Percutaneous Microwave Ablation of Desmoid Fibromatosis

Martínez-Martínez Alberto,García-Espinosa Jade,Láinez Ramos-Bossini Antonio Jesús,Ruiz Santiago Fernando 대한영상의학회 2021 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.22 No.6

Objective: To demonstrate the feasibility of percutaneous microwave ablation in desmoid fibromatosis with respect to tumor volume control and improvement in the quality of life. Materials and Methods: Twelve microwave ablations were performed in 9 patients with a histological diagnosis of desmoid fibromatosis between January 2010 and January 2019. The study population included 6 female and 3 male, with an age range of 21–76 years (mean = 46.6 years; standard deviation [SD] = 19.3 years). The mean major axis of the tumors was 10.9 cm (SD = 5.2 cm) and mean lesion volume was 212.7 cm3 (SD = 213 cm3). Their anatomical distribution was as follows: 3 lesions in the thigh, 2 in the gluteus, 2 in the leg and 2 in the periscapular region. We evaluated the reduction in tumor volume and improvement in the quality of life based on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale. Results: An average tumor volume reduction of 70.4% (SD = 24.9) was achieved, while the quality of life (ECOG scale) improved in 88.9% of patients. Conclusion: Percutaneous microwave ablation may potentially be a safe, effective, and promising technique for controlling tumor volume and improving the quality of life in patients with desmoid fibromatosis.

Use of supercritical methanol/carbon dioxide mixtures for biodiesel production

María Belén García-Jarana,Jezabel Sánchez-Oneto,Juan Ramón Portela,Lourdes Casas,Casimiro Mantell,Enrique Martínez de la Ossa 한국화학공학회 2016 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.33 No.8

The use of supercritical conditions for the production of biodiesel from both vegetables oils and waste-oils may be of great industrial interest because it can be carried out without those catalysts necessary in the conventional transesterification process, therefore avoiding a complex separation between the product and the catalyst. However, the use of supercritical alcohol requires higher operating temperatures and pressures. In this work, CO2 was added to the reaction mixture in order to reduce the operating conditions (temperature, pressure and molar ratio of alcohol to vegetable oil). The novelty of using CO2 may have two advantages: a possible combination of supercritical CO2 extraction of the oil and its subsequent transesterification reaction without CO2 depressurization, and a reduction of the supercritical temperature and pressure of the mixture. The effects of temperature (280-350 oC), pressure (140-280 bar), methanol- to-oil molar ratio (20-30), CO2-to-methanol molar ratio (0.05-0.2) and residence time (0-45minutes) on the yield of methyl esters (biodiesel) were studied in a batch reactor, obtaining in all cases a relatively low increase in the yield when CO2 was present in the medium. The yields of biodiesel were tested with three vegetable oils used as model compounds (palm, sunflower and borage), obtaining similar results.

Biodiversity analysis of natural arthropods enemies in vineyard agroecosystems in La Rioja, Spain

L. Jiménez-García,Y.G. García-Martínez,V. Marco-Mancebón,I. Pérez-Moreno,D. Jiménez-García 한국응용곤충학회 2019 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.22 No.1

Major knowledge gaps exist regarding effects of landscape-level agroecosystem composition on the presence of natural enemies of agricultural pests. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of landscape mosaic characteristics on the diversity of predators and parasitoids of a viticultural landscape in La Rioja, Spain. Five habitats were evaluated: Mediterranean forest, Mediterranean scrub, olive groves, natural grassland, and vineyards. In all, we collected 28,640 arthropods, representing 10 orders: Araneae, Coleoptera, Dermaptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Mantodea, Neuroptera, Solifugae, and Thysanoptera. The grassland habitat presented the highest arthropod abundances. Carabid beetles showed preferences for Mediterranean forest and scrub, whereas reduviid bugs showed preferences for natural grassland. Landscape heterogeneity and connectivity with natural elements in the study area turn out to be effective in conservation of diversity of natural enemies of viticulture.

Clinical, Psychopathological, Physical, and Sleep Evolution in Adolescents with Restrictive Anorexia Nervosa Participating in a Day Hospital Program

Sofí,a M Martí,nez-Sá,nchez,Tomá,s E Martí,nez-Garcí,a,Diego Munguí,a-Izquierdo 대한신경정신의학회 2020 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.17 No.4

Objective To analyze the clinical, psychopathological, physical, and sleep-related evolution of adolescents with restricting-type of anorexia nervosa (AN-R) after 10 weeks of a daytime hospital program. Methods Body composition, physical activity and sleep were measured objectively before and after 10 weeks of treatment. In addition, psychopathology and body image disturbances were measured with a self-report questionnaire. Results Fourteen female adolescents with AN-R (14.3±1.6 years old) participated in the study. A significant increase was found in eight of the ten variables for body composition (p<0.05). There were no significant changes in psychopathology, body image disturbances or physical activity. Concerning sleep, a significant, moderately standardized and substantial increase in night latency was found (p=0.002), and there was a significant, small standardized and substantial decrease in night efficiency (p=0.035). Conclusion After 10 weeks of follow-up with adolescent patients with AN-R who attended a day hospital program, there was a positive evolution of body composition. However, with regard to sleep patterns, there was a worsening of latency and night efficiency. Therefore, sleep care should be addressed in acute treatment programs for adolescents with AN-R.

Experimental determination of the resistance of a single-axis solar tracker to torsional galloping

Eva Martínez-García,Eduardo Blanco Marigorta,Jorge Parrondo Gayo,Antonio Navarro-Manso 국제구조공학회 2021 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.78 No.5

One of the most efficient designs of solar trackers for photovoltaic panels is the single-axis tracker, which holds the panels along a torque tube that is driven by a motor at the central section. These trackers have evolved to become extremely slender structures due to mechanical optimization against static load and the need of cost reduction in a very competitive market. Owing to the corresponding decrease in mechanical resistance, some of these trackers have suffered aeroelastic instability even at moderate wind speeds, leading to catastrophic failures. In the present work, an analytical and experimental approach has been developed to study that phenomenon. The analytical study has led to identify the dimensionless parameters that govern the motion of the panel-tracker structure. Also, systematic wind tunnel experiments have been carried out on a 3D aeroelastic scale model. The tests have been successful in reproducing the aeroelastic phenomena arising in real-scale cases and have allowed the identification and a close characterization of the phenomenon. The main results have been the determination of the critical velocity for torsional galloping as a function of tilt angle and a calculation methodology for the optimal sizing of solar tracker shafts.

Competition/antagonism associations of biofilm formation among Staphylococcus epidermidis Agr groups I, II, and III

Sergio Martínez-García,César I. Ortiz-García,Marisa Cruz-Aguilar,Juan Carlos Zenteno,José Martin Murrieta-Coxca,Sonia Mayra Pérez-Tapia,Sandra Rodríguez-Martínez,Mario E. Cancino-Diaz,Juan C. Cancino- 한국미생물학회 2019 The journal of microbiology Vol.57 No.2

Staphylococci have quorum-sensing (QS) systems that enable cell-to-cell communication, as well as the regulation of numerous colonization and virulence factors. The accessory gene regulator (Agr) operon is one of the Staphylococcus genus QS systems. Three groups (I, II, and III) are present in Staphylococcus epidermidis Agr operon. To date, it is unknown whether Agr groups can interact symbiotically during biofilm development. This study analyzed a symbiotic association among Agr groups during biofilm formation in clinical and commensal isolates. Different combinations among Agr group isolates was used to study biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo (using a mouse catheter-infection model). The analysis of Agr groups were also performed from samples of human skin (head, armpits, and nostrils). Different predominant coexistence was found within biofilms, suggesting symbiosis type. In vitro, Agr I had a competition with Agr II and Agr III. Agr II had a competition with Agr III, and Agr II was an antagonist to Agr I and III when the three strains were combined. In vivo, Agr II had a competition to Agr I, but Agr I and II were antagonists to Agr III. The associations found in vitro and in vivo were also found in different sites of the skin. Besides, other associations were observed: Agr III antagonized Agr I and II, and Agr III competed with Agr I and Agr II. These results suggest that, in S. epidermidis, a symbiotic association of competition and antagonism occurs among different Agr groups during biofilm formation.

Curcumin-loaded Polycaprolactone/Collagen Composite Fibers as Potential Antibacterial Wound Dressing

E. San Martín-Martínez,Casañas-Pimentel,A. Almaguer-Flores,G. Prado-Prone,A. García-García,C. Landa-Solís,A. Hernández-Rangel 한국섬유공학회 2022 Fibers and polymers Vol.23 No.11

The development of wound dressings with therapeutical benefits is of great importance in skin tissue engineeringapplications, adding bioactive molecules into biomaterials is a strategy to achieve a better biological response. In this study,four different concentrations of curcumin (CUR; 5, 10, 15 and 20 by weight in relation to the PCL content) were incorporatedinto solutions composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and collagen (COL) for the manufacture of electrospun fibers. The PCLCOL-CUR fibers were physicochemically characterized in terms of their morphology, wettability, degradation rate,mechanical behavior, and cumulative curcumin release. The in vitro biological properties of the composite membranes werealso evaluated. The results indicated that the membranes have diameters on average of approximately 200 nm. The wateruptake was adequate for exudates remotion in a wound, and the degradation rate of the fibers was highly appropriate toachieve complete skin tissue regeneration. The addition of CUR to composite membranes produced a significant increase inthe mechanical properties which indicate a satisfactory clinical handling. The incorporation of CUR produced a significantdecrease in the planktonic growth of S. aureus over time, however, the antibacterial effect against E. coli was limited, thepresence of CUR did not cause the inhibition of its growth. Finally, the viability of human dermal fibroblasts seeded on thetop of the membranes indicated the cytotoxic dosage effect of CUR, the two highest CUR concentrations produced asignificant loss of cell viability. Overall, our results suggested that the CUR-loaded PCL-COL composite membranes arepromising candidates for use as antibacterial dressings to enhance clinical wound management.

Metformin treatment reduces motor and neuropsychiatric phenotypes in the zQ175 mouse model of Huntington disease

Ana Sanchis,María Adelaida García-Gimeno,Antonio José Cañada-Martínez,María Dolores Sequedo,José María Millán,Pascual Sanz,Rafael P. Vázquez-Manrique 생화학분자생물학회 2019 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.51 No.-

Huntington disease is a neurodegenerative condition for which there is no cure to date. Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase has previously been shown to be beneficial in in vitro and in vivo models of Huntington’s disease. Moreover, a recent cross-sectional study demonstrated that treatment with metformin, a well-known activator of this enzyme, is associated with better cognitive scores in patients with this disease. We performed a preclinical study using metformin to treat phenotypes of the zQ175 mouse model of Huntington disease. We evaluated behavior (motor and neuropsychiatric function) and molecular phenotypes (aggregation of mutant huntingtin, levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neuronal inflammation, etc.). We also used two models of polyglutamine toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans to further explore potential mechanisms of metformin action. Our results provide strong evidence that metformin alleviates motor and neuropsychiatric phenotypes in zQ175 mice. Moreover, metformin intake reduces the number of nuclear aggregates of mutant huntingtin in the striatum. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which is reduced in mutant animals, is partially restored in metformin-treated mice, and glial activation in mutant mice is reduced in metformin-treated animals. In addition, using worm models of polyglutamine toxicity, we demonstrate that metformin reduces polyglutamine aggregates and restores neuronal function through mechanisms involving AMP-activated protein kinase and lysosomal function. Our data indicate that metformin alleviates the progression of the disease and further supports AMP-activated protein kinase as a druggable target against Huntington’s disease.

Internal maxillary artery (IMax) – middle cerebral artery bypass in a patient with bilateral atherosclerotic carotid occlusion: A technical case report

Javier Degollado-García,Martin R. Casas-Martínez,Bill Roy Ferrufino Mejia,Juan C. Balcázar-Padrón,Héctor A. Rodríguez-Rubio,Edgar Nathal 대한뇌혈관외과학회 2024 Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neuros Vol.26 No.1

Since the first description of the possible utilization of the internal maxillary artery for bypass surgery, there are some reports of its use in aneurysm cases; however, there is no information about the possible advantages of this type of bypass for cerebral ischemic disease.We present a 77-year-old man with a history of diabetes, hypertension, systemic atherosclerosis, and two acute myocardial infarctions with left hemiparesis. Imaging studies reported total occlusion of the right internal carotid artery and 75% occlusion on the left side, with an old opercular infarction and repeated transient ischemic attacks in the right middle cerebral artery territory despite medical treatment. After a consensus, we decided to perform a bypass from the internal maxillary artery to the M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery using a radial artery graft. After performing the proximal anastomosis, the calculated graft’s free flow was 216 ml/min. Subsequently, after completing the bypass, the patency was confirmed with fluorescein videoangiography and intraoperative Doppler. Postoperatively, imaging studies showed improvement in the perfusion values and the hemiparesis from 3/5 to 4+/5. The patient was discharged one week after the operation, with a modified Rankin scale of 1, without added deficits.The use of revascularization techniques in steno-occlusive disease indicates a select group of patients that may benefit from this procedure. In addition, internal maxillary artery bypass has provided a safe option for large areas of ischemia that cannot be supplied with a superficial temporal artery - middle cerebral artery bypass.

De Novo San Luis Valley Syndrome-like der(8) Chromosome With a Concomitant dup(8p22) in a Mexican Girl

Alma Laura Sánchez-Casillas,Horacio Rivera,Anna Gabriela Castro-Martínez,José Elías García-Ortiz,Carlos Córdova-Fletes,Paul Mendoza-Pérez 대한진단검사의학회 2017 Annals of Laboratory Medicine Vol.37 No.1

Dear Editor, The rec(8)dup(8q)inv(8)(p23.1q22.1) chromosome associated with San Luis Valley Syndrome (SLVS OMIM 179613) is usually diagnosed in Hispanic patients from the USA Southwest where a founder carrier Spaniard lived around 1800 [1, 2]. This rec(8) has an 8q duplication of 47.90 Mb and an 8p deletion of 11.65 Mb [3, 4]. Excluding two de novo rec(8)dup q chromosomes characterized only by G-bands and included in a recent compilation [5], cytogenomic analyses identified nine comparable de novo der(8)dup q/del p chromosomes with or without a simultaneous 8p gain. We describe a Mexican mestizo girl with a de novo SLVS-like der(8) but with a concomitant 8p22p23.1 duplication.