9 (SD 54.4) with higher scores (poorer QoL) in patients using an indwelling catheter. A thorough analysis of the test showed no significant differences between the groups other than in the physical role limitation item (p=0.025). Patients using a condom catheter reported lower physical limitation scores (better QoL) than patients using an indwelling catheter or intermittent catheterization. Sexuality was the main concern of most patients, followed by bowel dysfunction, urinary incontinence and ambulation or gait problems. Conclusion: Patients treated with condom catheters reported the best quality of life according to KHQ scores, although there were no significant differences versus the other urinary management techniques. The patients’ main concern was related to sexuality (AU)

Anorgasmia por topiramato / No disponible

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Levetiracetam y síndrome de piernas inquietas / No disponible

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Prevalencia de psicopatología en dependientes al alcohol en tratamiento ambulatorio / Prevalence of psychopathology in alcohol-dependents outpatients

Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de psicopatología en sujetos adictos al alcohol que inician tratamiento, así como su relación con el sexo. Material y métodos. Se administró el Symptom Check List 90 Revised (SCL 90-R) a 518 sujetos dependientes del alcohol (25,1% mujeres) que recibían tratamiento ambulatorio, concluida la desintoxicación y dentro de los primeros 14 días de tratamiento. Se realizó una comparación de los perfiles dimensionales con relación al sexo de los pacientes, determinándose la prevalencia de casos patológicos en base a distintos criterios propuestos en investigaciones previas. Resultados. La presencia de casos patológicos fue elevada, situándose en el rango 58,9%-81,3%, según el criterio utilizado, y siendo superior entre las mujeres alcohólicas. Éstas presentaron un perfil caracterizado por puntuaciones más elevadas en las dimensiones de psicoticismo, obsesión-compulsión, ideación paranoide y sensibilidad interpersonal, así como en la intensidad media de los síntomas. Conclusiones. La elevada prevalencia de psicopatología en los adictos a sustancias aconseja la realización de un screening al inicio del tratamiento. El Symptom Check List 90 Revised (SCL 90-R) es un instrumento efectivo y consistente para ello, siendo compatible con las exigencias de tiempo propias de la práctica clínica. Las elevadas prevalencias observadas en ambos sexos aconsejan desarrollar intervenciones específicas para el tratamiento de la psicopatología comórbida

Objective. To determine the prevalence of psychopathology in alcohol-dependent subjects that initiates treatment, as well as its relation with sex. Material and methods. The Symptom Check List 90 Revised was administered to 518 dependent subjects (25.1% women) in an outpatient treatment facility, concluded the detoxification and within the first 14 days of treatment. A comparison of the dimensional profiles with relation to the sex of the patients was made, determining itself the prevalence of pathological cases with base to different criteria proposed in previous investigations. Results. The presence of pathological cases was elevated, locating itself in rank 58.9%-81.3%, according to the used criterion, and being superior between the alcoholic women. These displayed a profile characterized by elevated scores more in the dimensions of psychoticism, obsession-compulsion, paranoid ideation and interpersonal sensitivity, as well as in the average intensity of the symptoms. Conclusions. The high prevalence of psychopathology in the alcoholics advises the accomplishment of screening to the beginning of the treatment. The Symptom Check List 90 Revised (SCL 90-R) is an effective and consistent instrument for it, being compatible with the own exigencies of time of the clinical practice. For the elevated prevalence observed in both sexes, is advised to develop specific interventions for the treatment of comorbid psychopathology

Rotura traumática de aorta en paciente con lesión medular aguda. Tratamiento intravascular. A propósito de un caso / Traumatic rupture of the aorta in patients with acute spinal cord lesion. Endovascular treatment. A case report

Introducción. La lesión de aorta debida a traumatismo se presenta entre el 10-20 % de los politraumatizados graves. El objetivo del presente caso clínico es describir el procedimiento diagnóstico y las opciones terapéuticas de una rotura traumática de aorta en un sujeto con lesión medular. Paciente y métodos. Mostramos el caso de un paciente politraumatizado, que sufrió un accidente de moto, presentando una lesión medular a nivel sensitivo motor D1 derecha, C8 izquierda, American Spinal Card Injury Association (ASIA) A, producida por una hernia discal posteromedial C6-C7 además de un seudoaneurisma traumático de aorta. Tras ser intervenido de raquis, permaneció en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) por insuficiencia respiratoria e ingresó en planta con el diagnóstico de lesión medular incompleta ASIA B, nivel sensitivomotor C7. Discusión. Se decidió como tratamiento la colocación de una endoprótesis, lo que disminuyó los riesgos de morbimortalidad añadidos a la lesión medular, considerándose el método de elección en este tipo de pacientes

Introduction. The lesion of the aorta due to traumatism occurs in between 10 %-20 % of the serious multitraumatized patients. The objective of this clinical case is to describe the diagnostic procedure and therapeutic options of traumatic rupture of the aorta in a subject with spinal cord lesion. Patient and methods. We present the case of a multi-traumatized patient who suffered a motorcycle accident. He had a spinal cord lesion on motor sensory level right D1, left C8, ASIA A, produced by posteromedial disk herniation C6-C7 in addition to a traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the aorta. After the columna spinal was operated on, he remained in the ICU due to respiratory failure and was admitted to the ward with the diagnosis of ASIA B incomplete spinal cord lesion, C7 motor sensory level. Discussion. It was decided to place an endoprothesis as treatment. This decreased the morbidity-mortality risks added to the spinal cord lesion and was considered the method of choice in these types of patients

Establishment and characterisation of a human carcinoma cell line with acquired resistance to Aplidin.

Aplidin (APL) is a new antitumoral drug from marine origin currently in phase II clinical trials against a wide multiplicity of cancers. As resistance may be, as with other drugs, an important obstacle to the APL therapeutic efficacy, we have established an acquired resistance cellular model by continuous exposure of HeLa cells to the drug. The stably resistant subline generated (HeLa-APL), possessing more than 1000-fold relative resistance to APL than parental cells, did not show crossresistance to a subset of clinically relevant antitumoral agents. In addition, resistance was not related to overexpression of P-glycoprotein or differences in overall drug accumulation. Comparing to parental cells, HeLa-APL cells did not present either significant differences in the growth rate or apparent alterations in the cell cycle distribution. Aplidin induced rapid and persistent phosphorylation of both JNK and p38 MAPKs, resulting in activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in parental cells, but, notably, in HeLa-APL-resistant cells MAPKs activation only occurred in a slight and transiently manner, failing to activate the above-mentioned apoptotic machinery. These results suggest that sustained activation of JNK and p38 is essential for triggering the apoptotic programme induced by APL and that HeLa-APL cells bypass this apoptotic response by preventing the specific mechanisms that prime and sustain the long-term activation of these signalling cascades. Although far from human tumour physiology in vivo, HeLa-APL cells represent a potentially useful tool in gaining insights into the mode of action of APL, in selecting non-crossresistant APL structural analogues, as well as in investigating and developing methods to prevent resistance to this drug.

Quetiapina en el tratamiento de la discinesia tardía secundaria a risperidona. A propósito de un caso / Quetiapine treatment of risperidone-related tardive dyskinesia. A case report

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