Bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid: towards transparent metal-organic frameworks.

The preparation of transparent porous materials can offer a different access towards the study of molecules under solid confined space. Metal-organic frameworks represent a unique opportunity due to their tunable pore size, however aromatic linkers present strong absorption and reduce the transparency. Herein, we report the first example of a MOF with bicyclic organic dicarboxylic linkers and its use as a solid solvent.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Hypersensitivity Reactions to Contrast Media.

The objective of these guidelines is to ensure efficient and effective clinical practice. The panel of experts who produced this consensus document developed a research protocol based on a review of the literature. The prevalence of allergic reactions to iodinated contrast media (ICM) is estimated to be 1:170 000, that is, 0.05%-0.1% of patients undergoing radiologic studies with ICM (more than 75 million examinations per year worldwide). Hypersensitivity reactions can appear within the first hour after administration (immediate reactions) or from more than 1 hour to several days after administration (nonimmediate or delayed reactions). The risk factors for immediate reactions include poorly controlled bronchial asthma, concomitant medication (eg, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, ß-blockers, and proton-pump inhibitors), rapid administration of the ICM, mastocytosis, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections. The most common symptoms of immediate reactions are erythema and urticaria with or without angioedema, which appear in more than 70% of patients. Maculopapular rash is the most common skin feature of nonimmediate reactions (30%-90%). Skin and in vitro tests should be performed for diagnosis of both immediate and nonimmediate reactions. The ICM to be administered will therefore be chosen depending on the results of these tests, the ICM that induced the reaction (when known), the severity of the reaction, the availability of alternative ICM, and the information available on potential ICM cross-reactivity. Another type of contrast media, gadolinium derivatives, is used used for magnetic resonance imaging. Although rare, IgE-mediated reactions to gadolinium derivatives have been reported.

Green tea compound epigallo-catechin-3-gallate (EGCG) increases neuronal survival in adult hippocampal neurogenesis in vivo and in vitro.

Epigallo-catechin-3-gallate (EGCG), found in the leaves of Camellia sinensis (green tea), has antioxidant- and scavenger-functions and acts neuroprotectively. It has been publicized as anti-aging remedy but data on potential cellular mechanisms are scarce. Recent studies claimed that EGCG specifically promotes neural precursor cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of C57Bl/6 mice, without changes at the level of immature and mature new neurons. We here analyzed the effects of EGCG on adult hippocampal neurogenesis in male Balb/C mice and saw a different pattern. Two weeks of treatment with EGCG (0, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg) showed a dose-response curve that peaked at 2.5mg/kg of EGCG with significantly increased cell survival without affecting cell proliferation but decreasing apoptotic cells. Also, EGCG increased the population of doublecortin-(DCX)-expressing cells that comprises the late intermediate progenitor cells (type-2b and -3) as well as immature neurons. After EGCG treatment, the young DCX-positive neurons showed more elaborated dendritic trees. EGCG also significantly increased net neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus and increased the hippocampal levels of phospho-Akt. Ex vivo, EGCG exerted a direct effect on survival and neuronal differentiation of adult hippocampal precursor cells, which was absent, when PI3K, a protein upstream of Akt, was blocked. Our results thus support a pro-survival and a pro-neurogenic role of EGCG. In the context of the conflicting published results, however, potential genetic modifiers must be assumed. These might help to explain the overall variability of study results with EGCG. Our data do indicate, however, that natural compounds such as EGCG can in principle modulate brain plasticity.

Clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis and management of hypersensitivity reactions to contrast media

The objective of these guidelines is to ensure efficient and effective clinical practice. The panel of experts who produced this consensus document developed a research protocol based on a review of the literature. The prevalence of allergic reactions to iodinated contrast media (ICM) is estimated to be 1:170 000, that is, 0.05%-0.1% of patients undergoing radiologic studies with ICM (more than 75 million examinations per year worldwide). Hypersensitivity reactions can appear within the first hour after administration (immediate reactions) or from more than 1 hour to several days after administration (nonimmediate or delayed reactions). The risk factors for immediate reactions include poorly controlled bronchial asthma, concomitant medication (eg, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, ß-blockers, and proton-pump inhibitors), rapid administration of the ICM, mastocytosis, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections. The most common symptoms of immediate reactions are erythema and urticaria with or without angioedema, which appear in more than 70% of patients. Maculopapular rash is the most common skin feature of nonimmediate reactions (30%-90%). Skin and in vitro tests should be performed for diagnosis of both immediate and nonimmediate reactions. The ICM to be administered will therefore be chosen depending on the results of these tests, the ICM that induced the reaction (when known), the severity of the reaction, the availability of alternative ICM, and the information available on potential ICM cross-reactivity. Another type of contrast media, gadolinium derivatives, is used used for magnetic resonance imaging. Although rare, IgE-mediated reactions to gadolinium derivatives have been reported (AU)

El contenido y las pautas recomendadas en este documento están dirigidas a lograr una práctica clínica más eficiente y eficaz. El panel de expertos que participó en esta guía de consenso desarrolló un protocolo para revisar lo publicado sobre el tema. La prevalencia de las reacciones alérgicas a medios de contraste iodados (MCI) se estima en 1:170.000, lo que representa un 0,05% -0,1% de los pacientes sometidos a estudios radiológicos con MCI (más de 75 millones de administraciones por año en todo el mundo). Las reacciones alérgicas por hipersensibilidad pueden aparecer dentro de la primera hora tras la administración (reacciones inmediatas) o en un rango de tiempo desde una hora hasta varios días después de la administración (reacciones no inmediatas o tardías). Existen factores de riesgo para las reacciones inmediatas tales como: mal control previo del asma bronquial, uso concomitante de inhibidores de la ECA, beta bloqueantes o inhibidores de la bomba de protones, administración rápida del fármaco, antecedente de mastocitosis, coexistencia de enfermedades autoinmunes o de infecciones virales. Los síntomas más comunes de las reacciones inmediatas son eritema y urticaria con o sin angioedema, apareciendo en más de un 70% de los pacientes que sufrieron reacciones. Las reacciones no inmediatas más comunes son las erupciones maculopapulares (30-90%). Para el diagnóstico de reacciones tanto inmediatas como no inmediatas se deben realizar pruebas cutáneas y pruebas in vitro. Para elegir el MCI que posteriormente puede ser administrado se tendrán en cuenta los resultados de las pruebas cutáneas e in vitro realizadas, el MCI que indujo la reacción (si se conoce), la gravedad de la misma, la disponibilidad de otros MCIs alternativos y la información disponible sobre la potencial reactividad cruzada entre los distintos MCIs. Otro tipo de medios de contraste, son los utilizados en la resonancia magnética (RMN), que son derivados de gadolinio. Aunque infrecuentes, se han descrito reacciones mediadas por IgE a estos medios de contraste (AU)

Carbonyl emission and toxicity profile of diesel blends with an animal-fat biodiesel and a tire pyrolysis liquid fuel.

In this paper, two diesel fuels, an animal-fat biodiesel and two diesel blends with the animal-fat biodiesel (50vol.%) and with a tire pyrolysis liquid (TPL) fuel (5vol.%) have been tested in a 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, turbocharged, intercooled, 2.0L Nissan diesel automotive engine (model M1D) with common-rail injection system and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC). Carbonyl emissions have been analyzed both before and after DOC and specific reactivity of carbonyl profile has been calculated. Carbonyl sampling was carried out by means of a heated line, trapping the gas in 2,4-DNPH cartridges. The eluted content was then analyzed in an HPLC system, with UV-VIS detection. Results showed, on the one hand, an increase in carbonyl emissions with the biodiesel fraction in the fuel. On the other hand, the addition of TPL to diesel also increased carbonyl emissions. These trends were occasionally different if the emissions were studied after the DOC, as it seems to be selectivity during the oxidation process. The specific reactivity was also studied, finding a decrease with the oxygen content within the fuel molecule, although the equivalent ozone emissions slightly increased with the oxygen content. Finally, the emissions toxicity was also studied, comparing them to different parameters defined by different organizations. Depending on the point of study, emissions were above or below the established limits, although acrolein exceeded them as it has the least permissive values.

Documento de consenso sobre etiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la sinusitis / Consensus document on the aetiology, diagnosis and treatment of sinusitis

Presentamos el Documento de consenso sobre sinusitis de la Sociedad Española de Infectología Pediátrica, la Asociación Española de Pediatría de Atención Primaria, la Sociedad Española de Pediatría Extrahospitalaria y Atención Primaria y la Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Patología Cérvico-Facial. La sinusitis es una enfermedad de diagnóstico difícil, a menudo no reconocida. Se analiza la etiología, la clínica y los criterios diagnósticos más aceptados, y se realizan recomendaciones terapéuticas acordes con la situación epidemiológica actual. Se propone la amoxicilina por vía oral como tratamiento antibiótico de elección, en dosis de 80 mg/kg al día repartidos cada 8 h. Se indican tratamientos alternativos en casos especiales y en ausencia de eficacia de la amoxicilina. Se revisan las principales complicaciones de la enfermedad (AU)

The Spanish National Consensus (Spanish Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics, Spanish Society of Pediatric Outpatient and Primary Care, Spanish Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervical-Facial Pathology) on Sinusitisis presented. Rhinosinusitis is a difficult to diagnose and often unrecognised disease. The document discusses the aetiology, the clinical signs and symptoms, and the diagnostic criteria. A proposal for treatment is made based on the epidemiological situation in our country. Oral amoxicillin is the treatment of choice (80 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours). Alternative treatment is proposed in special cases and when amoxicillin is not sufficient. The main complications are reviewed (AU)

Documento de consenso sobre etiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la sinusitis / Consensus document on the aetiology, diagnosis and treatment of sinusitis

Presentamos el Documento de consenso sobre sinusitis de la Sociedad de Infectología Pediátrica (SEIP), la Asociación Española de Pediatría de Atención Primaria (AEPap), la Sociedad Española de Pediatría Extrahospitalaria y de Atención Primaria (SEPEAP) y la Sociedad Española de Otrorrinolaringología Pediátrica (SEORL). La sinusitis es una enfermedad de diagnóstico difícil, a menudo no reconocida. Se analiza la etiología, la clínica y los criterios diagnósticos más aceptados, y se realizan recomendaciones terapéuticas acordes con la situación epidemiológica actual. Se propone la amoxicilina por vía oral como tratamiento antibiótico de elección en dosis de 80 mg/kg/día repartidas cada 8 horas. Se indican tratamientos alternativos en casos especiales y en ausencia de eficacia de la amoxicilina. Se revisan las principales complicaciones de esta entidad (AU)

The Spanish National Consensus (Spanish Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases,Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics, Spanish Society of Pediatric Outpatient and Primary Care, Spanish Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervical-Facial Pathology) on Sinusitisis presented. Rhinosinusitis is a difficult to diagnose and often unrecognised disease. The document discusses the aetiology, the clinical signs and symptoms, and the diagnostic criteria. Aproposal for treatment is made based on the epidemiological situation in our country. Oral amoxicillin is the treatment of choice (80 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours). Alternative treatment is proposed in special cases and when amoxicillin is not sufficient. The main complications are reviewed (AU)

[Consensus document on the aetiology, diagnosis and treatment of sinusitis]. / Documento de consenso sobre etiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la sinusitis.

The Spanish National Consensus (Spanish Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics, Spanish Society of Pediatric Outpatient and Primary Care, Spanish Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervical-Facial Pathology) on Sinusitis is presented. Rhinosinusitis is a difficult to diagnose and often unrecognised disease. The document discusses the aetiology, the clinical signs and symptoms, and the diagnostic criteria. A proposal for treatment is made based on the epidemiological situation in our country. Oral amoxicillin is the treatment of choice (80mg/kg/day divided every 8hours). Alternative treatment is proposed in special cases and when amoxicillin is not sufficient. The main complications are reviewed.

[Retrospective comparative study between sevoflurane and propofol in maintaining anaesthesia during liver transplant: Effects on kidney and liver function]. / Estudio retrospectivo comparativo entre sevoflurano y propofol en el mantenimiento de la anestesia durante el trasplante hepático. Efectos sobre la función renal y hepática.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the post-operative effects of sevoflurane versus propofol on liver and kidney function while maintaining anaesthesia in the orthotopic liver transplant (OLT), as well as to analyse the short-term survival as regards these functions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients subjected to an OLT between January 2002 and December 2009. Patients on pre-transplant haemodialysis, re-transplants, and hepatorenal transplants were excluded. The incidence of acute renal failure, initial dysfunction of the graft, reperfusion syndrome, rejection, and the transaminase peak depending value depending on the hypnotic used, were recorded. RESULTS: About one-third (31.2%) of the patients developed acute renal failure and 11.9% an initial dysfunction, with no differences between the groups. There was a tendency for a lower incidence of initial dysfunction of the graft in the sevoflurane group (8.6% compared to 12.8%), a lower transaminase peak (greater than 2000 U/L, 12.1% versus 15.9%), and a lower incidence of reperfusion syndrome (10.3% compared to 21.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that the renal metabolism sevoflurane is elevated, we did not find any higher incidence of acute renal failure. Sevoflurane in the liver transplant anaesthesia is as least equally as safe propofol as regards renal function and liver function. New prospective studies are needed to clarify the possible effects of the hypnotic in liver transplant.

Estudio retrospectivo comparativo entre sevoflurano y propofol en el mantenimiento de la anestesia durante el trasplante hepático. Efectos sobre la función renal y hepática / Retrospective comparative study between sevoflurane and propofol in maintaining anaesthesia during liver transplant: effects on kidney and liver function

Objetivo. Comparar la repercusión postoperatoria sobre la función hepática y renal del sevofluorano frente al propofol durante el mantenimiento de la anestesia en el trasplante hepático ortotópico, así como analizar la supervivencia a corto plazo en relación a dichas funciones. Pacientes y métodos. Análisis retrospectivo de pacientes sometidos a THO entre enero de 2002 y diciembre de 2009. Fueron excluidos los pacientes con hemodiálisis pretrasplante, los retrasplantes y trasplantes hepatorrenales. Se comparó la incidencia de insuficiencia renal aguda, disfunción inicial del injerto, síndrome de reperfusión, rechazo y el pico máximo de transaminasas en función del hipnótico utilizado. Resultados. Un 31,2% de los pacientes desarrolló insuficiencia renal aguda y un 11,9% disfunción inicial, sin diferencias entre los grupos. Hubo tendencia a una menor incidencia de disfunción inicial del injerto en el grupo sevoflurano (8,6 frente a 12,8%), menor pico de transaminasas (más de 2.000 U/L, 12,1 frente a 15,9%) y menor incidencia de síndrome de reperfusión (10,3 frente a 21,6%). Conclusiones. A pesar de que en el trasplante el metabolismo renal del sevofluorano está aumentado, no hemos encontrado mayor incidencia de insuficiencia renal aguda. El sevofluorano en la anestesia del trasplante de hígado es al menos igual de seguro sobre la función renal y la función hepática que el propofol. Son necesarios nuevos trabajos prospectivos para clarificar la posible repercusión del hipnótico en el trasplante de hígado(AU)

Objective. To compare the post-operative effects of sevoflurane versus propofol on liver and kidney function while maintaining anaesthesia in the orthotopic liver transplant (OLT), as well as to analyse the short-term survival as regards these functions. Patients and methods. A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients subjected to an OLT between January 2002 and December 2009. Patients on pre-transplant haemodialysis, re-transplants, and hepatorenal transplants were excluded. The incidence of acute renal failure, initial dysfunction of the graft, reperfusion syndrome, rejection, and the transaminase peak depending value depending on the hypnotic used, were recorded. Results. About one-third (31.2%) of the patients developed acute renal failure and 11.9% an initial dysfunction, with no differences between the groups. There was a tendency for a lower incidence of initial dysfunction of the graft in the sevoflurane group (8.6% compared to 12.8%), a lower transaminase peak (greater than 2000 U/L, 12.1% versus 15.9%), and a lower incidence of reperfusion syndrome (10.3% compared to 21.6%). Conclusions. Despite the fact that the renal metabolism sevoflurane is elevated, we did not find any higher incidence of acute renal failure. Sevoflurane in the liver transplant anaesthesia is as least equally as safe propofol as regards renal function and liver function. New prospective studies are needed to clarify the possible effects of the hypnotic in liver transplant(AU)

Fluid bed porosity mathematical model for an inverse fluidized bed bioreactor with particles growing biofilm.

A new mathematic model to estimate bed porosity as a function of Reynolds and Archimedes numbers was developed based in experimental data. Experiments were performed using an inverse fluidized bed bioreactor filled with polypropylene particles, Lactobacillus acidophillus as the immobilized strain and fluidized with a Man-Rogosa-Sharpe culture medium under controlled temperature and pH conditions. Bed porosity was measured at different flow rates, starting from 0.95 to 9.5 LPM. The new model has several advantages when compared with previously reported. Among them, advantages such as standard deviation values ≤ 1% between experimental and calculated bed porosity, its applicability in traditional and inverse fluidization, wall effects do not take account, it gives excellent agreement with spherical particles with or without biofilm, and inertial drag coefficient allow extend the new model a non-spherical particles.

ESR, electrochemical and cyclodextrin-inclusion studies of triazolopyridyl pyridyl ketones and dipyridyl ketones derivatives.

The electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of free radicals obtained by electrolytic reduction of triazolopyridyl pyridyl ketones and dipyridyl ketones derivatives were measured in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The hyperfine patterns indicate that the spin density delocalization is dependent of the rings presented in the molecule. The electrochemistry of these compounds was characterized using cyclic voltammetry, in DMSO as solvent. When one carbonyl is present in the molecule one step in the reduction mechanism was observed while two carbonyl are present two steps were detected. The first wave was assigned to the generation of the correspondent free radical species, and the second wave was assigned to the dianion derivatives. The phase-solubility measurements indicated an interaction between molecules selected and cyclodextrins in water. These inclusion complexes are 1:1 with betaCD, and HP-betaCD. The values of Ks showed a different kind of complexes depending on which rings are included. AM1 and DFT calculations were performed to obtain the optimized geometries, theoretical hyperfine constants, and spin distributions, respectively. The theoretical results are in complete agreement with the experimental ones.

Bacteraemic spondylodiscitis caused by Enterococcus hirae.

Enterococcus hirae infection is extremely rare in humans. In this paper, we describe a case of Enterococcus hirae spondylodiscitis complicated with anterior epidural abscess and multiple psoas abscesses in a 55-year-old man with diabetes mellitus. Despite appropriate antimicrobial therapy, surgery was required. This is the first reported case of spondylodiscitis due to this microorganism. Only two other case reports of human infection by E. hirae are available in the medical literature worldwide.

ESR and electrochemical studies of 2-acylpyridines and 6,6'-diacyl-2,2'-bipyridines.

The ESR spectra of radicals obtained by electrolytic reduction of 2-acylpyridines and 6,6'-diacyl-2,2'-bipyridines were measured in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and analyzed by quantum chemical calculations. The electrochemistry of these compounds was characterized using cyclic voltammetry, in DMSO solvent. The results showed a two step reduction mechanism, first wave was assigned to the generation of the correspondent free radical species, and the second wave was assigned to the dianion derivatives. AM1 and DFT calculations were performed to obtain the optimized geometries, theoretical hyperfine constants, and spin distributions, respectively. The theoretical results are in complete agreement with the experimental ones.

Promoción del envejecimiento activo: efectos del programa «Vivir con vitalidad»® / Promoting active ageing: effects of the «Vital living» programme

Introducción: en las últimas décadas, el envejecimiento activo ha emergido como un nuevo paradigma en la Gerontología. El II Plan Internacional sobre Envejecimiento de Naciones Unidas y la Organización Mundial de la Salud enfatiza el envejecimiento activo como un concepto clave que ha de promocionarse mediante políticas adecuadas. El curso presencial «Vivir con vitalidad»® y la versión multimedia «Vital ageing»® se han desarrollado con el fin de promocionar el envejecimiento óptimo. Ambos programas se han valorado a través de un diseño experimental por el que se han comparado algunos de sus efectos. Método: participaron en el estudio 107 personas mayores de 60 años voluntarias: de ellas 44 recibieron el curso multimedia, 32 participaron en «Vivir con vitalidad»® presencial y 31 formaron parte del grupo de control. A todos los participantes se les administraron los mismos instrumentos antes y después (fases pre y post, respectivamente) de la implementación del programa y, tras el mismo intervalo, al grupo de control. Resultados: ambos programas producen cambios positivos y significativos en diversos indicadores conductuales. Se han observado cambios en el sentido esperado en los grupos experimentales (en comparación con el control) en la frecuencia de actividades, así como en las opiniones sobre el envejecimiento y la vejez. También se encontraron cambios significativos en la satisfacción con la vida, los hábitos nutricionales y de ejercicio físico regular en el grupo multimedia. No se encontraron cambios significativos en relaciones sociales y salud en ninguno de los 2 grupos experimentales. Los resultados se discuten a la luz de la investigación sobre envejecimiento saludable y activo

Introduction: during the last two decades, active ageing has emerged as a new paradigm in Gerontology. The II International Plan of Action on Ageing of the United Nations and the World Health Organisation emphasises active ageing as a key concept that should be promoted by suitable policies. The «Vivir con vitalidad»® (Vital Living) programme and its multimedia version «Vital ageing»®, constitute a program for optimal ageing. The present article reports an experimental evaluation of both programmes conducted to compare some of their effects. Method: a total of 107 volunteers aged more than 60 years old participated in this study: 44 received the multimedia course, 32 attended a «Vivir con vitalidad»® course taught by teachers, and 31 acted as control subjects. The same battery of tests was administered to all participants before and after receiving the course and to the control group at an identical interval. Results: both programmes produced positive and significant changes in several behavioural indicators. Changes in the expected direction were observed in the experimental groups (in comparison with the control group) in the frequency of activities, as well as in opinions on ageing and old age. Significant differences were found in life satisfaction, nutrition and regular physical exercise in the multimedia group. No significant changes were found in social relationships or in health in either of the experimental groups. The results of this study are discussed in light of research on active and healthy ageing published in the literature