Study of the effect of external noise pickups on the performance of a cryogenic bolometer.

This paper reports the detailed noise characterization, investigation of various noise sources, and its mitigation to improve the performance of a cryogenic bolometer detector for the TIN.TIN experiment. The noise spectrum has been measured for a sapphire bolometer test setup with an indigenously developed neutron transmutation doped Ge sensor in the cryogen free dilution refrigerator system at Mumbai. The effect of external noise, arising either from ground loops in the system or from the diagnostic and control electronics of the cryostat, on the performance of the bolometer is assessed. A systematic comparison of the influence of different noise pickups on the bolometer resolution is also presented. The best-achieved resolution (σE) at 15 mK is ∼15 keV for heater pulses and appears to be mainly limited by the noise due to the pulse tube cryocooler.

Systemic Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis in Pediatric Patients in Galicia, Spain: A Descriptive Study. / Tratamiento sistémico de la psoriasis moderada-grave en edad pediátrica en Galicia: estudio descriptivo.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Studies on the use of systemic therapy for psoriasis in pediatric patients are scarce. The main aim of this study was to describe the systemic treatments used for moderate to severe psoriasis in pediatric clinical settings. The second aim was to describe the effectiveness and safety of these treatments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study of patients under 18 years of age with moderate to severe psoriasis who were being treated or had been treated with a systemic drug (conventional or biologic) or phototherapy. We recorded demographic and clinical information, treatments received, tolerance, adverse effects, and response to treatment. RESULTS: Data were collected for 40 patients (60% female; mean age, 13 years) who had received 63 treatments in total. The most common first treatment (n=40) was phototherapy (administered to 68% of patients), followed by acitretin (15%). The most common treatments overall (n=63) were phototherapy (57%) and methotrexate (16%). At week 12 (evaluation of systemic treatment and phototherapy), 66% of the patients were classified as good responders and 22% as partial responders. The respective rates for week 24 (evaluation of systemic treatment only) were 36% and 32%. The treatments were well tolerated (97%) and adverse effects were reported in just 11% of cases. There were no treatment discontinuations because of adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Phototherapy, followed by methotrexate, was the most common treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis in this series of patients under 18 years. The treatments showed a favorable safety profile and were associated with a good response rate of 66% at week 12 (systemic treatment and phototherapy) and 36% at week 24 (systemic treatment only).

Mohs micrographic surgery in the elderly: comparison of tumours, surgery and first-year follow-up in patients younger and older than 80 years old in REGESMOHS.

BACKGROUND: The elderly population is increasing and more patients in this group undergo Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). The few publications investigating MMS in elderly people conclude that it is a safe procedure; however, these are single-centre studies without a comparison group. OBJECTIVE: To compare the characteristics of patients, tumours, MMS and 1-year follow-up in patients younger than 80 years, with patients older than 80 years at the time of surgery. METHODS: Data was analysed from REGESMOHS, a prospective cohort study of patients treated with MMS. The participating centres were 19 Spanish hospitals where at least one MMS is performed per week. Data on characteristics of the patient, tumour and surgery were recorded. Follow-up data were collected from two visits; the first within 1 month postsurgery and the second within the first year. RESULTS: From July 2013 to October 2016, 2575 patients that underwent MMS were included in the registry. Of them, 1942 (75.4%) were aged <80 years and 633 (24.6%) were ≥80 years old. In the elderly, the tumour size was significantly higher with a higher proportion of squamous cell carcinoma. Regarding surgery, elderly more commonly had tumours with deeper invasion and required a higher number of Mohs surgery stages, leaving larger defects and requiring more time in the operating room. Despite this, the incidence of postoperative complications was the same in both groups (7%) and there were no significant differences in proportion of relapses in the first-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: The risk of short-term complications and relapses were similar in elderly and younger groups. MMS is a safe procedure in the elderly.

Detección del déficit de alfa-1 antitripsina: estudio en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica diagnosticados en atención primaria / Detection of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: a study on patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary health care

La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) tiene una prevalencia en España del 10,2%. El principal factor etiológico es el tabaco. La exposición al humo de biomasa y el déficit de alfa-1 antitripsina (DAAT) también se relacionan con su desarrollo. El DAAT es una condición genética en la que subyace el 2-3% de los pacientes con EPOC. El objetivo de este estudio descriptivo transversal fue descartar el DAAT en pacientes con EPOC del CS Culleredo, A Coruña. Para ello se realizó la prueba de la gota de sangre gruesa en papel secante y el estudio de variantes PI*S y PI*Z del gen SERPINA1 mediante análisis de curvas de desnaturalización tras amplificación simultánea por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. El estudió analizó 80 pacientes entre 40-80 años. Un 30% eran portadores de un alelo deficitario en heterocigosis, que en el 80% de ellos se trataba del alelo S. Se detectó un caso PiSZ (1,25%) y ninguno PiZZ. Esto representa una frecuencia alélica de 3,1% para el PiZ y 13,1% para el PiS. Las frecuencias alélicas detectadas son superiores a las descritas previamente para la población española. Este trabajo excluye el déficit grave de AAT en el 98,75% de la población estudiada. El caso con genotipo Pi*SZ fue diagnosticado en una fase precoz de la enfermedad. El estudio cumple con uno de los indicadores de calidad asistencial recomendados por GesEPOC y constata una elevada frecuencia alélica PiS y PiZ en la zona, que será referencia de futuros estudios en Galicia (AU)

The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Spain is 10.2%. Although tobacco is the main aetiological factor, biomass smoke exposure and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) have also been related to its development. AATD is a genetic condition which could be causing 2-3% of COPD cases. The aim of this cross-sectional descriptive study was to exclude the existence of AATD in a population of COPD patients from CS Culleredo, A Coruña. The thick blood drop test on blotting paper, as well as the analysis of the mutations PI*S and PI*Z of the gene SERPINA 1 by the analysis of denaturing gradients after simultaneous amplification related to PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The study population included 80 patients between 40-80 years old, of whom 30% were carriers of a deficient allele (heterozygous), and 80% of them were the allele PiS. Only one PiSZ (1.25%) individual and no PiZZ was detected. This represents an allelic frequency of 3.1% (PiZ), and 13.1% (PiS). The detected allelic frequencies are higher than previously reported in the Spanish population. Severe AATD has been excluded in 98.75% of the study population. The Pi*SZ patient has been diagnosed in an early stage of the disease. We have also achieved one of the quality indicators recommended by GesEPOC. Our area has shown a high PiS and PiZ frequency, thus our study could be used as a reference for further research in the Galician population (AU)

[Detection of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: A study on patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary health care]. / Detección del déficit de alfa-1 antitripsina: estudio en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica diagnosticados en atención primaria.

The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Spain is 10.2%. Although tobacco is the main aetiological factor, biomass smoke exposure and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) have also been related to its development. AATD is a genetic condition which could be causing 2-3% of COPD cases. The aim of this cross-sectional descriptive study was to exclude the existence of AATD in a population of COPD patients from CS Culleredo, A Coruña. The thick blood drop test on blotting paper, as well as the analysis of the mutations PI*S and PI*Z of the gene SERPINA 1 by the analysis of denaturing gradients after simultaneous amplification related to PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The study population included 80 patients between 40-80 years old, of whom 30% were carriers of a deficient allele (heterozygous), and 80% of them were the allele PiS. Only one PiSZ (1.25%) individual and no PiZZ was detected. This represents an allelic frequency of 3.1% (PiZ), and 13.1% (PiS). The detected allelic frequencies are higher than previously reported in the Spanish population. Severe AATD has been excluded in 98.75% of the study population. The Pi*SZ patient has been diagnosed in an early stage of the disease. We have also achieved one of the quality indicators recommended by GesEPOC. Our area has shown a high PiS and PiZ frequency, thus our study could be used as a reference for further research in the Galician population.

[My clinical experience with efalizumab in the Hospital of Conxo]. / Mi experiencia clínica con efalizumab en el Hospital de Conxo.

Psoriasis in plaques is a chronic disease that requires systemic treatment in its moderate and severe forms. Because the need for treatment is generally prolonged, many medications indicated for its treatment cannot be used continuously and have to be replaced by other different drugs, but also with a limited use, both due to their possible side effects, their teratogenicity, the time of use and accumulated dose, among other reasons. The biological drugs have been designed for middle and long term control of the disease. Efalizumab is a drug that has been shown to be effective and safe in patients who have moderate-to-severe psoriasis. We present our results in a group of 50 patients, our special cases, the form in which we have treated the side effects due to Efalizumab and those due to the disease.

Catéteres venosos periféricos: incidencia de flebitis y sus factores determinantes / Peripheral venous catherers: incidence of phlebitis and its determining factors

Para determinar la incidencia de flebitis y sus factores de riesgo se realiza un estudio de seguimiento prospectivo en una unidad de medicina interna. Se analizaron 553 cánulas pertenecientes a 266 pacientes. El tiempo de duración del catéter no influyó significativamente en el desarrollo de la flebitis. La incidencia fue más frecuente en la infusión de medicación de forma intermitente. Los antibióticos intravenosos aumentaron sustancialmente el riesgo de flebitis al compararlo con la administración de otros tipos de medicación

To determine the rate of phlebitis cases and their risk factors, the authors carried out a prospective follow-up study in an internal medicine unit. 553 catheters pertaining to 266 patients were analysed. The length of time a catheter was used did not have any significant bearing on the development of phlebitis. The rate of phlebitis cases was more frequent when medication was infused at intermittent intervals. The use of intravenous antibiotics significantly increased the risk of phlebitis when compared to the administration of other types of medication

Acinar cells are target cells for androgens in mouse submandibular glands.

The variable coding sequence (VCS) multigene family encodes diverse salivary proteins, such as the SMR1 prohormone and the PR-VB1 proline-rich protein in the rat. In situ hybridization was used to study the cell-specific expression of two new mouse VCS genes, Vcs1 and Vcs2. We show that the Vcs1 transcripts, which code for a proline-rich protein, MSG1, are highly abundant in male and female parotid glands, in which they are specifically detected in acinar cells. No expression was seen in the submandibular or sublingual glands. In contrast, Vcs2 transcripts were found only in the acinar cells of the submandibular glands (SMGs) of male mice, in which they are expressed in response to androgens. Expression was found to be heterogeneous within acinar structures. No Vcs2 transcripts were detected in the SMGs of females or castrated males by Northern blot, RNase protection, or in situ hybridization. Androgen administration to females or castrated males induced expression at a level comparable to that of intact males. The Vcs2 gene is the first example of a mouse androgen-regulated gene that is expressed in SMG acinar cells. This result, in addition to our previous observation on SMR1 expression in rats, demonstrates that both acinar cells and granular convoluted tubule (GCT) cells are target cells for androgen action in rodent SMG.

The mouse Vcs2 gene is a composite structure which evolved by gene fusion and encodes five distinct salivary mRNA species.

Genes of the VCS (variable coding sequence) family are characterized by an extensive evolutionary divergence in the protein-coding sequence. The VCS family has been characterized by cDNA cloning from submandibular glands in the rat, mouse and humans. At the genomic level, the sequences of two members of this family are known in the rat Rattus norvegicus: the VCSA1 gene, encoding the prohormone-like polypeptide SMR1, and the VCSB1 gene, encoding a salivary Pro-rich polypeptide. No genomic data were available for the VCS genes of other species. To understand the evolution of the VCS gene family better, we have now sequenced 23 kilobases (kb) of the mouse Vcs2 gene. The Vcs2 sequence reveals numerous genomic reorganizations such as an inversion, insertions of short elements and an unusually high number of long interspersed repeated elements (LINEs), which make up 42% of this region. Interestingly, Vcs2 is composed of three different VCS-like regions. The first of these regions contains all the exons necessary to encode the previously described mouse submandibular gland polypeptide MSG2alpha. This region aligns with the entire genomic sequences of rat VCSA1 and VCSB1 genes. The two other regions align with fragments of these rat sequences. The three regions are arrayed in tandem and flanked by LINEs. In particular, the third region also contains exons that were found in mRNA species from the submandibular gland. In total, we have characterized five mRNAs from mouse submandibular glands which have in common their first exon, and are produced by alternative splicing. Vcs2 is thus a single gene that arose by the fusion of three genes (or pseudogenes) of the VCS multigene family.

Expression of the type-II phospholipase A2 in alveolar macrophages. Down-regulation by an inflammatory signal.

We have shown previously that guinea pig alveolar macrophages (AM) synthesize a secretory phospholipase A2 (PLA2) during in vitro incubation. Here, we report the molecular cloning of this enzyme and show that it has structural features closely related to all known mammalian type-II PLA2. The mRNA and PLA2 activity were undetectable in freshly collected AM, but their levels increased dramatically to reach maximal values after 16 h of culture. Thereafter, the PLA2 activity remained constant with a parallel secretion in the medium, in contrast to mRNA level which returned to near basal values after 32 h. Incubation of AM for 16 h with the inflammatory secretagogue peptide f-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) markedly reduced the PLA2 activity and mRNA levels. This inhibition was prevented by preexposure of AM to pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of G-protein. In contrast, when AM were first cultured for 16 h and then incubated with fMLP, no significant change was observed in their PLA2 activity. In conditions where the type-II PLA2 was completely abrogated by fMLP, the latter did not alter the lipopolysaccharide-induced accumulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNA or the release of arachidonic acid induced by the subsequent addition of the calcium ionophore A23187. These studies show that the inflammatory peptide fMLP down-regulates the expression of the type-II PLA2 by AM through a process mediated by G-protein. A possible negative control of the type-II PLA2 expression during AM activation is suggested.

Three novel SMR1-related cDNAs characterized in the submaxillary gland of mice show extensive evolutionary divergence in the protein coding region.

We have previously characterized an abundant male-specific mRNA from the submaxillary gland (SMG) of rats, encoding the SMR1 (androgen-regulated) protein, which has the structure of a prohormone and is processed by maturation enzymes to release a small peptide in the blood and saliva. We have now characterized three SMR1-related cDNAs in the SMG of Balb/c mice. These cDNAs encode three novel proteins, designated MSG1, MSG2 and MSG3. They are 639, 662 and 471 nucleotides (nt) long, respectively, and the corresponding mRNAs appear to be expressed only in the SMG. The putative polypeptides they encode carry an N-terminal secretory peptide sequence and are, therefore, presumably secreted into saliva. Although closely related, the three mRNAs show striking differences: a particularly different expression pattern and an extremely high degree of variability observed in the central part of the molecules. The MSG1 and MSG3 cDNAs are identical, except for a 173-bp insert found only in MSG1. This insert contains three Pro-rich repeats (GPGIGRPPPPPP), reminiscent of the most abundant multigenic family of the SMG, the Pro-rich proteins (PRP). Although MSG1 shares several common features with PRP, it is structurally related to SMR1. The unusually high ratio of replacement/silent nt changes provides a basis to address complex aspects concerning the molecular events leading to the emergence of new proteins in the SMG.