ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to characterize, for the first time in Spain, the type of asbestos fibres (AF) in the lungs of exposed and non-exposed populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lung samples from 38 subjects living in Barcelona and Ferrol, Spain, were studied, which were divided into three groups: Group A-five subjects without known respiratory disease; Group B-20 ex-shipyard workers and Group C-13 patients with lung cancer. After eliminating the organic material, the inorganic residue was analysed using electronic microscopy (EM). To identify the type of fibre, the samples were analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). RESULTS: All the fibres identified corresponded to amphiboles (crocidolite 45%, anthophyllite 22%, tremolite 16%, amosite 15% and actinolite 3%). In 14 patients (37%), a single type of asbestos was found in the lungs (amosite in two, actinolite in one, anthophyllite in four, crocidolite in five and tremolite in two). Forty-six percent of the AF analysed had a length > 5 µm and a diameter < 0.2 µm. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide the first data on the type of asbestos retained in the lung of Spanish population. A particularly striking finding is the exclusive retention of amphiboles, which suggests that chrysotile is eliminated after inhalation. Our findings support estimations considering Spain and other southern European countries with similar asbestos imports and consumption at a high risk to develop asbestos-related diseases in the years to come.
Subject(s)
Asbestos, Amphibole , Asbestosis/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Lung , Mesothelioma/pathology , Occupational Exposure , Pleural Neoplasms/pathology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/surgery , Male , Microscopy, Electron , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Middle Aged , Mineral Fibers , Spain , Spectrometry, X-Ray EmissionABSTRACT
New approaches are required to understand the complex processes taking place in the smallest unit of life. Recent years have seen an increasing activity in the use of optical devices and techniques for the investigation of the properties of single cells and also populations of cells including cell to cell communication. This article reviews relevant optical technologies to date as well as new advances in biosensor development, and goes on to explore reported applications in detection of biotargets and cellular signalling pathways inside individual living cells.
Subject(s)
Biosensing Techniques/instrumentation , Biosensing Techniques/methods , Optics and Photonics/instrumentation , Optics and Photonics/methods , Animals , Cell Survival , Fiber Optic Technology , Surface Plasmon ResonanceABSTRACT
No disponible
Subject(s)
Male , Adult , Humans , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/pathology , Urinary Catheterization/adverse effects , Urinary Catheterization , Peritoneal Dialysis/methods , Peritoneal Dialysis , Renal Dialysis/methods , Renal Dialysis , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/surgery , Urinary Catheterization/methods , Peritoneal Dialysis/adverse effects , Laparoscopy/methods , Renal Dialysis/adverse effects , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiologyABSTRACT
An electrochemical biosensor for progesterone in cow's milk was developed and used in a competitive immunoassay by Hart et al. (1977, Studies towards a disposable screenprinted amperometric biosensor for progesterone, Biosens. Bioelectron. 12, 1113-1121). The sensor was fabricated by depositing anti-progesterone monoclonal antibody (mAb) onto screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) which were coated with rabbit anti-sheep IgG (rIgG). This sensor was operated following the steps of competitive binding between sample and conjugate (alkaline-phosphatase-labelled progesterone) for the immobilised mAb sites and measurements of an amperometric signal in the presence of p-nitrophenylphosphate using either colorimetric assays or cyclic voltammetry. The hook effect of the progesterone biosensor was found in the concentration range of milk progesterone between 0 and 5 ng/ml when the sensor was fabricated using a loading of 25 ng rIgG per electrode of a diameter of 3 mm and a 1/50 dilution of mAb. A computer model has been developed in this study to simulate the operation of this progesterone biosensor with consideration of the fabrication processes. This paper presents the results of validating the computer model and the model has predicted the hook effect as observed in tests. The model thus reveals that the hook effect is determined by the total number of binding sites available and the rates of labelled and unlabelled progesterone diffusing towards the sensor surface and the binding rates.
Subject(s)
Biosensing Techniques/instrumentation , Electrochemistry/instrumentation , Equipment Failure Analysis/methods , Food Analysis/instrumentation , Immunoassay/instrumentation , Milk/chemistry , Models, Chemical , Progesterone/analysis , Animals , Biosensing Techniques/methods , Cattle , Computer Simulation , Computer-Aided Design , Electrochemistry/methods , Equipment Design/methods , Food Analysis/methods , Food Contamination/analysis , Immunoassay/methods , Progesterone/chemistry , Progesterone/immunologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence and risk factors of the lumbar eventration after lumbotomy in the flank. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Survey of 230 patients that underwent lumbotomy in the flank, with a least followup of two years. Statistical study: contingency 2 x 2 tables (Pearson's chi 2 or Fisher exact test) to compare qualitative variables, Student's test to compare quantitative variables, Kaplan-Meier test and comparison of Log-rank curves. For the study of clinical variables with more influence in postoperative lumbar eventration, a logistic regression model was used. RESULTS: The prevalence of postoperative lumbar eventration was 31.3%. Clinical variables more influence for postoperative lumbar eventration are: age, deficit of proteins, wound infection and haematoma of the abdominal wall. CONCLUSIONS: Eventration is one the most frequent complications in urologic surgery and is of primary importance due to its laboral, economic and social implications.
Subject(s)
Hernia/etiology , Lumbosacral Region , Postoperative Complications , Urologic Surgical Procedures , Age Factors , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Obesity/complications , Risk Factors , Time FactorsABSTRACT
OBJETIVOS: Estudiar la prevalencia y los factores de riesgo de la eventración lumbar tras lumbotomía por el flanco. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de 230 pacientes sometidos a lumbotomía por el flanco, con un seguimiento mínimo de 2 años. Estudio estadístico: para comparar variables cualitativas: tablas de contingencia 2 x 2 (chi2 de Pearson o un exacto de Fisher), t de Student para comparar variables cuantitativas, test de Kaplan-Meier y para la comparación de curvas Log-rank. Para el estudio de las variables clínicas más influyentes en la eventración lumbar post-operatoria, un modelo de regresión logística. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de eventración lumbar post-operatoria fue del 31,3 per cent. Las variables clínicas más influyentes para la eventración lumbar post-operatoria son: edad, hipoproteinemia, infección de la herida y hematoma de la pared abdominal. CONCLUSIONES: La eventración es una de las complicaciones más frecuentes de la cirugía urológica y tiene gran importancia debido a las implicaciones laborales, económicas y sociales que conlleva. La mejor forma de tratarla es prevenirla (AU)
Subject(s)
Middle Aged , Male , Female , Humans , Urologic Surgical Procedures , Postoperative Complications , Lumbosacral Region , Risk Factors , Time Factors , Logistic Models , Obesity , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Age Factors , Hernia , Follow-Up StudiesABSTRACT
Biosensor technology can offer the livestock industry new types of monitoring and measuring devices of which the specificity, sensitivity, reproducibility, speed and ease of use exceed the current technology. Biosensors can be applied to the detection and identification of infectious diseases in livestock, contaminants and toxins in feed, therapeutic drug residues in animal husbandry and oestrus detection. Our team is applying biosensor technology to the livestock industry by developing a fully automated ovulation prediction system for dairy cows. The results from field-tests show that the progesterone biosensor can characterize the ovulation cycles of cows and detect pregnancy.
Subject(s)
Biosensing Techniques/veterinary , Cattle/physiology , Ovulation Detection/veterinary , Animals , Biosensing Techniques/methods , Female , Ovulation Detection/methods , PregnancyABSTRACT
Analiza que el síndrome de Munchausen by proxy (SMBP) es una forma de maltrato infantil y describe a niños con síntomas producidos por los padres, los mismos que proporcionan una historia médica falsa, determinando ingresos hospitalarios múltiples, estudios diagnósticos, procedimientos invasivos, uso de fármacos innecesarios y en muchos casos la muerte. Se hace una revisión de la psicopatología, criterios diagnósticos y manejo. Además se presentan dos casos, registrados en un período de 7 años en el Hospital Baca Ortíz de Quito; concluyéndose que existe un subregistro de éste síndrome, y se recalca en la importancia de un mayor conocimiento de la enfermedad y de la participación del sistema médico en la génesis y mantenimiento de dicha entidad.
