Callyspongidic Acids: Amphiphilic Diacids from the Tropical Eastern Pacific Sponge Callyspongia cf. californica.

The first chemical study of the marine sponge Callyspongia cf. californica widely distributed along the coasts of the Tropical Eastern Pacific led to the identification of a new family of amphiphilic derivatives called callyspongidic acids. The four isolated metabolites 1-4 feature a hydrophilic diacid end opposed to both an aromatic moiety and a long alkyl chain. They were evaluated against a panel of pathogenic microbes and seven tumoral cell lines, displaying moderate inhibitory properties against the A2058 melanoma cell line with an IC50 of 3.2 µM for callyspongidic acid C13:0 (2).

Tai Chi, caídas y osteoporosis / Tai Chi, falls and osteoporosis

Objetivo. Revisar la evidencia científica del Tai Chi como ejercicio o intervención terapéutica útil para mejorar factores intrínsecos relacionados con las caídas, prevenir las caídas en el anciano y prevenir la osteoporosis. Estrategia de búsqueda. Se han planteado las siguientes preguntas: ¿Cuáles son los efectos del Tai Chi sobre los factores de riesgo intrínseco de sufrir caídas (fuerza muscular y equilibrio)? ¿Previene el Tai Chi las caídas en el anciano? ¿El Tai Chi tiene efecto sobre la masa ósea y la osteoporosis? Para responderlas, se ha realizado una búsqueda en 7 bases de datos en inglés, con las siguientes palabras clave "Tai Chi" y "falls", "accidental falls", "elderly", "balance", "posture", "strength", "flexibility", "stance", "gait", "daily living activities", "SF-36", "SF-12", "osteoporosis", "exercise", "osteoporotic fracture", "bone mineral density", "postmenopausal". Selección de estudios. Se ha utilizado una lista Delphi para valorar la calidad de los ensayos clínicos y un checklist de valoración crítica (http://www.le.ac.uk/li/lgh/library/CRDappraisal %20checklists.doc) para los casos y controles. Finalmente se ha utilizado la Metodología Basada en la Evidencia de Oxford (Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine) para establecer el nivel de evidencia y el grado de recomendación. En todos estos trabajos se ha estudiado al menos las características del diseño, muestra, intervenciones, estado de salud, estilo de Tai Chi utilizado, y finalmente las medidas de resultados. Síntesis de resultados. Se han analizado 12 ensayos clínicos aleatorizados, 10 ensayos clínicos no aleatorizados y 9 casos controles. Conclusiones. Se han descrito efectos beneficiosos sobre las medidas de fuerza muscular, equilibrio, caídas y osteoporosis. Sin embargo, se han detectado limitaciones importantes en los estudios analizados por lo que es difícil generalizar estas conclusiones

Objective. Review the scientific evidence of Tai Chi as a useful therapeutic intervention or exercise to improve intrinsic factors related with falls, prevents falls in the elderly and prevent osteoporosis. Search strategy. The following questions have been asked: What are the effects of Tai Chi on the intrinsic risk factors of suffering falls (muscle force and balance)? Does Tai Chi prevent falls in the elderly? Does Tai Chi have an effect on bone mass and osteoporosis? A search in 7 databases in English was made to answer them. The following key words were used "Tai Chi" and "falls," "accidental falls," "elderly," "balance," "posture," "strength," "flexibility," "stance," "gait," "daily living activities," "SF-36," "SF-12," "osteoporosis," "exercise," "osteoporotic fracture," "bone mineral density," "postmenopausal." Study selection. A Delphi list to assess clinical trial quality and critical assessment checklist for the cases and controls (http://www.le.ac.uk/li/lgh/library/CRDappraisal %20checklists.doc) were used for the cases and controls. Finally, the Oxford Evidence Based Method (Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine) was used to establish the level of evidence and recommendation grade. In all these studies, at least the characteristics of design, sample, intervention, health condition, Tai Chi style used, and finally the measurements of results have been studied. Synthesis of results. Twelve randomized clinical trials, 10 non-randomized clinical trials and 9 control cases were analyzed. Conclusions. Benefits on the measurements of muscle force, balance, falls and osteoporosis have been described. However, important limitations have been detected in studies analyzed, so it is difficult to generalize these conclusions

Taichi, caídas y osteoporosis / Tai Chi, falls and osteoporosis

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Hepatitis C seropositivity in HIV-negative children with severe haemophilia.

With the advent of new viral inactivation and purification methods for factor concentrates in the 1980s, transmission of both HIV-1 and hepatitis viruses has been significantly decreased. However, on routine annual testing of the paediatric population at the New England Hemophilia Center (NEHC), several children were noted to be hepatitis C (HCV) seropositive. Thus, a retrospective review of children with severe haemophilia was undertaken. Twenty-six children (median age: 7.5 years) under the age of 12 were identified. All were HIV-1 seronegative and had received hepatitis B immunization. Of these, 22 had received factor concentrate. Four children had no documented HCV serostatus, and seven were HCV seropositive using a second-generation ELISA. Transfusion products were reviewed and stored serum samples were evaluated using a second-generation ELISA to identify the approximate date of seroconversion with positive tests confirmed by RIBA analysis. Three children became seropositive before 1989 using factor concentrates with early viral attenuation procedures. Two children who seroconverted after 1991 received only monoclonal affinity purified factor concentrate that was either pasteurized or solvent/detergent treated. There was no evidence of horizontal or nosocomial viral transmission. We are unable to prove causality with the factor concentrates used by these children. Continued surveillance with sensitive measures for detection of HCV in persons with haemophilia using plasma-derived factor concentrate is necessary.

The knowledge and perception of factor concentrate in persons with haemophilia A.

UNLABELLED: Objectiues. To evaluate haemophilia patients' knowledge and understanding of factor concentrate products and to assess their feelings regarding purity and viral safety of these products. METHODS: Sixty questionnaires were distributed and completed by patients or parents of patients with severe/ moderate haemophilia A at two large comprehensive haemophilia centres in the USA and Italy. RESULTS: Most patients knew what brand of factor concentrate they used, but less than half were aware of how their concentrate was virally inactivated. The majority of responders perceived recombinant factor VlII as being the concentrate with the highest degree of purity. The majority felt the decision of which concentrate to use should be the care-givers not the patients. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that patients need more education concerning the concentrate they are using, and its method of viral inactivation and purity.

Hemophilia and AIDS: dealing with nurse burnout.

AIDS has drastically changed the field of caring for hemophiliacs for many health care professionals: where once they helped people to lead normal lives, they now must make the HIV-infected hemophiliac deal with the implications of AIDS. This new stressful responsibility has created a high burnout rate for hemophilia nurses.