Risk factors for magnetic resonance imaging-detected patellofemoral and tibiofemoral cartilage loss during a six-month period: The Joints On Glucosamine study

Objective To assess several baseline risk factors that may predict patellofemoral and tibiofemoral cartilage loss during a 6-month period. Methods For 177 subjects with chronic knee pain, 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of both knees was performed at baseline and followup. Knees were semiquantitatively assessed, evaluating cartilage morphology, subchondral bone marrow lesions, meniscal morphology/extrusion, synovitis, and effusion. Age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), bone marrow lesions, meniscal damage/extrusion, synovitis, effusion, and prevalent cartilage damage in the same subregion were evaluated as possible risk factors for cartilage loss. Logistic regression models were applied to predict cartilage loss. Models were adjusted for age, sex, treatment, and BMI. Results Seventy-nine subregions (1.6%) showed incident or worsening cartilage damage at followup. None of the demographic risk factors was predictive of future cartilage loss. Predictors of patellofemoral cartilage loss were effusion, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 3.5 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.39.4), and prevalent cartilage damage in the same subregion with an adjusted OR of 4.3 (95% CI 1.314.1). Risk factors for tibiofemoral cartilage loss were baseline meniscal extrusion (adjusted OR 3.6 [95% CI 1.310.1]), prevalent bone marrow lesions (adjusted OR 4.7 [95% CI 1.119.5]), and prevalent cartilage damage (adjusted OR 15.3 [95% CI 4.947.4]). Conclusion Cartilage loss over 6 months is rare, but may be detected semiquantitatively by 3T MRI and is most commonly observed in knees with Kellgren/Lawrence grade 3. Predictors of patellofemoral cartilage loss were effusion and prevalent cartilage damage in the same subregion. Predictors of tibiofemoral cartilage loss were prevalent cartilage damage, bone marrow lesions, and meniscal extrusion.

Iron supplementation reduces the erosive potential of a cola drink on enamel and dentin in situ

Iron has been suggested to reduce the erosive potential of cola drinks in vitro. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate in situ the effect of ferrous sulfate supplementation on the inhibition of the erosion caused by a cola drink. Material and Methods: Ten adult volunteers participated in a crossover protocol conducted in two phases of 5 days, separated by a washout period of 7 days. In each phase, they wore palatal devices containing two human enamel and two human dentin blocks. The volunteers immersed the devices for 5 min in 150 mL of cola drink (Coca-Cola (TM), pH 2.6), containing ferrous sulfate (10 mmol/L) or not (control), 4 times per day. The effect of ferrous sulfate on the inhibition of erosion was evaluated by profilometry (wear). Data were analyzed by paired t tests (p<0.05). Results: The mean wear (+/- se) was significantly reduced in the presence of ferrous sulfate, both for enamel (control: 5.8 +/- 1.0 mu m; ferrous sulfate: 2.8 +/- 0.6 mu m) and dentin (control: 4.8 +/- 0.8 mu m; ferrous sulfate: 1.7 +/- 0.7 mu m). Conclusions: The supplementation of cola drinks with ferrous sulfate can be a good alternative for the reduction of their erosive potential. Additional studies should be done to test if lower ferrous sulfate concentrations can also have a protective effect as well as the combination of ferrous sulfate with other ions.

Association Between Circulating Electronegative Low-Density Lipoproteins and Serum Ferritin in Hemodialysis Patients: A Pilot Study

Background: Iron supplementation is a common recommendation to chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). However, iron excess is closely associated with lipid peroxidation and, it is well known that electronegative low-density lipoproteins (LDL[-]) are present at higher plasma concentrations in diseases with high cardiovascular risk such as chronic kidney disease. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether ferritin levels are associated with LDL(-) levels in HD patients. Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Setting: This study was conducted from a private clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Patients: The study included 27 HD patients and 15 healthy subjects. Methods and Procedures: Twenty-seven HD patients (14 men, 58.6 +/- 10 years, 62.2 +/- 51.4 months on dialysis, and body mass index: 24.4 +/- 4.2 kg/m(2)) were studied and compared with 15 healthy individuals (6 men, 53.8 +/- 15.4 years, body mass index: 24.5 +/- 4.3 kg/m(2)). Serum LDL(-) levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method; ferritin levels by commercially available kits, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were determined with a multiplex assay kit manufactured by R&D Systems. Results: The HD patients presented higher LDL(-) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels (0.15 +/- 0.13 U/L and 5.9 +/- 2.3 pg/mL, respectively) than healthy subjects (0.07 +/- 0.05 U/L and 2.3 +/- 1.3 pg/mL, respectively) (P = .0001). The mean ferritin level in HD patients was 1,117.5 +/- 610.4 ng/mL, and 90% of patients showed ferritin levels exceeding 500 ng/mL. We found a positive correlation between LDL(-) and ferritin in the patients (r = 0.48; P = .01), and ferritin was a significant contributor to LDL(-) concentrations independent of inflammation. Conclusions: Excess body iron stores for HD patients was associated with signs of increased oxidative stress, as reflected by increased LDL(-) levels in HD patients. (C) 2012 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.

Calcium glycerophosphate supplemented to soft drinks reduces bovine enamel erosion

Objective: This in vitro study evaluated the effect of calcium glycerophosphate (CaGP) supplemented to soft drinks on bovine enamel erosion. Material and methods: Four pH-cycles were performed, alternating demineralization by the beverage and remineralization in artificial saliva. Results: Mean wear (+/- SD, mu m) was 7.91 +/- 1.13, 7.39 +/- 1.01, 7.50 +/- 0.91 and 5.21 +/- 1.08 for Coca-Cola (TM) without CaGP or containing CaGP at 0.1, 1.0 or 2.0 mM, respectively, while no wear was detected for CaGP at 5.0 and 10.0 mM. Corresponding figures for Sprite Zero (TM) without CaGP or containing CaGP at 0.1, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 or 10.0 mM were 8.04 +/- 1.30, 7.84 +/- 0.71, 7.47 +/- 0.80, 4.96 +/- 0.81, 3.99 +/- 0.10 and 1.87 +/- 0.12, respectively. Conclusion: Supplementation of both beverages with CaGP seems to be an alternative to reduce their erosive potential.

Efeito de diferentes gomas de mascar sobre o pH salivar de crianças

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different chewing gum brands on the salivary pH of children with primary dentition. Method: Forty children were selected and assigned to four groups: control (no chewing gum); sugarless chewing gum; chewing gum with casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate; and chewing gum with xylitol. The first saliva collection was made after supervised tooth brushing for stabilization of the oral pH. Next, all children were instructed to drink slowly 100 mL of a cola-based soft drink (Coca-Cola®) and a new saliva collection was made 10 min later. Then, each group chewed on the chewing gum for 5 min and discarded it after this time. Saliva was collected again at 5, 10 and 15 min intervals after start using the chewing gum. Measurement of salivary pH was made with colorimetric test papers and a digital pH-meter. Data were analyzed statistically by analysis of variance and Tukey’s test at a 5% significance level. Results: The use of chewing gums accelerated the increase of salivary pH to considerably alkaline levels after consumption of an acidic beverage, especially within the first minutes. The highest levels were obtained in the groups of children that used chewing gums containing xylitol and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate. Conclusion: Children that used the chewing gums after ingestion of an acidic soft drink presented an increase in salivary pH, with the best results in the groups that used chewing gums containing casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate and xylitol.

Aplicabilidade da auriculoterapia com agulhas ou sementes para diminuição de estresse em profissionais de enfermagem

Este estudo clínico randomizado objetivou avaliar os níveis de estresse na equipe de Enfermagem de um hospital e analisar a efetividade da auriculoterapia com agulhas e sementes. 75 pessoas com escores médio (44/58,7%) e alto (31/41,3%) de acordo com a Lista de Sintomas de Estresse foram divididas em grupos (controle, agulhas e sementes), que receberam oito sessões nos pontos Shenmen, Rim e Tronco Cerebral e foram avaliados no início, com quatro, oito sessões e follow-up (15 dias). Na análise de variância (ANOVA), constataram-se diferenças entre os grupos, na 3ª avaliação (F=3,963/P=0,023) e follow-up (F=6,136/P=0,003). Tais diferenças foram entre o grupo controle e agulha. Os grupos de intervenção mostraram diferenças (P<0,05) a partir da segunda avaliação, quando comparados dentro do mesmo grupo. Concluiu-se que a auriculoterapia reduziu o estresse em profissionais de enfermagem, com melhores resultados para agulhas do que sementes, em escores altos, com manutenção de efeitos por 15 dias.

Relación de las pesquerías artesanales vascas de atún blanco Thunnus alalunga (Bonaterre, 1788) con las condiciones oceánicas obtenidas a partir de satélites artificiales

Doctorado en Ciencias del Mar, Programa de Ecosistemas Litorales

Epi- and mesopelagic fishes, acoustic data, and SST images collected off Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, during cruise "La Bocaina 04-97"

[ES]Durante la campaña La Bocaina 0497 se llevaron a cabo una serie de 14 lances con una red de arrastre pelágico de tipo comercial entre 20 y 700 m. de profundidad y una porspección acústica con una ecosonda SIMRAD EK-500 en aguas neríticas y oceánicas adyacentes a Lanzarote, Fuerteventura y Gran Canaria. Además se obtuvieron imágenes SST para obtener información de las condiciones hidrológicas en el área de estudio. Los resultados mostraron que la caballa Scomber japonicus presentaba gran variabilidad espacial en biomasa entre las diferentes localidades muestreadas.

Ciclo de vida de la herrera Litohgnathus Mormyrus (Linneaus, 1758) en aguas de las Islas Canarias

[ES] El estudio del ciclo biológico de cualquier población de peces tiene interés desde el punto de vista del conocimiento y, en las poblaciones sometidas a explotación, además desde la perspectiva de la conservación. En el caso de la población de herrera Lithognathus mormyrus de las Islas Canarias, el conocimiento del ciclo de vida cobra una extraordinaria importancia, habida cuenta de los claros síntomas de agotamiento observados en ella. En este trabajo se entrega, para esta población, información relativa a la sexualidad, reproducción, edad y crecimiento, aspectos cuyo conocimiento resulta fundamental para adoptar medidas de gestión dirigidas hacia su recuperación y conservación.

Decadal changes in the structure of Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows: natural vs. human influences

[EN] Seagrass meadows are deteriorating worldwide. However, numerous declines are still unreported, which avoid accurate evaluations of seagrass global trends. This is particularly relevant for the western African coast and nearby oceanic archipelagos in the eastern Atlantic. The seagrass Cymodocea nodosa is an ecological engineer on shallow soft bottoms of the Canary Islands. A comparative decadal study was conducted in 21 C. nodosa seagrass meadows at Gran Canaria Island to compare the structure (shoot density, leaf length and cover) between 2003 and 2012. Overall, 11 meadows exhibited a severe regression, while 10 remained relatively stable. During this period, natural influences (sea surface temperature, Chlorophyll-a concentration and PAR light, as well as the number of storm episodes detaching seagrasses) had a low predictive power on temporal patterns in seagrass structure. In contrast, proximity from a range of human-mediated influences (e.g. the number of outfalls and ports) seem to be related to the loss of seagrass; the rate of seagrass erosion between 2003 and 2012 was significantly predicted by the number of human-mediated impacts around each meadow. This result highlights promoting management actions to conserve meadows of C. nodosa at the study region through efficient management of local impacts

Remote Sensing of the El Hierro submarine volcanic eruption plume

[EN] Between October 2011 and March 2012 submarine volcanic eruptions took place at El Hierro (Canary Islands). The event produced plumes of discolored waters due to the discharge of volcanic matter, gases and fluids. Field samples of Chl-a and sulphur reduced species were collected by some oceanographic cruises (Instituto Español de Oceanografía, IEO).

Climatic and stratigraphic paleoindicators from the Canary Island

[EN] The last 5 Myr  are characterized by cliamatic variations globally and are reflected in ancient fossiliferous marine deposits visible in the Canary Islands. The fossils contained are identificated as paleoecological and paleoclimatic indicators. The Mio-Pliocene Transit is represented by the coral Siderastrea micoenica Osasco, 1897; the gastropods Rothpletzia rudista Simonelli, 1890; Ancilla glandiformis (Lamarck, 1822); Strombus coronatus Defrance, 1827 and Nerita emiliana Mayer, 1872 and the bivalve Gryphaea virleti Deshayes, 1832 as most characteristic fossils  and typical of a very warm climate and littoral zone. Associated  lava flows  have been dated radiometrically  and provides a range between  8.9 and about 4.2 Kyr. In the mid-Pleistocene, about 400,000 years ago, the called Marine Isotope Stage 11, a strong global warming that caused a sea level rise happens. Remains of the MIS 11  are preserved on the coast of Arucas (Gran Canaria), and associated with a tsunami in Piedra Alta (Lanzarote). These fossilifeorus  deposits contains the bivalve Saccostrea cucullata (Born, 1780), the gastropod Purpurellus gambiensis (Reeve, 1845) and the corals Madracis pharensis (Heller, 1868) and Dendrophyllia cornigera (Lamarck, 1816). Both sites have been dated by K-Ar on pillow lavas (approximately 420,000 years) and by Uranium Series on corals (about 481,000 years) respectively. The upper Pleistocene starts with another strong global warming known as the last interglacial or marine isotope  stage (MIS) 5.5, about 125,000 years ago, which also left marine  fossil deposits exposed in parallel to current in Igueste of San Andrés (Tenerife),  El Altillo, the  city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria  and Maspalomas (Gran Canaria),  Matas Blancas, the Playitas and Morrojable (Fuerteventura ) and in Playa Blanca and Punta Penedo (Lanzarote ). The fossil coral Siderastrea radians (Pallas , 1766 ) currently living in the Cape Verde Islands , the Gulf of Guinea and the Caribbean has allowed Uranium series dating. The gastropods Strombus bubonius Lamarck, 1822 and Harpa doris (Röding , 1798 ) currently living in the Gulf of Guinea. Current biogeography using synoptic data obtained through satellites provided by the ISS Canary Seas provides data of Ocean Surface Temperature (SST) and Chlorophyll a (Chlor a) . This has allowed the estimation of these sea conditions during interglacials compared to today .