Intraovarian platelet-rich plasma injection and IVF outcomes in patients with poor ovarian response: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

STUDY QUESTION: Does platelet-rich plasma (PRP) intraovarian injection increase the number of retrieved oocytes in successive ovarian punctions among patients with poor ovarian reserve (POR)? SUMMARY ANSWER: The injection of PRP increases the number of retrieved oocytes without increasing the quality of developed blastocysts. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Management of women with reduced ovarian response to stimulation is one of the significant challenges in reproductive medicine. Recently, PRP treatment has been proposed as an adjunct in assisted reproduction technology, with controversial results. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial included 60 patients with POR stratified according to the POSEIDON classification groups 3 and 4. It was conducted to explore the efficacy and safety of intraovarian PRP injection. Patients were proposed to undergo three consecutive ovarian stimulations to accumulate oocytes and were randomized to receive either PRP or placebo during their first oocyte retrieval. Randomization was performed using computer-generated randomization codes. Double blinding was ensured so that neither the participant nor the investigators knew of the treatment allotted. All patients underwent three ovarian stimulations and egg retrieval procedures. ICSI was performed after a third ovarian puncture. The primary endpoint was the number of mature oocytes retrieved after PRP or placebo injection in successive ovarian punctures. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Sixty women (30-42 years) fulfilling inclusion criteria were randomized in equal proportions to the treatment or control groups. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The baseline demographic and clinical characteristics [age, BMI, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels] were comparable between the groups. Regarding the primary endpoint, the cumulative number (mean ± SEM) of retrieved mature oocytes was slightly higher in the treatment group: 10.45 ± 0.41 versus 8.91 ± 0.39 in the control group, respectively (95% CI of the difference 0.42-2.66; P = 0,008). The number of mature oocytes obtained among all patients increased in successive egg retrievals: 2.61 ± 0.33 (mean ± SEM) in punction 1 (P1), 3.85 ± 0.42 in P2, and 4.73 ± 0.44 in P3. However, the increase was higher among patients receiving the assessed PRP treatment. In P2, the number of retrieved mature oocytes was 4.18 ± 0.58 versus 3.27 ± 0.61 in controls (95% CI of the difference: -0.30 to 2.12; P = 0.138) and in P3, 5.27 ± 0.73 versus 4.15 ± 0.45 (95% CI of the difference: 0.12-2.12; P = 0.029). The mean ± SEM number of developed and biopsied blastocysts was 2.43 ± 0.60 in the control group and 1.90 ± 0.32 in the treatment group, respectively (P = 0.449). The mean number of euploid blastocysts was 0.81 ± 0.24 and 0.81 ± 0.25 in the control and treatment groups, respectively (P = 1.000). The percentages of patients with euploid blastocysts were 53.33% (16 out of 30) and 43.33% (13 out of 30) for patients in the control and treatment groups, respectively (Fisher's exact test P = 0.606). The overall pregnancy rate per ITT was 43% (26 out of 60 patients). However, the percentage of clinical pregnancies was higher in the control group (18 out of 30, 60%) than in the treatment group (8 out of 30, 27%) (P = 0.018). There was also a trend toward poorer outcomes in the treatment group when considering full-term pregnancies (P = 0.170). There were no differences between control and treatment groups regarding type of delivery, and sex of newborns. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The mechanism of the potential beneficial effect of PRP injection on the number of retrieved oocytes is unknown. Either delivered platelet factors or a mechanical effect could be implicated. Further studies will be needed to confirm or refute the data presented in this trial and to specify the exact mechanism of action, if any, of PRP preparations. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The increasing number of women with a poor response to ovarian stimulation supports the exploration of new areas of research to know the potential benefits of therapies capable of increasing the number of oocytes available for fertilization and improving the quality of developed blastocysts. An increase in the retrieved oocytes in both arms of the trial suggests that, beyond the release of growth factor from platelets, a mechanical effect can play a role. However, neither improvement in euploid blastocyst development nor pregnancy rates have been demonstrated. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This trial was supported by Basque Government and included in HAZITEK program, framed in the new Euskadi 2030 Science and Technology Plan (PCTI 2030). These aids are co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). The study funders had no role in the study design, implementation, analysis, manuscript preparation, or decision to submit this article for publication. No competing interests are declared by all the authors. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinical Trial Number EudraCT 2020-000247-32. TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE: 3 November 2020. DATE OF FIRST PATIENT'S ENROLLMENT: 16 January 2021.

Continuous Variable Entanglement in an Optical Parametric Oscillator Based on a Nondegenerate Four Wave Mixing Process in Hot Alkali Atoms.

We present the measurement of entanglement between twin beams generated with a doubly resonant optical parameter oscillator (OPO) based on four-wave mixing in hot ^{85}Rb vapor above threshold. This is the first measurement of entanglement in an OPO with a χ^{(3)} media above threshold. We reconstruct the covariance matrix for several configurations and based on a full picture of the four side band mode state, we study entanglement between all possible bipartitions. We show a robust generation of entanglement with stronger generation for a specific pair of modes. For this system, we show that atomic density is a determinant factor for the generation and loss of quantum correlations. The generation of entangled fields with an atomic OPO operating close to atomic resonance of alkali atoms enables a natural integration into quantum networks.

Urgent and unexpected findings in oncology and hematology patients: A practical approach to imaging.

Urgent and unexpected findings are very common in oncology and haematology patients. This article reviews the most important points included in the European Society of Radiology's guidelines and proposes a practical approach to reporting and communicating these findings more efficiently. This approach is explained with illustrative examples. Radiologists can provide added value in the management of these findings by helping referring clinicians reach the best decisions. To this end, it is essential to know the imaging manifestations of the most common findings that must be reported urgently, such as the specific toxicity of different treatments, the complications of tumours and catheters, infections, and thrombosis. Moreover, it is crucial to consider the individual patient's treatment, risk factors, clinical situation, and immune status.

Development of castration resistance in prostate cancer patients treated with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogues (LHRHa): results of the ANARESISTANCE study.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the percentage of patients with prostate cancer treated with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogues (LHRHa) that develop castration resistance after a follow-up period of 3 years. The secondary objective is to evaluate the variables potentially related to the progression to castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). METHODS: A post-authorization, nation-wide, multicenter, prospective, observational, and longitudinal study that included 416 patients treated with LHRHa between 2012 and 2017 is presented. Patients were followed for 3 years or until development of CRPC, thus completing a per-protocol population of 350 patients. A Cox regression analysis was carried out to evaluate factors involved in progression to CRPC. RESULTS: After 3 years of treatment with LHRHa 18.2% of patients developed CRPC. In contrast, in the subgroup analysis, 39.6% of the metastatic patients developed CRPC, compared with 8.8% of the non-metastatic patients. The patients with the highest risk of developing CRPC were those with a nadir prostate-specific antigen (PSA) > 2 ng/ml (HR 21.6; 95% CI 11.7-39.8; p < 0.001) and those receiving concomitant medication, most commonly bicalutamide (HR 1.8; 95% CI 1-3.1, p = 0.0431). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of metastatic patients developing CRPC after 3 years of treatment with LHRHa is consistent with what has been previously described in the literature. In addition, this study provides new findings on CRPC in non-metastatic patients. Concomitant medication and nadir PSA are statistically significant predictive factors for the time to diagnosis of CRPC, the nadir PSA being the strongest predictor.

Hallazgos urgentes e inesperados en los pacientes oncohematológicos. Propuestas prácticas en radiología / Urgent and unexpected findings in oncology and hematology patients: a practical approach to imaging

Los hallazgos urgentes e inesperados son muy frecuentes en los pacientes oncohematológicos. En este artículo repasamos los puntos más importantes de la guía de la European Society of Radiology y planteamos propuestas prácticas para realizar el informe y comunicar estos hallazgos más eficientemente, ilustradas mediante ejemplos. El radiólogo puede aportar un valor añadido en el manejo de estos hallazgos cuando ayuda al médico que ha solicitado la prueba a tomar la mejor decisión. Para ello es esencial conocer las manifestaciones por imagen de los hallazgos más frecuentes, que además deben comunicarse de forma urgente, como son la toxicidad específica de los tratamientos, las complicaciones de los tumores y de los catéteres, las infecciones y las trombosis; y hay que tener en cuenta el tratamiento recibido, los factores de riesgo y la situación clínica e inmunológica de cada paciente.(AU)

Urgent and unexpected findings are very common in oncology and hematology patients. This article reviews the most important points included in the European Society of Radiology's guidelines and proposes a practical approach to reporting and communicating these findings more efficiently. This approach is explained with illustrative examples. Radiologists can provide added value in the management of these findings by helping referring clinicians reach the best decisions. To this end, it is essential to know the imaging manifestations of the most common findings that must be reported urgently, such as the specific toxicity of different treatments, the complications of tumors and catheters, infections, and thrombosis. Moreover, it is crucial to consider the individual patient's treatment, risk factors, clinical situation, and immune status.(AU)

Correlation between plasmatic progesterone, endometrial receptivity genetic assay and implantation rates in frozen-thawed transferred euploid embryos. A multivariate analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the predictive value of different parameters to determine endometrial receptivity among assisted reproduction treatments in which single embryo transfer of frozen-thawed euploid blastocysts are performed. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study involving 104 patients recruited between September.2018 and June.2019 at a University associated assisted reproduction center. The relationship of different parameters (age, body mass index (BMI), duration of hormonal preparation, plasmatic progesterone levels, endometrial parameters at ultrasound assessment and endometrial receptivity determined by endometrial receptivity assay (ERA) was evaluated by a multivariable logistic (binomial) analysis after hormonal preparation. According to the ERA test results a personalized endometrial transfer (pET) was scheduled and live birth rate was assessed. Only single transfers of frozen euploid blastocysts were performed. RESULTS: ERA test report predicted receptive endometrium (RE) in 54,64% patients and non-receptive (NR) in 45,31% patients. Among NR endometrial samples, 20,62% were classified as pre-receptive or early receptive, whereas 24,74% as post-receptive or late-receptive. The univariate analysis showed a relationship between BMI, doses of progesterone administered before biopsy and the receptivity of endometrium. There was no relationship between age of women, duration of hormonal supplementation, and the results of ERA test. In our series, endometrial receptivity was not related neither to endometrial thickness nor plasmatic progesterone levels. The multivariate analysis showed that both, BMI and cumulative progesterone administered prior to the test are independent predictive factors of endometrial receptivity (p = 0,047 and p = 0,034 respectively). The overall live birth rate after FET of euploid embryos was 62,35%. The odd of pregnancy was higher when ERA test was performed prior to the first embryo transfer (93,10% vs. 46,43%; OR = 15,58;95%CI 3,38-71,89). Overall, ongoing pregnancy rates showed a favorable trend after "non-receptive" endometria had been diagnosed and, thus, a modified (pET) preparation was performed (70,00% vs. 55,56%; OR = 1,87; 95% CI 0,76-4,57). CONCLUSION: Regarding implantation potential of genetically screened blastocysts, the traditional tools used for assessing endometrial receptivity such as transvaginal evaluation of endometrial thickness and pattern or progesterone levels determination were not useful among our patients for predicting a receptive endometrium.

Urgent and unexpected findings in oncology and hematology patients: a practical approach to imaging. / Hallazgos urgentes e inesperados en los pacientes oncohematológicos. Propuestas prácticas en radiología.

Urgent and unexpected findings are very common in oncology and hematology patients. This article reviews the most important points included in the European Society of Radiology's guidelines and proposes a practical approach to reporting and communicating these findings more efficiently. This approach is explained with illustrative examples. Radiologists can provide added value in the management of these findings by helping referring clinicians reach the best decisions. To this end, it is essential to know the imaging manifestations of the most common findings that must be reported urgently, such as the specific toxicity of different treatments, the complications of tumors and catheters, infections, and thrombosis. Moreover, it is crucial to consider the individual patient's treatment, risk factors, clinical situation, and immune status.

Age, Gleason Score, and PSA are important prognostic factors for survival in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Results of The Uroncor Group (Uro-Oncological Tumors) of the Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology (SEOR).

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) has changed significantly in recent years. Inhibitors of androgen receptors have shown especially significant benefits in overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), with a good toxicity profile. Treatment selection depends on the patient's individual clinical, radiological, and biological characteristics. OBJECTIVE: To describe treatment outcomes (efficacy, toxicity) in a cohort of patients with mCRPC in Spain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multicenter, retrospective study of patients with mCRPC included in a database of the Urological Tumour Working Group (URONCOR) of the Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology (SEOR). Metastatic CRPC was defined according to the prostate cancer working group 3 (PCWG3) criteria. The Kaplan-Meier technique was used to evaluate OS and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE, v.4.0) were used to assess toxicity. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the factors significantly associated with OS. RESULTS: A total of 314 patients from 17 hospitals in Spain diagnosed with mCRPC between June 2010 and September 2017 were included in this study. Mean age at diagnosis was 68 years (range 45-89). At a median follow-up of 35 months, OS at 1, 3, and 5 years were 92%, 38%, and 28%, respectively. Grades 1-2 and grade 3 toxicity rates were, respectively, 68% and 19%. No grade 4 toxicities were observed. On the multivariate analysis, the following factors were significantly associated with OS: age (hazard ratio [HR] 0.42, p = 0.010), PSA value at diagnosis of mCRPC (HR 0.55, p = 0.008), and Gleason score (HR 0.61, p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Age, Gleason score, and PSA at diagnosis of mCRPC are independently associated with overall survival in patients with mCRPC. The efficacy and toxicity outcomes in this patient cohort treated in radiation oncology departments in Spain are consistent with previous reports.

Reducing the phase noise in diode lasers.

Diode lasers are widely used in atomic physics given their narrow linewidth and wavelength tunability. Nevertheless, although they present low noise for their intensity, excessive noise in the phase limits their application in quantum optics. Looking for reduction of this phase noise, we built and characterized a ring laser, using a semiconductor-tapered amplifier as the gain medium. We were able to reduce the phase noise of a diode laser to a factor of 10 above shot-noise level, bringing it closer to a useful coherent state for applications in quantum information.

Factores y determinantes del consumo de comida chatarra en estudiantes de la facultad de medicina, enfermería, nutrición y tecnología medica, La Paz- Bolivia 2016 / Determining factors and junk food consumption of students of the faculty of medicine, nutrition, enfermery and tecnolgy medical, La Paz – Bolivia, 2016

La comida chatarra se ha convertido en parte de los hábitos alimentarios de nuestra sociedad, siendo un factor determinante del sobrepeso y obesidad, entre otras enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, que atentan contra la buena salud que deberían gozar los estudiantes para un óptimo rendimiento académico. Una investigación realizada en Chile a estudiantes mostró que el 58,6 % consume comida chatarra debido a una ingesta inadecuada del desayuno, la omisión de ciertos tiempos de comida; el consumo de alimentos de mala calidad preparados en cafeterías de la misma universidad o lugares aledaños a causa de la falta de tiempo por la distancia hasta sus hogares. La misma realidad se ha observado en nuestra ciudad, de ahí la importancia de realizar y obtener resultados con este estudio. OBJETIVO: Identificar factores y determinantes de consumo de comida chatarra en estudiantes de la Facultad de Medicina, Nutrición, Enfermería y Tecnología Médica de la Universidad Mayor de San Andrés - 2016. METODOLOGÍA: Descriptivo - transversal el análisis estadístico se utilizó SPSS Vr. 19 RESULTADOS: De 100 encuestados 69% son mujeres y 31% varones, el promedio de edad de la población estudiada fue de 22 años, 43% estudian medicina, 58% residentes en La Paz, 59% realiza actividad física, el 28% de las mujeres consume bocaditos, 38% sabe que la comida chatarra causa ECNT y su consumo en La Paz llega al 28% siendo el mayor, 36% consume al menos una vez/semana bebidas gaseosas y el 50,7% del sexo femenino reemplaza el almuerzo por comida chatarra frente al sexo masculino de 48,38%. El consumo de agua es bajo en mujeres, el 32% de 1 a 3 veces/día, el 48% reemplaza el almuerzo por comida chatarra y el 38% de medicina y 28% de nutrición tienen conocimiento de las ECNT que causan la comida chatarra.

Junk food has become part of the eating habits of our society; being a determinant of overweight and obesity are chronic non communicable diseases. According to research students in Chile was observed that 56.8% consumes junk food due to inadequate intake of breakfast, the omission of certain meal times, the consumption of this type of food do in snacks at the university or in surrounding areas because of the lack of time for the trip they make to their homes. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors and determinants of consumption of junk food students of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of San Andres 2016. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using the survey to students of the Faculty of Medicine for the descriptive analysis of data SPSS 19 was used. RESULTS: Sample of 100 students 69% female and 31% are male, The mean age of the study population was 22 years, 43% from medicine, 58% live in the city of La Paz, the total 59% do physical activity, females have a frequency of 28% consumption of snacks, 38% know that junk food causes chronic disease, eating junk reaches 28% in La Paz being the highest, 36% consumes once / week fizzy drinks and 50.7% female replaced by junk food lunch male versus 48.38%. water consumption is low in women of 32% from 1 to 3 times / day, 48% replaces lunch for junk food and 38% medical and 28 % knowledge of nutrition have chronic disease causing junk food.

Blind colour separation of H&E stained histological images by linearly transforming the colour space.

Blind source separation methods aim to split information into the original sources. In histology, each dye component attempts to specifically characterize different microscopic structures. In the case of the hematoxylin-eosin stain, universally used for routine examination, quantitative analysis may often require the inspection of different morphological signatures related mainly to nuclei patterns, but also to stroma distribution. Stain separation is usually a preprocessing operation that is transversal to different applications. This paper presents a novel colour separation method that finds the hematoxylin and eosin clusters by projecting the whole (r,g,b) space to a folded surface connecting the distributions of a series of [(r-b),g] planes that divide the cloud of H&E tones. The proposed method produces density maps closer to those obtained with the colour mixing matrices set by an expert, when comparing with the density maps obtained using nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF), independent component analysis (ICA) and a state-of-the-art method. The method has outperformed three baseline methods, NMF, Macenko and ICA, in about 8%, 12% and 52% for the eosin component, whereas this was about 4%, 8% and 26% for the hematoxylin component.

Dolor irruptivo oncológico inducido por radioterapia: ¿es posible optimizar su tratamiento? / Radiotherapy-induced breakthrough cancer pain: is it possible to optimize its treatment?

Introducción: en el contexto de la radioterapia, el control del dolor irruptivo oncológico (DIO) supone un reto especial. El DIO ha sido definido por la Sociedad Española del Dolor (SED), la Sociedad Española de Oncología Médica (SEOM) y la Sociedad Española de Cuidados Paliativos (SECPAL) como una exacerbación del dolor súbita y transitoria, de gran intensidad (EVA > 7) y de corta duración (inferior a 20-30 minutos), que aparece sobre la base de un dolor persistente estable cuando este se encuentra reducido a un nivel tolerable (EVA < 5) mediante el uso de opioides mayores. Objetivos: el objetivo principal de este estudio fue evaluar la intensidad del DIO inducido por tratamientos oncológicos que incluyeran radioterapia (RT), tanto exclusiva como asociada a quimioterapia (RT/QT). Secundariamente, se evaluó la eficacia del tratamiento con fentanilo sublingual pautado para el control del DIO. Material y métodos: estudio observacional retrospectivo realizado en 110 pacientes reclutados en 19 Servicios de Radioterapia españoles. Los pacientes debían presentar DIO inducido por RT o RT/QT, con o sin medicación pautada y cuya intensidad fuera de una EVA > 6 en las últimas 24-48 h. Se establecieron controles en el momento basal, y a los 3, 7, 15 y 30 días. Resultados: se apreció un descenso en la media de los valores en la escala EVA según avanzó el estudio (EVA = 6 en el control 0 a EVA = 3 en el control 3), y las diferencias fueron significativas (p < 0,0001). La satisfacción con el tratamiento fue calificada como buena o excelente por el 85,3% de los pacientes y por el 92,7% de los investigadores. Conclusiones: los resultados de este estudio demuestran la eficacia del tratamiento del DIO con fentanilo sublingual en el contexto del tratamiento oncológico radioterápico, con un descenso significativo en los valores EVA frente al valor basal. La elevada satisfacción de los médicos y pacientes con este tratamiento refleja la eficacia y la comodidad del fentanilo sublingual en el control del DIO (AU)

Introduction: In the context of radiotherapy, control of breakthrough cancer pain (BTPc) is particularly challenging. BTPc has been defined by the Spanish Society of Pain (SED), the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) and the Spanish Society for Palliative Care (SECPAL) as a sudden and transient exacerbation of pain of great intensity (VAS > 7) and short (less than 20-30 minutes), which appears on the basis of a stable persistent pain when it is reduced to a tolerable level (VAS < 5) by using major opioids. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to assess the intensity of BTPc induced by cancer treatments that included radiotherapy (RT), both exclusive and associated with chemotherapy (RT/CT). Secondly, the efficacy of treatment was evaluated with fentanyl sublingual scheduled for BTPc control. Material and methods: Retrospective, observational study in 110 patients recruited in 19 Spanish Radiotherapy Services. Patients must have BTPc induced by RT or RT/CT, with or without medication prescribed and with an intensity outside a VAS > 6 in the last 24-48 h. Controls were established at baseline and at 3, 7, 15 and 30 days. Results: There was a decrease in mean values on the VAS scale as the study progressed (VAS = 6 in the control 0 to VAS = 3 in the control 3) and the differences were significant (p < 0.0001). Treatment satisfaction was rated as good or excellent by 85.3% of patients and 92.7% of researches. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of BTPc treatment with sublingual fentanyl in the context of the radiotherapy cancer treatment, with a significant decrease in VAS from baseline values . The high satisfaction among physicians and patients with this treatment reflects the efficacy and convenience of sublingual fentanyl in controlling BTPc (AU)

Environmental behavior of the enantiomers of the chiral fungicide metalaxyl in Mediterranean agricultural soils.

Improving the existing knowledge on the enantioselectivity of processes affecting chiral pesticide enantiomers in the environment is necessary to maximize the efficacy and minimize the environmental impact caused by the use of pesticides with chiral properties. In this work, the enantioselectivity of the sorption, degradation, and leaching processes of the chiral fungicide metalaxyl in three slightly alkaline, agricultural soils from southern Spain was studied. Batch sorption experiments indicated that the sorption of racemic-metalaxyl on soils, their clay (<2 µm) fractions, and a number of model sorbents simulating naturally-occurring soil colloidal particles was non-enantioselective; the S-enantiomer was sorbed to the same extent as the R-enantiomer on all soil materials. Soil incubation experiments revealed that the R-enantiomer of metalaxyl was degraded faster than the S-enantiomer in all three soils, but the extent and enantioselectivity of metalaxyl degradation was soil-dependent, occurring more slowly and with less enantioselectivity in the fine-textured soil (soil 1) than in the coarse-textured soils (soils 2 and 3). For soils 2 and 3, S- and R-metalaxyl dissipation data were very well described by single first-order kinetics, whereas for soil 1 dissipation data were better fitted by two coupled first-order equations. It is suggested that sorption and entrapment of metalaxyl enantiomers in the abundant small-size pores of soil 1 (i.e., pore radius<100 nm) could have resulted in a fraction of the fungicide of reduced bioavailability, and consequently, protected from enantioselective degradation. Metalaxyl leaching through soil columns was also enantioselective; the concentration of S-metalaxyl in all leachates collected was greater than that of R-metalaxyl. Despite being non-enantioselective, sorption influenced the enantioselectivity of metalaxyl leaching, as it determined the residence time of the fungicide within the soil column, and consequently, the extent and enantioselectivity of its degradation during leaching.

Organo/LDH nanocomposite as an adsorbent of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water and soil-water systems.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered as priority pollutants because of their high risk to human health. In this paper, we addressed the issue of using hydrotalcite-based nanocomposites as adsorbents of six low molecular weight PAHs (acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene and pyrene) to reduce their negative effects on the environment. A nanocomposite (HT-DDS) was prepared by intercalating the organic anion dodecylsulfate (DDS) in a Mg-Al hydrotalcite (HT), and then characterized using several analytical techniques. A Mediterranean soil was selected for being a high-risk scenario of groundwater contamination by leaching of pollutants. The nanocomposite displayed enhanced affinity for the PAHs in water as compared to carbonate-hydrotalcite (HTCO(3)) and its calcined product (HT500), and showed a high irreversibility of the adsorption process (hysteresis coefficient, H<0.15). The results revealed an increase of the pollutants retention in the soil by the addition of the nanocomposite that depended on the nanocomposite application rate and also on the hydrophobicity of each PAH. Accordingly, the use of HT-DDS as an amendment or barrier in contaminated soil is proposed for reducing the mobility of PAHs and, consequently, the adverse effect derived from rapid transport losses of the pollutants to the adjoining environmental compartments.

Effect of olive-mill waste addition to soil on sorption, persistence, and mobility of herbicides used in Mediterranean olive groves.

Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of olive-mill waste (OMW) addition to a Mediterranean olive grove soil on sorption, persistence, and mobility of two herbicides which are simultaneously applied for weed control in olive groves: terbuthylazine (TA) and fluometuron (FM). Laboratory batch sorption experiments showed that OMW addition to the soil at rates of 5 and 10% (w/w) greatly enhanced the sorption of both herbicides, thus suggesting that amendment with OMW could be useful to enhance the retention and reduce the mobility of FM and TA in the soil. Incubation experiments showed that OMW increased the persistence of FM and had little effect on the long persistence of TA in the soil studied. A demonstration field experiment was also conducted in field plots with a slope of about 5%, either unamended or amended with OMW at a rate of 10 kg m⁻², and then treated with a commercial formulation containing a mixture of TA and FM. Extraction of field soil samples, taken from different soil depths (0-5, 5-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm) at different times after herbicide application, showed that both TA and FM moved deeper in unamended soil than in OMW-amended soil, and that OMW addition affected the persistence of FM in the toplayer, increasing its half-life from 24 to 58 days, while having little effect on the persistence of TA. Thus, data obtained under real field conditions were consistent with those obtained under controlled laboratory conditions. Preliminary herbicide runoff data indicated that the total herbicide runoff losses were also reduced upon OMW addition. Addition of OMW could be beneficial in reducing the mobility of TA and FM in olive grove soils, and also in increasing the persistence of FM in soils where this herbicide could be rapidly degraded.

Montmorillonite-chitosan bionanocomposites as adsorbents of the herbicide clopyralid in aqueous solution and soil/water suspensions.

Montmorillonite (SWy-2)-chitosan bionanocomposites (SW-CH) were prepared following different methodologies, characterized, and assayed as adsorbents of the herbicide clopyralid (3,6-dichloropyridine-2-carboxylic acid) in aqueous solution and soil/water suspensions, to assess the potential of the materials to prevent and remediate soil and water contamination by anionic pesticides. The SW-CH bionanocomposites were good adsorbents for the herbicide at pH levels where both the anionic form of the herbicide (pK(a)=2.3) and the cationic form of CH (pK(a)=6.3) predominated. The performance of the SW-CH bionanocomposites as adsorbents of clopyralid depended on the amount and arrangement of chitosan in the samples. Clopyralid adsorption was rapid and mostly linear up to herbicide concentrations as high as 0.5mM. High salt concentrations (0.1M NaCl) promoted desorption of the adsorbed pesticide from SW-CH, strongly suggesting that adsorption of clopyralid occurred primarily through an ion exchange mechanism on positively charged CH sites at the montmorillonite surface. Amendment of an acidic soil (pH=4.5) with SW-CH at rates of 5% and 10% led to a significant increase in clopyralid adsorption, whereas this effect was negligible when SW-CH was added to an alkaline soil (pH=8.0), reflecting the absence of positively charged sites in SW-CH at high pH values. Montmorillonite-CH bionanocomposites can be useful as adsorbents for the removal and/or immobilization of anionic pesticides in soil and water under mild acidic conditions.

Layered double hydroxides as adsorbents and carriers of the herbicide (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid (MCPA): systems Mg-Al, Mg-Fe and Mg-Al-Fe.

Hydrotalcite-like compounds [Mg(3)Al(OH)(8)]Cl x 4H(2)O; [Mg(3)Fe(OH)(8)]Cl x 4H(2)O; [Mg(3)Al(0.5)Fe(0.5)(OH)(8)]Cl x 4H(2)O (LDHs) and calcined product of [Mg(3)Al(OH)(8)]Cl x 4H(2)O, Mg(3)AlO(4.5) (HT500), were studied as potential adsorbents of the herbicide MCPA [(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid] as a function of pH, contact time and pesticide concentration, and also as support for the slow release of this pesticide, with the aim to reduce the hazardous effects that it can pose to the environment. The information obtained in the adsorption study was used for the preparation of LDH-MCPA complexes. The results showed high and rapid adsorption of MCPA on the adsorbents as well as that MCPA formulations based on LDHs and HT500 as pesticide supports displayed controlled release properties and reduced herbicide leaching in soil columns compared to a standard commercial MCPA formulation. Thereby, we conclude that the LDHs employed in this study can be used not only as adsorbents to remove MCPA from aqueous solutions, but also as supports for the slow release of this highly mobile herbicide, thus controlling its immediate availability and leaching.

Influence of variants of Fc gamma receptors IIA and IIIA on the American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism responses to anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Fc gamma receptor (Fc gammaR) polymorphism influences the affinity of the receptor for Ig, which may, in turn, affect the efficacy of Ig-based therapies. The relationship between functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of the FCGR2A and FCGR3A genes and the response to anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)alpha therapy (infliximab) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was assessed. METHODS: A total of 91 patients with RA (89% female; 76.7% rheumatoid factor (RF) positive) starting therapy with infliximab were evaluated at 0, 6 and 30 weeks using the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria and the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) was evaluated using three parameters, including C-reactive protein (CRP) (DAS28 3v-CRP) changes during the follow-up. Genotyping of FCGR2A-R131H and FCGR3A-F158V polymorphisms was performed by allele-specific PCR and PCR sequence-based typing, respectively. The chi(2) and Fisher exact tests were used to show differences in the outcome variables, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to analyse the evolution of DAS28 3v-CRP. A generalised linear models multivariable analysis was also performed. RESULTS: At week 6 of follow-up, the proportion of patients achieving 50% improvement as per ACR criteria (ACR50) and EULAR good responses were significantly higher among homozygotes of the low affinity FCGR3A allele (FF: 24.1% and VV-VF:2.2%; p = 0.003 and FF: 44.8% and VV-VF: 22.9%; p = 0.040, respectively). At week 30, homozygotes of the low affinity FCGR2A allele had a better ACR20 response (RR: 60% and HH-RH: 33.3%; p = 0.035). Changes in DAS28 3v-CRP during follow-up were consistent with those observed in ACR and EULAR responses. CONCLUSIONS: The response to anti-TNFalpha treatment with infliximab in patients with RA is influenced by the FCGR2A and FCGR3A genotypes. This effect is observed at different times in the follow-up (6 and 30 weeks, respectively) indicating the dynamic nature of the Fc gammaR versus Ig interaction.

Clinical significance of synovial lymphoid neogenesis and its reversal after anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical significance of lymphoid neogenesis (LN) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the clinicopathological correlates of this process and its evolution after anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)alpha therapy in a large series of synovial tissues were analysed. METHODS: Arthroscopic synovial biopsies from 86 patients with RA were analysed by immunohistochemistry. LN was defined as the presence of large aggregates of lymphocytes with T/B cell compartmentalisation and peripheral node addressin (PNAd) positive high endothelial venules. Clinical variables at baseline and after prospective follow-up were compared in LN positive and negative RA subsets. The evolution of LN and its correlation with the clinical course in a subgroup of 24 patients that underwent a second arthroscopic biopsy after anti-TNFalpha therapy was also analysed. RESULTS: LN was present in 49% of RA synovial tissues. Patients with LN had a significantly higher disease duration and a higher previous use of anti-TNFalpha agents. During prospective follow-up, the proportion of patients achieving good or moderate European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) responses was significantly lower in patients who were LN positive despite a significantly higher use of anti-TNFalpha agents. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, LN remained as an independent negative predictor of response to therapy. In the subgroup of patients rebiopsied after anti-TNFalpha therapy, reversal of LN features occurred in 56% of the patients and correlated with good clinical responses. CONCLUSIONS: Synovial LN in RA predicts a lower response to therapy. LN features can be reversed after a short period of anti-TNFalpha therapy in parallel to good clinical responses.