Presumed fluoxetine maculopathy.

To report a unique case of a patient who developed simultaneous bilateral maculopathy presumed from intake of fluoxetine. The optic coherence tomography (OCT) macular showed a subfoveal disruption in the outer retinal layer in both eyes (OU), higher in the left one (OS). Although reported cases of serotonin recapture inhibitors (SSRIs) Maculopathy so far have been caused by sertraline, fluoxetine shares the biological mechanism, and OCT findings and ocular symptoms are the same as published. We should be aware with ocular symptoms in patients that take fluoxetine.

Utilidad de la ECMO sobre el injerto pulmonar disfuncionante en un modelo porcino estandarizado de trasplante unipulmonar / [Usefulness of ECMO on dysfunctional lung graft in a standardized porcine model of one-lung transplant]

Objetivo: Establecer un modelo de muerte encefálica y trasplante pulmonar y analizar el posible papel protector del oxigenador de membrana extracorpóreo (ECMO).Métodos: Se emplearon 20 cerdos hembras, 10 donantes y 10 receptoras. Las receptoras del Grupo A (n = 5) fueron sometidas a un trasplante unipulmonar izquierdo (Tx-UPI) sin ECMO. Las receptoras del Grupo B (n = 5) se sometieron a un Tx-UPI con ECMO venoarterial (ECMO-VA). Se recopilaron datos funcionales e histológicos en situación basal, a los 10 minutos de clampar el hilio derecho (Tiempo 1) y a las 2 horas (Tiempo 2). Se analizó la expresión proteica de marcadores de inflamación y de la ruta de hipoxia.Resultados: El modelo de muerte encefálica empleado, seguido de un tiempo de isquemia frío prolongado (20 horas) dio lugar a la aparición de un edema pulmonar severo. Tras el implante, 3 receptores del grupo A sobrevivieron hasta el Tiempo 2, falleciendo 2 por edema pulmonar masivo. Por el contrario, todos los animales del Grupo B sobrevivieron, siendo la PaO2 en ese momento de 462,72 mmHg. Hubo un incremento de la expresión de IL6, TNF, PCR, AC IX y el VEGF, así como un descenso en la expresión de IL8 y GLUT1, al usar la ECMO.Conclusiones: Se ha desarrollado un modelo porcino estandarizado y reproducible de muerte encefálica, que simula el proceso clínico de la donación pulmonar. Este modelo puede servir de plataforma para investigar posibles dianas terapéuticas. (AU)

Objective: Establish a model of brain death and lung transplantation and analyze the possible protective role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).Methods: 20 female pigs were used, 10 donors and 10 recipients. Group A recipients (n = 5) underwent left-sided single- lung transplantation (LUCT-Tx) without ECMO. Group B recipients (n = 5) underwent ICU-Tx with venoarterial ECMO (VA-ECMO). Functional and histological data were collected at baseline, 10 minutes after clamping the right hilum (Time 1) and 2 hours (Time 2). Protein expression of inflammation markers and the hypoxia pathway was analyzed.Results: The brain death model used, followed by a prolonged cold ischemia time (20 hours) gave rise to the appearance of severe pulmonary edema. After implantation, 3 group A recipients survived until Time 2, with 2 dying from massive pulmonary edema. In contrast, all the animals in Group B survived, with PaO2 at that time being 462.72 mmHg. There was an increase in the expression of IL6, TNFα, CRP, AC IX and VEGF, as well as a decrease in the expression of IL8 and GLUT1, when using ECMO.Conclusions: A standardized and reproducible porcine model of brain death has been developed, which simulates the clinical process of lung donation. This model can serve as a platform to investigate possible therapeutic targets. (AU)

Purification process for MUFA- and PUFA-based monoacylglycerols from edible oils.

Important health benefits have been attributed to monoacylglycerols (MAGs) due to their various physiological functions, owing to which they become candidates for use as functional foods in order to prevent the onset of certain diseases such as colon cancer. In this work, six edible oils, namely: olive, linseed, sunflower, evening primrose, DHASCO® and ARASCO® have been processed to obtain different MUFA- and PUFA- based MAGs. First, the oils were hydrolyzed by means of an enzymatic process using porcine pancreatic lipase and then the reaction products were fractionated by using a liquid chromatography column containing silica gel as stationary phase in order to purify the MAGs-enriched fraction. A second chromatography process was performed using silver nitrate coated silica gel as stationary phase, in order to obtain the different MUFA- and PUFA-based MAGs from the corresponding oils. Overall, MAGs based on oleic, linoleic, α-linolenic, γ-linolenic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids have been isolated in high yields and purities (92.6, 97.4, 95.3, 90.9, 100 and 95.3% purity, respectively). Positional distribution was determined by means of 1H NMR, which revealed a mix of 1(3) and 2-MAGs in variable proportions in the different MAGs.

Oregano Essential Oil as an Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Additive in Food Products.

Food consumers and industries urged the need of natural alternatives to assure food safety and quality. As a response, the use of natural compounds from herbs and spices is an alternative to synthetic additives associated with toxic problems. This review discusses the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of oregano essential oil (OEO) and its potential as a food additive. Oregano is a plant that has been used as a food seasoning since ancient times. The common name of oregano is given to several species: Origanum (family: Lamiaceae) and Lippia (family: Verbenaceae), amongst others. The main compounds identified in the different OEOs are carvacrol and thymol, which are responsible for the characteristic odor, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity; however, their content may vary according to the species, harvesting season, and geographical sources. These substances as antibacterial agents make the cell membrane permeable due to its impregnation in the hydrophobic domains, this effect is higher against gram positive bacteria. In addition, the OEO has antioxidant properties effective in retarding the process of lipid peroxidation in fatty foods, and scavenging free radicals. In this perspective, the present review analyzes and discusses the state of the art about the actual and potential uses of OEO as an antimicrobial and antioxidant food additives.

Hemorragia durante la cesárea: factores de riesgo / Blooder in caesarean section: risk factors

Objetivos Definir los factores que influyen en la producción de anemia poscesárea. Material y métodos Seiscientas veintiocho pacientes asistidas en el Servicio de Obstetricia del Hospital Universitario San Cecilio de Granada (España) sometidas a una cesárea durante 1 año, analizando las características sociodemográficas y los diferentes factores que pueden influir en la producción de anemia. Se calcula la incidencia de anemia y la necesidad de transfusión postintervención. Resultados El 80% de las pacientes tiene anemia poscesárea, y la pérdida es inferior a 2g/dl. La multiparidad, cesárea previa, edad gestacional menor a 30 semanas y cesárea urgente se asocia con mayores tasas de anemia, sin diferencias significativas en cuanto a antecedentes como preeclampsia previa o tipo de anestesia empleada. La técnica de Misgav-Ladach disminuye dicha pérdida. Conclusiones En nuestro estudio, la multiparidad y la cesárea de urgencia se asocian con mayores tasas de anemia (AU)

Objectives To identify the factors influencing blood loss after cesarean section. Material and methods A total of 628 patients who underwent a cesarean section during a 1-year period at the Obstetrics Service of the University Hospital of San Cecilio in Granada (Spain) were studied. The patients’ socio-demographic characteristics and the distinct factors that could be related to blood loss were analyzed. The incidence of anemia and the need for postsurgical transfusion were calculated. Results Postcesarean anemia was found in 80% of the patients, but with a loss below 2g/dl. The factors associated with a higher rate of blood loss were multiparity, previous cesarean section, gestational age <30 weeks and urgent cesarean section. No significant differences were found with regard to a history of preeclampsia or the type of anesthesia used. The Misgav-Ladach technique for cesarean section reduced blood loss. ConclusionsIn our study, multiparity and urgent cesarean section were associated with a higher rate of anemia( AU)

Occurrence and characterization of oils rich in gamma-linolenic acid (III): the taxonomical value of the fatty acids in Echium (Boraginaceae).

Fourteen species of the genus Echium (Fam. Boraginaceae) collected in the Macaronesia were surveyed in a search for high levels of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3omega6) in the seed oil. High amounts of this fatty acid were found in all of them, ranging from 18.85% (E. pitardii var. pitardii) to 27.42% (E. gentianoides) on total seed fatty acids. The GLA content related to total seed weight was also significant, ranging from 1.26% (E. handiense) to 8.22% (E. gentianoides). In addition, considerable amounts of stearidonic acid (SA, 18:4omega3) were detected, ranging from 3.78% (E. bonnetii var. bonnetii) to 8.81% (E. pininana) on total fatty acids. Besides all the perennial species, the four herbaceous Echium taxa endemic to the Macaronesia also showed high GLA percentages. This is in contrast to the low GLA level found in continental Echium species, all of them bearing an herbaceous habit. These results are in good agreement with the available genetic data and show the ability of GLA to discriminate between Macaronesian and continental Echium species. The analysis of five other Macaronesian species belonging to plant families rich in GLA are also reported.

Saikosaponins from roots of Bupleurum gibraltaricum and Bupleurum spinosum.

Two new saikosaponins have been identified in the butanolic fraction of the ethanol extract of the roots of Bupleurum spinosum: 3beta,16alpha,23,28-tetrahydroxyoleana-11,13(18)-dien- 30-oic acid 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-fucopyranoside, and 3beta,16alpha,23,28,30-pentahydroxyoleana-11,13(18)-diene 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-fucopyranoside. 3Beta,16beta,23-trihydroxy-13,28-epoxyolean-11-ene 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-fucopyranoside was also isolated, and this structure agreed with the one proposed for bupleuroside I, but their spectroscopic data have not been described until now. From the same fraction of the roots of Bupleurum gibraltaricum, the known compound buddlejasaponin IV has been isolated as the predominant component (90%). Structures were elucidated using spectroscopic analysis, specially 2D-NMR experiments.

Preparation, stereochemistry, and cytotoxic activity of the melampolides from Mikania minima.

The semisyntheses of melampolides 1 and 2, previously found in Mikania minima, were carried out in order to confirm their chemical structures and to establish their absolute configurations. Their conformational analyses, performed using molecular mechanics, experimental (1)H NMR coupling constants, and NOE experiments, showed a preferred DU conformer in solution at room temperature. The cytotoxic activities of 1 and 2 against three tumor cell lines were also determined. Conjugated aldehyde 2 showed higher activity than alcohol 1.

EGFR family-mediated signal transduction in the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT.

We analyzed the formation of homo- and heterodimers between EGFR, ErbB2, and ErbB3 (members of the EGF receptor family) in the human skin keratinocyte cell line HaCaT, in dependence of the added ligand. ErbB4 was not unambiguously identified. By immunoprecipitation and Western blots, we showed the formation of heterodimers between all members of the family. Whereas EGF and TGF-alpha strongly induced heterodimerization, no effect was observed with heregulin. At the concentrations used all ligands elicited a similar, differentiation-independent activation of erk1/2 MAP kinase, with the exception of heregulin which activated p42/44 only marginally. We also found that different ligands triggered different transcription patterns of "early genes," with the exception of heregulin which did not modulate transcription. TGF-alpha was the most efficient ligand in promoting incorporation of tritiated thymidine into the DNA.

Biomimetic cyclization of cnicin to malacitanolide, a cytotoxic eudesmanolide from Centaurea malacitana.

Malacitanolide (2), a new eudesmanolide isolated from the aerial parts of Centaurea malacitana, was characterized spectroscopically. The synthesis of 2 from cnicin (1), via the epoxide 3, confirmed the structure and stereochemistry of malacitanolide, as well as its biogenetic relationship with 1. Cytotoxic activity values for 2 are significantly higher than for 1.

Nutritional and toxic factors in selected wild edible plants.

Nutritional (ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid and carotenes); antinutritional and toxic components (oxalic acid, nitrate and erucic acid) were determined in sixteen popular species of wild edible plants which are collected for human consumption in southeast Spain. Ascorbic + dehydroascorbic acids contents were very high in several species, especially in Chenopodium album L. (155 mg/100 g). Carotenoid content ranged from 4.2 mg/100 g (Stellaria media Villars) to 15.4 mg/100 g (Amaranthus viridis L.). A range of values was found for oxalic acid from absence to 1100 mg/100 g of plant material. Nitrate contents ranged from 47 mg/100 g (Salicornia europaea L.) to 597 mg/100 g (Amaranthus viridis L.). Low amounts of erucic acid were found in the Cruciferae family (Sisymbrium irio L. 1.73%; Cardaria draba L. 1.23%) and Plantago major L. 3.45%.

[Congenital cardiopathies and associated bone abnormalities]. / Cardiopatías congénitas y malformaciones óseas asociadas.

The study included six infants and one adult of congenital cardiovascular anomalies and malformations of the osseum system. In three cases with family pedigree studied, an autosomal dominant character was found; all of them had interauricular defect septum and characteristic congenital deformities of the thumb with polydactyly and one with affection in upper and lower extremities. In the other four patients without family study, interauricular septal defect and transposition of vessels was proved; the osseum malformations were radium agenesia, polydactyly and thumb agenesia. The importance of the genes and the environmental participation and etiopathogenic mechanism are discussed. The prognostic is focussed within type and severity of the congenital cardiac defect; in this study, two infants died within 3 and 7 months of heart failure. These congenital malformations were proved to have autosomal dominant inheritance; we recommend the familial study in all these cases.