3D printing of PLA:CaP:GO scaffolds for bone tissue applications.

Graphene oxide (GO) has attracted increasing interest for biomedical applications owing to its outstanding properties such as high specific surface area, ability to bind functional molecules for therapeutic purposes and solubility, together with mechanical resistance and good thermal conductivity. The combination of GO with other biomaterials, such as calcium phosphate (CaP) and biodegradable polymers, presents a promising strategy for bone tissue engineering. Presently, the development of these advanced biomaterials benefits from the use of additive manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing. In this study, we develop a 3D printed PLA:CaP:GO scaffold for bone tissue engineering. First, GO was characterised alone by XPS to determine its main bond contributions and C : O ratio. Secondly, we determined the GO dose which ensures the absence of toxicity, directly exposed in vitro (human osteoblast-like cells MG-63) and in vivo (zebrafish model). In addition, GO was microinjected in the zebrafish to evaluate its effect on immune cells, quantifying the genetic expression of the main markers. Results indicated that the GO tested (C : O of 2.14, 49.50% oxidised, main bonds: C-OH, C-O-C) in a dose ≤0.25 mg mL-1 promoted MG63 cells viability percentages above 70%, and in a dose ≤0.10 mg mL-1 resulted in the absence of toxicity in zebrafish embryos. The immune response evaluation reinforced this result. Finally, the optimised GO dose (0.10 mg mL-1) was combined with polylactic acid (PLA) and CaP to obtain a 3D printed PLA:CaP:GO scaffold. Physicochemical characterisation (SEM/EDS, XRD, FT-Raman, nano-indentation) was performed and in vivo tests confirmed its biocompatibility, enabling a novel approach for bone tissue-related applications.

Dual pulsed laser deposition of Ag nanoparticles on calcium phosphate coatings for biomedical applications.

Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) represents a promising bottom-up methodology for the synthesis and transference of nanoparticles to the surface of a biomedical device. Silver (Ag) nanoparticles directly incorporated on the metallic implant emerge as an alternative strategy for local action against prosthetic joint-associated infections. In the present research, a dual sequential PLD process is proposed to obtain a bilayer coating with (1) a bio-derived calcium phosphate (CaP) layer, to provide osteointegrative properties and (2) the controlled growth of the Ag nanoparticles over it, ranging the number of laser pulses from 100 to 500. The characterization by SEM, EDS, TEM, XPS and AFM revealed the uniform deposit of Ag rounded nanoparticles, with a narrow mean size distribution, in the original non-oxidized metallic state. Moreover, given the evidences from XPS and AFM techniques, the occurrence of a coalescence phenomenon from 400 pulses onwards was proposed together with the expected positive linear relation between the number of pulses and Ag contribution with a deposition rate of 0.05 at. % of Ag per pulse. Conversely, the decrease in roughness as the Ag content increased was also verified. Finally, the expected bacteriostatic activity for these PLD deposited metallic state Ag nanoparticles against the bacterial strainStaphylococcus aureuswas confirmed. Moreover, the evaluation of the osteoblast-like MG-63 cells viability on the Ag(100-500)-CaP coatings revealed a significant increased proliferation (p > 0.05) on the Ag100-CaP coating compared to the control (Ag0-CaP). When same coating was evaluated againstS. aureusthe effect was not significant. The possibility of modulating the amount of nanoparticles in the bilayer coating to obtain a greater or lesser effect in combination with CaP was revealed.

Diagnóstico ecográfico prenatal: síndrome de Beckwith-Wiedemann / Ultrasonographic prenatal diagnosis: Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome

El síndrome de Beckwith-Wiedemann se caracteriza por macrosomía, macroglosia, onfalocele, visceromegalia, hipoglucemia neonatal y, en ocasiones, hemihipertrofia. Este síndrome se asocia con un aumento del riesgo de padecer un tumor de estirpe embrionaria. Se presenta un caso con diagnóstico ecográfico prenatal de síndrome de Beckwith-Wiedemann realizado en la semana 33 de gestación. La macroglosia junto con el aumento de tamaño de los riñones y la macrosomía fetal, que no se correspondían con el tiempo de gestación, fueron la clave para el diagnóstico, datos que fueron corroborados al nacimiento. Es importante el diagnostico de los síndromes congénitos que, como el de Beckwith-Wiedemann, se asocian a una mayor incidencia de tumores y complicaciones tanto en el parto como para las primeras horas de vida del neonato, para poder realizar un seguimiento adecuado de estos pacientes

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is characterized by macrosomia, macroglossia, omphalocele, visceromegaly, neonatal hypoglycemia and sometimes hemihypertrophy. This syndrome is associated with an increased risk of having a tumor of embryonic lineage. We report a case of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome with a prenatal ultrasound diagnosis performed at 33 weeks’ gestation. The keys to diagnosis were macroglossia with enlargement of the kidneys and fetal macrosomia that did not correspond to pregnancy duration. These data were corroborated at birth. It is important to diagnose congenital syndromes that, like Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, have a higher incidence of tumours and complications, both during childbirth and during the first few hours of life, in order to conduct proper monitoring of these patients

Vitamin D intake and dietary sources in a representative sample of Spanish adults.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D plays an essential role in bone mineralisation and its deficiency is associated with several chronic diseases. Some studies have reported a deficient status of vitamin D in Spanish and European population. The present study aimed to assess vitamin D intake, dietary sources of this nutrient and its adequacy with respect to the dietary reference intakes (DRI) in a representative sample of Spanish adults. METHODS: Four hundred and eighteen adults (aged 18-60 years) from 15 Spanish provinces were studied. They constituted a representative sample of the Spanish adult population. Energy and nutrient intake were determined using a 24-h dietary recall questionnaire for two consecutive days. Vitamin D intake was compared with the DRI for this vitamin. RESULTS: Mean (SD) vitamin D intake was 3.5 (4.0) µg day(-1) (69.5% of the DRI). Of the participants studied, 81.6% had vitamin D intakes below the DRI and 68.7% had intakes below 67% of the DRI. Of the vitamin D, 91.4% came from food sources and 8.6% came from dietary supplements. The main food sources of vitamin D were fish, eggs, dairy products, cereals, oils and meat. In addition, those subjects who met the DRI for vitamin D had a higher consumption of fish, vegetables and fruits and a lower consumption of meats than those subjects who did not meet the DRI. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D intake was inadequate in the sample of the adult Spanish population. Therefore, an increase in the consumption of oily fish, as well as fortified dairy products and cereals, might help to improve vitamin D intake.

[Folate status in Spanish schoolchildren and its association with parental smoking habits]. / Situación de folatos en escolares españoles y su asociación con la presencia del hábito tabáquico en los padres.

AIM: To study the folate status in a group of Spanish schoolchildren and its association with parental smoking habits. METHODS: A group of 511 schoolchildren between 9 and 12 years old from Madrid (Spain) were studied. Parental smoking habits were self-reported by a questionnaire. Energy and nutrients intake (especially folates) were calculated with a "3-day diet record" and during two days (Monday and Tuesday) the food consumption was controlled in the school canteen using the "precise weighing method" (recording the weights of food served and leftovers on the plate). Folate intake of the sample was compared with the recommended intakes (RI) for this vitamin. Folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine were determined. Student's t-test, Mann Whitney Test, Pearson and Spearman correlation, ANCOVA, MANCOVA and multiple linear regression were applied for statistical analysis. Significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Vegetable and fruit consumption, folate intake and its coverage to recommended folate intake (I/RI%) and serum folate levels were higher in children of nonsmoking mothers than in children of smoking mothers. Serum folate level in 13.3% of the children studied was below 6 ng/mL (moderate deficit), and in 0.26% was below 3 ng/mL (severe deficit). Taking into account others confounding factors a negative and significant correlation was observed between serum folate levels of children and smoking habits in mothers (r = -0.257, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The maternal smoking habits might determine folate intake and serum folate levels on their offspring.

Poor zinc status is associated with increased risk of insulin resistance in Spanish children.

Zn plays a key role in the synthesis and action of insulin. The aim of the present work was to determine whether a poorer Zn status was associated with insulin resistance in a group of 357 Spanish schoolchildren. Zn intake was determined by using a 3 d food record (i.e. Sunday to Tuesday). The body weight, height and waist and hip circumferences of all subjects were recorded and fasting plasma glucose, insulin and Zn concentrations were determined. Insulin resistance was determined using the homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA) marker. Children (11·5 %) with Zn deficiency (serum Zn concentration < 10·7 µmol/l) had higher HOMA values than those with a more satisfactory Zn status (1·73 (sd 0·93)) compared with 1·38 (sd 0·90; P < 0·05). An inverse correlation was found between the HOMA value and the serum Zn concentration (r - 0·149, P < 0·05). The risk of having a greater insulin resistance value (HOMA greater than the 75th percentile) increased with age (OR 1·438; 95 % CI 1·021, 2·027) and BMI (OR 1·448; 95 % CI 1·294, 1·619) and decreased as Zn serum levels increased (OR 0·908; 95 % CI 0·835, 0·987; P < 0·001). Moreover, an inverse relationship was observed between HOMA values and Zn dietary density (r - 0·122), and the Zn intakes of male children with a HOMA value of >3·16 made a significantly smaller contribution to the coverage of those recommended (59·7 (sd 14·7) %) than observed in children with lower HOMA values (73·6 (sd 18·2) %; P < 0·05). Taking into account that Zn intake was below than that recommended in 89·4 % of the children, it would appear that increasing the intake of Zn could improve the health and nutritional status of these children, and thus contribute to diminish problems of insulin resistance.

[Insufficient intake of vitamin D in spanish schoolchildren: determinants of the problem and basis for its improvement]. / Ingesta insuficiente de vitamina D en población infantil española: condicionantes del problema y bases para su mejora.

INTRODUCTION: Different studies have observed deficiencies in vitamin D in a high percentage of schoolchildren, highlighting the importance of this problem in sunny populations, such as Spain, where this situation is frequently underestimated. AIM: To assess the adequacy of vitamin D intake and to find out the food sources of the vitamin in a representative sample of Spanish schoolchildren. METHODS: A sample of 903 children (7 to 11 years) was studied. Ten Spanish cities were selected to be a representative sample of the Spanish schoolchildren population. Dietetic study was carried out using a three-day food record, including a Sunday. Vitamin D was compared to that recommended (RI) and energy intake was compared with energy expenditure estimated by measuring physical activity level. Weight and height were recorded and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Vitamin D intake (2.49 ± 0.64 [iµ/day) allowed cover only 49.7% of the RI of the children. It was below of 100% of RI in 99.9% of the children, and in 78.7% it was below of 67% of RI. The vitamin intake was lower in girls, those younger than 7 years and in children with obesity than in boys, those older than 7 years and in children with normal weight. The main sources of the vitamin were eggs (28.12%), cereals (24.23%), fish (20.06%) and milk (14.42%). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D intake is inadequate in Spanish schoolchildren between 7 and 11 years. Taking into account that the consumption of foods which are the main source of vitamin D (fish, eggs, cereals, dairy products) is often lower than the recommended, approximating the diet to the theoretical ideal could help to improve the contribution of the vitamin.

Short daily versus conventional hemodialysis quality of life: a cross-sectional multicentric study in Spain.

BACKGROUND: End-stage renal disease is a major health problem worldwide nowadays. Although conventional hemodialysis is the most widely used modality, short daily hemodialysis has been proposed as a more physiologic treatment. The objective of this article is to compare the quality of life of patients on each hemodialysis modality. METHODS: A multicentric cross-sectional study was performed in 9 Spanish hospitals. Patients treated for at least 3 months with conventional or short daily hemodialysis were included and quality of life measured using the Euroqol-5D quality of life questionnaire. Bayesian models were used for analyzing quality of life results. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients were included, 27 were on daily hemodialysis and 66 on conventional hemodialysis. All models demonstrated a better quality of life for daily hemodialysis versus conventional hemodialysis. Only 14% of the patients on conventional hemodialysis were willing to change to a daily schedule. CONCLUSIONS: Short daily hemodialysis shows a better quality of life than conventional hemodialysis with all Bayesian approaches considered.

Hipertensión y diarrea: un solo diagnóstico / Hypertension and diarrhea: a single diagnosis

Una mujer de 53 años fue remitida a nuestra consulta para un estudio de hipertensión. Se detectó elevación de catecolaminas, metanefrinas y vanilmandélico en orina. En tomografía axial computarizada abdominal se demostró un nódulo suprarrenal de 3,3 cm, compatible todo ello con feocromocitoma. Cuatro meses después la paciente consulta por un cuadro de diarrea acuosa y pérdida de peso. Tras la realización de adrenalectomía laparoscópica remitió el cuadro de diarrea. Ante la sospecha de vipoma (tumor secretor de péptido intestinal vasoactivo [VIP]) se procedió a la realización de VIP en la pieza quirúrgica mediante técnicas inmunohistoquímicas; el resultado fue positivo. El diagnóstico final fue de feocromocitoma secretor de VIP

A 53 year-old woman referred to our consultation for study of hypertension. Catecholamines, metanephrines and vanilmandelic acid in urine was detected. Abdominal CT scan demonstrated a 3.3 cm adrenal node, all with pheochromocytoma. Months after, the patient consulted for a picture of watery diarrhea and weight loss. After performing laparoscopic adrenalectomy, the diarrhea picture remitted. Due to the suspicion of vipoma (VIP secreting tumor), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was visualized in surgical pieces using immunohistochemical techniques, this being positive. The final diagnosis was VIP secreting pheochromocytoma

Regulation of leaf and fruit growth in plants growing in drying soil: exploitation of the plants' chemical signalling system and hydraulic architecture to increase the efficiency of water use in agriculture.

In this paper the nature of root-to-shoot signals in plants growing in drying soil is considered in the context of their commercial exploitation in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) and other crops. Recent findings are presented on the effects of partial root drying (PRD) in the production of a glasshouse tomato crop. These findings show how an understanding of both root-to-shoot signalling mechanisms and fruit hydraulic architecture may explain observed increases in fruit quality, the differential effects of PRD on vegetative and reproductive production and the incidence of blossom end rot. Evidence is provided to support the hypothesis that the success of PRD may lie, at least in part, in the relative chemical and hydraulic isolation of the tomato fruit.

Ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol attenuate methylmalonic acid-induced convulsions.

The effects of chronic administration of alpha-tocopherol or melatonin, or acute ascorbic acid administration on the convulsant action of methylmalonic acid (MMA) were investigated in adult male rats. Animals were chronically injected with alpha-tocopherol (40 mg kg(-1), i.p.), melatonin (5 mg kg(-1), i.p.) or vehicle for 7 days. Buffered MMA (6 micromol/2 microl) or NaCl (9 micromol/2 microl) was injected intrastriatally and the animals were observed for the appearance of clonic or tonic-clonic convulsions and rotational behavior. Ascorbic acid (100 mg kg(-1), s.c.) was administered 30 min before MMA injection. Alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid pretreatment decreased the duration of the convulsive episodes and the rotational behavior elicited by MMA. This study provides evidence that free radical generation may participate in the convulsant effects of methylmalonic acid.

Chemical synthesis of an artificial antigen containing the trisaccharide hapten of Mycobacterium leprae.

The trisaccharide allyl O-(3,4-di-O-methyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O-(2,3-di-O-methyl-al pha-L- rhamnopyranosyl)-(1----2)-3-O-methyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside was synthesized from partially methylated monosaccharide derivatives. Condensation of 1,4-di-O-acetyl-2,3-di-O-methyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranose promoted by boron trifluoride etherate with the appropriate alcohol proceeded stereoselectively and with very high yields. Selective deacetylation and glycosylation with 2,4-di-O-acetyl-3,6-di-O-methyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl bromide led to a trisaccharide. The acrylamide copolymers of mono-, di-, and tri-saccharide were compared in their ability to specifically bind antibodies from leprosy patients.

Evaluacion doble ciego de la eficacia analgesica y tolerancia de zomepirac sodico y dipirona, a dosis unica en dolor posoperatorio. / Double blind evaluation of the analgesic efficacy and tolerance of zomepirac sodium and dipyrone, in a single dose during post-operative pain

En un estudio doble ciego se trataron 90 pacientes de ambos sexos, y mayores de 18 anos, que presentaban dolor posoperatorio de intensidad moderada o severa, para valorar la eficacia analgesica de zomepirac sodico en comparacion con dipirona y placebo. Los medicamentos y el placebo fueron administrados en dosis unica, en forma de capsulas identicas, conteniendo 100 mg de zomepirac sodico o 500 mg de dipirona o placebo y se valoro la evolucion del dolor tanto en intensidad como en disminucion, inicialmente, 1/2 hora despues de la administracion y despues a la 1, 2, 3, 5 y 6 horas subsecuentes. Cien mg de zomepirac sodico demostraron poseer mayor eficacia que 500 mg de dipirona, con una accion analgesica mas rapida que empieza a manifestarse desde la 1/2 hora de su administracion, logrando su maxima actividad entre la primera y la cuarta hora