Potentially harmful elements pollute soil and vegetation around the Atrevida mine (Tarragona, NE Spain).

Mining activity is one of the main sources to pollute soil, water and plants. An analysis of soil and plant samples around the Atrevida mining area in Catalonia (NE Spain) was preformed to determine potentially harmful elements (PHEs). Soil and plant samples were taken at eight locations around the mining area. The topsoil (0-15 cm) samples were analysed for physico-chemical properties by standard methods, by ICP-MS for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn, and were microwave-digested. Plant, root and shoot samples were digested separately, and heavy metals were analysed by AAS. Translocation factor (TF), biological concentration factor (BCF) and biological accumulation factor (BAF) were determined to assess the tolerance strategies developed by native species and to evaluate their potential for phytoremediation purposes. Soil pH was generally acid (5.48-6.72), with high soil organic matter (SOM) content and a sandy loamy or loamy texture. According to the agricultural soil values in southern Europe, our PHEs concentrations exceeded the toxicity thresholds. The highest root content of the most studied PHEs appeared in Thymus vulgaris L. and Festuca ovina L., while Biscutella laevigata L. accumulated more PHEs in shoots. The TF values were > 1 in B. laevigata L., but BAF obtained < 1, except Pb. B. laevigata L., and can be considered potentially useful for phytoremediation for having the capacity to restrict the accumulation of large PHEs amounts in roots and Pb translocation to shoots.

Edad retiniana como biomarcador predictivo del grado de retinopatía diabética / Retinal age as a predictive biomarker of the diabetic retinopathy grade

Objetivo Aplicar técnicas de inteligencia artificial, mediante algoritmos de aprendizaje profundo, para el desarrollo y optimización de un sistema de predicción de la edad de una persona con base en una retinografía color, y estudiar una posible relación entre la evolución de la retinopatía diabética (RD) y un envejecimiento prematuro de la retina. Métodos Se entrenó una red convolucional para calcular la edad de una persona con base en una retinografía. Dicho entrenamiento fue realizado sobre un conjunto de retinografías de pacientes con diabetes previamente dividido en 3 subconjuntos (entrenamiento, validación y test). La diferencia entre la edad cronológica del paciente y la edad biológica de la retina se definió como gap de edad retiniano. Resultados Se utilizó un conjunto de 98.400 imágenes para la fase de entrenamiento, 1.000 imágenes para la fase de validación y 13.544 para la fase de test. El gap retiniano de los pacientes sin RD fue de 0,609 años y el de los pacientes con RD de 1,905 años (p<0,001), siendo la distribución por grado de RD de: RD leve 1,541 años; RD moderada 3,017 años; RD severa 3,117 años, y RD proliferativa 8,583 años. Conclusiones El gap de edad retiniano muestra una diferencia en positivo de media entre las personas diabéticas con RD frente a las que no tienen RD, y además aumenta progresivamente, de acuerdo con el grado de RD. Estos resultados podrían indicar la existencia de una relación entre la evolución de la enfermedad y un envejecimiento prematuro de la retina (AU)

Objective To apply artificial intelligence techniques, through deep learning algorithms, for the development and optimization of a system for predicting the age of a person based on a color retinography, and to study a possible relationship between the evolution of retinopathy diabetes (RD) and premature aging of the retina. Methods A convolutional network was trained to calculate the age of a person based on a retinography. Said training was carried out on a set of retinographies of patients with diabetes previously divided into 3 subsets (training, validation and test). The difference between the chronological age of the patient and the biological age of the retina was defined as the retinal age gap. Results A set of 98,400 images was used for the training phase, 1000 images for the validation phase and 13,544 for the test phase. The retinal gap of the patients without RD was 0.609 years and that of the patients with RD was 1905 years (p<0.001), with the distribution by degree of RD being: mild RD 1541 years; moderate RD 3017 years; RD severe 3117 years, and proliferative RD 8583 years. Conclusions The retinal age gap shows a positive mean difference between diabetics with RD versus those without RD, and it increases progressively, according to the degree of RD. These results could indicate the existence of a relationship between the evolution of the disease and premature aging of the retina (AU)

Retinal age as a predictive biomarker of the diabetic retinopathy grade.

OBJECTIVE: To apply artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, through deep learning algorithms, for the development and optimization of a system for predicting the age of a person based on a color retinography and to study a possible relationship between the evolution of retinopathy diabetes and premature ageing of the retina. METHODS: A convolutional network was trained to calculate the age of a person based on a retinography. Said training was carried out on a set of retinographies of patients with diabetes previously divided into three subsets (training, validation and test). The difference between the chronological age of the patient and the biological age of the retina was defined as the retinal age gap. RESULTS: A set of 98,400 images was used for the training phase, 1000 images for the validation phase and 13,544 for the test phase. The retinal gap of the patients without DR was 0.609 years and that of the patients with DR was 1905 years (p < 0.001), with the distribution by degree of DR being: mild DR: 1541 years, moderate DR: 3017 years, DR severe: 3117 years and proliferative DR: 8583 years. CONCLUSIONS: The retinal age gap shows a positive mean difference between diabetics with DR versus those without DR, and it increases progressively, according to the degree of DR. These results could indicate the existence of a relationship between the evolution of the disease and premature ageing of the retina.

Potentially toxic elements in commonly consumed fish species from the western Mediterranean Sea (Almería Bay): Bioaccumulation in liver and muscle tissues in relation to biometric parameters.

Marine pollution is one of today's most relevant problems. Public awareness has been raised about the harmful potential of heavy metals (HMs) accumulating in edible fish and possibly ending up in human diet through the food chain. This study aimed to characterize and evaluate As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb contents in four edible fish species from the western Mediterranean Sea. Liver and muscle toxic elements were determined by GF-AAS in Mullus surmuletus, Merluccius merluccius, Auxis rochei and Scomber japonicus from Almería Bay (Spain). Muscular composition, biometrics and trophic levels were also determined. The mean PTE concentration levels (mg kg-1, DW) in fish muscle tissue were: As (2.90-53.74), Cd (0.01-0.18), Cr (0.53-2.01), Cu (0.78-6.93), Ni (0.06-0.24), Pb (0.0-0.32). These concentrations did not exceed the maximum limits set by European legislation (Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006) for the intake of these marine species. Accumulation of toxic elements tends to be seen in the liver (As (7.31-26.77), Cd (0.11-8.59), Cr (0.21-2.94), Cu (2.64-16.90), Ni (0.16-1.03), Pb (0.0-0.99)). As was the element at highest risk in this Mediterranean region, especially due to red mullet values in muscle. The high As contents with living habits as benthic species that feed near the coast. HMs, especially muscle Cd contents, were associated with higher contents of lipids and organic matter, and bigger specimen size (length and weight), while As was linked to higher fish protein content. However, these relationships between potentially toxic elements (PTE) and biometric indices and body composition parameters depend on species. Finally, the THQ indices indicated that eating fish from Almería Bay poses no human health risk despite pollution from the Almería coastline.

Mercury contents in relation to biometrics and proximal composition and nutritional levels of fish eaten from the Western Mediterranean Sea (Almería bay).

Total liver and muscle mercury, and muscular composition, biometrics and trophic levels, were determined in four species (Mullus surmuletus, Merluccius merluccius, Auxis rochei and Scomber japonicus) of the Mediterranean Sea (Almería Bay, Spain). Mercury levels did not exceed the maximum residue limit, and M. merluccius obtained the highest level in muscle. Considerable variations in Hg content among individuals were observed in non-gregarious species. A positive correlation between Hg and trophic level or length was found in muscle, but not in liver. Organs (liver or muscle) with major Hg accumulation depend on species; muscle in M. merluccius and liver in S. japonicus. The results indicate that Hg levels in fish depend on intra- and interspecies factors that should be taken into account in systems to monitor Hg levels.

[Presumed perinatal ischemic stroke: risk factors and clinical and radiological findings]. / Ictus isquemico presumiblemente perinatal: factores de riesgo, hallazgos clinicos y radiologicos.

INTRODUCTION: Presumed perinatal ischemic stroke is a frequent cause of neurological sequelae. We aimed to describe the different clinical findings and risk factors and to analyse the differences according the vascular origin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive study of patients diagnosed with presumed perinatal ischemic stroke attended at a tertiary pediatric hospital from 1990 to 2015. RESULTS: 44 patients were included. A total of 24 patients (55%) had arterial ischemic stroke and 20 (45%) had periventricular venous infarction. Delay in diagnosis was significantly higher in patients with periventricular venous infarction compared to those with arterial ischemic stroke (14 and 8 months respectively; p = 0.025). Most patients presented with asymmetrical motor development (90%), only < 5% with seizures or non motor delays. Subsequent epilepsy at follow-up was significantly more prevalent in arterial ischemic stroke group (p = 0.020). We determined risk factors theoretically involved in the pathogenesis of presumed perinatal ischemic stroke: prenatal, obstetrical, perinatal, prothrombotic and cardiac. No significant differences between risk factors and vascular origin were found. Prothrombotic abnormalities were common (48.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Investigation in risk factors implicated in presumed perinatal ischemic stroke is required to develop prevention strategies. Delay in diagnosis is higher in periventricular venous infarction group.

TITLE: Ictus isquemico presumiblemente perinatal: factores de riesgo, hallazgos clinicos y radiologicos.Introduccion. El ictus isquemico presumiblemente perinatal es una causa frecuente de secuelas neurologicas importantes. Los objetivos del estudio son describir las caracteristicas clinicas y los factores de riesgo implicados, y analizar las diferencias segun su origen vascular. Pacientes y metodos. Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo que incluye pacientes con diagnostico de ictus isquemico presumiblemente perinatal atendidos en un hospital terciario entre 1990-2015. Resultados. Se incluyeron 44 pacientes: 24 (55%) fueron de origen arterial, frente a 20 (45%) de origen venoso. El diagnostico fue significativamente mas tardio en los de origen venoso que en los de origen arterial (14 y 8 meses respectivamente; p = 0,025). La mayoria comenzo con un deficit motor (90%), y las crisis epilepticas y el retraso psicomotor global fueron menos frecuentes en ambos grupos (< 5%). La prevalencia de epilepsia posterior fue significativamente mas frecuente entre los de origen arterial (p = 0,020). Se analizaron los factores de riesgo teoricamente implicados en su patogenia: prenatales, obstetricos, perinatales, protromboticos y cardiacos, sin hallarse diferencias significativas en la presencia de estos entre los infartos arteriales y los venosos. Encontramos la presencia de al menos una alteracion en el estudio de hipercoagulabilidad en el 48,3% de los pacientes. Conclusion. Es preciso investigar el papel que desempeñan los factores de riesgo implicados en el ictus isquemico presumiblemente perinatal para establecer medidas preventivas. Su diagnostico es mas tardio si el origen es venoso.

Impact of 70 years urban growth associated with heavy metal pollution.

Historical trends in trace element deposition were analyzed using herbaria specimens. We determined Al, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ca, Na, P, K, S, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn contents in leaves of eight specimens collected in 1941. To assess changes, we collected the same plants from a botanical garden in 2012. The concentrations of major elements showed large species variability. However, temporal trends were predominately detected for heavy metals. The Cd, Ni and Cr contents in the 2012 leaves were 10, 13 and 16 times higher, respectively, than in 1941. Urban activities have substantially raised the levels of these metals in urban atmospheres due to changes in human activities over 70 years of urban growth. Nevertheless, Pb has decreased (126%) in recent decades thanks to controlled lead fuel combustion. In short, metal deposition trend to increase Cr, Ni and Cd levels.

Conjunctival Melanoma: A New Clinical and Therapeutical Approach.

Melanoma involving the conjunctiva is extremely rare. Graver prognosis has been reported with primary conjunctival melanoma than with their cutaneous counterparts [Collin et al.: Aust N Z J Ophthalmol 1986;14:29-34]. Among conjunctival melanomas, two significant risk factors for tumour-related death have been identified: (i) age older than 55 years and (ii) unfavourable tumour location (caruncle, cornea, fornix, palpebral conjunctiva) [Werschnik and Lommatzsch: Am J Clin Oncol 2002;25:248-255]. Here we present a rare case of lentigo maligna involving the palpebral, bulbar conjunctiva and the caruncle. We describe dermoscopic patterns observed and the use of a novel ocular melanoma therapy with topical imiquimod.

Successful response to rituximab in two cases of acquired haemophilia refractory to standard-therapy.

Acquired autoantibodies against coagulation factors (acquired haemophilia) frequently constitute a life-threatening bleeding situation requiring a prompt therapeutic intervention, including control of bleeding and secondarily an attempt of eradication of the inhibitor by prolonged immunosuppressive therapy. The combination of oral corticosteroids and cyplophosphamide seems to be effective to eradicate the autoantibody, but some patients may be resistant. Another therapeutic approach, recently described, observes treatment with the chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab. We report two consecutively treated patients whose acquired FVIII inhibitors did not respond to standard immunosuppressive regimens, and only when rituximab was added to therapy, complete response and prolonged remission were obtained.

Thiamine for Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin B1 (thiamine) plays an important role in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (a form of amnesia caused by brain damage occurring in long-term alcoholics who rely mainly on alcohol for nutrition). The acute syndrome is normally reversible but may proceed to profound dementia, although its progress can be stopped by a timely injection of a large dose of thiamine. There have been suggestions that thiamine may have a beneficial effect in Alzheimer's disease. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy of thiamine for people with Alzheimer's disease. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Issue 3:2000), the CDCIG Trials Register and other sources were searched for this update in July 2000 using the terms 'alzheimer*', thiamin* and vitamin B1'. In addition bibliographies of published reviews, and conference proceedings were searched and pharmaceutical companies and trials investigators were contacted. SELECTION CRITERIA: All unconfounded, double-blind, randomized trials in which treatment with thiamine was administered for more than a day and compared with placebo in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer's type. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted independently by two reviewers and the odds ratios (95% CI) or the average differences (95% CI) were estimated. MAIN RESULTS: There are three included studies, but few results were reported that could be included. The cross-over studies did not report results from the first phase. It was not possible to pool any results for a meta-analysis. Nolan 1991 reports results that show no evidence of an effect on MMSE at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months for thiamine compared with placebo for those who completed the trial. Meador 1993a noted that 3/8 on thiamine compared with 6/9 on placebo were worse as measured on the ADAS-Cog at 3 months compared with baseline, but the difference is not statistically significant. Blass 1988 and Nolan 1991 reported that no significant side-effects were noted during the study, and Meador 1993a did not mention side-effects. Blass 1988 noted that 5/16 and Nolan 1991 that 5/15 did not complete the study, but neither mentioned the groups to which these people belonged. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: It is not possible to draw any conclusions from this review. The number of people included in the studies if less than 50 and the reported results are inadequate.

Thiamine for Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin B1 (thiamine) plays an important role in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (a form of amnesia caused by brain damage occurring in long-term alcoholics who rely mainly on alcohol for nutrition). The acute syndrome is normally reversible but may proceed to profound dementia, although its progress can be stopped by a timely injection of a large dose of thiamine. There have been suggestions that thiamine may have a beneficial effect in Alzheimer's disease. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate evidence of the effect of thiamine for Alzheimer's disease. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and the CDCIG Register were searched using the terms 'thiamine*, alzheimer* and vitamin* B1'. Other sources were also searched. SELECTION CRITERIA: All unconfounded, double-blind, randomized trials in which treatment with thiamine was administered for more than a day and compared to placebo in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer's type. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted independently by two reviewers, pooled if appropriate and possible, and the pooled odds ratios (95% CI) or the average differences (95% CI) were estimated. No intention-to-treat data were available to be used. MAIN RESULTS: Few data were available for review. The data were compatible with thiamine producing harm, no change or improvement. For measures of cognition, the effect of thiamine was non-significantly worse than placebo on the Mini Mental State Examination score (0-30; high=good) at 12 months: WMD -4.3 (95% CI: -14.4 - +5.8) and at time points 3, 6 and 9 months. Change from baseline analyses showed placebo to be significantly better than thiamine at all time points beyond three months; WMD -4.8 (95% CI: -6.0 to -3.6) at 12 months. There was no statistically significant difference in the test of Verbal Fluency and the Boston Naming Test. These analyses were based only on those who completed the study and not on intention-to-treat analyses. There were no results presented for withdrawal by treatment group. Data on measures of functional autonomy, behaviour, quality of life, dependency, or effect on carer were not available. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: This review finds no evidence that thiamine is a useful treatment for the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The data are so poor and sparse that it is difficult to state almost anything of its effect in Alzheimer's disease. Thiamine cannot be recommended for patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Lack of relationship between plasma thrombomodulin and portal hypertension in alcoholic liver disease.

The present study was performed to analyze the relationship between portal hypertension and alterations of the endothelium-derived proteins thrombomodulin, plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), which were determined in plasma samples of 28 alcoholic cirrhotic patients and 46 controls. Although cirrhotics showed lower levels of PAI-1, but higher thrombomodulin and t-PA levels than controls, no relationship was observed between thrombomodulin, t-PA or PAI-1 and portal pressure. Therefore, the hypothesis that splachnic endothelial damage secondary to portal hypertension leads to altered thrombomodulin, t-PA and PAI-1 levels in alcoholic cirrhosis is not supported by the results of this study.

Coagulation inhibitors in alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

In the present study we have analyzed the relationship between coagulation inhibitors (antithrombin III, protein C and S, thrombomodulin), liver function impairment, and plasma activity of the endothelium-derived proteins plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) in 27 alcoholic cirrhotic patients and 25 controls. Cirrhotics showed decreased values of all the mentioned parameters except for thrombomodulin, PAI-1, and t-PA. Thrombomodulin and t-PA levels were higher in cirrhotics. No relationship was observed between thrombomodulin and t-PA or PAI-1. Protein C and antithrombin III levels were significantly lower in Child's C patients, whereas no correlation was found between t-PA and thrombomodulin and hepatic function derangement. PAI-1 activity was normal in our patients.