Salivary glucose as a metabolic control marker in patients with type 2 diabetes.

A study was made of the correlation between the serum and salivary glucose levels in healthy subjects and in patients with type 2 diabetes, in order to establish the validity of salivary glucose determination in monitoring glycemia. Ninety-seven subjects were included in the study: 47 diabetic patients and 46 controls, aged between 40- and 80-years-of-age. Venous blood and saliva samples were collected in both groups under fasting conditions and after administering a test meal (15% proteins, 55% carbohydrates and 30% lipids). The glucose levels were measured using the glucose oxidase technique. The salivary glucose levels were seen to be greater in the diabetic group vs the controls both under fasting conditions (baseline) and after the meal (postprandial) (p=0.023 and p=0.008, respectively). A significant positive correlation was found between the serum and salivary glucose levels at baseline and under resting conditions, particularly in the diabetic group (r=0.389, p=0.002). The coefficient of determination of the simple linear regression model was R2=0.042, showing salivary glucose to be related to the blood glucose levels. In conclusion, salivary glucose concentration is correlated to serum glucose, particularly in type 2 diabetics.

Burden of disease related to hepatitis C and hepatitis B in Spain: a methodological challenge of an unfolding health problem.

Most previous studies of burden of disease (BoD) in the area of transmissible diseases have assessed the burden of hepatitis C and B without including the end stages of the disease and using an incident approach. We aimed to assess the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) related to hepatitis C and B in Spain in 2006 taking into account related cirrhosis and liver cancer. A prevalence approach was used to estimate current years lived with disability (YLD) because of viral hepatitis contracted years/decades before. We added years of life lost (YLL) to obtain DALYs. Around 76,000 DALYs were attributed to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and 15,323 to hepatitis B virus (HBV) when calculated without applying social values. Applying the discount rate and age-weighting used in the Global Burden Disease study, the BoD nearly halved. In any case, the burden related to hepatitis C including long-term outputs becomes the leading cause of DALYs among transmissible diseases in Spain. The mortality component (YLL) represents more than 90% of the BoD in both HCV and HBV. The findings emphasize the need to provide good surveillance systems not only concerning acute viral hepatitis, but also chronic and end-stage consequences to allow a reliable assessment of the prevention and public health control policies.

Consumo de suplementos nutricionales en gimnasios, perfil del consumidor y características de su uso / Nutritional supplement intake in gymnasium, consumer profile and charateristics of their use

Nowadays the great offer of dietary supplements (DS) in the market has led to a situation in which the use of these products are not only acquired by sportspersons but also to a great population related with physical activity. The main objective of our study was to know the characteristics of the DS consumers and to evaluate its consumption through a survey previously validated and applied to 314 users (198 males and 116 females) from 6 gyms in Viña del Mar. The results showed that more than half of the subjects consumed DS products (54.5 percent). Within male consumers, a 69.4 percent use these products in order to increase muscular mass, while within women, a 62.2 percent consumed them in order to diminish their body fat. There were 5 kinds ofDS products consumed the most: Proteins (55.6 percent), amino acids (25.9 percent), vitamins and minerals (25.1 percent), food substitutes (6.4 percent), caffeine (6.4 percent), and L-carnitine (6.4 percent). The consumer profile is represented by young male individuals, those who follow a special diet, with long practice in gym and who exercise several days a week. Much of consumers did not provide an adequate association between DSN used and the purpose of consuming these supplements.

La gran oferta de suplementos nutricionales (SN) dispuestos en el mercado, ha llevado a que el uso de estos productos no sea adquirido únicamente por deportistas, sino que por parte importante de la población relacionada con la actividad física. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer las características de los consumidores de SN, evaluando su consumo en 314 usuarios (198 hombres y 116 mujeres) de 6 gimnasios de la ciudad de Viña del Mar. Los resultados revelan que más de la mitad de los usuarios consumen SN (54,5 por ciento). De los hombres consumidores, un 69,4 por ciento lo realiza para aumentar masa muscular, mientras que del total de las mujeres, un 62,2 por ciento lo utiliza para disminuir grasa corporal. Los cinco tipos de SN más consumidos en relación a su composición de nutrientes y otras fuentes fueron: proteínas (55,6 por ciento), aminoácidos (25,9 por ciento), vitaminas y minerales (25,1 por ciento), sustitutivos de comida (6,4 por ciento), cafeína (6,4 por ciento) y L- carnitina (6,4 por ciento). El perfil del consumidor, está representado por individuos jóvenes, de sexo masculino, los que siguen una dieta especial de alimentación, con largo tiempo de práctica en gimnasio y que se ejercitan varios días y horas a la semana. Gran parte de los consumidores no presentó una adecuada asociación entre el SN utilizado y el objetivo de consumo de estos suplementos.

Ordered metal nanotube arrays fabricated by PVD.

In this work we report a simple method to fabricate ordered arrays of metal nanotubes. This method is based on the deposition of a metal by PVD onto an anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template. The dimensions of the synthesized nanotubes depend both on the AAO template and on the deposited metal. In fact, it is observed that the aspect ratios of the nanotubes clearly depend significantly on the metal, ranging from 0.6 (Fe) to at least 3 (Zr).

Post-synthesis alignment of chemically modified carbon nanotubes in magnetic fields.

In this paper we present an improved procedure to prepare carbon nanotubes bundles functionalized with magnetite nanoparticles. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been modified by hydrophobic adsorption of a carboxylic acid derivative and the previously synthesized magnetite nanoparticles have been attached to the acid groups. Electron microscopy studies show a high density of magnetite nanoparticles on the surface of CNTs. These modified carbon nanotubes become magnetic and can be appropriately oriented by using external magnetic fields.

Characterization of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes by atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy.

In this work, we perform a comparative study on single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) before and after low energy nitrogen ion bombardment (70 eV and 25 x 10-6 A/cm2) at room temperature. The morphology and the mechanical properties were studied by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The bonding configuration of the N-doped CNTs was established by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (XANES). Single-walled carbon nanotubes were prepared using non-intrusive methods and deposited onto silicon substrates. For the spectroscopic studies, samples with a high concentration of CNTs were analyzed. XPS reveals different chemical states for carbon related to the incorporation of nitrogen. XANES confirms the hexagonal structure of the CNTs, resembling the bonding structure of hexagonal carbon nitrides. AFM images confirm that the CNTs were not destroyed after low energy N2+. The morphology of the original nanotubes maintains after nitrogen ion bombardment except for the incorporation of some pearl-shaped decoration, probably due to the adsorption of some contaminants or to deposition of re-sputtered material. Whereas CNTs improve their adherence to the substrate, this extra granularity on the CNT is easily removed even with the AFM tip. In conclusion, spectroscopic measurements and mechanical properties made clear information on the changes produced on CNT after nitrogen incorporation.

Attachment of magnetite nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes bundles and their response to magnetic fields.

We present an alternative method to control the alignment of carbon nanotube bundles by applying an external magnetic field on magnetic nanoparticles functionalized nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes have been modified by pi-pi stacking of a carboxylic acid and the previously synthesized Fe3O4 nanoparticles have been bounded to the acid groups. Results obtained by TEM, SEM and FESEM show that the magnetite nanoparticles are distributed along the nanotube surfaces, showing a high dispersion and a mean particle size of ca. 4-5 nm. In presence of a magnetic field the modified nanotube bundles have been clearly oriented along the axis parallel to the field.

[Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, trisomy 8 mosaicism and RECQ4 gene mutation]. / Syndrome de Rothmund-Thomson, trisomie 8 en mosaïque et mutation du gène RECQ4.

BACKGROUND: We report a case of Rothmund-Thomson syndrome associated with a trisomy 8 mosaicism, and RECQ4 gene mutation. OBSERVATION: An 18-year-old man presented with a poikiloderma affecting photoexposed areas and the buttocks. This lesions appeared during the first year of life and was secondly associated with alopecia, sparse body hair, keratosis, and warts. He also had proportional short stature, thumb and patella aplasia, particular facies, and plantar malformations. Cytogenetic studies evidenced chromosomal instability and trisomy 8 mosaicism. The DNA repair capacity was normal. A mutation in RECQ4 helicase gene was found. DISCUSSION: Rothmund-Thomson syndrome is a rare hereditary syndrome characterized by early onset of poikiloderma. Patients exhibit variable features including skeletal abnormalities, juvenile cataracts, photosensitivity, and a higher than expected incidence of cutaneous or extracutaneous malignancies. Genetic patterns found in Rothmund-Thomson syndrome are heterogeneous. Normal karyotypes have been demonstrated in many patients. Various karyotypic abnormalities or reduced DNA repair was seen in others. Recently, five patients with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome were shown to segregate for mutations in RECQ4 helicase gene. Thus, clinical and genetic features in Rothmund-Thomson syndrome are polymorphous. Therefore, it could be interesting to correlate genotype and phenotype.

[Celecoxib induced toxiderma with positive patch-test]. / Toxidermie au célécoxib (Cerebrex(R)) avec test épicutané positif.

INTRODUCTION: Celecoxib (Celebrex(R)) is a new generation non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, recently introduced in France. We report a maculopapular rash due to this drug with positive patch-tests. CASE REPORT: A forty year-old man received with 3 tablets/day of celecoxib for intercostal pain. Nine days after initiation of treatment a maculopapular rash appeared. At the end of treatment, the eruption persisted for two days, then rapidly improved within one week. Six weeks later, patch-tests with celecoxib diluted at 20 p. 100 in petrolatum were positive at 48 hours. DISCUSSION: Cutaneous reactions due to celecoxib are rare. In our case report, the delay, clinical aspect, improvement on withdrawal of treatment and positive patch test all emphasize the imputability of celecoxib. We wish to underline the possible cutaneous reactions with this new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

[Ofuji's papuloerythroderma: two cases treated with azathioprine]. / Papulo-érythrodermie d'Ofuji.

BACKGROUND: Ofuji's papuloerythroderma is a rare disorder, characterized by a generalized pruriginous eruption, sparing the folds. It predominates in the elderly. The pathology is still unknown but associations with lymphoma have been described. Various therapeutic approaches have been tried, most often including local and general corticosteroids and PUVA. OBSERVATION: Two patients aged 71 and 84 years presented red pruriginous macular rash sparing the abdominal folds. Eosinophilia and lymphopenia were observed. Cutaneous biopsies showed dermal lymphocytic and plasmocytic infiltrates with, in one case, eosinophil and neutrophil exocytosis. Clinical, biological and morphological investigations showed no association with other diseases such as cancer or lymphoma. Azathioprine permitted clinical and biological remission in both patients but had to be interrupted because of minor side effects (infection, gastroenterologic disorders) and corticosteroids were introduced in one case. DISCUSSION: We suggest that histological aspects, such as exocytosis, may represent a link between Ofuji's papuloerythroderma and lymphoma. Azathioprine led to clinical and biological improvement in our 2 patients. Because of its adverse effects, it could be proposed as second-line therapy in patients presenting resistance or intolerance to usual treatments.

Electrodeposition of hydroxyapatite coatings in basic conditions.

Hydroxyapatite films have been grown in this work by an electrodeposition method involving both physical and chemical processes and presenting several differences with respect to other reported works. Description of the coating formation is based on the evolution of current through the sample placed as positive electrode in the basic electrolyte. The characterisation of hydroxyapatite films is of special importance since the bioactive properties related to HAP have been directly identified with its specific composition (Ca/P ratio) and crystalline structure. This characterisation has been traditionally fulfilled by the use of XRD, FTIR and SEM. Results of a further characterisation of the coatings by TEM and SFM, additional to the analysis by XRD, FTIR and SEM, are presented. Interpretation and comparison of our results with those obtained by other electrodeposition methods lead to arguments in favour of a deposition produced directly from ionic species.