Association between Heart Failure and Clinical Prognosis in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Jose Luis Lozano Villanueva,Javier Francisco Torres Zafra,Fabián Cortés Muñoz,Fernán del Cristo Mendoza Beltrán,Jenny Carolina Sánchez Casas,Luis Alfonso Barragán Pedraza 대한신경과학회 2021 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.17 No.2

Background and Purpose Ischemic stroke is a common cause of death worldwide. In clinical practice it is observed that many individuals who have experienced an ischemic stroke also suffer from simultaneous comorbidities such as heart failure, which could be directly associated with a worse clinical prognosis. Therefore, this study analyzed outcomes in terms of the severity of the event, inhospital mortality, duration of hospital stay, and inhospital recurrence of the episode, in order to determine the implications resulting from the presentation of both pathologies. Methods This was a retrospective-cohort, hospital-based study. Results The study included 110 subjects with heart failure (exposed) and 109 subjects without heart failure (nonexposed). The incidence of inhospital mortality was 27.27% in exposed patients and 9.17% in nonexposed patients (p<0.001), and the presence of heart failure increased the risk of death by 92% (p=0.027). According to scores on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, the median severity was worse in exposed than nonexposed patients (16.1 vs. 9.2, p=0.001). The median hospital stay was 9 days in subjects with heart failure and 7 days in nonexposed patients (p=0.011). The rate of inhospital stroke did not differ significantly between exposed and nonexposed patients (1.82% vs. 0.92%, p=0.566). Conclusions Individuals with heart failure who suffer from an acute ischemic stroke show worse clinical outcomes in terms of mortality, event severity, and duration of hospital stay.

Rheological behavior of blood in Wistar rats with different total cholesterol levels

Medina-Torres Luis,Calderas Fausto,Calderas Fausto,Núñez–Ramírez Diola-Marina,Castro Andrés Navarrete,Bernad-Bernad Ma. Josefa,Manero Octavio 한국유변학회 2022 Korea-Australia rheology journal Vol.34 No.4

Blood is a rheologically complex suspension, in which the soluble fraction contains proteins, total cholesterol and triglycerides. The blood rheological behavior is strongly affected by the concentration of these components. This work evaluates the total cholesterol effect on the rheological behavior of Wistar rat blood by means of an in vitro study. Twenty-one rats were divided into 3 groups, each one had an assigned diet with different fat content: reference group (RG) with 3%, medium fat content group (MG) with 4.5% and high-fat content group (HG) with 6.5%; in the latter group, mixed-vegetable fat was added. From each group, intraocular representative blood samples were taken with time lapse of 15 days between each sampling followed by biochemical and hemo-rheological tests. The first analysis detected changes in total cholesterol levels, attributed to the rat metabolism, formation of adipose tissue and competition for food. The second test consisted in steady simple-shear and linear oscillatory flow. The linear viscoelastic spectra reveal that the viscous modulus is larger than the elastic modulus (G > G′), with simple-shear viscosity exhibiting shear-thinning behavior. An important finding is a pseudo-solid- like behavior at low frequencies (1 rad/s) akin to the presence of yield stresses in the high-fat content group after 30 days, revealing strong interactions between total cholesterol levels and blood cells. The hemo-rheological tests represent a promising alternative to identify pathologies present in the blood (total cholesterol, digestive problems, and diabetes).

Effect of sterilization on 3-point dynamic response to in vitro bending of an Mg implant

Luis Humberto Campos Becerra,Marco Antonio Loudovic Hernández Rodríguez,Raúl Lesso Arroyo,Hugo Esquivel Solís,Alejandro Torres Castro 한국생체재료학회 2021 생체재료학회지 Vol.25 No.2

Background: The aim of the study is to characterize a biomedical magnesium alloy and highlighting the loss of mechanical integrity due to the sterilization method. Ideally, when using these alloys is to delay the onset of degradation so that the implant can support body loads and avoid toxicological effects due to the release of metal ions into the body. Methods: Standardized procedures according to ASTM F-1264 and ISO-10993-5 were used, respecting detailed methodological controls to ensure accuracy and reproducibility of the results, this testing methodology is carried out in accordance with the monographs of the Pharmacopoeia for the approval of medical devices and obtaining a health registration. An intramedullary implant (IIM) manufactured in magnesium (Mg) WE43 can support loads of the body in the initial period of bone consolidation without compromising the integrity of the fractured area. A system with these characteristics would improve morbidity and health costs by avoiding secondary surgical interventions. Results: As a property, the fatigue resistance of Mg in aggressive environments such as the body environment undergoes progressive degradation, however, the autoclave sterilization method drastically affects fatigue resistance, as demonstrated in tests carried out under in vitro conditions. Coupled with this phenomenon, the relatively poor biocompatibility of Mg WE43 alloys has limited applications where they can be used due to low acceptance rates from agencies such as the FDA. However, Mg alloy with elements such as yttrium and rare earth elements (REEs) have been shown to delay biodegradation depending on the method of sterilization and the physiological solution used. With different sterilization techniques, it may be possible to keep toxicological effects to a minimum while still ensuring a balance between the integrity of fractured bone and implant degradation time. Therefore, the evaluation of fatigue resistance of WE43 specimens sterilized and tested in immersion conditions (enriched Hank’s solution) and according to ASTM F-1264, along with the morphological, crystallinity, and biocompatibility characterization of the WE43 alloy allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the mechanical and biological properties of WE43. Conclusions: These results will support decision-making to generate a change in the current perspective of biomaterials utilized in medical devices (MDs), to be considered by manufacturers and health regulatory agencies. An implant manufactured in WE43 alloy can be used as an intramedullary implant, considering keeping elements such as yttrium-REEs below as specified in its designation and with the help of a coating that allows increasing the life of the implant in vivo.

Development of Collagen/Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Chondroitin Sulfate and Collagen/Poly(vinyl alcohol)/HA Electrospun Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

Luis Humberto Delgado-Rangel,Julia Hernández-Vargas,Marymar Becerra-González,Ataúlfo Martínez-Torres,Evgen Prokhorov,J. Betzabe González Campos 한국섬유공학회 2019 Fibers and polymers Vol.20 No.12

The combination of collagen (CG), chondroitin sulfate (CS), and hyaluronic acid (HA) with poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA) was explored to produce 3D tri-component scaffolds with enhanced mechanical properties and potential use in tissueengineering. The CG/PVA/CS and CG/PVA/HA electrospun scaffolds were crosslinked with citric acid, a cytocompatiblecrosslinker, which induced improved mechanical properties in both dry and wet state, especially with large elongation atbreak in the wet state. Ultimate tensile stress under the dry and wet state are significantly higher than those previouslyreported about collagen based nanofibers. IR, DSC and dielectric analysis demonstrated homogenous blending without phaseseparation and strong interactions between components. All scaffolds had swelling pH-sensitive behavior, making thempromising materials for drug delivery systems. The nanofiber mats permitted adhesion and proliferation of human embryonickidney cells; this cell line formed clusters that adapted well to the mats’ surface, through which the cells extended theirprocesses.

Neostigmine for Treating Acute Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction in Neurocritically Ill Patients

김태정,Torres Luis,Paz Atzhiry,이지성,박수현,Choi Huimahn Alex,고상배 대한신경과학회 2021 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.17 No.4

Background and Purpose Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) is a common but understudied complication in neurocritically ill patients. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitor neostigmine can be used to treat ACPO in patients who do not respond to conventional treatment. This study investigated the effectiveness and adverse events when using neostigmine to manage ACPO in neurocritically ill patients. Methods This retrospective study investigated patients with ACPO who were treated using neostigmine in the neurological intensive-care units at two centers between March 2017 and August 2020. Neostigmine was administered intravenously or subcutaneously (at doses ranging from 0.25 mg to 2 mg) according to the protocols at the two centers. The outcomes were bowel movements and the changes in colon diameters on abdominal radiographs. Safety events such as bradycardia, vomiting, salivation, and sweating were evaluated. Results This study included 31 subjects with a mean age of 46.8 years (65.4% males). All patients had a bowel movement at a median of 120 minutes after administering neostigmine. The colon diameter decreased by a median of 17.5 mm (paired t-test: p<0.001) regardless of the dose and treatment protocols. Multilevel analysis confirmed that the mean colon diameter decreased from 66 mm pretreatment to 47.5 mm posttreatment (p<0.001), with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 13%. Three patients (9.7%) exhibited hypersalivation, sweating, bradycardia, and vomiting. Bradycardia (heart rate, 42 beats/minute) occurred in one patient (3.2%), and was successfully managed by injecting atropine. Conclusions Neostigmine injection is a safe and effective treatment option for ACPO in neurocritically ill patients who fail to respond to conservative management.

Long-Term Evolution of the Electrical Stimulation Levels for Cochlear Implant Patients

Jose Luis Vargas,Manuel Sainz,Cristina Roldan,Isaac Alvarez,Angel de la Torre 대한이비인후과학회 2012 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.5 No.4

imObjectives. The stimulation levels programmed in cochlear implant systems are affected by an evolution since the first switch-on of the processor. This study was designed to evaluate the changes in stimulation levels over time and the relationship between post-implantation physiological changes and with the hearing experience provided by the continuous use of the cochlear implant. Methods. Sixty-two patients, ranging in age from 4 to 68 years at the moment of implantation participated in this study. All subjects were implanted with the 12 channels COMBI 40+ cochlear implant at San Cecilio University Hospital, Granada,Spain. Hearing loss etiology and progression characteristics varied across subjects. Results. The analyzed programming maps show that the stimulation levels suffer a fast evolution during the first weeks after the first switch-on of the processor. Then, the evolution becomes slower and the programming parameters tend to be stable at about 6 months after the first switch-on. The evolution of the stimulation levels implies an increment of the electrical dynamic range, which is increased from 15.4 to 20.7 dB and improves the intensity resolution. A significant increment of the sensitivity to acoustic stimuli is also observed. For some patients, we have also observed transitory changes in the electrode impedances associated to secretory otitis media, which cause important changes in the programming maps. Conclusion. We have studied the long-term evolution of the stimulation levels in cochlear implant patients. Our results show the importance of systematic measurements of the electrode impedances before the revision of the programming map. This report also highlights that the evolution of the programming maps is an important factor to be considered in order to determine an adequate calendar fitting of the cochlear implant processor.

Montmorillonite clay intercalated with nanoparticles for hydrogen storage

Fabiola Campos,Luis de la Torre,Manuel Román,A. García,A. Aguilar Elguézabal 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2008 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.9 No.5

According to the expectations around the world concerning future of energy sources, hydrogen will be in a few years the most important energy carrier for stationary and mobile applications. Hydrogen storage is the bottleneck on the race to commercialize technologies based on the use of hydrogen, and specifically for mobile applications, the research goal for 2010 is to develop a device with at least 6% w/w of storage capacity. Highly porous carbon-based materials are among the most promising materials, with Carbon Molecular Sieves CMS) and Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) the most studied. In both cases materials are structured in such a way that hydrogen must diffuse along channels (micropores) where walls represent a restriction for the adsorption/desorption cycle. In this study, an alternative material is prepared by separation of clay layers with silica nanoparticles of diameter around 12 nm. The hydrogen storage capacity increased from 0.12 for untreated clay to 0.40% w/w for nanoassembled clay, measured at 77 K and atmospheric pressure, and according to intercalated clay characterization, almost all the surface available on the clay was exposed for adsorption. According to the expectations around the world concerning future of energy sources, hydrogen will be in a few years the most important energy carrier for stationary and mobile applications. Hydrogen storage is the bottleneck on the race to commercialize technologies based on the use of hydrogen, and specifically for mobile applications, the research goal for 2010 is to develop a device with at least 6% w/w of storage capacity. Highly porous carbon-based materials are among the most promising materials, with Carbon Molecular Sieves CMS) and Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) the most studied. In both cases materials are structured in such a way that hydrogen must diffuse along channels (micropores) where walls represent a restriction for the adsorption/desorption cycle. In this study, an alternative material is prepared by separation of clay layers with silica nanoparticles of diameter around 12 nm. The hydrogen storage capacity increased from 0.12 for untreated clay to 0.40% w/w for nanoassembled clay, measured at 77 K and atmospheric pressure, and according to intercalated clay characterization, almost all the surface available on the clay was exposed for adsorption.

Advancing the understanding of autism disease mechanisms through genetics

de la Torre-Ubieta, Luis,Won, Hyejung,Stein, Jason L,Geschwind, Daniel H Nature Publishing Group, a division of Macmillan P 2016 Nature medicine Vol.22 No.4

Progress in understanding the genetic etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has fueled remarkable advances in our understanding of its potential neurobiological mechanisms. Yet, at the same time, these findings highlight extraordinary causal diversity and complexity at many levels ranging from molecules to circuits and emphasize the gaps in our current knowledge. Here we review current understanding of the genetic architecture of ASD and integrate genetic evidence, neuropathology and studies in model systems with how they inform mechanistic models of ASD pathophysiology. Despite the challenges, these advances provide a solid foundation for the development of rational, targeted molecular therapies.

Relationship Between Occupational Safety and Health Policy Principles, Organizational Action on Work-related Stress and the Psychosocial Work Environment in Italy

Leka Stavroula,Torres Luis,Jain Aditya,Di Tecco Cristina,Russo Simone,Iavicoli Sergio 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2023 Safety and health at work Vol.14 No.4

Background: It is acknowledged that legislation acts as a motivator for organizational action on psychosocial risks. Our study aims to provide evidence on the relationship between key occupational safety and health (OSH) policy principles and organizational action on work-related stress, and, in turn, with reported employee job demands and resources and their experience of work-related stress. We focus on Italy where specific legislation and practices on work-related stress were introduced in 2008 which are underpinned by these key OSH policy principles. Methods: Secondary analysis of the Italian samples from the employer ESENER-2 and employee 6th EWCS surveys was conducted, using path analysis in structural equation modeling (SEM) linking the two datasets. Results: We found a strong statistically significant relationship between OSH policy principles and organizational action on work-related stress (C.I. = .62-.78 p < .001). The existence of an organizational action plan on work-related stress was found to be significantly associated with more reported job resources (C.I. = .02-.24, p < .05) but these were not found to be significantly associated with less work-related stress. No significant association was found between having an organizational action plan for work-related stress and reported job demands. However, job demands were significantly related to reported work-related stress (C.I. = .27-.47, p < .001). Conclusions: Findings add support to the call for specific legislation on work-related psychosocial risks and highlight how an organizational OSH culture underpinned by key OSH principles, and awareness/competence development on psychosocial risk management can have a positive effect on organizational action. However, further support needs to be provided to organizations around developing primary prevention interventions at the organizational level with the aim of reducing job demands.

Diversity of Endophytic Enterobacteria Associated with Different Host Plants

Adalgisa Ribeiro Torres,Welington Luiz Araujo,Luciana Cursino,Mariangela Hungria,Fabio Plotegher,Fabio Luis Mostasso,Joao Lucio Azevedo 한국미생물학회 2008 The journal of microbiology Vol.46 No.4

Fifty-three endophytic enterobacteria isolates from citrus, cocoa, eucalyptus, soybean, and sugar cane were evaluated for susceptibility to the antibiotics ampicillin and kanamycin, and cellulase production. Susceptibility was found on both tested antibiotics. However, in the case of ampicillin susceptibility changed according to the host plant, while all isolates were susceptible to kanamycin. Cellulase production also changed according to host plants. The diversity of these isolates was estimated by employing BOX-PCR genomic fingerprints and 16S rDNA sequencing. In total, twenty-three distinct operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified by employing a criterion of 60% fingerprint similarity as a surrogate for an OTU. The 23 OTUs belong to the Pantoea and Enterobacter genera, while their high diversity could be an indication of paraphyletic classification. Isolates representing nine different OTUs belong to Pantoea agglomerans, P. ananatis, P. stewartii, Enterobacter sp., and E. homaechei. The results of this study suggest that plant species may select endophytic bacterial genotypes. It has also become apparent that a review of the Pantoea/ Enterobacter genera may be necessary.