Diagnostic and functional structure of a high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic.

Appearance of a thyroid nodule has become a daily occurrence in clinical practice. Adequate thyroid nodule assessment requires several diagnostic tests and multiple medical appointments, which results in a substantial delay in diagnosis. Implementation of a high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic largely avoids these drawbacks by condensing in a single appointment all tests required for adequate evaluation of thyroid nodule.

Inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolic syndrome: dietary modulation.

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. These risk factors include raised blood pressure, dyslipidemia (raised triglycerides and lowered high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), raised fasting glucose, and central obesity. MetS has become a serious public health and clinical problem whose prevalence and incidence are increasing along with the worldwide rise in rates of obesity and sedentary lifestyles.

Regioselective synthesis of oxepinones and azepinones by gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization of functionalyzed cyclopropyl alkynes.

A regioselective synthesis of oxepinones and azepinones in good to excellent yields from alkynylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid derivatives is described. This novel cycloisomerization cascade process consists of a nucleophilic addition followed by a cyclopropane ring-opening, where both donor and acceptor groups are required as substituents of the cyclopropane ring.

Measuring the effect of ion-induced drift-gas polarization on the electrical mobilities of multiply-charged ionic liquid nanodrops in air.

The electrical mobilities of multiply-charged nanodrops of the ionic liquid 1-ethyl, 3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide (EMI-N[CN]2) were accurately measured in air at 20 °C for mass-selected clusters of composition [EMI-N[CN]2] n [EMI(+)] z , with 2 ≤ n ≤ 369 and 1 ≤ z ≤ 10. We confirm prior reports that the mobility Z of a globular ion of mass m is given approximately by the modified Stokes-Millikan law for spheres, Z  =  Z SM,mod (d m   +  d g , z, m), where d m   =  (6m/πρ)(1/3) is the nanodrop mass-diameter based on the density ρ of the liquid (corrected for the capillary compression and electrostatic deformation of the nanodrop), and d g is an effective air molecule diameter. There is however a measurable (up to 7%) and systematic z-dependent departure of Z from Z SM,mod .

Modulation of the Endocannabinoids N-Arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) on Executive Functions in Humans.

Animal studies point to an implication of the endocannabinoid system on executive functions. In humans, several studies have suggested an association between acute or chronic use of exogenous cannabinoids (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and executive impairments. However, to date, no published reports establish the relationship between endocannabinoids, as biomarkers of the cannabinoid neurotransmission system, and executive functioning in humans.

Munc18c in adipose tissue is downregulated in obesity and is associated with insulin.

Objective: Munc18c is associated with glucose metabolism and could play a relevant role in obesity. However, little is known about the regulation of Munc18c expression. We analyzed Munc18c gene expression in human visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissue and its relationship with obesity and insulin.

GLP-1 and peptide YY secretory response after fat load is impaired by insulin resistance, impaired fasting glucose and type 2 diabetes in morbidly obese subjects.

Objective: Both glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY) are gut hormones involved in energy homoeostasis. Obesity, insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia are significant confounders when GLP-1 and PYY secretion is assessed. Thus, we evaluated GLP-1 and PYY response after fat load in morbidly obese patients with different degrees of insulin resistance and glycemic status.

11Li Breakup on 208 at energies around the Coulomb barrier.

The inclusive breakup for the (11)Li + (208)Pb reaction at energies around the Coulomb barrier has been measured for the first time. A sizable yield of (9)Li following the (11)Li dissociation has been observed, even at energies well below the Coulomb barrier. Using the first-order semiclassical perturbation theory of Coulomb excitation it is shown that the breakup probability data measured at small angles can be used to extract effective breakup energy as well as the slope of B(E1) distribution close to the threshold.

Do halo nuclei follow Rutherford elastic scattering at energies below the barrier? The case of 11Li.

The first measurement of the elastic scattering of the halo nucleus 11Li and its core 9Li on 208Pb at energies near the Coulomb barrier is presented. The 11Li+208Pb elastic scattering shows a strong reduction with respect to the Rutherford cross section, even at energies well below the barrier and down to very small scattering angles. This drastic change of the elastic differential cross section observed in 11Li+208Pb is the consequence of the halo structure of 11Li, as it is not observed in the elastic scattering of its core 9Li at the same energies.

Mass and charge distribution analysis in negative electrosprays of large polyethylene glycol chains by ion mobility mass spectrometry.

The mass spectrometric (MS) complexity associated with the quasi-continuous distribution of mass and charge (m, z) of electrosprayed industrial polymers may be moderated by use of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and MS in series. However, when the high charge levels typical of polar polymers stretch the gas phase ions into linear configurations, the mobility Z tends to be closely correlated with m/z, and IMS-MS does not yield spectra more readily interpretable than pure MS spectra. Here we note that the usual high charge states observed in the ESI of polyethylene glycol (PEG) arise because the stretched gas phase chain is able to strongly bind solution cations.

[Levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson's disease: myths and realties].

In recent years we have witnessed a growing tendency to opt for the use of dopamine agonists (DA) as treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD), with the aim of delaying as far as possible the development of fluctuations and dyskinesias. Yet, levodopa continues to be the most effective antiparkinson drug and is probably the one that improves the greatest number of symptoms of the disease. This article reports on the results of a comprehensive review of the literature dealing with the benefits and risks of levodopa treatment in patients with PD which was conducted by a group of expert neurologists and members of the Spanish Neurology Society's Movement Disorder Group.

Opportunistic detection of atrial fibrillation in subjects aged 65 years or older in primare care: a randomised clinical trial of efficacy. DOFA-AP study protocol.

Background: Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend using peripheral blood pulse measuring as a screening test for Atrial Fibrillation. However, there is no adequate evidence supporting the efficacy of such procedure in primary care clinical practice. This paper describes a study protocol designed to verify whether early opportunistic screening for Atrial Fibrillation by measuring blood pulse is more effective than regular practice in subjects aged 65 years attending primary care centers.

[Botulinum toxin A in chronic refractory migraine: premarketing experience].

Introduction: Chronic migraine is very disabling, with medication overuse commonly associated. The recent approval of botulinum toxin-A -OnabotulinumtoxinA (OnabotA)- means a hallmark.

Aim: To describe our experience in compassionate use before approval.

Executive functions profile in extreme eating/weight conditions: from anorexia nervosa to obesity.

Background: Extreme weight conditions (EWC) groups along a continuum may share some biological risk factors and intermediate neurocognitive phenotypes. A core cognitive trait in EWC appears to be executive dysfunction, with a focus on decision making, response inhibition and cognitive flexibility. Differences between individuals in these areas are likely to contribute to the differences in vulnerability to EWC.

Hemoglobin A1c versus oral glucose tolerance test in postpartum diabetes screening.

Objective: To determine the usefulness of measuring hemoglobin A(1c) (A1C), alone or combined with the fasting glucose test, compared with the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for the reassessment of the carbohydrate metabolism status in postpartum women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Research Design And Methods: We evaluated the status of carbohydrate metabolism by performing the OGTT and fasting glucose and A1C tests in 231 postpartum women with prior GDM 1 year after delivery.

Results: The prevalence of abnormal carbohydrate metabolism was 45.

Relationship between muscular strength and sprints with changes of direction.

Sprints with changes of direction (COD) have been traditionally associated with performance in team sports. Jumping tests have been used as predictors of COD; however, there are not too many studies analyzing how dominance affects the best performance of the turn. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between tests pertaining to jumps (1 and 2 legs) and COD (right and left turns).

[Clinical experience in a high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic].

Background And Objectives: The finding of a thyroid nodule is a very common occurrence in clinical practice. Management of thyroid nodules requires a multidisciplinary approach that may be eased by a high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic. We report our clinical experience and outcomes in a high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic.

Catalytic intermolecular hetero-dehydro-Diels-Alder cycloadditions: regio- and diasteroselective synthesis of 5,6-dihydropyridin-2-ones.

A novel catalyzed intermolecular heterodehydro-Diels-Alder reaction between push-pull 1,3-dien-5-ynes and aldimines or silylaldimines is reported. The sequence is promoted both by gold(I) or silver(I) catalysts and leads to the diastereo- and regioselective formation of 5,6-dihydropyridin-2-ones.

[D-Lactic acidosis secondary to short bowel syndrome].

The short bowel syndrome appears for the reduction of intestinal absorptive surface due to functional or anatomical loss of part of the small bowel. We present the case of a 35-year-old woman with severe short bowel syndrome secondary to acute intestinal ischemia in adults, who presented at 5 years of evolution episodes of dizziness with gait instability and loss of strength in hands. The diagnosis was D-lactic acidosis.

[Spanish growth studies: the current situation, their effectiveness and recommendations for their use].

The child growth assessment is useful not only for the follow up of children's health but also for social purposes, as an indicator of the equity advances in the world. In Spain there has been a long tradition in carrying out growth studies. During the last decade five Spanish research groups have conducted studies among the population of Andalucía, Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Zaragoza.

Effect of recombinant growth hormone on leptin, adiponectin, resistin, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and ghrelin levels in growth hormone-deficient children.

Background: Treatment with GH promotes linear growth and decreases body fat in patients with isolated GH deficiency (GHD). However, few studies have analyzed how GH replacement modifies ghrelin levels and the adipokine profile and the relationship of these modifications with the metabolic changes.

Aims: To analyze the eventual differences between serum levels of leptin, leptin soluble receptor (sOBR), resistin, adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), total (TG) and acylated ghrelin (AG) and lipid and glycemic profiles in children with GHD, as well as to determine the effect of GH replacement on these parameters during the first year of therapy.

Low heterozygosity at microsatellite markers in Iberian red deer with small antlers.

Deer antlers are costly structures subjected to directional sexual selection that may be sensitive to heterozygosity. However, a relationship between heterozygosity and antler development has only been found for select protein-coding loci and MHC genes in one deer species (the white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus). Here, we study the relationship between multilocus heterozygosity at 11 microsatellite markers and antler size (AS) in a sample of 367 Iberian red deer males (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) from two study areas with different ecological and genetic conditions.

[Validity of body mass index and fat mass index as indicators of overweight status in Spanish adolescents: Esccola Study].

Background And Objectives: To determine the accuracy of body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) to find cut-off points related to overweight in adolescents aged 12-18 years.

Subjects And Method: 150 adolescents were assessed (75 boys aged 14.81+/-1.