Material damage induced by nanofabrication processes in manganite thin films

We investigated the use of the focused ion-beam (FIB) technique as a nanofabrication tool for the implementation of oxide-based magnetic and magnetoelectronic functional devices. In particular, we studied the effect of using FIB lithography for the patterning of La(2/3)Ca(1/3)MnO(3) magnetic oxide thin films. Results obtained show that the transport properties of patterned areas were strongly degraded after the patterning process. In contrast, no degradation was detected when the patterning was performed using a less aggressive technique. The origin of this degradation correlates with Ga(+) ion implantation, as indicated by Auger spectroscopy analysis of the patterned films.

[Policies, operational framework and guidelines of the Inter-American Committee on Aquatic Animal Health]

The Americas are home to a large population of aquatic animals, most of which are used in aquaculture. Production systems are diverse and are distributed over a wide and varied geographical area. This presents a challenge for the region, which must be able to meet food safety requirements for aquatic animals traded in the international market. The authors describe the creation of the Inter-American Committee on Aquatic Animal Health (IAC-AAH), as well as its composition, operation, objectives, the activities of the groups that form the Committee and the various activities conducted so far.

[Maternal satisfaction with the quality of epidural analgesia for pain relief in labor]

OBJECTIVE

To measure patient satisfaction with epidural analgesia in labor and to analyze the sociodemographic characteristics of the obstetric population treated in our hospital.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We administered an anonymous questionnaire in July and December 2003 to all patients who received epidural analgesia during labor to obtain information on the intensity of pain before analgesia and the efficacy of this procedure.

RESULTS

A total of 1067 questionnaires were returned. Of the patients who responded to the questionnaire, 91.3% were satisfied with the process of epidural anesthesia, 93.8% stated that they would recommend the technique used in our hospital, and 94% responded that they would request the technique again in our hospital. Spanish nationals accounted for 74.8% of the surveyed patients; the remaining 25.2% were from other countries-mainly from Central and South America (18% of the total). Before administration of epidural analgesia, 23.3% of Spanish primiparas defined labor pain as severe compared to 40.7% of foreign primiparas (P<.001). Of the multiparas, 212% of Spanish patients described the pain as severe compared to 40.4% of foreign women (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The overall level of satisfaction with the process of epidural analgesia is very high and was not influenced by sociodemographic factors. Labor pain is perceived as being more intense by non-Spanish women.

Risk assessment applied to Spain's prevention strategy against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1

Notifiable avian influenza (NAI) had never been reported in Spain, until July 2006 when a dead Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) was found positive to the highly pathogenic H5N1 subtype as part of the active wild bird surveillance plan. The current program of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA)'s strategic preventive plan against NAI is divided in the following parts: identification of risk areas and risk wild bird species, increased biosecurity measures, early detection of infection with surveillance intensification and development of rapid diagnostic tests, and other policies, which include continuing education and training to ensure early detection of the disease. In 2003 an active surveillance plan was introduced for domestic fowl; the plan was extended to wild birds in 2004. A total of 18,780 samples in poultry and 3687 samples in wild birds had been analyzed through December 2005 to detect the presence and spread of avian influenza subtypes H5 and H7. In the present work we suggest some contributions to be implemented in MAPA's action plan: 1) the identification of risks because of migratory birds, within the risk assessment of the introduction of NAI virus in Spain and 2) an interactive digital simulator of the disease developed for continuing education and training.

A NOS1 gene polymorphism associated with asthma and specific immunoglobulin E response to mite allergens in a Colombian population

BACKGROUND

Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in asthma pathogenesis and is synthesized by three isoforms of NO synthase, one of them encoded by NOS1 gene. The CA-repeat and the C5266T SNP in NOS1 exon 29 have been associated with asthma and IgE levels. We thought to test the association of asthma and asthma-related phenotypes with the exon 29 CA-repeat and the C5266T SNP in a Colombian population sample.

METHODS

The CA-repeat and the C5266T SNP were genotyped in 167 asthmatics and 166 controls using PCR-based fragment length polymorphism and TaqMan assay. We also determined total and mite-specific IgE against Blomia tropicalis and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.

RESULTS

Three new CA-repeat alleles, 14, 23 and 24 repeats were detected. Allele comprising 16 repeats was associated with asthma (OR: 1.90 (CI 1.22-2.97, p(c) = 0.028) and low total (p(c) = 0.02) and specific IgE to B. tropicalis (p(c) < 0.0001) and D. pteronyssinus (p(c) < 0.0001). We found no association of the C5266T SNP and asthma or IgE levels.

CONCLUSION

NOS1 exon 29 CA-repeat may be a risk factor for asthma susceptibility and mite specific IgE response in a Colombian population.

[Postpartum and early postoperative anemia after gynecological surgery: treatment with intravenous iron]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of treatment with intravenous iron for postpartum anemia or postoperative anemia after gynecological surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective study enrolling patients entering our recovery care unit from June through December 2004 with hemoglobin levels less than 10 g x dL(-1) after vaginal childbirth or cesarean section or after another form of gynecological surgery. Three 200 mg doses of intravenous iron sucrose (Venofer) were administered on consecutive days. Fifteen days after the last dose, the patient came for follow-up tests and was asked about side effects. The results were analyzed with a Student t test for matched samples.

RESULTS

A total of 250 obstetric and 52 gynecological surgery patients were enrolled; 156 and 33 completed the study in each group, respectively. Hemoglobin increased after treatment by 3.2 g x dL(-1) in the obstetric patients and by 2.7 g x dL(-1) in patients who underwent gynecological surgery. The increase was significant in both groups (P<0.001); the 95% confidence interval was 2.918-3.519 for the obstetric patients and 2.220-3.071 for the gynecological surgery patients. The incidence of side effects was low (13 obstetric patients and 1 gynecological surgery patient). Most side effects were related to pain at the injection site (in 12 of the 14 women).

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous iron sucrose is safe and effective for treating puerperal anemia and following gynecological surgery. The low incidence of serious side effects and the rapid recovery of hemoglobin levels make this a safe, effective drug for treating anemia.

[Comparison of 2 techniques for combined spinal-epidural analgesia for advanced labor in childbirth]

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether using a needle-locking device in combined spinal-epidural analgesia leads to better quality of pain relief for advanced stages of obstetric labor than can be achieved with conventional materials.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 230 women in advanced labor were randomized to 2 groups. In both groups the needle-through-needle technique was used. In group N we used a new technique with a Tuohy needle and a system for locking the spinal needle (27-gauge, pencil-point design). The conventional technique (group C) made use of the same Tuohy needle and spinal needle without the needle-locking device. The variables considered were patient characteristics, anesthesiologist, number of attempts and level of difficulty in carrying out the procedure, pain on a simple verbal visual analog scale before the procedure and 5 minutes later, latency, motor block, duration of spinal analgesia, complications, type of expulsion, and maternal satisfaction.

RESULTS

The 2 groups were similar with respect to all studied variables except duration of spinal analgesia (longer in group N, P<0.001); VAS after 5 minutes (lower in group N, P<0.010); latency (shorter in group N, P<0.001); lateralization (less in group N, P=0.034), and maternal satisfaction (greater in group N, P=0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of devices specifically designed for administering combined spinal-epidural analgesia in advanced stages of labor provides faster pain relief, longer duration of analgesia, and greater maternal satisfaction without increasing the incidence of complications.

Breast Cancer Prognosis Determined by Gene Expression Profiling: A Quantitative Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction Study

Purpose

We sought to reproduce with quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) the results obtained with a 70-gene expression profile that has been described previously in breast cancer.

Patients and Methods

Frozen breast cancer samples from patients who were operated on were used to isolate tumor RNA. Ninety-six patients with stage I to II disease were included. Median age was 57 years (range, 27 to 80 years). Forty-eight patients had lymph node–negative and 48 lymph node–positive disease. qRT-PCR amplifications were performed and the results were correlated with clinical data.

Results

After a minimum follow-up of 5 years, 25 patients had a relapse. The gene profile divided patients into two groups with poor and good prognosis. Significant differences with regard to grade of differentiation, size and hormone receptors were seen between the two groups. The gene profile was significantly associated with relapse-free survival and overall survival in the whole group of 96 patients. Multivariate analysis showed that only lymph node status and gene profile were significantly correlated to overall survival.

Conclusion

qRT-PCR reproduced the results obtained with microarrays for a prognostic gene profile in women with early-stage breast cancer.

Longitudinal analysis of metalloproteinases, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases and clinical parameters in gingival crevicular fluid from periodontitis-affected patients

BACKGROUND

The aim of this work was to improve the assessment of the periodontal disease status through measurements of extracellular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissular inhibitors (TIMPs) in the gingival crevicular fluid from patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis.

METHODS

Gingival crevicular fluid samples from patients (n = 13) were taken from 60 sites initially, and from 51 and 41 sites, respectively, 3 and 6 months after scaling and root planing. Gingival crevicular fluid samples were also taken from healthy subjects (n = 11, 24 sites). The presence of MMP-9 and MMP-8 was assessed by zymography and immunowestern blotting, respectively. The actual MMP activity (gelatinase and collagenase) was measured using the fluorogenic substrate assay. TIMP-1 and -2 levels were measured by immunodot blot.

RESULTS

The fluorogenic substrate assay determinations showed higher MMP activity in sites with probing depth > or = 4 mm, with significant reduction post-treatment. Gelatinase activity followed by zymography consisted mainly of MMP-9. A different pattern of MMP-8 in control and patient sites was found. Controls only showed species of a partially active form (69 kDa), whereas patient sites showed a high frequency of the active form (56 kDa), and in some cases the latent form (85 kDa) was also observed. The active form reduced its frequency in sites with probing depth > or = 4 mm. TIMP-1 and -2 levels in patients were significantly lower than in controls, and after treatment the recovery of TIMP-1 level similar to control was observed.

CONCLUSION

Significant correlations between the severity of the periodontal disease and the actual MMP activity, the active form of MMP-8 and the low level of both TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were found.

Basal lamina disorganisation of the acini and ducts of labial salivary glands from patients with Sjogren's syndrome: association with mononuclear cell infiltration

OBJECTIVE

To study the expression of laminin and type IV collagen as biomarkers of the organisation of the basal lamina of acini and ducts in labial salivary glands from patients with Sjögren's syndrome, and to relate this organisation to inflammatory cell invasion of acini and ducts.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry for laminin and type IV collagen was undertaken on sections of labial salivary glands from 30 patients with Sjögren's syndrome, 10 control subjects, and 24 controls with chronic sialoadenitis. Immunohistochemistry reaction, alterations to cell morphology, and the presence of inflammatory cells in acini and ducts were evaluated and scored using a semiquantitative method.

RESULTS

Changes in the expression of laminin and type IV collagen in the basal lamina of acini and ducts of labial salivary glands from patients with Sjögren's syndrome were more pronounced than in labial salivary glands from control groups. A remarkable characteristic was the disorganisation of the basal lamina in the labial salivary glands in Sjögren's syndrome. The pattern of immunoreactivity of the basal lamina of other structures (for example, blood vessels) did not change. In Sjögren's syndrome, invasion of cytotoxic T lymphocytes was only observed in acini and ducts which had a disorganised basal lamina.

CONCLUSIONS

The high state of disorganisation of the basal lamina of acini and ducts could allow invasion of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in Sjögren's syndrome, contributing to cell death and ductal hyperplasia.

The mitochondrial respiratory complex I is a target for 15-deoxy-delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 action

The prostaglandin J2 derivative 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) is a very active compound with important effects on inflammation, apoptosis, and cell growth processes. To exert this broad range of effects, 15d-PGJ2 binds and alters the activity of diverse proteins, which consequently are postulated to be mediators of its action. Among them are the transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and nuclear factor kappaB, which are thought to play an essential role in the antitumorigenic and anti-inflammatory actions of 15d-PGJ2. Here, we show that 15d-PGJ2, at micromolar concentrations, efficiently blocks state 3 oxygen consumption in intact nonsynaptic mitochondria isolated from rat cerebral cortex. This effect is attributable to the inhibition by this prostaglandin of the activity of the enzyme NADH-ubiquinone reductase (complex I) of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. In addition to this, 15d-PGJ2 dramatically increases the rate of reactive oxygen species generation by complex I. The inhibition by 15d-PGJ2 of complex I activity was abolished by dithiothreitol, which raises the possibility that adduct formation with a critical component of complex I accounts for the inhibitory effect of this prostaglandin. These results clearly identified mitochondrial complex I as a new target for 15d-PGJ2 actions.

[Evaluation of a pharmaceutical care program to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy]

OBJECTIVE

To establish the impact of a pharmaceutical care program on the improvement of adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and on patient immunologic and virologic outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A multicenter, observational, prospective study in a HIV-infected patient cohort under treatment with antiretrovirals selected by random sampling in 19 Spanish hospitals. The study lasted 12 months, in which the program was applied through a baseline preprocedural visit and 4 quarterly visits. Adherence estimation was based on pill counting. An adherence > or = 90, or > or = 95% was considered adequate (in two time points).

RESULTS

541 patients were included, most of them were males (68.8%) between 20 and 78 years of age. Major risk groups included injecting drug users (43.4%) and heterosexuals (29.4%). Sixty percent had already received treatment for more than 3 years. Mean baseline viral load and CD4 count values were 32,866 copies/ml and 485 cells/mm3, respectively. Throughout the study a slight increase in the percentage of adherent patients was seen; however, statistical significance was not reached (64.3 and 79.2% of patients showed an adherence > 95 and > 90%, respectively, during the fourth quarter, versus 59.8 and 75.5% at baseline). A statistically significant decrease in viral load and increase in CD4 cells was seen following program application. The percentage of patients with a viral load < 200 copies/ml was 72.2, 76.7, and 75.0% at the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters, respectively, versus 64.2% at baseline. CD4 cell counts increased by 50 cells/mm3 on average from the start to the end of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients included in the program had a good immunologic and virologic outcome, and a trend towards an increased percentage of patients with good adherence was also seen. These results confirm the need to implement follow-up programs for patients receiving antiretrovirals in order to ensure maximum therapeutic benefits.

Delayed neutrophil apoptosis in chronic periodontitis patients

BACKGROUND, AIMS

Neutrophil cells constitute the first defense barrier against the oral bacterial challenge in the periodontium. Reduction of neutrophils could impair this response against periopathogenic bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. Our previous work implicates the apoptosis of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. We now demonstrate that granulocyte monocyte-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) present in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and secreted during the immune response reduces the apoptosis of neutrophils.

METHOD

In this study, the presence of GM-CSF and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in GCF was determined in samples obtained from adult patients with periodontitis and from control subjects with clinically healthy gingiva. GCF was collected for 30 s using Periopaper(R) strips, and cytokines were quantified by ELISA. We used ex vivo culture of gingival tissue biopsies for 2 and 4 days in the presence of GM-CSF. Apoptosis was determined using the terminal TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique, and expression of Bax by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The presence of GM-CSF and TNF-alpha was detected in the majority of sites from periodontal patients (83.3% and 63.3%, respectively), presenting a total amount of 27.65 and 42.38 pg, respectively. GM-CSF reduces the neutrophil apoptosis determined by double staining with TUNEL and myeloperoxidase and by a reduction of Bax expression.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest a novel mechanism by which neutrophils specifically accumulate in adult patients with periodontitis.