Electrospun Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Based Dressings Containing GO/ZnO Nanocomposites: A Novel Frontier in Antibacterial Wound Care.

In recent years, the rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a significant concern in the healthcare field, and although bactericidal dressings loaded with various classes of antibiotics have been used in clinics, in addition to other anti-infective strategies, this alarming issue necessitates the development of innovative strategies to combat bacterial infections and promote wound healing. Electrospinning technology has gained significant attention as a versatile method for fabricating advanced wound dressings with enhanced functionalities. This work is based on the generation of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based dressings through electrospinning, using a DomoBIO4A bioprinter, and incorporating graphene oxide (GO)/zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposites as a potent antibacterial agent. GO and ZnO nanoparticles offer unique properties, including broad-spectrum antibacterial activity for improved wound healing capabilities. The synthesis process was performed in an inexpensive one-pot reaction, and the nanocomposites were thoroughly characterized using XRD, TEM, EDX, SEM, EDS, and TGA. The antibacterial activity of the dispersions was demonstrated against E. coli and B. subtilis, Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively, using the well diffusion method and the spread plate method. Bactericidal mats were synthesized in a rapid and cost-effective manner, and the fiber-based structure of the electrospun dressings was studied by SEM. Evaluations of their antibacterial efficacy against E. coli and B. subtilis were explored by the disk-diffusion method, revealing an outstanding antibacterial capacity, especially against the Gram-positive strain. Overall, the findings of this research contribute to the development of next-generation wound dressings that effectively combat bacterial infections and pave the way for advanced therapeutic interventions in the field of wound care.

Synthesis, Photocatalytic, and Antifungal Properties of MgO, ZnO and Zn/Mg Oxide Nanoparticles for the Protection of Calcareous Stone Heritage.

More recently, the biological colonization of stone heritage and consequently its biodeterioration has become the focus of numerous studies. Among all microorganisms, fungi are considered to be one of the most important colonizers and biodegraders on stone materials. This is why the development of new antifungal materials requires immediate action. ZnMgO nanoparticles (NPs) have several exciting applications in different areas, highlighting as an efficient antimicrobial agent for medical application. In this research, the application of Zn-doped MgO (Mg1-xZnxO, x = 0.096) NPs obtained by sol-gel method as antifungal coatings on dolomitic and calcitic stones has been explored as a means to develop effective protective coatings for stone heritage. Moreover, the photocatalytic and antifungal activity of Mg1-xZnxO NPs were comparatively studied with single ZnO and MgO NPs. Thus, compared to the MgO and ZnO nanomaterials, the Mg1-xZnxO NPs exhibited an enhanced photocatalytic activity. After UV irradiation for 60 min, 87% methylene blue was degraded over Zn-doped MgO NPs, whereas only 58% and 38% of MB was degraded over ZnO and MgO NPs, respectively. These nanoparticles also displayed a better antifungal activity than that of single pure MgO or ZnO NPs, inhibiting the growth of fungi Aspergillus niger, Penicillium oxalicum, Paraconiothyrium sp., and Pestalotiopsis maculans, which are especially active in the bioweathering of stone. The improved photocatalytic and antifungal properties detected in the Mg1-xZnxO NPs was attributed to the formation of crystal defects by the incorporation of Zn into MgO. The application of the MgO- and Zn-doped MgO NPs as protective coatings on calcareous stones showed important antifungal properties, inhibiting successfully the epilithic and endolithic colonization of A. niger and P. oxalicum in both lithotypes, and indicating a greater antifungal effectiveness on Zn-doped MgO NPs. The use of Zn-doped MgO NPs may thus represent a highly efficient antifungal protection for calcareous stone heritage.

A Spray Pyrolysis Method to Grow Carbon Nanotubes on Carbon Fibres, Steel and Ceramic Bricks.

We demonstrate a spray pyrolysis method to grow carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with high degree of crystallinity, aspect ratio and degree of alignment on a variety of different substrates, such as conventional steel, carbon fibres (CF) and ceramics. The process consists in the chemical vapour deposition of both a thin SiO2 layer and CNTs that subsequently grow on this thin layer. After CNT growth, increases in specific surface by factors of 1000 and 30 for the steel and CF samples, respectively, are observed. CNTs growth on ceramic surfaces results in a surface resistance of 37.5 Ohm/sq. When using conventional steel as a rector tube, we observed CNTs growth rates of 0.6 g/min. Details of nanotube morphology and the growth mechanism are discussed. Since the method discussed here is highly versatile, it opens up a wide variety of applications in which specific substrates could be used in combination with CNTs.

Height gain at adult-height age in 184 short patients treated with growth hormone from prepubertal age to near adult-height age is not related to GH secretory status at GH therapy onset.

BACKGROUND: GH release after stimuli classifies short children as severe idiopathic isolated GH deficiency (IIGHD), mild IIGHD, dissociated GH release (DGHR) and normal GH release (NGHR) and anthropometric birth data as adequate for gestational age (AGA) or small for gestational age (SGA). GH release after stimuli classifies AGA patients as IIGHD or as idiopathic short stature (ISS). AIM: To compare height gain induced by GH therapy (31.8 ± 3.5 µg/kg/day, 7.7 ± 1.6 years) started at prepubertal age and stopped at near adult-height age. METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal multicenter study including 184 short patients classified as severe IIGHD n = 25, mild IIGHD n = 75, DGHR n = 55 and NGHR n = 29; or as IIGHD n = 78, ISS n = 57 and SGA n = 49. Height gain was evaluated throughout GH therapy and at adult-height age. RESULTS: Height-SDS gain at adult-height age was similar among severe IIGHD (1.8 ± 0.8 SDS), mild IIGHD (1.6 ± 0.6 SDS), DGHR (1.7 ± 0.7 SDS) and NGHR (1.6 ± 0.7 SDS), or among IIGHD (1.7 ± 0.7 SDS), ISS (1.7 ± 0.6 SDS) and SGA (1.6 ± 0.8 SD). CONCLUSION: GH-release stimuli are of little help for deciding on GH therapy in the clinical management of prepubertal children with IIGHD, ISS or SGA.

Growth hormone secretory status evaluated by growth hormone peak after two pharmacological growth hormone release stimuli did not significantly influence the two-year catch-up growth induced by growth hormone therapy in 318 prepubertal short children with idiopathic growth retardation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In prepubertal short children with idiopathic growth retardation, growth hormone (GH) peak after GH release stimuli classifies patients as growth hormone- deficient (GHD) or non-GHD. This study compared a 2-year growth response to GH therapy in 318 prepubertal short children. METHODS: Patients were classified as: severe GHD (GH peaks <5 ng/ml after 2 stimuli; n = 54), mild GHD (GH peaks <10 ng/ml, but one or two between 5 and 10 ng/ml; n = 140), dissociated GH release (GH peak ≥ 10 ng/ml after 1 stimulus and <10 ng/ml after the other; n = 89), and normal GH release (GH peaks ≥ 10 ng/ml after 2 stimuli; n = 35). RESULTS: Two-year height gain did not differ statistically among the 4 groups: 1.39 ± 0.51 SD, 16.4 ± 2.3 cm; 1.23 ± 0.56 SD, 15.8 ± 2.1 cm; 1.18 ± 0.53 SD, 15.3 ± 2.0 cm, and 1.14 ± 0.53 SD, 15.4 ± 2.0 cm, respectively, as was also the case for bone age gain: 2.5 ± 0.6, 2.4 ± 0.7, 2.6 ± 0.7 and 2.3 ± 0.5 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that GH release stimuli are of little help for deciding on GH therapy in the clinical management of prepubertal short children with idiopathic growth retardation, while well-defined anthropometric and biochemical criteria may be useful.

Acrodermatitis papulosa sin infección / Papular acrodermatitis without infection

No disponible

Cefalea punzante idiopática o primaria / No disponible

La cefalea punzante idiopática o primaria es de corta duración, poco conocida y publicadaen niños, excepcional en menores de 5 años, y probablemente infradiagnosticada. Se presentancuatro casos procedentes de una consulta de pediatría de Atención Primaria con edades comprendidasentre 2 y 5 años. Los episodios duraron menos de 5 minutos, de intensidad variableen cada paciente; en uno de los casos se acompañó de vómitos. Todos tenían antecedentes familiaresde jaqueca e inicialmente tuvieron otros diagnósticos. Las exploraciones complementariasfueron normales. La evolución de la cefalea en los cuatro ha sido hacia la desaparición(entre tres meses y un año), pero en dos apareció migraña. Uno fue tratado con paracetamolcon respuesta incierta

The idiopathic or primary stabbing headache presents with short duration, is poorly understoodand is reported exceptionally in children under 5 years of age, and it is probably underdiagnosed. Four cases from a paediatric Primary Care setting are presented ,the age of the childrenranged between 2 and 5 years. The crisis lasted less than 5 minutes, with variable intensity,and with vomiting in one patient. All presented familial history of migraine. Complementaryexams were normal. All received another diagnosis at the beginning. The headachesdisappeared in 3 to 12 months, but migraine developed in 2 cases. One received acetaminophenwith uncertain response

Fiebre botonosa mediterránea / Mediterranean spotted fever

No disponible

Na-dependent D-glucose transport by intestinal brush border membrane vesicles from gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata).

Brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) enriched in sucrase, maltase and alkaline phosphatase, and impoverished in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, were isolated from proximal and distal intestine of the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) by a MgCl(2) precipitation method. Vesicles were suitable for the study of the characteristics of D-glucose apical transport. Only one D-glucose carrier was found in vesicles from each intestinal segment. In both cases, the D-glucose transport system was sodium-dependent, phlorizin-sensitive, significantly inhibited by D-glucose, D-galactose, alpha-methyl-D-glucose, 3-O-methyl-D-glucose and 2-deoxy-D-glucose, and showed stereospecificity. Apparent affinity constants of D-glucose transport (K(t)) were 0.24 +/- 0.03 mM in proximal and 0.18 +/- 0.03 mM in distal intestine. Maximal rate of influx (Jmax) was 47.3 +/- 2.2 pmols. mg(-1) protein for proximal and 27.3 +/- 3.6 pmols. mg(-1) protein for distal intestine. Specific phlorizin binding and relative abundance of an anti-SGLT1 reactive protein were significantly higher in proximal than in distal BBMV. These results suggest the presence of the same D-glucose transporter along the intestine, with a higher density in the proximal portion. This transporter is compatible with the sodium-dependent D-glucose carrier described for other fish and with the SGLT1 of higher vertebrates.

Prevention of adjuvant arthritis by the W3/25 anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody is associated with a decrease of blood CD4(+)CD45RC(high) T cells.

Imbalance between Th1 and Th2 functions is considered to play a key role in the induction and development of several autoimmune diseases, and the correction of that imbalance has led to effective therapies of some experimental pathologies. To examine whether CD4(+)CD45RC(high) (Th1-like) and CD4(+)CD45RC(low) (Th2-like) lymphocytes play a role in the pathogenesis of adjuvant arthritis (AA) and in its prevention by anti-CD4 antibody, CD45RC expression on CD4(+) T cells was determined in arthritic rats and in animals treated with an anti-CD4 MoAb (W3/25) during the latency period of AA. The phenotype of regional lymph node lymphocytes from arthritic rats in the active phase of the disease was determined by flow cytometry. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from rats treated with W3/25 MoAb were also analysed for 2 weeks after immunotherapy finished. IgG2a and IgG1 isotypes of sera antibodies against the AA-inducing mycobacteria, considered to be associated with Th1 and Th2 responses, respectively, were also determined by ELISA techniques. Fourteen days after arthritis induction, regional lymph nodes presented an increase in CD4+CD45RC(high) T cell proportion. Preventive immunotherapy with W3/25 MoAb inhibited the external signs of arthritis and produced a specific decrease in blood CD4(+)CD45RC(high) T cells and a diminution of antibodies against mycobacteria, more marked for IgG2a than for IgG1 isotype. These results indicate a possible role of CD4(+)CD45RC(high) T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of AA, and suggest that the success of anti-CD4 treatment is due to a specific effect on CD4(+)CD45RC(high) T subset that could be associated with a decrease in Th1 activity.

Gonadectomía vía laparoscópica en una paciente con síndrome de Morris / Laparoscopic gonadectomy in a woman with Morris syndrome

No disponible

[An epidemiological study of pediatric emergencies in a general hospital. The factors involved in inappropriate demand]. / Estudio epidemiológico de las urgencias pediátricas en un hospital general. Factores implicados en una demanda inadecuada.

UNLABELLED: We have carried out a retrospective study of a representative sample of the infant population attended at our pediatric hospital emergency service (PES) during 1992 in order to determine the frequency of unnecessary consultations and the implicated factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During this time period, 6,543 pediatric emergencies (except traumatisms) were attended, of which 1,298 cases were selected. We analyzed the epidemiological patient profile, motive for consultation, final diagnosis, type of emergency and factors involved in unnecessary consultations. RESULTS: We found that the most commonly attended groups of diagnosis were respiratory diseases (37%), ill-defined signs and symptoms (22%) and infectious diseases (13%). Sixty-nine percent of the patients were catalogued as unnecessary emergency consultations and a statistical relationship was found with factors such as: age less than 7 years (76%), arrival by initiative of the patients themselves (76%), onset of symptoms between 1-4 days (77%) and the time of day between 2.200 and 07.00 hours (75%). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude unnecessary consultations occur at a high frequency. We comment on the importance of the age of the patient, who takes the initiative to come to the PES, the duration of the symptoms and the hour of consultation as predictive variables to suggest poor use of these pediatric services.

[Microbiological control in parenteral nutrition mixtures. Indices of contamination]. / Control microbiológico en mezclas de nutrición parenteral. Indices de contaminación.

Potential contamination of nutritional mixtures during preparation in the Pharmacy Services has led to the need for microbiological controls. In our study, we set out the techniques used in the Son Dureta Hospital between 1986 and 1991. During those six years 11,023 nutritional mixtures were prepared, and 1,714 bacteriological controls were carried out, representing 15.5% of the total. Between January 1986 and June 1989, the simple culture technique was used (culture of 10 ml of the prepared mixture). The contamination rate was 1.27%. Between July 1989 and December 1991, the double sample technique was applied, involving a culture of 10 ml of the mixture, keeping a further 10 ml for subsequent verification culture. With this technique, the contamination rate was fixed at 0.34%. The advantages and drawbacks of the techniques used are described, along with the problem of initial false positives, and a review is made of the 39 germs isolated during the period of study.