Spatial scanning spectroelectrochemistry. Study of the electrodeposition of Pd nanoparticles at the liquid/liquid interface.

Spatial scanning spectroelectrochemistry is a new analytical technique that provides spectral information at different distances from an electrified liquid/liquid interface where an electrochemical process takes place. As a proof of concept, we have studied two different electrochemical processes at the electrified liquid/liquid interface: (1) Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) transfer through the water/1,2-dichloroethane interface and (2) electrodeposition of Pd nanoparticles at the water/1,2-dichloroethane interface. The instrumental setup developed consists of a movable slit for the light beam to sample at well-defined positions on both sides of the interface, providing important information about the chemical process occurring.

Density-functional theory with screened van der Waals interactions for the modeling of hybrid inorganic-organic systems.

The electronic properties and the function of hybrid inorganic-organic systems (HIOS) are intimately linked to their interface geometry. Here we show that the inclusion of the many-body collective response of the substrate electrons inside the inorganic bulk enables us to reliably predict the HIOS geometries and energies. This is achieved by the combination of dispersion-corrected density-functional theory (the DFT+ van der Waals approach) [Phys.

A delta-sarcoglycan gene polymorphism as a risk factor for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: The C allele of c.-94C>G polymorphism of the delta-sarcoglycan gene was associated as a risk factor for coronary spasm in Japanese patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Aim: We evaluated whether the c.

The role of spatial processes and environmental determinants in microgeographic shell variation of the freshwater snail Chilina dombeyana (Bruguière, 1789).

Wildlife data often show spatial organization, demonstrating positive correlations either as a result of processes occurring over the landscape or due to the influence of spatially structured environmental variables. It is, thus, essential to consider non-random spatial structure when evaluating the underlying causes of biological variation. In this study, we analyzed the population structure of Chilina dombeyana shell morphology of 14 populations that are close geographically and belong to the same hydrographic basin.

Survivin isoform Delta Ex3 regulates tumor spheroid formation.

Survivin is an important member of the Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins (IAPs) family and has essential roles in apoptosis and cell cycle progression. This gene is commonly upregulated in human cancer and provides an exciting diagnostic and therapeutic target. Survivin is expressed as several isoforms that are generated by alternative splicing, and some of these present antagonistic activities.

[Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory: Argentine version].

Introduction And Objectives: The Dizziness Handicap Inventory is a useful tool for quantifying self-perceived handicap in patients with vertigo, dizziness or unsteadiness and its impact on daily living activities. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory identifies functional, physical and emotional disorders related to balance disturbance. Our objective was to cross-culturally adapt the Peninsular Spanish version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory for use in Argentina and validate the adapted Argentinian version.

Promotion of cytoplasmic mislocalization of p27 by Helicobacter pylori in gastric cancer.

The cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p27 has an important role in cell cycle regulation. Reduced expression of p27 is commonly associated with poor prognosis in many malignancies, including gastric cancer. Cytoplasmic p27 mislocalization may be an additional indicator of high-grade tumors and poor prognosis in cancer.

Adherence to and appropriateness of anti-osteoporotic treatments in patients aged 50 and over in the Valencia Region (Spain). The ESOSVAL-AD study.

Background: A study to evaluate the adherence to and appropriateness of anti-osteoporotic treatments in a cohort of men and women aged 50 and over participating in the ESOSVAL-R study.

Design: An observational, longitudinal, prospective cohort study;

Study Subjects: Men and women aged 50 and over living in the Valencia Region (Spain) who initiated treatment between June 15, 2009, and June 15, 2011, in primary healthcare centers with electronic medical records;

Data Sources: The main data source will be electronic medical records. Measurement of results: Degree of compliance with and persistence of anti-osteoporotic treatments, and the proportion of patients with appropriate anti-osteoporotic treatment in accordance with the most relevant and high impact recommendations with clearly defined treatment algorithms in Spain (the Spanish National Health System guide (2010), the General Practitioners' Society (2007) and the General Directorate for Pharmacy and Medical Products of Madrid (2007)), and with the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF, 2010), and the International Osteoporosis Foundation guidelines (IOF, 2008);

Analysis: 1.

Epidemiology and risk factors of cerebral ischemia and ischemic heart diseases: similarities and differences.

Cerebral ischemia and ischemic heart diseases, common entities nowadays, are the main manifestation of circulatory diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, followed by stroke, represent the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Both entities share risk factors, pathophisiology and etiologic aspects by means of a main common mechanism, atherosclerosis.

Renin is an angiotensin-independent profibrotic mediator: role in pulmonary fibrosis.

The pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is probably the result of interplay between cytokines/chemokines and growth factors. The renin-angiotensin (Ang) system is involved, although its profibrotic effect is attributed to Ang II. However, recent studies suggest that renin, through a specific receptor, is implicated in fibrogenesis.

[Mental disorders and working capacity evaluation in psychiatric boards].

Introduction: The evaluation by a "Psychiatric Board" of workers in certified sickness absence is a complex practice, and its results have significant effects from a work and health standpoint.

Objectives: To evaluate the inter-rater reliability in the psychiatric board and the association between self-reported measurement and the board judgment.

Materials And Method: information was obtained from 68 school teachers on sick leaves through self-reported scales (Zung and Conde Self-rating Scale for Depression; Maslach Burnout Inventory; Effort-reward Imbalance Questionnaire; and Self Reported Present Health State Scale).

Specific unsaturated fatty acids enforce the transdifferentiation of human cancer cells toward adipocyte-like cells.

Differentiation therapy pursues the discovery of novel molecules to transform cancer progression into less aggressive phenotypes by mechanisms involving enforced cell transdifferentiation. In this study, we examined the identification of transdifferentiating adipogenic programs in human cancer cell lines (HCCLs). Our findings showed that specific unsatturated fatty acids, such as palmitoleic, oleic and linoleic acids, trigger remarkable phenotypic modifications in a large number of human cancer cell lines (HCCLs), including hepatocarcinoma HUH-7, ovarian carcinoma SK-OV-3, breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 and melanoma MALME-3M.

Multifunctional free-standing single-walled carbon nanotube films.

We report a simple and rapid method to prepare multifunctional free-standing single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films with variable thicknesses ranging from a submonolayer to a few micrometers having outstanding properties for a broad range of exceptionally performing devices. We have fabricated state-of-the-art key components from the same single component multifunctional SWCNT material for several high-impact application areas: high efficiency nanoparticle filters with a figure of merit of 147 Pa(-1), transparent and conductive electrodes with a sheet resistance of 84 Ω/◻ and a transmittance of 90%, electrochemical sensors with extremely low detection limits below 100 nM, and polymer-free saturable absorbers for ultrafast femtosecond lasers. Furthermore, the films are demonstrated as the main components in gas flowmeters, gas heaters, and transparent thermoacoustic loudspeakers.

[The teaching of microbiology and parasitology in undergraduate medical education and its adaptation to the European Higher Education Area].

The creation of the European Higher Education Area provides a series of opportunities for far-reaching reform of medical education and changes in the way both students and teachers work. The Bologna process must be implemented before 2010 in signatory countries, which include Spain, and must allow education and academic titles to be homologated. Medical degrees must consist of 360 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits, divided into six academic years (60 credits per academic year).

Interleukin 6, but not T helper 2 cytokines, promotes lung carcinogenesis.

Several epidemiologic studies have found that smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an inflammatory disease of the lung, have an increased risk of lung cancer compared with smokers without COPD. We have shown a causal role for COPD-like airway inflammation in lung cancer promotion in the CCSP(Cre)/LSL-K-ras(G12D) mouse model (CC-LR). In contrast, existing epidemiologic data do not suggest any definite association between allergic airway inflammation and lung cancer.

Functional genomics of 5- to 8-cell stage human embryos by blastomere single-cell cDNA analysis.

Blastomere fate and embryonic genome activation (EGA) during human embryonic development are unsolved areas of high scientific and clinical interest. Forty-nine blastomeres from 5- to 8-cell human embryos have been investigated following an efficient single-cell cDNA amplification protocol to provide a template for high-density microarray analysis. The previously described markers, characteristic of Inner Cell Mass (ICM) (n = 120), stemness (n = 190) and Trophectoderm (TE) (n = 45), were analyzed, and a housekeeping pattern of 46 genes was established.

Adherence of Streptococcus pneumoniae to polystyrene plates and epithelial cells and the antiadhesive potential of albumin and xylitol.

Aimed to prevent Streptococcus pneumoniae biofilm infections, we studied the adherence of nine pneumococcal strains to polystyrene plates and on epithelial cells and the antiadhesive effect of albumin and xylitol. The adherence was variable among strains, but there was a good correlation between their adherent ability and binding to abiotic material and cells. Strains of serotypes 6B and 23F were the most adherent organisms, whereas serotype 3 strains were the least adherent.

Identifying tremor-related characteristics of basal ganglia nuclei during movement in the Parkinsonian patient.

Local field potential (LFP) and Electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from 12 Parkinsonian patients with tremor-dominant symptoms as they performed passive and voluntary movements. The LFP signals were categorised into episodes of tremorous and atremorous activity (identified through EMG power spectra), then divided into delta (2-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-13 Hz), and beta (13-30 Hz) frequency bands. Modulation of LFP oscillatory activity in these frequency bands were compared between the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the globus pallidus internus (GPi) to determine if differential tremor-related characteristics were identifiable for either target.

Helicobacter pylori in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer and gastric lymphoma.

Chronic gastric infection by the gram-negative bacterium Helicobacter pylori is strongly associated with the development of distal gastric carcinoma and gastric mucosal lymphoma in humans. Eradication of H. pylori with combination antibiotic therapy cures most cases of gastric lymphoma and slows progression to gastric adenocarcinoma.

Biofilm formation by Streptococcus pneumoniae strains and effects of human serum albumin, ibuprofen, N-acetyl-l-cysteine, amoxicillin, erythromycin, and levofloxacin.

Streptococcus pneumoniae ability to produce biofilms may induce persistent infections and difficulties for eradication in vivo. We investigated the ability of 11 pneumococcal strains (serotypes 3, 6B, 9V, 19F, and 23F) to form biofilms on polystyrene plates at 16 and 24 h. The extent of biofilm was greater at 24 h in 10 strains, being the highest magnitude for serotype 3 strains.

Expression of matrix metalloproteases by fibrocytes: possible role in migration and homing.

Rationale: Fibrocytes are progenitor cells characterized by the simultaneous expression of mesenchymal, monocyte, and hematopoietic stem cell markers. We previously documented their presence in lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. However, the mechanisms involved in their migration, subsequent homing, and local role remain unclear.

Effects of human serum albumin, ibuprofen and N-acetyl-L-cysteine against biofilm formation by pathogenic Escherichia coli strains.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of human serum albumin (HSA), ibuprofen sodium (IBU) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) against biofilm formation by seven biofilm-producing strains of Escherichia coli. Biofilm formation was studied using polystyrene microtitre plates in static conditions. The impact of the three compounds on bacterial growth and biofilm formation was tested by applying each compound in solution and as pre-treatment (coating) of polystyrene wells.