Gender determines the actions of adiponectin multimers on fetal growth and adiposity.

Objective: We sought to analyze the role of cord blood adiponectin and its multimeric forms in neonatal adiposity and fetal growth velocity (FGV) during the third trimester of pregnancy according to fetal gender.

Study Design: This was a prospective analytical observational study conducted at the Diabetes and Pregnancy Unit, University Hospital Joan XXIII, Tarragona, Spain. In all, 96 healthy pregnant women were included in the early third trimester and were followed up until delivery.

Hemolytic and pharmacokinetic studies of liposomal and particulate amphotericin B formulations.

Amphotericin B (AmB) is a very effective antifungal and antiparasitic drug with a narrow therapeutic window. To improve its efficacy/toxicity balance, new controlled release formulations have been developed based on different encapsulation systems, aggregation states and particle sizes modifications. The kinetics of the hemolytic process was studied not only to characterize the toxicity of different formulations but also as an indicator of drug release.

Effect of neuroprotective therapies (hypothermia and cyclosporine a) on dopamine-induced apoptosis in human neuronal SH-SY5Y cells.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hypothermia and CyA on neuronal survival after induced injury in a neuronal model.

Methods: Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were seeded and allowed to grow. To determine whether lower temperatures protect from dopamine-induced apoptosis, cells were treated with dopamine at 100 µM, at 300 µM or without dopamine and incubated at 32 °C or 37 °C for 24 hours.

Fatal unintentional injuries in the home in the U.S., 2000-2008.

Background: From 1992 to 1999, an average of more than 18,000 unintentional home injury deaths occurred in the U.S. annually.

Motorcycle helmet attitudes, behaviours and beliefs among Cambodians.

Motorcycle fatalities are increasing at an alarming rate in many South-East Asian countries, including Cambodia. Through brief face-to-face roadside interviews in Phnom Penh and four other Cambodian provinces, this article assesses Cambodian motorcyclists' attitudes, behaviours and beliefs related to motorcycle helmets. Out of 1016 motorcyclists interviewed, 50% were drivers, 40% were older passengers and 10% were child passengers.

Zinc-α2-glycoprotein is unrelated to gestational diabetes: anthropometric and metabolic determinants in pregnant women and their offspring.

Context: Zinc-α2-Glycoprotein (ZAG) is an adipokine with lipolytic action and is positively associated with adiponectin in adipose tissue. We hypothesize that ZAG may be related with hydrocarbonate metabolism disturbances observed in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze serum ZAG concentration and its relationship with carbohydrate metabolism in pregnant women and its influence on fetal growth.

Comparing cell viability and ethanol fermentation of the thermotolerant yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on steam-exploded biomass treated with laccase.

In this study, the thermotolerant yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus CECT 10875 was compared to the industrial strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ethanol Red for lignocellulosic ethanol production. For it, whole slurry from steam-exploded wheat straw was used as raw material, and two process configurations, simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) and presaccharification and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (PSSF), were evaluated. Compared to S.

[Antifungal prophylaxis in the postoperative period of lung transplant surgery in Spain].

Objectives: To examine the type and duration of antifungal prophylaxis provided during the postoperative period of lung transplant recipients, together with the most frequent complications during admission to Intensive Care Units in Spain.

Patients And Methods: A questionnaire was developed including demographic data on each transplant center, the type of antifungal prophylaxis used, its duration, and the most frequent complications. The questionnaire was distributed among the 7 Spanish national lung transplant centers, followed by analysis of the results obtained.

Study of B-cell subpopulations in lung transplant recipients with posttransplant infection.

Background: Posttransplant infection after lung transplantation is a common feature due to the immunodeficiency induced by the immunosuppressive load.

Aim: To assess B-cell subsets in lung transplant recipients suffering at least one episode of infection within the first year posttransplantation.

Methods: Twenty-eight lung transplant recipients were enrolled in the study.

Prospective study of biomarkers of immune response in lung transplant recipients.

Introduction: Studies on biomarkers of tolerance in organ transplantation have been widely performed during the last decade.

Aim: To assess biomarkers in relation to evolution of the immune response among lung transplant recipients.

Methods: This multicenter study included 27 lung transplant recipients followed before as well as at 7, 14, 30, 60, 90, and 180 days posttransplantation.

Prediction of kidney transplant outcome by donor quality scoring systems: expanded criteria donor and deceased donor score.

Due to disparity between organ supply and demand, use of kidneys from suboptimal donors has become increasingly common. Several donor quality systems have been developed to identify kidneys with an increased risk for graft dysfunction and loss. The purpose of our study was to compare the utility of deceased donor score (DDS) and expanded criteria donor (ECD) status to predict kidney transplant outcomes in a single center.

Improving the fermentation performance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by laccase during ethanol production from steam-exploded wheat straw at high-substrate loadings.

Operating the saccharification and fermentation processes at high-substrate loadings is a key factor for making ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass economically viable. However, increasing the substrate loading presents some disadvantages, including a higher concentration of inhibitors (furan derivatives, weak acids, and phenolic compounds) in the media, which negatively affect the fermentation performance. One strategy to eliminate soluble inhibitors is filtering and washing the pretreated material.

Solid organ transplant training objectives for residents.

With the aim of analyzing the current state of the educational objectives in the training of medical residents in solid organ transplantation (SOT), we conducted a review of the status of the official programs of the specialities involved in SOT, focusing particularly on lung transplantation. A survey of medical residents was also conducted to allow reflexion about the topic. We obtained 44 surveys from 4 University Hospitals with active programs in SOT, mainly from intensive care medicine and anesthesiology residents.

Early identification of infectious complications in lung transplant recipients using procalcitonin.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine how sequential measurements of procalcitonin (PCT) could improve the diagnosis of early infectious complications after lung transplantation, and to compare this molecule with other commonly used markers (serum C-reactive protein [CRP] and leukocyte count).

Methods: Prospective observational study in a 34-bed university hospital intensive care unit (ICU). All lung transplant (LT) recipients between January and November 2010 were included.

Aggressive lung donor management increases graft procurement without increasing renal graft loss after transplantation.

Background: To determine the impact of an aggressive protocol on the rate of lung grafts available for transplant. We analyzed the impact of this management on kidney graft survival after kidney transplantation.

Methods: A cohort study.

A novel formulation of solubilised amphotericin B designed for ophthalmic use.

Amphotericin B (AmB) is a wide spectrum antifungal with low incidence of clinical resistance. However, there are no licensed topical formulations with AmB in most developed countries. Extemporaneous preparations of AmB are frequently prepared from available marketed parenteral formulations.

Linking microalgae and cyanobacteria culture conditions and key-enzymes for carbohydrate accumulation.

Microalgae are regarded as a potential biomass source for biofuel purposes. With regard to bioethanol production, microalgae seem to overcome traditional substrate drawbacks. Enzymatic activities are responsible for carbon allocation and hence for carbohydrate profiles.

Gender differences in seeking care for falls in the aged Medicare population.

Background: One third of adults aged ≥65 years fall annually, and women are more likely than men to be treated for fall injuries in hospitals and emergency departments.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine how men and women differed in seeking medical care for falls and in the information about falls they received from healthcare providers.

Methods: This study, undertaken in 2010, analyzed population-based data from the 2005 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MBCS), the most recent data available in 2010 from this survey.

[Primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation].

Lung transplantation is a therapeutic option for pulmonary diseases in which the other treatment options have failed or in cases of rapid disease progression. However, transplantation is not free from complications, and primary graft dysfunction is one of them. Primary graft dysfunction is a form of acute lung injury.

False-positive Aspergillus antigenemia due to blood product conditioning fluids.

The presence of Aspergillus antigens in blood transfusion components from different manufacturers was analyzed. Galacomannans were found in transfused patients, pooled platelet concentrates, fresh frozen plasma, and packed red cells collected using Fresenius Kabi bags. Galacomannans were also found in blood collection anticoagulant and platelet additive solution from this manufacturer.

Blood plasma clinical-chemical parameters as biomarker endpoints for organohalogen contaminant exposure in Norwegian raptor nestlings.

Raptors are exposed to biomagnifying and toxic organohalogenated compounds (OHCs) such as organochlorines, brominated flame retardants and perfluorinated compounds. To investigate how OHC exposure may affect biochemical pathways we collected blood plasma from Norwegian northern goshawk (n=56), golden eagle (n=12) and white-tailed eagle (n=36) nestlings during three consecutive breeding seasons. We found that blood plasma concentrations of calcium, sodium, creatinine, cholesterol, albumin, total protein, urea, inorganic phosphate, protein:creatinine, urea:creatinine and uric acid:creatinine ratios and liver enzymes ALKP and ALAT were positively correlated to PCBs, chlordanes, p,p'-DDE, HCB, PFCs and/or PBDEs.

Helmet use among motorcyclists in Cambodia: a survey of use, knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

Objective: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a leading cause of disability and fatality globally. Motorcycle-related injuries, mainly head injuries, and related deaths and disabilities are a significant contributor to the burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Helmets have been proven to be an effective way to reduce the risk of head injury.

Different laccase detoxification strategies for ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass by the thermotolerant yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus CECT 10875.

In this work, laccase enzymes were evaluated to detoxify the whole slurry from steam-exploded wheat straw. For it, two different strategies, laccase treatment before or after enzymatic hydrolysis, were employed. The detoxification efficiency was analyzed on enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation levels by the thermotolerant yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus.