Análisis de resultados del Programa Externo de Control de Calidad SEIMC. Año 2008

The External Quality Control Program of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) include controls for bacteriology, serology, mycology, parasitology, mycobacteria and virology. This article present the most relevant conclusions and lessons from the 2008 controls. As a whole, the results obtained in 2008 confirm the excellent skill and good technical standards of the microbiology laboratories in Spain found in previous editions. However, a few deviations can be obtained in any laboratory, even in clinically relevant determinations. Once again, the results of this program highlighted the need to implement both internal an external controls in order to assure the maximal quality of the microbiological tests.     

Coronary disease protective factors: antioxidant effect of olive oil]

Alongside the French paradox, the REGICOR Study (Girona, Spain) has shown another paradox in the Mediterranean area: a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors with low incidence of myocardial infarction in the population of Girona, Spain. The antioxidant effects associated with olive oil consumption could explain part of this 'Mediterranean Paradox'. Virgin olive oils processed by two centrifugation phases and with low fruit ripeness have the highest levels of antioxidant content. The total content of phenolic compounds (PC) from virgin olive oil could delay LDL oxidation. The content and nature of olive oil PC have a high influence in the antioxidant capacity of an olive oil. PC from diet could bind human LDL in non-supplemented volunteers. PC from virgin olive oil could bind LDL and tyrosol is bioavailable in humans from ingestion of virgin olive oil in its natural form.     

Effect of High 131I Doses on the Bone Uptake and Retention of 90Sr and 90Y

The uptake and retention of ⁹⁰Sr and ⁹⁰Y in mouse bones after injections of the two nuclides in equilibrium were examined after beavy thyroid irradiations from ¹³¹I deposited in the glands. The radiation doses to the thyroid glands as well as the gross doses to the femurs and humeri of the mice were calculated. The radiation destruction of the thyroid tissues had no effect on the bone weights nor on the skeletal metabolism of ⁹⁰Sr. The uptake of ⁹⁰Y was, however, depressed after thyroidal irradiation but reached the same bone concentration as ⁹⁰Sr at about 30 days after the administration of the nuclides, i.e. at a time when the corresponding equilibrium between ⁹⁰Sr and ⁹⁰Y in the bones was reached in mice without a thyroidal irradiation.     

Sensory “pseudoperipheral” migraine aura

Journal of Neurology -     

The guinea pig as an animal model for Ipomoea carnea induced α-mannosidosis

The toxic effects of Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa were evaluated in guinea pigs by administration of dry leaves during 45 days. Swainsonine and calystegines B₁, B₂ and C₁ were isolated and quantified. Clinical signs included emaciated and loss of body weight. Histological evaluation demonstrates numerous vacuoles in the cytoplasm of pancreas, liver and renal cells. Vacuolation was also evident in neurons of brain stem, mainly pontine nuclei. Neuronal lectin binding pattern showed a strong positive reaction to Con-A (Concanavalia ensiformis), WGA (Triticum vulgaris), sWGA (succinylated T. vulgaris) and LCA (Lens culinary). This result is coincident with the lectin histochemistry staining pattern of the vacuoles described in CNS of ruminants. We conclude that I. carnea subsp. fistulosa induces an intralysosomal accumulation of mannose-containing oligosaccharides in guinea pigs, which makes it a valuable animal model for the reproduction of induced α-mannosidosis.     

Rapid thawing increases the fragility of the cryopreserved arterial wall.

OBJECTIVE: To extend present knowledge of the biomechanical and structural changes which occur in the cryopreserved, rapidly thawed arterial wall. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Minipig iliac arterial segments were cryopreserved at -196 degrees C in either minimum essential medium or Wisconsin solution. Fresh segments served as the control group. After 1 month, the specimens were rapidly thawed (37 degrees C) and processed for biomechanical, ultrastructural, morphological and immunohistochemical (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9) analysis. Visualisation of apoptotic cells was performed by TUNEL method. For the mechanical distension analysis, an in vitro circuit was designed. RESULTS: The cryopreserved segments showed a 42% incidence of spontaneous fracture and the appearance of microfractures which affected the endoluminal third of the vessel. An accumulation of liquid in the subelastica was observed. An increased expression of wall-degradative enzymes (mainly MMP-2) was also observed following cryopreservation. No significant differences were detected in the proportional elasticity module or tensile strength of the specimen groups. No differences in mechanical distension were observed between groups after the vessel segments were subjected to the pulsatile circuit flow for 72 h. Cell damage was most intense in the specimens cryopreserved in Wisconsin solution. CONCLUSIONS: Cryopreservation in both the solutions employed, followed by rapid thawing, induce changes in the permeability which increase the fragility of the cryopreserved arterial wall. Both increased expression of wall-degradative enzymes and accumulation of liquid may contribute to graft failure after implantation.     

Dietary fat is associated with metabolic syndrome in Japanese Brazilians

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the association of nutrient intakes with metabolic syndrome in a Japanese descendant population at high risk for metabolic abnormalities. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In a population-based study of Japanese Brazilians aged > or =30 years, 412 men and 465 women were studied. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was based on the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria modified for Asians. Food intake was assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Men and women showed similar mean ages (55.7 +/- 12.7 and 54.4 +/- 11.9 years) and 49% (95% CI 44.8-54.6) and 43% (38.4-47.6) had metabolic syndrome, respectively. As expected, clinical parameters were less favorable in the subset of subjects with metabolic syndrome. Men with metabolic syndrome showed higher cholesterol (233.2 +/- 116.3 vs. 211.7 +/- 5.8 g/day, P < 0.05) and lower carbohydrate (288.5 +/- 45.8 vs. 300.1 +/- 39.8 g/day, P < 0.001) intakes than those without metabolic syndrome, but no difference was observed among the women. After adjusting for sex, age, smoking, education level, generation, physical activity, total energy, and dietary fiber intake, a positive association between metabolic syndrome and total fat intake was detected. Comparing people in the highest quintile of total fat consumption with those in the lowest quintile, odds ratio (OR) of metabolic syndrome was 5.0 ([95% CI 1.58-16.00]; P < 0.005). In contrast, linoleic acid intake was inversely associated with metabolic syndrome (OR 0.50 [95% CI 0.26-0.98]; P < 0.05). Considering food groups, after adjustments only fried food intake was shown to be associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitation of such a study design in investigating cause-effect relationships, our findings favor the hypothesis that dietary total fat may increase whereas linoleic acid intake may reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome in Japanese descendants living in Brazil.