Metallic glass-formers in 2D exhibit the same scaling as in 3D between vibrational dynamics and structural relaxation.

Glass-forming systems approaching their glass transition exhibit universal correlations between picosecond vibrational dynamics and long-time structural relaxation, which can be described by the same master curve in the bulk or confined conditions. In this work, we study at a fundamental level the effects of the reduction of spatial dimensionality on this phenomenon. We perform molecular dynamics simulations of a metallic glass-formers in two dimensions (2D). We show that in the supercooled regime particle localization in the cage and structural relaxation are blurred by long-wavelength fluctuations specific to low-dimensional systems. Once these effects are properly removed, we demonstrate that the fast dynamics and slow relaxation comply, without any adjustment, with same scaling between the structural relaxation time and the Debye-Waller factor, originally observed in three-dimensions (3D).

Caracterización de la fecundidad adolescente a nivel departamental en la provincia de Santa Fe desde 1991 a 2012 / Characterization of adolescent fertility at departmental level in the province of Santa Fe from 1991 to 2012

INTRODUCCIÓN El presente proyecto estudió el comportamiento de la fecundidad adolescente tardía (entre los 15 y 19 años) en Santa Fe entre 1991 y 2012. El análisis se realizó a nivel departamental a partir de los registros continuos de Estadísticas Vitales. Dicho recorte permitió calcular tasas de fecundidad para el conjunto de la población femenina en edad fértil, incluidas las adolescentes OBJETIVOS Identificar patrones de fecundidad por departamentos y, en el caso de las jóvenes, la existencia de brechas en el acceso al sistema de salud y educación. MÉTODOS La estimación de las tasas y las características sociodemográficas de las madres se obtuvo a partir del Informe Estadístico del Nacido Vivo y la población de mujeres por edades quinquenales, para cada uno de los años del estudio y por departamento. RESULTADOS Se detectó una reducción de la tasa de fecundidad adolescente a lo largo del período. Además, se redujo la cantidad de mujeres con más de un hijo nacido vivo en la adolescencia. A pesar de ello, se duplicó la incidencia de quienes repitieron la maternidad en la adolescencia entre las que no cursaron el secundario. Los ritmos de descenso fueron heterogéneos en el territorio. Los departamentos del norte y noreste de la provincia aún presentan tasas de fecundidad adolescente tardía cercanas a los 100 nacimientos por cada 1000 mujeres en estas edades. En dichas zonas se observó un menor alcance de la escuela secundaria entre las madres jóvenes. En el otro extremo, Rosario es la única región donde la fecundidad adolescente aumentó en el período. Llama la atención la baja cobertura de servicios de salud de las madres residentes en este departamento, en comparación con el resto. Estos datos podrían estar indicando una mayor incidencia de situaciones de pobreza en las madres jóvenes de la región. DISCUSIÓN Dada la actual situación, es necesario diseñar estrategias de trabajo con esta población más allá de los establecimientos educativos.

Aneurisma de arteria axilar de causa ocupacional / Axillary artery aneurysm due to an occupational factor

No disponible

Dinámica de la morbilidad en Argentina entre 2005y 2013 a través de la estimación de la esperanza de vida saludable / Dynamics of morbidity in Argentina between 20055 and 2013 thought the healthy life expectancy

El crecimiento del número de personas que padecen una o más enfermedadescrónicas en los países de desarrollo económico bajo e intermedio obliga a enfatizarla importancia de la estrategia de atención primaria de la salud (APS),fundada en los valores rectores de equidad, solidaridad y de la salud comoderecho. En particular, la Organización Panamericana de la Salud recomiendarespaldar en evidencia empírica las acciones comunitarias y clínicas, destacandola necesidad de tener información prospectiva acerca de la estratificaciónde los pacientes según el nivel de complejidad de las comorbilidades.ObjetivosEstimar la evolución de morbilidades y comorbilidades crónicas en muestrasrepresentativas de la población urbana de Argentina. Mediante el seguimientocrítico de la estimación de esperanza de vida saludable (EVS), indicar posiblescambios epidemiológicos que permitan orientar políticas en la gestión de programasde salud para la población con enfermedades crónicas.MétodosSe aplicó el método estadístico Sullivan para estimar la EVS y estudiar la diná-mica de las condiciones de salud de la población.ResultadosDurante el período 2005-2013 se estimó la expansión absoluta y relativa de almenos una morbilidad y de tres o más morbilidades en la esperanza de vida(EV) de la población del total del país a las edades adultas joven y madura deambos sexos. La evolución tendió a la expansión del nivel más severo de comorbilidades.ConclusionesEl aspecto más notable es la expansión absoluta y relativa registrada en la EV ala edad adulta joven (20 años) y madura (45 años). Solamente en la EV a los 65años de hombres y mujeres se verificaron situaciones de equilibrio absoluto,de compresión relativa o tendencia indeterminada. Asimismo, se observaronventajas de la población con nivel de instrucción alto en la EVS en todas lasedades adultas.

Toxicodynamics of rigid polystyrene microparticles on pulmonary gas exchange in mice: implications for microemboli-based drug delivery systems.

The toxicodynamic relationship between the number and size of pulmonary microemboli resulting from uniformly sized, rigid polystyrene microparticles (MPs) administered intravenously and their potential effects on pulmonary gas exchange were investigated. CD-1 male mice (6-8 weeks) were intravenously administered 10, 25 and 45 µm diameter MPs. Oxygen hemoglobin saturation in the blood (SpO(2)) was measured non-invasively using a pulse oximeter while varying inhaled oxygen concentration (F(I)O(2)). The resulting data were fit to a physiologically based non-linear mathematical model that estimates 2 parameters: ventilation-perfusion ratio (V(A)/Q) and shunt (percentage of deoxygenated blood returning to systemic circulation). The number of MPs administered prior to a statistically significant reduction in normalized V(A)/Q was dependent on particle size. MP doses that resulted in a significant reduction in normalized V(A)/Q one day post-treatment were 4000, 40,000 and 550,000 MPs/g for 45, 25 and 10 µm MPs, respectively. The model estimated V(A)/Q and shunt returned to baseline levels 7 days post-treatment. Measuring SpO(2) alone was not sufficient to observe changes in gas exchange; however, when combined with model-derived V(A)/Q and shunt early reversible toxicity from pulmonary microemboli was detected suggesting that the model and physical measurements are both required for assessing toxicity. Moreover, it appears that the MP load required to alter gas exchange in a mouse prior to lethality is significantly higher than the anticipated required MP dose for effective drug delivery. Overall, the current results indicate that the microemboli-based approach for targeted pulmonary drug delivery is potentially safe and should be further explored.

Mortalidad y condiciones de vida en el Gran Buenos Aires / Mortality and living conditions in Gran Buenos Aires

INTRODUCCIÓN Las condiciones de vida de la población influyen en su salud determinando diferentes perfiles epidemiológicos. De esta forma, a partir del estudio de las causas de defunción y las condiciones de vida de la población del Gran Buenos Aires (GBA) se propone analizar esta relación. OBJETIVOS Describir los diferenciales de mortalidad en los partidos del GBA, analizar las condiciones de vida de la población e indagar las posibles relaciones entre ambas dimensiones. MÉTODOS Estudio de tipo transversal y cuantitativo para describir cada uno de los partidos, considerando las características de mortalidad y las condiciones de vida de la población en 2010, a partir de fuentes secundarias. RESULTADOS Los datos revelaron que los partidos estudiados están en un proceso avanzado de transición demográfica, pero presentan diferencias en los niveles de mortalidad y fecundidad de sus poblaciones. Se observó un nivel bajo de mortalidad en todas las jurisdicciones (etapa postransicional de la transición epidemiológica), con prevalencia de defunciones a causa de enfermedades del sistema circulatorio y neoplasias; y una incidencia considerable tanto de las enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias como de las enfermedades del sistema respiratorio, en especial en menores de un año y mayores de 64. Asimismo, la calidad de vida en los partidos es heterogénea pero se destacan algunos por su alto nivel de precariedad. DISCUSIÓN Las condiciones de vida no están directamente relacionadas con la incidencia de la tasa de mortalidad por enfermedades transmisibles. Algunos de los partidos con baja mortalidad y fecundidad tienen tasas de mortalidad por enfermedades transmisibles similares a aquellos con mayores niveles de fecundidad y mortalidad. Esto muestra la complejidad de la distribución de las defunciones por causas que presentan actualmente los diferentes partidos del GBA y revela que el descenso de la mortalidad no necesariamente conlleva un descenso importante de este tipo de causas.

Esperanza de vida saludable según prevalencia de morbilidades y limitaciones permanentes, Argentina, 2009-2010 / Healthy life expectancy by permanent limitations and morbidities, Argentina, 2009-2010

INTRODUCCIÓN A medida que se desplaza la mortalidad hacia edades avanzadas y predomina la morbilidad por enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, las esperanzas de vida libre de limitaciones permanentes (EVLLP) y con limitaciones permanentes (EVCLP) constituyen indicadores recomendados para evaluar las condiciones de salud de las poblaciones. OBJETIVOS Elaborar los indicadores de esperanza de vida saludable (EVS), esperanza de vida libre de discapacidad (EVLD) y otros que resulten relevantes, sobre la base de complementar las prevalencias de morbilidades con las tablas de mortalidad por edad y sexo, para todo el país y por jurisdicciones o regiones. MÉTODOS El estudio se realizó mediante el procesamiento de datos secundarios del Censo 2010 y la Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo 2009. Se evaluó la esperanza de vida en salud, que combina las prevalencias de morbilidad y mortalidad en una misma tabla de vida (Argentina, 2008-2010), siguiendo el modelo de cálculo formulado por Sullivan. DISCUSIÓN Los años de vida agregados en promedio a la población argentina no dieron por resultado situaciones de salud homólogas en todo el territorio nacional, sino que se evidenciaron tres perfiles regionales diferenciados. Aplicando el enfoque del impacto diferencial de las limitaciones sobre la esperanza de vida total, se observa que las mujeres cuentan con mayor EVLD, pero con mayor carga de discapacidad. CABA es la jurisdicción del país con mayor EVLD y con menor carga de discapacidad; la que exhibe el mayor impacto de la discapacidad en la esperanza de vida total de la población es Jujuy.

Evaluation of the efficacy of Oberon (Spiromesifen), to contain infestations of mites and whiteflies on Capsicum annuum L.

Following the EPPO guidelines and Principles of Good Experimental Practice (GEP), an experiment was realised in autumn 2008 for evaluating the efficacy of Oberon applied by foliar treatments to contain infestations of mites and whiteflies on Capsicum annuum L.. Two different dosages of OBERON (a.i. Spiromesifen)--45 and 60 g/hl--were compared with a unique dosage of two commercial formulates: VERTIMEC (a.i. Abamectine, Syngenta Crop Protection), 60 g/hl, and MAGISTER (a.i. Fenazaquin, Dow AgroSciences), 110 g/hl. Oberon resulted very effective in the control of phytopathogenic mites at both doses of 45 and 60 g/hl. Its effectiveness demonstrated to be remarkable for approximately one month after application. By contrast, Vertimec and Magister have proven their effectiveness for a much lower period of time (about the first 15 days post application). About the efficacy against whiteflies, even 36 days after the foliar application Oberon showed a strong containment of the populations of aleurodides. There were no phenomena of phytotoxicity nor on leaves nor on flowers and fruits, in none of the treatments. About the phytotoxicity on the useful entomofauna, the assessments made on the different treatments have highlighted the lack of harmful effects on predators and on parasitoids of insects and mites.

Study of the ground multiplet of Kramers rare earth ions in solid matrices by multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy: Nd3+ in PbWO4 single-crystals.

A multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigation of Nd(3+) impurities in PbWO(4) single-crystals at the conventional microwave frequency (MF) 9.43 GHz, and at the 95, 190, and 285 GHz high frequencies was carried out. The resulting spectra are well described at all frequencies by an axial spin-Hamiltonian corresponding to an effective electron spin of one-half and to a tetragonal symmetry. For the magnetic field along the tetragonal axis, the g(parallel)-factor and the hyperfine constant A(parallel) of the lowest doublet of the ground multiplet decreases with frequency increase. For the magnetic field perpendicular to the tetragonal axis, the g(perpendicular)-factor exhibits a small azimuthal angular dependence that increases with increasing the frequency due to the S(4) site symmetry. The azimuthal angular dependence allows to clearly distinguish between different local axial symmetries. These properties are interpreted as high field/frequency (HF) effects associated with the mixing by the large Zeeman interaction of some of the upper-lying doublets of the ground multiplet into the lowest-lying doublet states. We show that from the combined analysis of the multifrequency MF- and HF-EPR spectra and of the optical data, an accurate description of the ground multiplet of the Kramers rare earth ions in solid matrices can be derived.

Anomaly of the rotational nonergodicity parameter of glass formers probed by high field electron paramagnetic resonance.

Exploiting the high angular resolution of high field electron paramagnetic resonance measured at 95, 190, and 285 GHz we determine the rotational nonergodicity parameter of different probe molecules in the glass former o-terphenyl and polybutadiene in a model-independent way. Our results clearly show a characteristic change in the temperature of the nonergodicity parameter proving a rather sharp dynamic crossover in both systems, in contrast to previous results from other techniques.

Signatures of the fast dynamics in glassy polystyrene: first evidence by high-field electron paramagnetic resonance of molecular guests.

The reorientation of one small paramagnetic molecule (spin probe) in glassy polystyrene (PS) is studied by high-field electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy at two different Larmor frequencies (190 and 285 GHz). Two different regimes separated by a crossover region are evidenced. Below 180 K the rotational times are nearly temperature independent with no apparent distribution. In the temperature range of 180-220 K a large increase of the rotational mobility is observed with the widening of the distribution of correlation times which exhibits two components: (i) a deltalike, temperature-independent component representing the fraction of spin probes w which persist in the low-temperature dynamics; (ii) a strongly temperature-dependent component, to be described by a power distribution, representing the fraction of spin probes 1-w undergoing activated motion over an exponential distribution of barrier heights g(E). Above 180 K a steep decrease of w is evidenced. The shape and the width of g(E) do not differ from the reported ones for PS within the errors. For the first time the large increase of the rotational mobility of the spin probe at 180 K is ascribed to the onset of the fast dynamics detected by neutron scattering at T(f)=175+/-25 K.

Delocalization of spin projection in weak exchange linear chains, evidenced by multi-frequency HF-EPR spectroscopy.

High-field electron paramagnetic resonance (HF-EPR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the unusual temperature and frequency dependence of the powder spectrum of the Gd(HBPz3)2 tropolonate complex (GdTrp). A new type of H/T effect is evidenced. This effect is interpreted in terms of the formation of spin projection states delocalized and quasidelocalized along linear chains of Gd3+ ions in high magnetic fields due to the competition between the weak dipole and exchange spin-spin interaction and the particular structure of the molecular complex. The number of ions in the chain depends strongly on the orientation of the magnetic field and on the relaxation processes.

Prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis: a case of twin pregnancy diagnosis and a review of 5 years' experience.

We performed prenatal diagnoses for cystic fibrosis in 32 high risk (1:4) couples (including a dizygotic pregnancy). Chorionic villi sampling did not cause abortion or fetal malformation in any case. The preliminary analysis of 9 short tandem repeats always excluded maternal contamination of the DNA extracted from chorionic villi and confirmed paternity. Twenty-two prenatal diagnoses were made by direct analysis of the mutations. In seven cases diagnosis was made by the analysis of intragenic polymorphisms; in three cases, we analyzed two extragenic polymorphisms. The prenatal diagnosis (including genetic counselling) was completed within 24 h from the sampling. Seven prenatal diagnoses revealed an affected fetus; all couples opted for therapeutic abortion. In 17 cases the fetus was heterozygote, and in seven cases it was non carrier of mutated alleles. In the twin pregnancy, mutations were DeltaF508/N1303K. Direct analysis of the DNA extracted from the two independent samples of chorionic villi revealed one fetus non carrier of mutated alleles and the other a carrier of the N1303K mutation. Analysis of the HPRT locus predicted both the fetuses as males. Furthermore, the genotype of each fetus was defined after birth. The prenatal diagnosis with chorionic villi sampling plays a key role in the prevention of cystic fibrosis. The laboratories must be equipped for both the direct analysis of mutations and for the analysis of a large number of polymorphisms. The preliminary analysis of short tandem repeats is recommended both to exclude maternal contamination and to confirm parentage.

High-field, multifrequency EPR spectroscopy using whispering gallery dielectric resonators.

High-field/high frequency EPR spectroscopy measurements are shown. Experiments were carried out at 240- and 316-GHz frequencies. The employed apparatus uses a novel combination of far infrared molecular lasers and of probehead exploiting dielectric resonators working in the whispering gallery modes. This approach constitutes a relatively simple method of multifrequency EPR spectroscopy and opens appealing perspectives in high-sensitivity EPR spectroscopy up to the THz regime.

Spontaneous symmetry breaking in the formation of a dinuclear gadolinium semiquinonato complex: synthesis, high-field EPR studies, and magnetic properties.

The synthesis and characterisation of an asymmetric dinuclear gadolinium(III) semiquinonato complex, namely [Gd2(HBPz3)2(dtbsq)4] CHCl3 (1; HBPz3 = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate, dtbsq = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-O-semiquinone), is reported. The crystal structure of 1 was determined at room temperature. It crystallises in the triclinic system P1, with a = 16.735(5) A, b = 17.705(5) A, c = 19.553(5) A, alpha = 99.680(5) degrees, beta = 109.960(5), gamma = 107.350(5) degrees, Z = 2 and R = 9.96. The structure of 1 consists of a dinuclear asymmetric unit in which the two gadolinium(III) ions have coordination numbers of eight and nine. Three of the dioxolene molecules act as asymmetric bridging ligands, while the fourth molecule behaves as a bidentate ligand towards a single metal ion. The magnetic properties of 1 were investigated by means of susceptibility measurements and high-field electron paramagnetic resonance (HF-EPR) spectroscopy. They revealed an S = 0 ground spin state with excited states of higher spin very close in energy and a small negative zero-field splitting with a transverse anisotropy term for a S = 7 state.

Induction of apoptosis in neoplastic cells by anthracycline antitumor drugs: nuclear and cytoplasmic triggering?

In spite of extensive investigation, the mechanism for cell cytotoxicity of the anthracycline antitumor drug adriamycin (ADR) has not yet been completely understood but the nature of the cytotoxic effects of this drug is generally related to its interaction with nuclear components, such as DNA and topoisomerase II. In a previous paper, we studied, using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM), the localization of ADR and its glutathione (GSH)-conjugate (ADRIGLU), obtained by the anaerobic reaction of the parent anthracycline with reduced GSH, in drug-sensitive and in multidrug resistant (MDR) cells. In all drug-sensitive lines used, ADR was mostly located in the nuclei, while its GSH-conjugate was found only in the cytoplasm, predominantly in the Golgi region. In this study we examined the morphological changes induced by ADR or its GSH-conjugated adduct (ADRIGLU) treatments in TVM-A12 (clone 2) melanoma and K562 erythroleukemia human cell lines, correlated to programmed cell death (apoptosis). We observed that ADR-induced apoptosis in both cell lines tested after 5 h treatment: CLSM and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed cell shrinkage, fragmentation and condensation of nuclear chromatin, cell surface blebbing and cytoplasmic vacuolization. On the contrary, ADRIGLU-induced fragmentation and condensation of nuclear chromatin, typical of apoptosis, only after 48-72 h treatment. Cytoflourimetric assay by propidium iodide staining confirmed the data obtained by CLSM and SEM. Our data suggest that apoptosis activation by anthracycline antitumor drugs is induced not only by direct interaction with nuclear components but also with cytoplasmic compartments.

Buschke-Löwenstein tumor and immunity.

We report the case of an alcoholic patient, 41 years old, with negative results of serologic tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with a perianal Buschke-Löwenstein tumor present for eight years and exceptionally large. The patient's cell-mediated immunity was evaluated by two functional tests: the Multitest IMC (Institut Mérieux, Lyon) and the dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) test. The patient neither responded to any Multitest antigens nor was sensitized by DNCB. We consider that the immune short-age in this patient could influence the appearance of the Buschke-Löwenstein tumor.

Clinical features of cystic fibrosis patients with rare genotypes.

We describe the clinical features of seven cystic fibrosis patients from southern Italy who bear rare genotypes: (1) a patient homozygous for the 2183 AA-->G mutation who was affected by a very early pulmonary form of cystic fibrosis, and five patients who were compound heterozygotes either for the 2183 AA-->G mutation or for the I148T mutation, in both instances with the delta F508 mutation; and (2) a patient homozygous for the early nonsense R553X mutation who showed only a moderately severe form of cystic fibrosis. Our results confirm that environmental or genetic factors unrelated to the CF disease contribute significantly to the development of the phenotype.