Water-Accelerated Decomposition of Olefin Metathesis Catalysts

Water is ubiquitous in olefin metathesis, at levels ranging from contaminant to cosolvent. It is also non-benign. Water-promoted catalyst decomposition competes with metathesis, even for "robust" ruthenium catalysts. Metathesis is hence typically noncatalytic for demanding reactions in water-rich environments (e.g., chemical biology), a challenge as the Ru decomposition products promote unwanted reactions such as DNA degradation. To date, only the first step of the decomposition cascade is understood: catalyst aquation. Here we demonstrate that the aqua species dramatically accelerate both β-elimination of the metallacyclobutane intermediate and bimolecular decomposition of four-coordinate [RuCl(H₂O)_n(L)(=CHR)]Cl. Decomposition can be inhibited by blocking aquation and β-elimination.

ODP109 PARATHYROID HORMONE AND 25 OH VITAMINA D IN PREGNANCY: DATA FROM AN ARGENTINEAN COHORT SUPPORTING SUPPLEMENTATION

 

Vitamin D (Vit D) deficiency has become a global health care issue, as it affects a great number of women during pregnancy and lactation. Vit D levels are critical during pregnancy, being the mother the only source of them for the developing fetus; an enzymatic system for conversion of 25OH VitD into 1-25(OH) 2 VitD is present in the placenta, thus reinforcing the importance of VitD during gestation. VitD deficiency has been associated with obstetric complications and adverse outcomes in offspring, affecting skeletal, immunological and respiratory systems. It is known that prenatal supplements available do not contain enough VitD to fulfil requirements. It is generally accepted that elevated PTH is an indicator of VitD deficiency, and Hysaj O et al (2021) showed that 25OH VitD is a statistically significant determinant of PTH levels in early and late pregnancy.

Aim

To evaluateVitD status and its relationship to parathyroid hormone (PTH) in a cohort of pregnant women representative of multiple Argentinian regions.

Subjects and Methods

Data from samples of 423 pregnant women in 1st and 2nd trimester were collected between 2016 and 2021. VitD was measured in different platforms: DiaSorin Liaison CLIA (n=184), Roche COBAS ECLIA (n=166), Abbott ARCHITECT CMIA (n=33), Biomérieux VIDAS ELFA (n=18) and Siemens CENTAUR CLIA (n=16). PTH (ng/L) was measured in 162 samples by SIEMENS IMMULITE CLIA and Roche COBAS ECLIA. As VitD is light-exposure dependent, we considered warm and high light-exposure season period from December to March and cold and low light season from April to September. VITD (ng/L) levels were classified as Deficient (<20), Insufficient (between 21 and 29) and Sufficient (>30) (Endocrine Society, 2014).

Results

From 423 data collected, 102 were excluded because of lacking information on VitD supplementation. From the remaining non supplemented 321 samples, 48% resulted insufficient, 30% deficient and 22% sufficient for VitD (groups comparison: p< 0. 05, Kruskal Wallis-Dunn test). The seasonal period and pregnancy trimester distributions didn't show significant differences. Similar results of VitD insufficiency were found in the major used platforms, regardless the seasonal period considered. PTH results expressed as median and interquartile range were (ng/L): 32. 0 (13.7-169. 0) in Deficient pregnancies (N=92), 23.7(13.3-88. 0) in Insufficient (n=50) and 18.7 (9.8-55.7) in Sufficient (n=20).

Conclusions

This study shows VitD inadequate levels in 78% in non-supplemented pregnancies, regardless season or measurement platform. Relative elevated levels of PTH were associated to pregnancies with VitD deficiency, evidenciating a regulatory role according to published data. To improve VitD status during pregnancy it would be advisable to pose new strategies for prenatal supplements developed by a multidisciplinary professional team.

Presentation: No date and time listed

Association between benzodiazepine receptor agonist use and mortality in patients hospitalised for COVID-19: a multicentre observational study

AIMS

To examine the association between benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BZRA) use and mortality in patients hospitalised for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

METHODS

A multicentre observational study was performed at Greater Paris University hospitals. The sample involved 14 381 patients hospitalised for COVID-19. A total of 686 (4.8%) inpatients received a BZRA at hospital admission at a mean daily diazepam-equivalent dose of 19.7 mg (standard deviation (s.d.) = 25.4). The study baseline was the date of admission, and the primary endpoint was death. We compared this endpoint between patients who received BZRAs and those who did not in time-to-event analyses adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, medical comorbidities and other medications. The primary analysis was a Cox regression model with inverse probability weighting (IPW).

RESULTS

Over a mean follow-up of 14.5 days (s.d. = 18.1), the primary endpoint occurred in 186 patients (27.1%) who received BZRAs and in 1134 patients (8.3%) who did not. There was a significant association between BZRA use and increased mortality both in the crude analysis (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.20; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.74-3.74; p < 0.01) and in the IPW analysis (HR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.31-1.98, p < 0.01), with a significant dose-dependent relationship (HR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.08-2.22; p = 0.02). This association remained significant in sensitivity analyses. Exploratory analyses indicate that most BZRAs may be associated with an increased mortality among patients hospitalised for COVID-19, except for diazepam, which may be associated with a reduced mortality compared with any other BZRA treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

BZRA use may be associated with an increased mortality among patients hospitalised for COVID-19, suggesting the potential benefit of decreasing dose or tapering off gradually these medications when possible.

Routes to High-Performing Ruthenium-Iodide Catalysts for Olefin Metathesis: Ligand Lability Is Key to Efficient Halide Exchange

Clean, high-yielding routes are described to ruthenium-diiodide catalysts that were recently shown to enable high productivity in olefin metathesis. For the second-generation Grubbs and Hoveyda catalysts (GII: RuCl2(H2IMes)(PCy3)(=CHPh); HII: RuCl2(H2IMes)(=CHAr), Ar = C6H4-2-O i Pr), slow salt metathesis is shown to arise from the low lability of the ancillary PCy3 or ether ligands, which retards access to the four-coordinate intermediate required for efficient halide exchange. To exploit the lability of the first-generation catalysts, the diiodide complex RuI2(PCy3)(=CHAr) HI-I 2 was prepared by treating "Grubbs I" (RuCl2(PCy3)2(=CHPh), GI) with NaI, H2C=CHAr (1a), and a phosphine-scavenging Merrifield iodide (MF-I) resin. Subsequent installation of H2IMes or cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) ligands afforded the second-generation iodide catalysts in good to excellent yields. Given the incompatibility of the nitro group with a free carbene, the iodo-Grela catalyst RuI2(H2IMes)(=CHAr') (nG-I 2 : Ar' = C6H3-2-O i Pr-4-NO2) was instead accessed by sequential salt metathesis of GI with NaI, installation of H2IMes, and finally cross-metathesis with the nitrostyrenyl ether H2C=CHAr' (1b), with MF-I as the phosphine scavenger. The bulky iodide ligands improve the selectivity for macrocyclization in ring-closing metathesis.

Seed Storage Proteins, 2S Albumin And 11S Globulin, Associated to Severe Allergic Reactions after Flaxseed Intake

BACKGROUND

Given the increased popularity of flaxseed in meals, several cases of allergy to these seeds have been reported. Little is known about allergens implicated in hypersensitivity reactions to these seeds. The present work aimed to identify the allergens involved in IgE-mediated reactions in five patients with a clinical history of severe systemic symptoms after flaxseed consumption.

METHODS

Proteins susceptible to be allergens with IgE-binding capacity were purified from flaxseed extract by chromatographic techniques. Their identification was achieved via MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Immunoassays were performed using the five allergic patient's era either by testing them individually or as a pool.

RESULTS

Proteins susceptible to be allergens with IgE-binding capacity were purified from flaxseed extract by chromatographic techniques. Their identification was achieved via MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Immunoassays were performed using the five allergic patient's era either by testing them individually or as a pool. Results: Four out of five patients recognized a low-molecular-mass protein (around 13kDa) by immunoblotting of the flaxseed extract, while two patients recognized a protein of approximately 55 kDa. They were identified by mass spectrometry as flaxseed 2S albumin, included into WHO/IUIS allergen nomenclature as Lin u 1,and 11S globulin, respectively. Inhibition assays revealed in vitro IgE-cross-reactivity of Lin u 1 with peanut and cashew nut proteins, while IgE recognition of 11S globulin by patients' sera was partially inhibited by several plant-derived sources.

CONCLUSIONS

Seed storage proteins from flaxseed were involved in the development of severe symptoms in five individuals and exhibited cross-reactivity with other allergenic sources. Besides the severity of flaxseed allergy in patients sensitized to 2S albumin, it is the first time that the 11S globulin is identified as a potential allergen. We consider that these data should be taken into account for a more accurate diagnosis of patients.

A Medium for the Presumptive Detection of Enterobacter sakazakii in Infant Formula: Interlaboratory Study

A standard method for the detection of Enterobacteriaceae was modified for the presumptive detection of Enterobacter sakazakii, and the modified method was validated in an interlaboratory trial with 16 laboratories from 8 European countries. The modification included a differential-elective medium for the isolation of E. sakazakii, consisting of nutrient agar (NA) supplemented with 4-methyl-umbelliferyl α-D-glucoside (α-MUG). A 25 g sample was added to 225 mL buffered peptone water. After incubation at 35° or 37°C for 16 or 20 h, 10 mL nonselective enrichment was transferred into 90 mL selective enrichment. The selective enrichment was streaked on violet-red bile glucose agar (VRBGA) and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. It was streaked in parallel on NA plates supplemented with α-MUG at 50 mg/L and incubated at 25°C for 16 h, and afterwards for an additional 24 h at room temperature in the dark. E. sakazakii appeared as vivid yellow colonies under normal light and showed blue/violet fluorescence under UV light on NA + α-MUG plates. Validation samples represented powdered infant formula without E. sakazakii (blanks) and with low (1–10 colony-forming units [CFU]/25 g) and medium (1–10 CFU/g) contamination levels. All samples contained Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Lactobacillus spp. as background flora. The specificity for blank samples was 100%. The sensitivity of the low contamination level was similar for VRBGA and NA + α-MUG, i.e., 66.7% (66.7% accordance, 53.9% concordance). For the medium level the sensitivities were 96.7% (93.3% accordance, 93.5% concordance) for VRBGA and 98.3% (96.9% accordance, 96.9% concordance) for NA + α-MUG.

Helminth parasites of the dwarf sperm whale Kogia sima (Cetacea: Kogiidae) from the Mediterranean Sea, with implications on host ecology

Limited data exist on the occurrence of the dwarf sperm whale Kogia sima in the Mediterranean Sea and its parasite fauna. Here, the occurrence of the anisakid species Anisakis physeteris and A. pegreffii in the stomach chambers of an adult female dwarf sperm whale, stranded in southern Italy, is reported. In addition, the occurrence of Phyllobothrium delphini larvae infecting the blubber of the caudal peduncle region was recorded. A. physeteris and A. pegreffii represent the 2 parasite species of the genus, mostly distributed in the Mediterranean Sea in fish and squids. The finding of A. pegreffii and A. physeteris in the dwarf sperm whale represents a new record in this host species for the Mediterranean Sea. The study of gastrointestinal content also revealed a massive presence of cephalopod beaks identified as belonging to pelagic squids including the umbrella squid Histioteuthis bonnellii, the reverse jewel squid H. reversa, the long-armed squid Chiroteuthis veranii, and the comb-finned squid Ctenopteryx sicula. The feeding habits of the dwarf sperm whale, as well as the occurrence of these squid residuals in the cetacean host, suggest that these squid species play a major role in maintaining the life cycle of anisakid parasite species and P. delphini.

Meta-analysis of the effects of normal saline on mortality in intensive care

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

To evaluate, by means of a meta-analysis, the effect of normal saline on mortality in intensive care patients, when compared with the use of balanced crystalloids.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Published controlled clinical trials, randomised and sequential prospective studies in time, evaluating the mortality when physiological saline was used in patients admitted to intensive care units. Electronic search was performed in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, ISI Proceedings, and Web of Science, as well as a manual search of selected references. An independent evaluation was performed by 2 investigators. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus in the working group. Contingency tables were performed, and the OR with confidence intervals of each study were obtained. Heterogeneity was assessed by I². Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot and Egger test.

RESULTS

A total of 8 articles were selected for the meta-analysis of mortality, which included a total of 20,684 patients. A significant association was observed between the use of saline and mortality in intensive care patients (OR 1.0972; 95% CI 1.0049-1.1979), when compared to the use of balanced crystalloids. No statistical evidence of publication bias (Egger, P=.5349) was found. In the sensitivity analysis, none of the studies substantially modified the overall outcome if it was eliminated from the meta-analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

There may be an increase in mortality associated with the use of saline in patients admitted to intensive care when comparing with the use of balanced crystalloids.

Strong and frequent T-cell responses to the minor allergen Phl p 12 in Spanish patients IgE-sensitized to Profilins

BACKGROUND

Profilins are dominant pan-allergens known to cause cross-sensitization, leading to clinical symptoms such as pollen-food syndrome. This study aimed to determine the T-cell response to Phl p 12 in profilin-sensitized patients, by measuring the prevalence, strength and cross-reactivity to clinically relevant profilins.

METHODS

The release of Phl p allergens from pollen was determined by mass spectrometry and immunochemistry. T-cell responses, epitope mapping and cross-reactivity to profilins (Phl p 12, Ole e 2, Bet v 2 and Mal d 4) were measured in vitro using PBMCs from 26 Spanish grass-allergic donors IgE-sensitized to profilin. Cross-reactivity was addressed in vivo using 2 different mouse strains (BALB/c and C3H).

RESULTS

Phl p 12 and Phl p 1 are released from pollen simultaneously and in similar amounts. Both T-cell response frequency (17/26 donors) and strength were comparable between Phl p 12 and Phl p 1. T-cell cross-reactivity to other profilins correlated with overall sequence homology, and 2 immunodominant epitope regions of Phl p 12 were identified. Data from mice immunized with Phl p 12 showed that cross-reactivity to Bet v 2 was mediated by conserved epitopes and further influenced by additional genetic factors, likely to be MHC II.

CONCLUSION

The strength, prevalence and cross-reactivity of T-cell responses towards Phl p 12 are comparable to the major allergen Phl p 1, which supports the hypothesis that T cells to Phl p 12 can play an important role in development of allergic symptoms, such as those associated with pollen-food syndrome.

[Management of recurrent urethrocutaneous fistula after hypospadias surgery in pediatric patients: initial experience with dermal regeneration sheet Integra]

OBJECTIVE

To present our initial experience using a dermal regeneration sheet as an urethral cover in the repair of recurrent urethrocutaneous fistulae in pediatric patients.

METHODS

Since May 2016 to March a total of 8 fistulaes were repaired using this new technique. We performed the ddissection of the fistulous tract and posterior closure of the urethral defect. A dermal regeneration sheet was used to cover the urethral suture. Finally a rotational flap was performed to avoid overlap sutures.

RESULTS

During the follow-up (average 6 months), one patient presented in the immediate postoperative period infection of the surgical wound. This patient presented recurrence of the fistula. 88% of the patients included presented a good evolution with no other complications.

CONCLUSIONS

In our initial experience the new technique seems easy, safe and effective in the management of the recurrent urethrocutaneous fistulae in pediatric patients. More studies are needed to prove these results.

Examining heterotypic continuity of psychopathology: a prospective national study

BACKGROUND

Individuals with one psychiatric disorder are at increased risk for incidence and recurrence of other disorders. We characterize whether the magnitude of such heterotypic continuity varies based on whether the first disorder remits or persists over time.

METHOD

Cohorts were selected from participants in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions wave 1 (2001-2002) and wave 2 (2004-2005) surveys with ⩾1 mood, anxiety, or substance use disorder at wave 1. Among respondents remitting (n = 6719) or not remitting (n = 3435) from ⩾1 of disorder at wave 2, the analyses compared the odds of developing new disorders.

RESULTS

As compared with adults whose disorders persisted from wave 1 to wave 2, those with ⩾1 remission had lower odds of incidence or recurrence of another disorder. Remission from alcohol dependence [odds ratio (OR) 0.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3-0.5] and drug dependence (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.6) were associated with the lowest odds of incidence of another disorder. Social anxiety disorder was associated with the lowest adjusted odds of recurrence (adjusted OR = 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.6). Remission of disorders within one class (mood, anxiety, substance use) was consistently associated with lower odds of incidence or recurrence of disorders from the same class than with developing disorders from the other classes.

CONCLUSIONS

Remission from common psychiatric disorders tends to decrease the risk for incidence or recurrence of disorders and this effect is stronger within than across disorder classes. These results do not support the concept of heterotypic continuity as a substitution of one disorder for another.

Effects of sunflower soap stocks on light lamb meat quality

Thirty-two lambs were used to study the effect of sunflower soap stocks (SS), a by-product from the vegetable oil refinery industry, on meat chemical composition, fatty acid profile, volatile compounds, and consumer acceptability. Lambs were finished (average length of fattening period 35 ± 7.3 d, 26.8 ± 0.09 kg final BW) on a pelleted total mixed ration (TMR) with no SS (00SS) or including 15, 30 or 60 g SS/kg (15SS, 30SS, and 60SS, respectively). Sunflower soap stocks decreased the percentage of SFA, increased the proportion of -MUFA ( < 0.05), and modified the levels of several odor-active lipid-derived volatile compounds ( 0.05). Consumers were able to distinguish between control and 15SS meat samples in a triangular test ( < 0.05), but a well-defined preference for meat of any of these treatments was not exhibited ( > 0.05). Atherogenicity and saturation indexes decreased by 31% and 27%, respectively, in SS groups compared to control (linear 0.05). However, certain volatile compounds (benzene and toluene) and 10-18:1 fatty acid, known potential hazards for human health, were increased in meat from lambs fed TMR with SS. For this reason, only inclusion rates up to 15 g SS/kg TMR seem to sustain a satisfactory balance between beneficial and detrimental effects on lamb meat composition and quality.

Specific allergen immunotherapy for the treatment of allergic asthma: a review of current evidence

Asthma is frequently associated with atopy, characterized by the production of specific immunoglobulin E in response to environmental allergens. Currently, two types of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) are used in clinical practice: subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy, both accepted as key components of the therapeutic repertoire for allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis. However, their role in asthma remains controversial. The present document is aimed at providing the clinicians with a review of the evidence on the use of AIT in asthma, focusing on the most relevant aspects of its mechanism of action, its efficacy, and existing data on safety, tolerability, and cost-effectivity, both in pediatric and adult populations. A systematic search of MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Clinical Trials databases from 2000 to April of 2016 was carried out by a panel of experts from the Spanish Allergy and Clinical Immunology Scientific Society. Relevant studies prior to the year 2000 included in ulterior systematic reviews were also considered. More than 4000 articles were identified during the search and 241 were selected to retrieve available evidence on AIT, which was graded according to the Oxford classification. All the group members reviewed the resulting text until the final version reached the consensual agreement. A summary of recommendations on the more relevant topics are proposed. The role of AIT as a valuable therapeutic strategy for prevention of exacerbation and progressive decline in lung function is highlighted. Future research should include specific tools for asthma evaluation when assessing AIT effectiveness in asthmatic patients.

Reexamining associations between mania, depression, anxiety and substance use disorders: results from a prospective national cohort

Separate inheritance of mania and depression together with high rates of clinical overlap of mania with anxiety and substance use disorders provide a basis for re-examining the specificity of the prospective association of manic and depression episodes that is a hallmark of bipolar disorder. We analyzed information from 34 653 adults in Waves 1 and 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, a longitudinal nationally representative survey of US adults interviewed 3 years apart. Psychiatric disorders were assessed by a structured interview. We used logistic regression analyses to estimate the strength of associations between Wave 1 manic episodes and Wave 2 depression, anxiety and substance use disorders controlling for background characteristics and lifetime Wave 1 disorders. Corresponding analyses examined associations between Wave 1 major depressive episode with manic episodes and other psychiatric disorders. In multivariable models, Wave 1 manic episodes significantly increased the odds of Wave 2 major depressive episodes (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.3-2.2) and any anxiety disorder (AOR: 1.8; 1.4-2.2), although not of substance use disorders (AOR: 1.2; 0.9-1.5). Conversely, Wave 1 major depressive episodes significantly increased risk of Wave 2 manic episodes (AOR: 2.2; 1.7-2.9) and anxiety disorders (AOR: 1.7; 1.5-2.0), although not substance use disorders (AOR: 1.0; 0.9-1.2). Adults with manic episodes have an approximately equivalent relative risk of developing depression episodes and anxiety disorders. Greater research and clinical focus is warranted on connections between manic episodes and anxiety disorders.

Differences between requested and cited literature in a group of dairy research scientists

The citation habits of a group of scientists working in dairy research arc compared with the literature the group has requested. The analysed characteristics lead to the con clusion that the scientitsts able to choose their references from a large quantity of literature broadly scattered in sub jects and countries, select their citations according to their personal criteria.

Acculturation dimensions and 12-month mood and anxiety disorders across US Latino subgroups in the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions

BACKGROUND

Individual-level measures of acculturation (e.g. age of immigration) have a complex relationship with psychiatric disorders. Fine-grained analyses that tap various acculturation dimensions and population subgroups are needed to generate hypotheses regarding the mechanisms of action for the association between acculturation and mental health.

METHOD

Study participants were US Latinos (N = 6359) from Wave 2 of the 2004-2005 National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (N = 34 653). We used linear χ2 tests and logistic regression models to analyze the association between five acculturation dimensions and presence of 12-month DSM-IV mood/anxiety disorders across Latino subgroups (Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, 'Other Latinos').

RESULTS

Acculturation dimensions associated linearly with past-year presence of mood/anxiety disorders among Mexicans were: (1) younger age of immigration (linear χ2 1 = 11.04, p < 0.001), (2) longer time in the United States (linear χ2 1 = 10.52, p < 0.01), (3) greater English-language orientation (linear χ2 1 = 14.57, p < 0.001), (4) lower Latino composition of social network (linear χ2 1 = 15.03, p < 0.001), and (5) lower Latino ethnic identification (linear χ2 1 = 7.29, p < 0.01). However, the associations were less consistent among Cubans and Other Latinos, and no associations with acculturation were found among Puerto Ricans.

CONCLUSIONS

The relationship between different acculturation dimensions and 12-month mood/anxiety disorder varies across ethnic subgroups characterized by cultural and historical differences. The association between acculturation measures and disorder may depend on the extent to which they index protective or pathogenic adaptation pathways (e.g. loss of family support) across population subgroups preceding and/or following immigration. Future research should incorporate direct measures of maladaptive pathways and their relationship to various acculturation dimensions.

Mental disorders and risk of suicide attempt: a national prospective study

Most mental disorders, when examined independently, are associated with an elevated risk for suicide attempt. However, mental disorders often co-occur, and that co-occurrence is well explained by models where specific mental disorders are understood as manifestations of latent dimensions of psychopathology. To date, it remains unclear whether the risk of suicide attempt is due to specific mental disorders, to specific dimensions of psychopathology (that is, internalizing and externalizing dimensions), to a general psychopathology factor or to a combination of these explanations. In a large nationally representative prospective survey, the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), we used structural equation modeling to examine the shared and specific effects of Axis I and Axis II disorders on the occurrence of suicide attempts in the general population and among individuals with a lifetime history of suicidal ideation. Effects of mental disorders on the risk of suicide attempt were exerted almost exclusively through a general psychopathology factor representing the shared effect across all mental disorders. Effects of remitted psychiatric disorders on the risk of suicide attempt were fully mediated by current mental disorders. Similar patterns of associations were found in individuals with suicidal ideation. These results held when using different approaches to modeling psychiatric comorbidity. Our findings underscore the importance of adopting dimensional approaches to comorbidity in the study of suicidal behavior. Because mental disorders increase the risk of suicide attempt through a general psychopathology liability, this dimension should be considered as an important therapeutic target to substantially advance suicide prevention.

Crystalline coloboma

CASE REPORT

We present a seventy-three year-old female diagnosed with lens coloboma when she was going to be operated on for cataracts.

DISCUSSION

The incidence of congenital coloboma of the eye is estimated to be 0.5 per 10000 newborns in Spain, 1.4 in France, 2.6 in United States, and 7.5 in China. The diagnosis is clinical by observing the defect. The visual prognosis depends on the extent and severity of the coloboma. The treatment of the cataract was by phacoemulsification with an intraocular lens using a capsular tension ring.

Parathyroid hormone as a marker for metabolic bone disease of prematurity

OBJECTIVE

To compare parathyroid hormone to alkaline phosphatase as a serologic marker for metabolic bone disease (MBD) in preterm infants.

STUDY DESIGN

An 18-month prospective observational study in neonates with birth weight < 1250 g. Simultaneous serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) were measured at scheduled intervals during hospitalization. At 6 weeks of age, MBD was evaluated using knee radiographs. Comparisons were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, χ² and Student t-test.

RESULT

Fourty-nine infants were included in the study: 7 with severe and 42 with mild MBD. Using ROC curves, at 660 U l⁻¹ ALP had a sensitivity of 29% and specificity of 93% for severe MBD, while a cutoff point of 180 pg ml⁻¹ gave PTH a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 88%. Infants with severe bone disease had a lower birth weight, 21-day serum P, an increased use of glucocorticoids and caffeine, and more likely to have major neonatal morbidities.

CONCLUSION

PTH is an early marker with better sensitivity than ALP in screening for MBD. At 3 weeks chronologic age, a PTH level > 180 mg dl⁻¹ or a P level <4.6 pg ml⁻¹ yielded a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 94% for severe MBD [corrected].

Asymmetric grazing incidence small angle x-ray scattering and anisotropic domain wall motion in obliquely grown nanocrystalline Co films

Strong asymmetries have been observed in grazing incidence small angle x-ray scattering (GISAXS) in situ patterns obtained from 30 nm-thick nanocrystalline Co films prepared by oblique sputtering (15°-75° off-sample normal). These asymmetries have been qualitatively simulated by a simple model consisting of an ensemble of 8 nm-wide inclined Co nanocolumns. It is found that narrow inclined features appear in the diffuse background resembling those characteristic of faceted systems, which can be used to obtain straightforward non-destructive estimations of buried nanocolumnar grains inclination, even for oblique angles below 45°, when the stronger and broader asymmetric features of the pattern are not yet fully formed. Furthermore, using magneto-optical microscopy, a marked change in the magnetic domain's nucleation and growth process has been observed in the sample prepared at 75°, with the stronger GISAXS asymmetries. Easy axis magnetization reversal starts by a random and homogeneous nucleation of small (∼μm) elongated domains aligned with the nanocolumn's long axis and proceeds through the preferred propagation of head-to-head domain walls (DWs) along the applied field direction. This peculiar magnetic behavior indicates that the strongly anisotropic nanostructuring created by the oblique growth process is equivalent, from a magnetic point of view, to an array of self-assembled buried nanowires. These results show how GISAXS and magneto-optical microscopy can be combined as a powerful tool for correlating the morphology and magnetism of thin nanostructured systems.

Effects of dietary inclusion of sunflower soap stocks on nutrient digestibility, growth performance, and ruminal and blood metabolites of light fattening lambs

Forty-four merino lambs (6 to 8 wk old; BW 15.6 ± 0.21 kg) were used to study the effect of adding different proportions of sunflower soap stock (SS) to pelleted total mixed ration (TMR) for fattening lambs on feed intake, animal growth and dressing percentage, ruminal fluid characteristics, and blood acid-base parameters. Lambs were assigned to 1 of 4 experimental groups (11 lambs per group), each randomly assigned to 1 dietary treatment: 00SS (0 g SS/kg TMR pellet), 15SS (15 g SS/kg TMR pellet), 30SS (30 g SS/kg TMR pellet), and 60SS (60 g SS/kg TMR pellet). Lambs were individually fed the corresponding diet ad libitum. On d 19 to 23, total feces were collected and sampled from 4 lambs per group. When lambs reached 27 kg BW, they were slaughtered. Dry matter intake, ADG, and length of fattening period were not affected by the dietary treatment (P > 0.10). Animals in the 30SS group tended to show the best G:F values (P < 0.10). Dressing percentage tended to linearly decrease as SS increased (P < 0.10). Animals in the 60SS groups showed the lowest DM and fiber digestibility values (P < 0.05). Total VFA contents in ruminal fluid were not affected (P > 0.10), but the propionate proportion linearly increased (P < 0.05), and the acetate to propionate ratio tended to decrease with SS supplementation. Increasing dietary content of SS linearly decreased the cold carcass weight (P < 0.05) but did not affect other measured carcass characteristics. Ruminal fluid pH tended to decrease (P < 0.10) and mucosa color decreased as SS increased in the TMR (P < 0.05). Blood pH and Na concentration increased (P < 0.05), whereas the anion gap, CO2 pressure, and K concentration linearly decreased (P < 0.05) as SS increased. Including more than 30 g SS/kg TMR in the diet for fattening lambs reduces DM and fiber digestibility without affecting feed intake and ADG. The acidotic rumen conditions that induced a darkening of rumen mucosa were counteracted by blood acid-base parameters. The optimum level of inclusion seems to be 30 g SS/kg TMR.

Latent structure of social fears and social anxiety disorders

BACKGROUND

Despite its high prevalence and associated levels of impairment, the latent structure of social anxiety disorder (SAD) is not well understood, with published studies reporting inconsistent results. Furthermore, it is unknown whether the latent structure of social fears in individuals with and without SAD is the same.

METHOD

Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis followed by multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) analysis were conducted on 13 commonly feared social situations assessed in a nationally representative sample including individuals with SAD and those with social fears but who did not meet DSM-IV criteria for SAD.

RESULTS

An EFA conducted in the full sample, including individuals with no social fears (88% of the sample), yielded only one factor. When the sample was restricted to those with at least one social fear, the EFA yielded three factors, in both the subsample with at least one social fear but no SAD and the subsample with SAD. The three factors represented feared situations related to public performance, close scrutiny and social interaction. The MIMIC analyses further indicated that the three-factor structure was able to explain differences in prevalence of social fears across a broad range of sociodemographic covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

Among individuals with at least one social fear and those with DSM-IV SAD the latent structure of social fears appears to be best described by three factors, although this may partially depend on how the sample is specified. These results may help reconcile the findings of different numbers of factors identified in previous studies.