Non-thermal non-equilibrium oxidative air 40 kHz frequency, 13.56 MHz radiofrequency (RF) and 2.4... more Non-thermal non-equilibrium oxidative air 40 kHz frequency, 13.56 MHz radiofrequency (RF) and 2.46 GHz microwave (MW) discharge plasma treatment were used for modifying low-density polyethylene (LDPE) foils. The untreated and treated samples were chemically characterised by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). In order to estimate the extent of the plasma sources at different treatment times, surface charge and energy were determined by zeta potential (ζ), and surface tension measurements. In addition, the isoelectric points of the studied samples were ascertained and surface properties variations were appraised by ageing time. The overall outcome indicated that ζ-potential and surface energy progressively changed after each treatment, as well as the influences of ageing on surface features, the isoelectric point (IEP) shifting to lower pH values and how all of these changes are associated with a new surface chemistry. This contribution seeks to shed light on topics related to po...
Collagen thin films were prepared via bovine atelocollagen matrices. The film casting was carried... more Collagen thin films were prepared via bovine atelocollagen matrices. The film casting was carried out by using different culture dishes, concentrations, equipment, drying processes and periods of time. In order to optimise the repeatability and reproducibility, microscopic analyses were utilised to explore the film quality and topographical patterning. In addition, the human immortalised non-tumorigenic keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) was seeded onto the obtained specimens, and the cell proliferation was determined by using the MTT assay. These results indicated how the substrate, its concentration and processing conditions influence the cellular response. The attempted technique shows itself to be an excellent procedure for continuous collagen film preparation with optimal cell-proliferation rates, which may potentially be used in tissue engineering or wound-healing applications.
... This is a truth it is important to assert in our time, when even some scholars in Christian m... more ... This is a truth it is important to assert in our time, when even some scholars in Christian medicalethics are wont to reject ... the injunction against quality of life assessments in cases of disability.26 However, we should reject Robertson's claim that disabled babies lack relationship. ...
The high prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is a health problem worldwide. In develop... more The high prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is a health problem worldwide. In developing countries, we lack information on the extent of the problem and the risk factors involved. To determine the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity and of abdominal obesity, and their relationship with physical activity, poverty, and eating habits in schoolchildren in Cuenca, Ecuador. A cross-sectional survey in a representative sample (n = 743) schoolchildren aged 6 to 9 years was conducted. Overweight and obesity were detected using the International Obesity Task Force cutoffs according to body mass index (BMI), and abdominal obesity was detected according to waist circumference. Poverty, physical activity, and eating habits were assessed with validated questionnaires. The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity and of abdominal obesity were 26.0% and 10.6%, respectively. There were no differences between the sexes, but the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 1.5- to 2-f...
Histophilus somni (Haemophilus somnus) has been recognized as an important pathogen of cattle, as... more Histophilus somni (Haemophilus somnus) has been recognized as an important pathogen of cattle, associated with reproductive disorders such as vaginitis, endometritis, infertility, and abortion. The purpose of this research was to determine whether H. somni is found in dairy cattle with reproductive tract disease. Convenience sampling was performed in 6 dairies located in central Mexico. Vaginal exudate samples were obtained
Effect of passive water absorption on transepithelial movement of extracellular solutes in rat in... more Effect of passive water absorption on transepithelial movement of extracellular solutes in rat intestine. It was shown previously that intravenous infusion of saline solution decreases net absorption of sodium and water by rat small intestine and that there is an associated increased movement of inulin from blood into intestinal lumen. It was proposed that decreased absorption may be due to
Radical cystectomy remains the gold standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Althou... more Radical cystectomy remains the gold standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Although surgery achieves excellent local control, within 5 years almost 50% of patients relapse and subsequently progress to develop systemic disease. Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is sensitive to chemotherapy. Although platinum-based chemotherapy can produce relatively high overall response rates, the impact on the survival of patients with advanced disease has, at best, been limited. Randomized trials of cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens in the neoadjuvant setting have demonstrated the potential to improve survival. By comparison, adjuvant studies have been plagued by suboptimal trial design, limited patient numbers, and lack of standardization of the chemotherapy regimens used. With the introduction of new cytotoxic drugs and novel small molecules, there is a need for well-designed studies to address the optimal utility of perioperative therapy in high-risk patients with b...
Given that studies about the differential efficacy of existing treatments in fibromyalgia syndrom... more Given that studies about the differential efficacy of existing treatments in fibromyalgia syndrome are scarce, the aim of this study was to compare the differential efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral and a pharmacological therapy on fibromyalgia. Using a randomized controlled clinical trial, 28 fibromyalgic patients were assigned to one of following experimental conditions: (a) pharmacological treatment (i.e., cyclobenzaprine), (b) cognitive-behavioral intervention (i.e., stress inoculation training), (c) combined pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral treatment and (d) no treatment. The results show the superiority of cognitive-behavioral intervention to reduce the severity of fibromyalgia both at the end of the treatment and at follow-up. We conclude that cognitive-behavioral interventions must be considered a primary treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome.
A better understanding of the molecular biology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has led to a dramat... more A better understanding of the molecular biology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has led to a dramatic paradigm shift in the treatment of patients with metastatic disease. Historically, a nonspecific immune approach using cytokines was employed, but recently this has transitioned to a molecularly-targeted approach against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and related pathways. Several anti-VEGF agents, including ligand-binding agents such as bevacizumab and the small molecule inhibitors of VEGF and related receptors such as sunitinib and sorafenib, have demonstrated clinical activity in patients with metastatic RCC. Other agents that inhibit alternative targets such as the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) have also demonstrated activity. This generation of novel molecular targeted therapies continues to show great promise. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current management and to discuss potential future directions in the management of metastatic RCC.
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that regulates protein translation, ... more The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that regulates protein translation, cell growth, and apoptosis. Recently, there has been an enormous increase in our understanding on molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutics of rapamycin in cancer. Alterations in the pathway regulating mTOR occur in many solid malignancies including prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer; in vitro and in vivo models of prostate and bladder cancer have established the importance of the mTOR pathway in control of cancer progression and metastasis. Temsirolimus (Torisel) and everolimus (RAD-001), two ester analogues of rapamycin, as well as rapamycin itself have clear antitumor activity in in vitro and in vivo models and are under clinical trial investigations for prostate and bladder cancer. Phase II and III trials have already established the clinical efficacy of temsirolimus in renal cancer, and current renal trials are evaluating the combined effects of vascular endothelial growth ...
This review is intended to provide information on recent advancements in renal cell carcinoma (RC... more This review is intended to provide information on recent advancements in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treatments as well as give insight on present-day clinical and molecularly based biomarker studies. A review of recent literature regarding RCC epidemiology and clinical prognostic factors will be provided. Information from the latest molecularly based biomarker studies will be discussed. Finally, updates on recent additions to front-line therapy for RCC and the early clinical evidence examining the use of targeted agents sequentially or in combination will be given. Changes in the treatment paradigm of advanced RCC continue to evolve with additional novel agents in the horizon. This review will provide an update of the latest concepts in the epidemiology, molecularly based biomarker development and the management of patients with advanced RCC.
In patients with locally advanced and metastatic RCC, selection criteria for nephrectomy are impr... more In patients with locally advanced and metastatic RCC, selection criteria for nephrectomy are imprecise. Neoadjuvant sunitinib might downsize unresectable tumors and enable nephrectomy. CT scans of unresectable primary RCCs before and after neoadjuvant sunitinib were retrospectively reviewed to identify radiographic features associated with patient selection for surgery. CT scans of 27 patients with RCC (31 tumors) treated with neoadjuvant sunitinib were performed as part of a prospective clinical trial. After neoadjuvant sunitinib, tumors were surgically resected in 13 patients (17 tumors) and not resected in 14 patients (14 tumors). Response to treatment with sunitinib was assessed with Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors and MASS criteria. On the contrast-enhanced CT scan before nephrectomy compared with the baseline CT scan, 88% of resected tumors demonstrated decreased size (median decrease 26%; -2.0 cm; P < .001), 88% had decreased attenuation (median decrease 30%; ...
Non-thermal non-equilibrium oxidative air 40 kHz frequency, 13.56 MHz radiofrequency (RF) and 2.4... more Non-thermal non-equilibrium oxidative air 40 kHz frequency, 13.56 MHz radiofrequency (RF) and 2.46 GHz microwave (MW) discharge plasma treatment were used for modifying low-density polyethylene (LDPE) foils. The untreated and treated samples were chemically characterised by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). In order to estimate the extent of the plasma sources at different treatment times, surface charge and energy were determined by zeta potential (ζ), and surface tension measurements. In addition, the isoelectric points of the studied samples were ascertained and surface properties variations were appraised by ageing time. The overall outcome indicated that ζ-potential and surface energy progressively changed after each treatment, as well as the influences of ageing on surface features, the isoelectric point (IEP) shifting to lower pH values and how all of these changes are associated with a new surface chemistry. This contribution seeks to shed light on topics related to po...
Collagen thin films were prepared via bovine atelocollagen matrices. The film casting was carried... more Collagen thin films were prepared via bovine atelocollagen matrices. The film casting was carried out by using different culture dishes, concentrations, equipment, drying processes and periods of time. In order to optimise the repeatability and reproducibility, microscopic analyses were utilised to explore the film quality and topographical patterning. In addition, the human immortalised non-tumorigenic keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) was seeded onto the obtained specimens, and the cell proliferation was determined by using the MTT assay. These results indicated how the substrate, its concentration and processing conditions influence the cellular response. The attempted technique shows itself to be an excellent procedure for continuous collagen film preparation with optimal cell-proliferation rates, which may potentially be used in tissue engineering or wound-healing applications.
... This is a truth it is important to assert in our time, when even some scholars in Christian m... more ... This is a truth it is important to assert in our time, when even some scholars in Christian medicalethics are wont to reject ... the injunction against quality of life assessments in cases of disability.26 However, we should reject Robertson's claim that disabled babies lack relationship. ...
The high prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is a health problem worldwide. In develop... more The high prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is a health problem worldwide. In developing countries, we lack information on the extent of the problem and the risk factors involved. To determine the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity and of abdominal obesity, and their relationship with physical activity, poverty, and eating habits in schoolchildren in Cuenca, Ecuador. A cross-sectional survey in a representative sample (n = 743) schoolchildren aged 6 to 9 years was conducted. Overweight and obesity were detected using the International Obesity Task Force cutoffs according to body mass index (BMI), and abdominal obesity was detected according to waist circumference. Poverty, physical activity, and eating habits were assessed with validated questionnaires. The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity and of abdominal obesity were 26.0% and 10.6%, respectively. There were no differences between the sexes, but the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 1.5- to 2-f...
Histophilus somni (Haemophilus somnus) has been recognized as an important pathogen of cattle, as... more Histophilus somni (Haemophilus somnus) has been recognized as an important pathogen of cattle, associated with reproductive disorders such as vaginitis, endometritis, infertility, and abortion. The purpose of this research was to determine whether H. somni is found in dairy cattle with reproductive tract disease. Convenience sampling was performed in 6 dairies located in central Mexico. Vaginal exudate samples were obtained
Effect of passive water absorption on transepithelial movement of extracellular solutes in rat in... more Effect of passive water absorption on transepithelial movement of extracellular solutes in rat intestine. It was shown previously that intravenous infusion of saline solution decreases net absorption of sodium and water by rat small intestine and that there is an associated increased movement of inulin from blood into intestinal lumen. It was proposed that decreased absorption may be due to
Radical cystectomy remains the gold standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Althou... more Radical cystectomy remains the gold standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Although surgery achieves excellent local control, within 5 years almost 50% of patients relapse and subsequently progress to develop systemic disease. Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is sensitive to chemotherapy. Although platinum-based chemotherapy can produce relatively high overall response rates, the impact on the survival of patients with advanced disease has, at best, been limited. Randomized trials of cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens in the neoadjuvant setting have demonstrated the potential to improve survival. By comparison, adjuvant studies have been plagued by suboptimal trial design, limited patient numbers, and lack of standardization of the chemotherapy regimens used. With the introduction of new cytotoxic drugs and novel small molecules, there is a need for well-designed studies to address the optimal utility of perioperative therapy in high-risk patients with b...
Given that studies about the differential efficacy of existing treatments in fibromyalgia syndrom... more Given that studies about the differential efficacy of existing treatments in fibromyalgia syndrome are scarce, the aim of this study was to compare the differential efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral and a pharmacological therapy on fibromyalgia. Using a randomized controlled clinical trial, 28 fibromyalgic patients were assigned to one of following experimental conditions: (a) pharmacological treatment (i.e., cyclobenzaprine), (b) cognitive-behavioral intervention (i.e., stress inoculation training), (c) combined pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral treatment and (d) no treatment. The results show the superiority of cognitive-behavioral intervention to reduce the severity of fibromyalgia both at the end of the treatment and at follow-up. We conclude that cognitive-behavioral interventions must be considered a primary treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome.
A better understanding of the molecular biology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has led to a dramat... more A better understanding of the molecular biology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has led to a dramatic paradigm shift in the treatment of patients with metastatic disease. Historically, a nonspecific immune approach using cytokines was employed, but recently this has transitioned to a molecularly-targeted approach against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and related pathways. Several anti-VEGF agents, including ligand-binding agents such as bevacizumab and the small molecule inhibitors of VEGF and related receptors such as sunitinib and sorafenib, have demonstrated clinical activity in patients with metastatic RCC. Other agents that inhibit alternative targets such as the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) have also demonstrated activity. This generation of novel molecular targeted therapies continues to show great promise. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current management and to discuss potential future directions in the management of metastatic RCC.
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that regulates protein translation, ... more The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that regulates protein translation, cell growth, and apoptosis. Recently, there has been an enormous increase in our understanding on molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutics of rapamycin in cancer. Alterations in the pathway regulating mTOR occur in many solid malignancies including prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer; in vitro and in vivo models of prostate and bladder cancer have established the importance of the mTOR pathway in control of cancer progression and metastasis. Temsirolimus (Torisel) and everolimus (RAD-001), two ester analogues of rapamycin, as well as rapamycin itself have clear antitumor activity in in vitro and in vivo models and are under clinical trial investigations for prostate and bladder cancer. Phase II and III trials have already established the clinical efficacy of temsirolimus in renal cancer, and current renal trials are evaluating the combined effects of vascular endothelial growth ...
This review is intended to provide information on recent advancements in renal cell carcinoma (RC... more This review is intended to provide information on recent advancements in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treatments as well as give insight on present-day clinical and molecularly based biomarker studies. A review of recent literature regarding RCC epidemiology and clinical prognostic factors will be provided. Information from the latest molecularly based biomarker studies will be discussed. Finally, updates on recent additions to front-line therapy for RCC and the early clinical evidence examining the use of targeted agents sequentially or in combination will be given. Changes in the treatment paradigm of advanced RCC continue to evolve with additional novel agents in the horizon. This review will provide an update of the latest concepts in the epidemiology, molecularly based biomarker development and the management of patients with advanced RCC.
In patients with locally advanced and metastatic RCC, selection criteria for nephrectomy are impr... more In patients with locally advanced and metastatic RCC, selection criteria for nephrectomy are imprecise. Neoadjuvant sunitinib might downsize unresectable tumors and enable nephrectomy. CT scans of unresectable primary RCCs before and after neoadjuvant sunitinib were retrospectively reviewed to identify radiographic features associated with patient selection for surgery. CT scans of 27 patients with RCC (31 tumors) treated with neoadjuvant sunitinib were performed as part of a prospective clinical trial. After neoadjuvant sunitinib, tumors were surgically resected in 13 patients (17 tumors) and not resected in 14 patients (14 tumors). Response to treatment with sunitinib was assessed with Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors and MASS criteria. On the contrast-enhanced CT scan before nephrectomy compared with the baseline CT scan, 88% of resected tumors demonstrated decreased size (median decrease 26%; -2.0 cm; P < .001), 88% had decreased attenuation (median decrease 30%; ...
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