Efficacy of an aloe vera, chamomile, and thyme cosmetic cream for the prophylaxis and treatment of mild dermatitis induced by radiation therapy in breast cancer patients (the Alantel study).

Objectives: Radiation-induced dermatitis (RD) is one of the most common toxicities in radiation therapy (RT) patients. Corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and natural products (NPs) have been used as treatment. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a NPs-based cream (Alantel®) to reduce the incidence of RD in women with breast cancer undergoing RT treatment. Design: We conducted a controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Setting: Radiation Oncology Unit of the Reina Sofía Hospital and 5 Primary Care centers of the Cordoba and Guadalquivir Health District (Spain). Interventions: Patients assigned to the experimental group (GTA) were treated with Alantel, while those in the control group (GTE) were treated with a moisturizer and emollient cream. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome variable was the incidence of RD. RD-free time, duration of RD, quality of life, and product safety were also assessed. Results: Seventy patients were included in the study, 35 in the GTA and 35 in the GTE. The incidence of RD was lower in the GTA (71.4%) than in the GTE (91.4%) after 4 weeks of follow-up (RR = 0.78; NNT = 5; p < 0.031). The Skindex-29 questionnaire showed differences in the statement: "My skin condition makes it hard to work or do hobbies" (17.1% in the GTE vs. 2.9% in GTA; p = 0.024). Conclusions: The higher efficacy of Alantel® compared to the control cream in reducing the incidence of RD in women with breast cancer has been demonstrated.

Dose and volume de-escalation of radiotherapy in head and neck cancer.

Radiotherapy plays a key role in the treatment of head and neck cancer. However, irradiation of the head and neck region is associated with high rates of acute and chronic toxicity. Technological advances have led to better visualisation of target volumes and critical structures and improved dose conformality in the treatment volume. Despite this, acute toxicity has not been substantially reduced and late toxicity has a significant impact on patients' quality of life. The greater radiosensitivity of tumours associated with the HPV and the development of new imaging techniques have encouraged research into new deintensified strategies to reduce the side effects of radiotherapy. The aim of this paper is to review the literature on the strategies of de-escalated treatment in dose and/or volume in head and neck cancer.

Antropometría nutricional en la España de mediados del siglo XX. Medidas comparadas de estudiantes y reclutas / Nutritional anthropometry in mid-20th century Spain. Comparativemeasurements of students and recruits

Introducción: La talla y el perímetro torácico son indica-dores del estado de salud y bienestar de una población.Dichas medidas antropométricas dependen de agentes socio-económicos, nutricionales y ambientales. Objetivos: Analizar la estatura y el perímetro del tórax delos reclutas de diferentes provincias españolas en la décadade los 50 del pasado siglo. Asimismo, comparar dichas medi-das corporales con las de los estudiantes del mismo períodode tiempo. Material y Métodos: Se parte de dos muestras, una de2421 sujetos de los reclutamientos de 1950 a 1953 de dife-rentes provincias españolas y la otra, de 957 estudiantes va-rones de 23 a 33 años. Se confrontaron talla y perímetro to-rácico de los reclutas de las diferentes regiones. Secompararon dichas medidas entre soldados y estudiantes uni-versitarios. Resultados: Las estaturas más elevadas de reclutas seencontraban en las zonas catalana y vasco-navarra y la me-nor correspondía a la castellano-leonesa. Los soldados galle-gos y vasco-navarros poseían un perímetro torácico estadísti-camente mayor que el de los andaluces y castellano-leoneses.Los estudiantes tienen un promedio de talla superior a la delos reclutas, tanto a nivel general como en la mayoría de lasregiones geográficas comparadas. Igualmente, el perímetrotorácico medio del alumnado universitario es mayor que el delos soldados, a nivel del conjunto de España y de todas las re-giones analizadas. Conclusiones: Los reclutas más altos eran los del norestey los de mayor tórax, los de la zona septentrional de España.Las medidas de estudiantes fueron mayores que las de los dereclutas.(AU)

Introduction: Stature and thoracic perimeter are indica-tors of health and wellbeing status of a population. These an-thropometric measures are affected by socioeconomic, nutri-tional and environmental factors. Objectives: To analyze the stature and thoracic perime-ter of the recruits of different Spanish provinces in the decadeof the ‘50s of the last century. Also to compare these bodymeasurements with those of the students of the same period. Methods: This study was based on two samples, one com-posed of 2421 recruits conscripted between 1950 and 1953from different Spanish provinces. The second one featured956 male students aged 23-33. We collected the stature andthoracic perimeter of the recruits from different regions. Wecompared said measures between recruits and students. Results: The tallest recruits were found in the Catalan andBasque-Navarre areas and the shortest in the Castilian-Leonese area. Galician and Basque-Navarrese soldiers had astatistically greater thoracic perimeter than Andalusian andCastilian-Leonese soldiers. The students have a higher aver-age stature than the recruits, both overall and in most of thegeographical regions compared. Likewise, the average tho-racic perimeter of university students is greater than that ofsoldiers, at the level of Spain as a whole and of all the regionsanalyzed. Conclusion: The tallest recruits belonged to the northeastwhilst those with the largest thoracic perimeters were fromnorthern Spain. The measurements from students werehigher than those from the recruits.(AU)

Spectroscopic characterization and laser performance of resonantly diode-pumped Er(3+)-doped disordered NaY(WO4)2.

We report what is believed to be the first resonantly pumped laser operation based on Er(3+)-doped disordered double tungstate single crystal. Efficient laser operation of an Er(3+):NaY(WO(4))(2) laser at ∼1609.6 nm was demonstrated with the naturally wideband, ∼20 nm, InGaAsP/InP laser diode pumping at ∼1501 nm. Laser wavelength tunability of ∼34 nm was also demonstrated based on disorder-broadened emission features of Er(3+):NaY(WO(4))(2) single crystal.

Una visión histórica de las drogas de abuso desde la perspectiva criminológica (Parte I) / An historical vision of drugs of abuse from the criminological perspective (Part I)

La relación entre el consumo de drogas (incluyendo el fenómeno de las drogodependencias) y la criminología es sumamente estrecha, aunque aún no se ha podido establecer un nexo causal definitivo entre ambas. En el presente trabajo se revisa la historia de las drogodependencias y del uso de drogas y de la normativa legal para combatir estos problemas, iniciada en EE.UU. (Pure Food and Drug Act, 1906) y que culminaría, a nivel internacional, con la Convención Única sobre Estupefacientes de Viena (1988). En la segunda parte de este trabajo se analizará el vínculo entre el uso/abuso de drogas y la delictogénesis (AU)

The relation between drug use (including drug addiction) and criminology is extremely narrow, although it has not yet been possible to establish a definitive causal nexus between both. In the present paper, we review the history of drug dependence and drug use and the legal norms to fight against these problems. It was initiated in the USA Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) and was culminated at an international level, with the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of Vienna (1988). In the second part of this paper, we will analyse the link between the drug use/abuse and the crime genesis (AU)

Femtosecond (191 fs) NaY(WO4)2 Tm,Ho-codoped laser at 2060 nm.

We report, for the first time to our knowledge, femtosecond-pulse operation of a Tm,Ho:NaY(WO(4))(2) laser at around 2060 nm. Transform-limited 191 fs pulses are produced with an average output power of 82 mW at a 144 MHz pulse repetition frequency. Maximum output power of up to 155 mW is generated with a corresponding pulse duration of 258 fs. An ion-implanted InGaAsSb quantum-well-based semiconductor saturable absorber mirror is used for passive mode-locking maintenance.

Continuous-wave laser operation of Tm and Hoco-doped NaY(WO(4))(2) and NaLu(WO(4))(2) crystals.

Tetragonal single crystals of NaT(WO(4))(2) (T = Y or Lu) co-doped with Tm(3+) and Ho(3+) ions have been employed for broadly tunable and efficient room-temperature laser operation at around 2 mum. With Ti:sapphire laser pumping at 795 nm, a slope efficiency and a maximum output power as high as 48% and 265 mW, respectively, have been achieved at 2050 nm from a Tm,Ho:NaY(WO(4))(2) crystal. Tuning from 1830 nm to 2080 nm has also been obtained using an intracavity Lyot filter.

[Handgrip strength in children and teenagers aged from 6 to 18 years: reference values and relationship with size and body composition]. / Dinamometría en niños y jóvenes de entre 6 y 18años: valores de referencia, asociación con tamaño y composición corporal.

INTRODUCTION: Handgrip strength is an important test to evaluate physical fitness and nutritional status. The main objective of this research is to prepare a reference standard applicable to the Spanish population of both sexes between 6 and 18 years old. At the same time, to extend our knowledge of normal variation of this characteristic with age, gender, size and body composition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 2125 subjects between the 6 and 18 years (1176 boys and 949 girls). The handgrip strength of both hands was taken with a digital adjustable dynamometer. Weight, height, forearm circumference and skin fold thickness were measured mass index, fat free. Body mass, percentage of fat and total, muscle and fat forearm areas were estimated. Ontogenetic and sexual variability of dynamometric force was analysed and a table was produced with the mean, standard deviation and percentile distribution, by hand, age and gender. Multiple correlation analysis was applied to establish the relationship between handgrip dynamometric force, body mass index and body composition variables. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Handgrip strength increases with age and a significant sexual dimorphism from the age of 12 years is observed. Growth charts with normal values obtained in healthy Spanish children and teenagers could be used as a reference pattern. The correlation between hand static force and fat free mass or arm muscle area is stronger than with direct size variables or body mass index.

[Nutritional anthropometry and physical performance in urban adolescents of Madrid]. / Antropometría nutricional y aptitud física en adolescentes urbanos de Madrid.

OBJECTIVE: This work has been carried out as a cooperation project between University and High School Departments. Its objective was to evaluate the nutritional and physical status and eating habits in an urban adolescent population of Madrid. The study presents data about anthropometrical analyses and physical performance. SAMPLE AND METHODS: The sample analyzed was composed of 183 males and 222 females between 14 and 18 years of age. The nutritional status was analyzed by means of stature, weight, skinfold thickness and arm circumference, body mass index (BMI), and lean, fat and total upper arm areas. For physical fitness analysis, the EUROFIT battery was used (plate tapping, trunk and arm flexion, 10 x 5 run, horizontal jump, abdominals in 30 seconds and manual dynamometry). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: With regard to the anthropometric characteristics and physical fitness, the analyzed population is slightly above the reference standard, mainly in the youngest age studied. Percentage of obese subjects was 14.7% in males and 5.8% in females. In regard to physical fitness, the males surpassed the 50th percentile of the EUROFIT battery in almost all of the trials. The average in the female subjects was slightly inferior to the reference standards.

Aetiological factors involved in the low response to gonadotrophins in infertile women with normal basal serum follicle stimulating hormone levels.

This study was designed to investigate possible aetiological factors involved in the low response to gonadotrophins in women with normal basal serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations, stimulated for assisted reproduction. Nine of these patients with normal basal serum FSH and 22 normal controls (five of whom had had a normal response to previous gonadotrophin stimulation) were prospectively subjected to: (i) transvaginal pulsed colour Doppler ultrasound evaluation of the vessels surrounding the dominant follicle for blood flow impedance analysis, (ii) the clonidine test to explore the ability of the pituitary to release growth hormone, and (iii) detection of anti-granulosa cell auto-antibodies in blood using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The pulsatility and resistance indices (PI, RI) were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the women with low responses as compared to the controls on days -1 and 0 (day 0 = ovulation). Seven out of the nine low responders were out of the range calculated for normal values after evaluation of the controls. A significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the secretion of growth hormone 60-90 min after clonidine ingestion was observed in the low responders as compared to five controls with previous normal response to ovarian stimulation. Six out of the nine low responders showed a negative clonidine test. No increase in anti-granulosa cell auto-antibodies was observed in the low responders as compared to the controls, including normal responders. In conclusion, an abnormal follicular blood flow impedance in the natural cycle may be related to low responses to gonadotrophins in patients with normal serum FSH concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A parametric description of the parenteral nutrition protocols of 19 American hospitals]. / Descripción paramétrica de los protocolos de nutrición parenteral de 19 hospitales americanos.

In the preparation of a centralized parenteral nutrition unit project in our hospital, following the creation of a multi-disciplinary commission entrusted with the study of this project, we proceeded to evaluate parenteral nutrition protocols of national and foreign hospitals, as a first approach to the subject. This study evaluates and extracts the data we consider most relevant in a sample of 19 American hospitals. With regard to the types of parenteral diet, we observed that most of them (63%) had "standard diets", mainly formulated with 25% glucose and 4.25% crystalline amino acids. None of the protocols studied contained alternatives to glucose as a calorie-contributor, nor were there special formulae for amino acids, although many of them included it in their therapies for use if considered necessary. In all protocols, the contribution of fats was reduced to concrete situations and administered in a different way to the rest of the food in 73% of cases. With regard to additives, despite the existence of standard formulations of electrolytes and vitamins and oligoelements, in 100% of the hospitals studied, there was the possibility of formulating each element separately. Administration was done in several doses per day in 42% of cases and in 100%, using perfusion pumps. The data obtained from this review was of great value in preparing our own parenteral nutrition protocols.

Stereological study of murine myeloma and hybridoma cells in vitro and in vivo.

Stereologic ultrastructural methods were applied to several cell types involved in the production of monoclonal antibodies against the mitochondrial enzyme glutamic dehydrogenase (GDH). These cell types included SP2/O murine cells, in vitro cultured hybrid cells producing monoclonal antibodies, and the same hybrid cells maintained as solid and ascites tumors (TH and ATH cells, respectively). The statistical analysis of quantitative data indicates that the fusion between SP2/O cells and spleen lymphocytes does not induce significant changes in the fine structure of the former cells. Moreover, the transfer of hybrid cells from in vitro to in vivo conditions induces their transformation from an immature state to mature plasma cells. The increase in mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum suggests that the ascites tumor provides cells with an environment more suitable for expressing their activity than does the solid tumor.