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Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Grant/Award Number: PRE2019-089807; Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology, Grant/Award Numbers: PI15/00914, RTI2018-098983-B-100; Universidad de Granada/CBUA, Prostate cancer (PCa) is a tumor with a great heterogeneity, both at a molecular and clinical level. Despite its global good prognosis, cases can vary from indolent to lethal metastatic and scientific efforts are aimed to discern those with worse outcomes. Current prognostic markers, as Gleason score, fall short when it comes to distinguishing these cases. Identification of new early biomarkers to enable a better PCa distinction and classification remains a challenge. In order to identify new genes implicated in PCa progression we conducted several differential gene expression analyses over paired samples comparing primary PCa tissue against healthy prostatic tissue of PCa patients. The results obtained show that this approach is a serious alternative to overcome patient heterogeneity. We were able to identify 250 genes whose expression varies along with tissue differentiation—healthy to tumor tissue, 161 of these genes are described here for the first time to be related to PCa. The further manual curation of these genes allowed to annotate 39 genes with antitumoral activity, 22 of them described for the first time to be related to PCa proliferation and metastasis. These findings could be replicated in different cohorts for most genes. Results obtained considering paired differential expression, functional annotation and replication results point to: CGREF1, UNC5A, C16orf74, LGR6, IGSF1, QPRT and CA14 as possible new early markers in PCa. These genes may prevent the progression of the disease and their expression should be studied in patients with different outcomes., Spanish Government PRE2019-089807 PI15/00914 RTI2018-098983-B-100, Universidad de Granada/CBUA

Background Catheter ablation of premature ventricular complexes from aortic sinus cusps (ASC‐PVC) is a complex procedure that conventionally requires coronary catheterization (CC) to localize coronary artery ostium (CAO). Little published information is available on the mapping and ablation with zero‐fluoroscopy (ZF) of ASC‐PVC. The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy and safety of ASC‐PVC ablation with a ZF approach guided by 3D intracardiac echocardiography integration in the electroanatomical mapping system (ICE 3D‐EAM). Methods This observational study included one patient cohort treated conventionally and another treated with ICE 3D‐EAM‐guided ZF ablation. Clinical, efficacy, and safety outcomes were evaluated acutely and at 3 months follow‐up. Results The study included 21 patients with ASC‐PVC: 10 in the ZF group (age 49 ± 16 years, 60% males) and 11 in the control group (age 47 ± 15 years, 27% males). Fluoroscopy was not required for any patient in the ZF group. Acute success was obtained in 80% of the ZF group vs 55% of the control group (P = .36). The recurrence rate was 30% in the ZF group vs 27% in the control group (P = 1). One nonsevere complication was observed in the ZF group (P = .48). Conclusions ZF catheter ablation of ASC‐PVC guided by ICE 3D‐EAM is feasible, effective, and safe., The graphical abstract shows the workflow for ZF ablation approach of ASC‐PVC using ICE 3D‐EAM. The key point is the ICE 3D‐EAM reconstruction which allows to assess the distance of the ablation catheter tip to CAO. Note that if the distance is at least >5 mm from earliest LVAT to CAO, the ablation is started. On the other hand, with a distance

Aims: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) associated with dystrophin gene (DMD) mutations in individuals with mild or absent skeletal myopathy is often indistinguishable from other DCM forms. We sought to describe the phenotype and prognosis of DMD associated DCM in DMD mutation carriers without severe skeletal myopathy. Methods and results: At 26 European centres, we retrospectively collected clinical characteristics and outcomes of 223 DMD mutation carriers (83% male, 33 ± 15 years). A total of 112 individuals (52%) had DCM at first evaluation [n = 85; left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 34 ± 11.2%] or developed DCM (n = 27; LVEF 41.3 ± 7.5%) after a median follow-up of 96 months (interquartile range 5–311 months). DCM penetrance was 45% in carriers older than 40 years. DCM appeared earlier in males and was independent of the type of mutation, presence of skeletal myopathy, or elevated serum creatine kinase levels. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) occurred in 22% individuals with DCM, 18% developed end-stage heart failure and 9% sudden cardiac death or equivalent. Skeletal myopathy was not associated with survival free of MACE in patients with DCM. Decreased LVEF and increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter at baseline were associated with MACE. Individuals without DCM had favourable prognosis without MACE or death during follow-up. Conclusions: DMD-associated DCM without severe skeletal myopathy is characterized by incomplete penetrance but high risk of MACE, including progression to end-stage heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias. DCM onset is the major determinant of prognosis with similar survival regardless of the presence of skeletal myopathy.

Forest insect pests are becoming increasingly common in Europe. A recent paper published in this journal dealt with a particular case of pest spreading in Portuguese coniferous forests. The authors discussed the effect that mass trapping and clear‐cut belts had on slowing down the invasion and suggested that likely causes of pest spreading are stress due to global warming and the introduction of exotic species. Inspired by that paper, we defend here the point that forest communities are not only regulated by bottom‐up mechanisms, such as water stress, but also by top‐down mechanisms, such as predation. We provide information from European metadata showing that forest biomass grew by 38% (1991–2015) whereas forest insectivorous passerine trends were stable (1980–2016). Synthesis and applications. We suggest that rebounding European forests are too young to support large communities of insectivorous birds and that an effective way to solve pest problems could be to promote the use of nest boxes for them (and for other insect predators), as it was done in the past in large reforestations implemented in Spain. Additionally, the presence of large mammalian herbivores is needed to reduce the density of trees in forests. Priority should be given to this ecological management in comparison with massive trapping and clear‐cut belt construction or at least it should be used together with those engineering practices.

Prostate, breast and colorectal cancer are the most common tumours in Spain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between adherence to nutrition-based guidelines for cancer prevention and prostate, breast and colorectal cancer, in the MCC-Spain case-control study. A total of 1,718 colorectal, 1,343 breast and 864 prostate cancer cases and 3,431 population-based controls recruited between 2007 and 2012, were included in the present study. The World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRC/AICR) score based on six recommendations for cancer prevention (on body fatness, physical activity, foods and drinks that promote weight gain, plant foods, animal foods and alcoholic drinks; score range 0-6) was constructed. We used unconditional logistic regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders. One-point increment in the WCRF/AICR score was associated with 25% (95% CI 19-30%) lower risk of colorectal, and 15% (95% CI 7-22%) lower risk of breast cancer; no association with prostate cancer was detected, except for cases with a Gleason score ≥7 (poorly differentiated/undifferentiated tumours) (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76-0.99). These results add to the wealth of evidence indicating that a great proportion of common cancer cases could be avoided by adopting healthy lifestyle habits.

Alprazolam is a pharmaceutical compound that it is detected in surface waters. Some degradation studies in aqueous solutions and pharmaceutical products are available, but there is no reliable information about its stability in river water. Here, assays have been conducted under forced biological, photochemical, and thermal conditions, and under non-forced conditions, to estimate the fate of alprazolam in river water and know its degradation products. The forced assays indicated that the biological and photochemical degradation of alprazolam was negligible; heating at 70°C for a long time barely affected it. The degradation of alprazolam in river water at 100 μg/L was about 5% after 36 weeks, keeping the water under a natural day-night cycle at room temperature and limiting partially the exposure to sunlight as happens inside a body of water; no change in concentration was observed when the monitoring was performed at 2 μg/L. The results suggest the persistence of alprazolam in surface water and a possible accumulation over time. Residues were monitored by ultra-pressure liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight/mass spectrometry after solid-phase extraction; nine degradation products were found and the structures for most of them were proposed from the molecular formulae and fragmentation observed in high-resolution tandem mass spectra. (5-chloro-2-(3-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)phenyl)(phenyl)methanol was the main long-term transformation product in conditions that simulate those in a mass of water. The degradation rate in presence of sediment was equally very low under non-forced conditions; adsorption coefficients of alprazolam and major degradation products were calculated. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Multiple myeloma is a heterogeneous disease with variable survival; this variability cannot be fully explained by the current systems of risk stratification. Early mortality remains a serious obstacle to further improve the trend toward increased survival demonstrated in recent years. However, the definition of early mortality is not standardized yet. Importantly, no study has focused on the impact of comorbidity on early mortality in multiple myeloma to date. Therefore, we analyzed the role of baseline comorbidity in a large population-based cohort of 621 real-life myeloma patients over a 31-year period. To evaluate early mortality, a sequential multivariate regression model at 2, 6, and 12 months from diagnosis was performed. It was demonstrated that comorbidity had an independent impact on early mortality, which is differential and time-dependent. Besides renal failure, respiratory disease at 2 months, liver disease at 6 months, and hepatitis virus C infection at 12 months, were, respectively, associated with early mortality, adjusting for other well-established prognostic factors. On the other hand, the long-term monitoring in our study points out a modest downward trend in early mortality over time. This is the first single institution population-based study aiming to assess the impact of comorbidity on early mortality in multiple myeloma. It is suggested that early mortality should be analyzed at three key time points (2, 6, and 12 months), in order to allow comparisons between studies. Comorbidity plays a critical role in the outcome of myeloma patients in terms of early mortality. Am. J. Hematol. 91:700-704, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

One speaks of ecological substitutes when an introduced species performs, to some extent, the ecosystem function of an extirpated native species. We suggest that a similar case exists for habitats. Species evolve within ecosystems, but habitats can be destroyed or modified by natural and human-made causes. Sometimes habitat alteration forces animals to move to or remain in a suboptimal habitat type. In that case, the habitat is considered a refuge, and the species is called a refugee. Typically refugee species have lower population growth rates than in their original habitats. Human action may lead to the unintended generation of artificial or semiartificial habitat types that functionally resemble the essential features of the original habitat and thus allow a population growth rate of the same magnitude or higher than in the original habitat. We call such areas substitution habitats and define them as human-made habitats within the focal species range that by chance are partial substitutes for the species' original habitat. We call species occupying a substitution habitat adopted species. These are 2 new terms in conservation biology. Examples of substitution habitats are dams for European otters, wheat and rice fields for many steppeland and aquatic birds, and urban areas for storks, falcons, and swifts. Although substitution habitats can bring about increased resilience against the agents of global change, the conservation of original habitat types remains a conservation priority.

Objective To compare the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis measured by means of pulse wave velocity (PWV) in women with primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS) versus a healthy age- and sex-matched control group, and to identify factors independently associated with PWV in primary SS. Methods Forty-four women with primary SS and 78 age-matched healthy women without overt cardiovascular (CV) diseases were assessed for traditional and nontraditional CV risk factors. PWV was also performed. A linear regression analysis was used to identify factors independently associated with PWV in primary SS. Results Women with primary SS had significantly higher PWV than controls (P = 0.030), and the frequency of increased PWV was significantly higher in this group (25% versus 8%; P = 0.013). The proportion of patients ages ≤50 years (ratio 4.6) with increased PWV was almost 2-fold higher than those ages >50 years (ratio 2.4) with respect to controls. Positivity for anti-SSB was more frequent in patients with normal PWV than in those with increased PWV (61% versus 18%; P = 0.034). Women with primary SS and increased PWV had lower levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D; P = 0.047) than primary SS patients with normal PWV. In addition, 25(OH)D levels tended to correlate inversely with PWV in women with primary SS (P = 0.067), but not in controls (P = 0.97). In multivariate analysis, the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and Sjogren's Syndrome Damage Index emerged as factors independently correlated with PWV. Conclusion Women with primary SS had higher PWV than controls, but a similar FRS. The FRS and chronic damage were found to be independently associated with PWV.

Night shift work has been classified as a probable human carcinogen based on experimental studies and limited human evidence on breast cancer. Evidence on other common cancers, such as prostate cancer, is scarce. Chronotype is an individual characteristic that may relate to night work adaptation. We evaluated night shift work with relation to prostate cancer, taking into account chronotype and disease severity in a population based case-control study in Spain. We included 1,095 prostate cancer cases and 1,388 randomly selected population controls. We collected detailed information on shift schedules (permanent vs. rotating, time schedules, duration, frequency), using lifetime occupational history. Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were assessed by face-to-face interviews and chronotype through a validated questionnaire. We used unconditional logistic regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders. Subjects who had worked at least for one year in night shift work had a slightly higher prostate cancer risk [Odds Ratio (OR) 1.14; 95%CI 0.94, 1.37] compared with never night workers; this risk increased with longer duration of exposure (≥28 years: OR 1.37; 95%CI 1.05, 1.81; p-trend = 0.047). Risks were more pronounced for high risk tumors [D'Amico classification, Relative Risk Ratio (RRR) 1.40; 95%CI 1.05, 1.86], particularly among subjects with longer duration of exposure (≥28 years: RRR 1.63; 95%CI 1.08, 2.45; p-trend = 0.027). Overall risk was higher among subjects with an evening chronotype, but also increased in morning chronotypes after long-term night work. In this large population based study, we found an association between night shift work and prostate cancer particularly for tumors with worse prognosis.

In this work, we analyze the residual stress, in both as-grown and post-growth annealed silicon ribbon on a sacrificial carbon template, by the simulation of the thermo-mechanical behavior of the cooling ribbon using the Abaqus software, and the measurement of stress on the free silicon surface by µ-Raman spectroscopy. The results of the simulations gave limits within which flat ribbons could be obtained for a combination of silicon thickness, ribbon width and pull rate. Stress relaxation by off-line thermal treatments is used to optimize a post-growth annealing furnace in line with the ribbon growth system. The fragile behavior of the ribbon during laser cutting can be considerably reduced by a short relaxation of the ribbon at medium temperatures around 850 °C, which were observed to give the best behavior in terms of residual tensile stress relaxation. (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Objective Homocysteine has been linked to atherosclerosis and hypertension (HT) in the general population. However, there is limited evidence regarding the effect of homocysteine on blood pressure and arterial stiffness in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We examined whether homocysteine is associated with HT and arterial stiffness in women with SLE. Methods In total, 99 women with SLE without a history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus and 101 matched controls were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants were analyzed for homocysteine levels, cardiovascular risk factors, and arterial stiffness assessed by means of carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). Associations between homocysteine, systolic blood pressure (SBP), PWV, and HT were tested using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Homocysteine levels (mean ± SD 12.3 ± 4.8 versus 9.3 ± 3.8 μmoles/liter), PWV (mean ± SD 7.54 ± 1.1 versus 7.10 ± 1.1 meters/second), SBP (mean ± SD 119 ± 13 versus 115 ± 12 mm Hg), and the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (23% versus 7%) and HT (43% versus 12%) were significantly higher in women with SLE (P < 0.050 for all). In the univariate analysis, homocysteine correlated positively with SBP (P = 0.001) and PWV (P = 0.023) in women with SLE but not in controls. In the multiple linear regression analysis, SBP was independently associated with homocysteine and body mass index (BMI) in women with SLE. Similarly, in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, homocysteine levels (or hyperhomocysteinemia), BMI, and daily prednisone dose were independently associated with HT in women with SLE. Conclusion Homocysteine was independently associated with SBP and HT in women with SLE, but not in controls. Elevated homocysteine levels could increase the risk of HT in SLE.

Background Electroanatomical mapping systems have reduced the amount of fluoroscopy required to ablate the cavotricuspid isthmus. The aims of this study are to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a zero-fluoroscopy approach to cavotricuspid isthmus catheter ablation using the Carto®3 system (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA) and to compare the results of this approach with those of the zero-fluoroscopy approach using the Ensite-NavX™ system (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA). Methods Twenty consecutive procedures guided by the Carto®3 system (Group A) were compared with two case-control groups matched from 146 procedures guided with the Ensite-NavX™ system. Group B consisted of 20 matched procedures from the first 50 procedures performed in the electrophysiology unit, and Group C consisted of 20 matched procedures from the last 50 procedures. Acute success (bidirectional block), complications, and recurrences were analyzed. The procedure times were also compared. Results There were no differences in the rates of acute success (95%, 100%, and 100%, respectively), complications (0%, 5%, and 0%), and recurrences (5.2%, 0%, and 5%) in the three groups. A zero-fluoroscopy approach was attempted in all procedures, and electroanatomical mapping made it possible to successfully avoid fluoroscopy in 90% of the procedures in Group A, 85% in B, and 95% in C. The total procedure time was shorter in Group C. The fluoroscopy and radiofrequency times were not different. Conclusions A zero-fluoroscopy approach to cavotricuspid isthmus catheter ablation using the Carto®3 system is feasible in most procedures. This approach has similar results to the zero-fluoroscopy approach using the Ensite-NavX™ system.

Aims/Introduction: Discordant results about the relationship between diabetes complications and the risk of fragility fractures have been reported. Our aims were to analyze the factors related to morphometric vertebral fractures (VFs) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to explore the association between the presence of VFs and the main cardiovascular risk factors. Materials and Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study including 123 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and in 72 of these patients we recorded data about the risk factors for VFs and comorbidities of diabetes including diabetes-related microvascular disease and cardiovascular disease. Results: In the crude analysis, diabetic retinopathy (odds ratio [OR] 4.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–12.5), ischemic heart disease (OR 5.02, 95% CI 1.1–9.7) and waist circumference (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.006–1.114) were related to VFs. In the full model (adjusted for age, sex, body mass index), ischemic heart disease was the only determinant of VF (OR 3.33, CI 1.02–10.91, P = 0.047); whereas diabetic retinopathy did not reached significance (OR 2.27, CI 0.71–7.27, P = 0.16). Conclusions: In summary, ischemic heart disease is associated with an increased risk of VFs in type 2 diabetes mellitus. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/jdi.12034, 2013)

Objective To identify key factors involved in modifying leisure time physical activity (LTPA) during early pregnancy. Methods A prospective study was conducted of 1175 pregnant women who attended a scheduled visit at Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, Spain, at 20–22 weeks of pregnancy. The Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to collect data regarding participation in any LTPA or physical activity performed according to society recommendations during early pregnancy and in the year before pregnancy. A polytomous regression model was used to identify factors associated with LTPA. Results Approximately 20.0% of the women did not engage in any LTPA, and 68.0% did not achieve the recommendations for exercise, either before or during pregnancy. Desirable changes related to performing any LTPA or the society recommendations for LTPA during pregnancy were associated with university level of education (aOR, 3.64 [95% CI, 1.54–8.56] and aOR, 1.75 [95% CI, 0.67–4.57], respectively) and smoking cessation at pregnancy (aOR, 2.05 [95% CI, 0.97–4.35] and aOR, 4.83 [95% CI, 1.31–17.83], respectively). Conclusion Few women achieved the minimum recommendations for exercise before or during pregnancy. Nevertheless, adoption of healthy lifestyle choices during pregnancy seemed to promote other healthy habits, such as participation in LTPA.

Mono-cast Si growth is currently a very promising approach to optimize the cost per watt in the production of PV devices, simultaneously increasing the installed energy/m2 ratio. However, due to the novelty of this growth approach, the material properties have not yet been studied in detail. In this work, by combining PL imaging with electrical characterization techniques (LBIC and EBIC), both the large scale and the local properties of the wafers grown from mono-cast Si ingots have been analyzed. PL imaging shows two kinds of defects, which were studied in detail by LBIC. Electrical active defects are found in areas corresponding to a unique large grain, assigned to sub-GBs, decorated by impurities. These defects have strong charge trapping, with deleterious consequences for the device performance. The presence of those intra-grain defects is also confirmed by EBIC maps, which allows comparing the electrical activity of both grain and sub-grain boundaries (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Nonlinear optical materials play a key role in the development of coherent sources of radiation, by frequency conversion of light from other light sources, e.g. diode, solid-state, and fiber lasers, into spectral ranges where few lasers exist or perform poorly. Based on the principle of the quasi-phase matching, the design and fabrication of orientation-patterned Gallium Arsenide crystals (OP-GaAs) has recently led to demonstrations of second harmonic generation, optical parametric generation, amplification and oscillation from 1 to 12 µm. The most efficient fabrication route for these crystals relies on the use of the near-equilibrium growth process HVPE (Hydride Vapour Phase Epitaxy), by orientation-selective regrowth on OP-GaAs template wafers with a thickness suited to bulk nonlinear optics. This work deals with recent characterizations based on optical experiments and cathodoluminescence measurements, targeting the identification of the main defects, their spatial distribution, and their relation to the optical propagation losses. Latest improvements of the HVPE growth step have enabled to reach an unprecedented level of losses, below 0.016 cm-1, and a large range of available QPM periods and thickness of structures (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Summary 1. Wind farms are emerging as a major cause of mortality of large scavenging bird species, which may be catastrophic when they operate in concert with other threats. As a study model, we examine the impact of wind turbines on the population dynamics of a soaring bird species, when acting in conjunction with a sudden decrease in food availability following the European bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) epidemic. 2. In Spain, vultures have been provided with supplementary food at traditional vulture restaurants for centuries. In 2006 ⁄ 2007, these feeding stations were closed as part of disease control measures. At the same time, wind farms were deployed within the vulture foraging range. We used capture– recapture data and direct observation to monitor the impacts of these changes on the vulture population. 3. The number of breeding pairs decreased by c. 24%, adult survival by 30% and fecundity by 35%. However, the population recovered as soon as the perturbations ceased, the vulture restaurants were reopened, and the most problematic wind turbines were closed. Population recovery was faster than predicted by a retrospective stochastic population model. 4. Our analyses indicate that fecundity and survival were influenced predominantly by wind turbines. Food scarcity promoted a shift in foraging behaviour that drove vultures to fly into the path of wind turbines as they sought out new food sources in a landfill site. Elasticity and sensitivity analyses of the population model showed that mortality of adult birds had a much greater effect on population declines than mortality of immature birds, whereas reduction in fecundity had negligible effects. 5. The most likely explanation for the rapid recovery of the vulture population is that the observed decline in breeding pairs was not solely because of increased mortality. The decline probably included dispersal away from the area and a greater incidence of skipped breeding during the perturbation years. Subsequent immigration from large nearby populations was probably a factor in population recovery. 6. Synthesis and applications. Where specific wind turbines are causing substantial mortality, their closure is an effective management response. For vulture populations dependent on supplemental feeding stations, the feeding sites should be relocated away from the most problematic wind turbines, or other anthropogenic sources of mortality, to prevent negative impacts. We recommend the establishment of scattered, low-value food sources to replicate historical conditions and to avoid the problems associated with high concentrations of individuals in one place.

The minimum percentages of adulteration of pure beeswax from Apis mellifera with three paraffins of different melting points and with cow tallow, stearic acid and carnauba wax that can be detected by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection were established. The concentrations of 93 endogenous beeswax compounds such as aliphatic hydrocarbons, olefins, acids, monoesters, alcohols and hydroxyacids were measured in relation to an internal standard (octadecyl octadecanoate) in mixtures of beeswax with the six adulterants; the variation of the concentrations of the compounds with the adulteration percentage was also studied. Percentages higher than 1–4% of each adulterant can be detected in the mixtures. The added adulterant can be identified by the non-endogenous beeswax compounds observed in the chromatogram; the changes in the concentrations of some beeswax compounds are also useful to corroborate the identification.

We report on the interplay between compressive strains and defects within the active region of 980 nm emitting high-power diode laser arrays. By analyzing photocurrent data, we show how external mechanical load caused by device packaging results in cumulative defect signatures within their active region. Furthermore, we analyze the reverse situation, where device degradation results in the generation of defect signatures and these defects subsequently act as driving force for the creation of compressive strains within the quantum well active region of the devices. Knowledge about their microscopic nature will be urgently required for creating more robust semiconductor device architectures.

In recent years, honeybees (Apis mellifera) have been strangely disappearing from their hives, and strong colonies have suddenly become weak and died. The precise aetiology underlying the disappearance of the bees remains a mystery. However, during the same period, Nosema ceranae, a microsporidium of the Asian bee Apis cerana, seems to have colonized A. mellifera, and it's now frequently detected all over the world in both healthy and weak honeybee colonies. For first time, we show that natural N. ceranae infection can cause the sudden collapse of bee colonies, establishing a direct correlation between N. ceranae infection and the death of honeybee colonies under field conditions. Signs of colony weakness were not evident until the queen could no longer replace the loss of the infected bees. The long asymptomatic incubation period can explain the absence of evident symptoms prior to colony collapse. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that healthy colonies near to an infected one can also become infected, and that N. ceranae infection can be controlled with a specific antibiotic, fumagillin. Moreover, the administration of 120 mg of fumagillin has proven to eliminate the infection, but it cannot avoid reinfection after 6 months. We provide Koch's postulates between N. ceranae infection and a syndrome with a long incubation period involving continuous death of adult bees, non-stop brood rearing by the bees and colony loss in winter or early spring despite the presence of sufficient remaining pollen and honey.

The semipreparative chiral separation of lansoprazole and two related compounds (pantoprazole and rabeprazole) using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) is presented in this work. Different loads were evaluated in order to obtain high enantiomeric purities and production rates. The volumes injected were 1, 2 and 4 mL. The concentrations of the racemic mixtures were 3 and 6 g/L for lansoprazole and 1.5 g/L for pantoprazole and rabeprazole. In all the cases, the recoveries, for a purity higher than 99.9%, were better for the second eluted enantiomer than for the first one. This fact conditioned the production rate of the first eluted enantiomer that, considering a fixed purity, was always lower than that obtained for the other one. In the case of lansoprazole it was possible to obtain 0.025 and 0.090 mg/min of the first and second eluted enantiomer, respectively, with an enantiomeric purity of 99.9%. For rabeprazole enantiomers 0.037 and 0.062 mg/min, and in the case of pantoprazole the results were better (0.062 and 0.122 mg/min) due to the higher resolution.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and polymorphisms in the interleukin-23 receptor (IL23R) gene, which have been previously found to be associated with two autoimmune diseases: inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis. Our study includes 224 SLE patients and 342 healthy controls. The genotyping of IL23R variants was carried out using a polymerase chain reaction system with predeveloped TaqMan allelic discrimination assays. No statistically significant differences were observed between SLE patients and healthy controls with any of the IL23R genetic variants. In addition, we did not find any significant differences when we stratified SLE patients according to their clinical and demographic features. These results suggest that IL23R polymorphisms do not appear to play an important role in the susceptibility or severity of SLE in the Spanish population.

The concentrations of 102 chemical compounds (saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, palmitates, total and free acids, total hydroxyacids, total and free alcohols, acidic monoesters and monoesterified 1,2,3-propanetriols) have been determined by GC/FID on white and yellow comb beeswax of Apis mellifera from different regions of Spain. Guide-value ranges are proposed for its characterization and to discriminate adulterated foundation beeswax sheets. The concentrations of many compounds resulted to be statistically different for white and yellow beeswaxes, while the observation of concentrations out of normal in some marketed foundation beeswax sheets suggested their adulteration. However, the measurement of anomalous concentrations in foundation beeswax sheets did not imply necessarily their rejection by the bees.

Luminescent multilayers of SiGe nanocrystals embedded in an oxide matrix have been fabricated by Low Pressure Chemical Vapour Deposition of SiGe and SiO 2 in a single run followed by a Rapid Thermal Annealing treatment to crystallize the SiGe nanoparticles. Structural parameters like the diameter of the nanoparticles and the oxide interlayer thickness, as well as the annealing conditions have been investigated in order to get the maximum intensity of the luminescence emission. Structures with small nanoparticles (3-4.5 nm) separated by thick oxide barriers (≈35 nm) annealed at 900 °C for 60 s yield the maximum intensity as a result of a compromise between the appropriate crystallization of the small nanoparticles and a reduced degradation of their composition by Ge diffusion. An additional treatment at 450 °C in forming gas for dangling-bond passivation increases the intensity of the luminescence by 25%.

ZnO films have been grown on GaSb substrates by metallic Zn thermal evaporation and oxidation by annealing in atmospheric conditions. The evaporation times ranged from 20 up to 80 seconds. The oxidation process was carried out at temperatures from 410 °C to 600 °C. The morphology of the surface as well as the luminescence properties have been studied as a function of the growth conditions. The samples were characterized by means of SEM, micro-Photoluminescence and Cathodoluminescence spectroscopies. The samples present good luminescence emission; the spectra show an intense UV emission with a low intense band in the visible. SbOx phases seem to be formed for some specific growth conditions. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Objective. To determine the potential role of the CD24 A57V gene polymorphism in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. We studied 3 cohorts of Caucasian patients and controls. The Spanish cohort included 696 SLE patients and 539 controls, the German cohort included 257 SLE patients and 317 controls, and the Swedish cohort included 310 SLE patients and 247 controls. The CD24 A57V polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction, using a predeveloped TaqMan allele discrimination assay. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. Results. In the Spanish cohort there was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of the CD24 V allele between SLE patients and controls (OR 3.6 [95% CI 2.13-6.16], P < 0.0001). In addition, frequency of the CD24 V/V genotype was increased in SLE patients compared with controls (OR 3.7 [95% CI 2.16-6.34], P < 0.00001). We sought to replicate this association with SLE in a German population and a Swedish population. A similar trend was found in the German group. The CD24 V/V genotype and the CD24 V allele were more frequent in SLE patients than in controls, although this difference was not statistically significant. No differences were observed in the Swedish group. A meta-analysis of the Spanish and German cohorts demonstrated that the CD24 V allele has a risk effect in SLE patients (pooled OR 1.25 [95% Cl 1.08-1.46], P = 0.003). In addition, homozygosity for the CD24 V risk allele significantly increased the effect (pooled OR 2.1,9 [95% Cl 1.50-3.22], P = 0.00007). Conclusion. These findings suggest that the CD24 A57V polymorphism plays a role in susceptibility to SLE in a Spanish population. (Less)

Glauconitic peloids from a Hauterivian condensed level in a hemipelagic unit of the Internal Prebetic (Los Villares Formation, eastern Betic Cordillera) have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and analytical electron microscopy (AEM). The sediments forming the condensed level are characterized by abundant spherical to ovoid green glauconite peloids with radial cracks. Quartz, feldspar and muscovite are also abundant, whereas calcium phosphate is rarely detected. XRD analysis of the peloids reveals glauconite and small amounts of berthierine. SEM and HRTEM data show feldspar dissolution features, a Si–Al-rich gel-like substance filling K-feldspar micropores and interlayering of well-crystallized glauconite and berthierine packets. The last stage of the glauconitization process resulted in conversion of the smectitic precursor. Sedimentary and mineralogical features indicate an autochthonous origin for the glauconite. The depositional environment was a distal, hemipelagic ramp on the Southern Iberian Continental Palaeomargin. Low sedimentation rates lead to sediment condensation in a general transgressive context. The margin was affected by extensional tectonics, creating tilted blocks, resulting in lateral facies changes. The dissolution of K-feldspars probably occurred after their deposition in the marine environment but predating the glauconitization. An influx of meteoric water is therefore required, probably related to subsurface fluxes from adjacent emergent areas (the higher parts of tilted blocks). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The enantiomeric separation of bifonazole by supercritical fluid chromatography on Chiralpak AD has been studied. The effect of different modifiers (methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, and acetonitrile) was examined. Enantioseparation was possible with all of them, but the best results were provided by the alcohol-type ones. The resolution was higher than 5 in all cases. The isoelution temperatures Tiso were calculated from the study of the temperature effect for the different organic modifiers. The value of Tiso was below the working temperature range on using methanol, but above it with ethanol or 2-propanol.

Residues of the varroacides amitraz, chlordimeform, chlorfenvinphos, bromopropylate, coumaphos, tetradifon, acrinathrin, and fluvalinate, the organic microcontaminants 4,4'-DDE, 4,4'-TDE, PCB 153 and PCB 180, and the lipophilic pesticides lindane, chlorpyrifos and endosulfan have been determined by GC/MS in 52 beeswax samples. Recoveries on spiked samples ranged from 93 to 108% and determination limits varied from 4 to 65 µg/kg. Lindane (0.042–0.29 mg/kg), chlorfenvinphos (0.16–7.62 mg/kg), 4,4'-TDE (0.20 mg/kg), bromopropylate (0.041–0.12 mg/kg), tetradifon (0.032–0.58 mg/kg), acrinathrin (0.058–0.59 mg/kg), coumaphos (0.27–0.38 mg/kg), fluvalinate (0.064–5.10 mg/kg), endosulfan sulfate (0.12–0.37 mg/kg) and 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde, a degradation product of fluvalinate and acrinathrin (0.080–1.47 mg/kg), were the compounds detected in beeswax. Foundation beeswax sheets contained higher contaminant concentrations and a greater diversity of compounds in relation to comb beeswaxes. Repeated melting in boiling water of purified beeswax spiked with the contaminants did not substantially modify the content of most of the contaminants in beeswax, except for amitraz and chlordimeform, showing that the contaminants are stable and remain practically unchanged in the purified beeswax.

We use cathodoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy to investigate GaN layers grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy with different Bi fluxes. We find that the growth of GaN with an additional Bi flux favours the formation of submicron cubic domains, which results in layers with reduced crystalline quality and lower luminescence emission. We detect a Bi-related Raman feature at low frequencies that we tentatively assign to local Bi modes in GaN, which indicates that a fraction of Bi atoms incorporates into the GaN lattice. © 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Pure beeswaxes produced in different climatic regions of Spain have been characterized by the determination of nine physico-chemical parameters: density, acid, saponification, ester, ratio number, iodine, peroxide, melting point and ash content values. The official methods of analysis to determine density and saponification values in fats and oils were not suitable for beeswaxes; alternative methods are proposed in this work for both parameters. After verifying the precision of the methods and the value guidelines, the usefulness of the physico-chemical parameters to detect adulterations with paraffin, stearic acid, carnauba wax and tallow was tested: adulteration percentages of 5%, or higher, were commonly detected. Marketed foundation beeswax sheets, rejected or badly accepted by the bees, were also analyzed to discuss their quality; 25 out of 27 beeswax sheets show anomalous values for at least one parameter.

Low-temperature spectrally resolved cathodo luminescence was implemented on degraded AlGaAs-based high-power laser bars to investigate the degradation signatures. We focused on laser bars at different degradation levels and two degradation patterns were described and attributed to two degradation mechanisms. The first one may be due to some locally poorer material quality and induces the formation of dark spots defects in injection channels, the other one (which is correlated to some damages created on the facet during the mounting of the bar) triggers the formation of some characteristic dark defects originating from the facet and extending within the (110) oriented current injection channels.

Nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB plays an important role in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A functional insertion/deletion polymorphism (-94ins/delATTG) has been identified in the promoter of the NFKB1 gene. In addition, a polymorphic dinucleotide repeat (CA) has been identified in proximity to the coding region of the human NFKB1 gene. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of both the -94ins/delATTG and the (CA) microsatellite NFKB1 polymorphisms in the susceptibility/severity of RA and SLE. We analyzed the distribution of -94ins/delATTG and the multiallelic (CA)(n) repeat in 272 RA patients, 181 SLE patients, and 264 healthy controls from Southern Spain, in both cases using a polymerase chain reaction-fluorescent method. No statistically significant difference in the distribution of the -94delATTG NFKB1 genotypes and alleles between RA patients, SLE patients, and control subjects was observed. Similarly, we found no statistically significant differences in the (CA)(n) microsatellite allele frequency between controls and RA patients or SLE patients. In addition, no association was found between the above mentioned NFKB1 polymorphisms with any of the demographic and clinical parameters tested either in RA or in SLE patients. From these results, it seems that the -94ins/delATTG and the (CA)(n) repeat of NFKB1 gene may not play a relevant role in RA and/or SLE in our population.

Objective To assess the possible association between the PTPN22 gene 1858CT polymorphism and the predisposition and clinical expression of 2 systemic autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Our study population consisted of 826 RA patients, 338 SLE patients, and 1,036 healthy subjects. All subjects were of Spanish Caucasian origin. Genotyping of the PTPN22 gene 1858CT polymorphism was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction technology, using the TaqMan 5′-allele discrimination assay. Results The overall distribution of genotypes in the RA patients was significantly different from that in the controls (P = 0.005, by chi-square test with 2 × 3 contingency tables). We observed a statistically significant difference in the distribution of the PTPN22 1858T allele between healthy subjects (7.4%), and RA patients (10.4%) (P = 0.001, odds ratio [OR] 1.45 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.15–1.83]). In addition, PTPN22 1858 C/T and T/T genotypes were present at a significantly higher frequency in SLE patients than in controls (P = 0.02, OR 1.55 [95% CI 1.05–2.29]). Differences were also observed when allele frequencies were compared, with the PTPN22 1858T allele being present at a higher frequency among SLE patients (P = 0.03, OR 1.45 [95% CI 1.01–2.09]). Conclusion These results suggest that the PTPN22 1858T allele may confer differential susceptibility to RA and SLE in the Spanish population.

The presence of degradation products of bromopropylate, trichlorphon, parathion-methyl and tebuconazole in white and red wines elaborated from musts spiked with commercial formulations of the pesticides was studied. Must and wine were subjected to solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography with electron ionization mass spectrometric detection. α-Bromophenylphenylmethanol, aminoparathion, acetylaminoparathion-oxon and dichlorvos have been identified as degradation products of bromopropylate, parathion-methyl and trichlorphon in wines, respectively. Moreover, the presence of additives and impurities of the formulations in elaborated wines has also been found. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A study of the enantiomeric separation of omeprazole and several related benzimidazoles, using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), on the amylose based column Chiralpak AD is presented in this work. The effect of the organic modifier as well as temperature on the retention and enantioresolution was investigated. Alcohol-type modifiers provided the best results, allowing the enantiomeric separation of all the compounds studied with resolutions that were in most cases higher than 2, and analysis times lower than 10 minutes. An investigation of the temperature effect revealed that the isoelution temperature was below the working temperature range in only two cases, and hence it was better to work at the highest temperature permitted.

Objective. To investigate the possible association of the CT60A/G marker with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Spanish patients, and to identify the possible CTLA4 haplotype responsible for the association, taking into account other polymorphisms described at positions 1722T/C, 319C/T, 49A/G, and the microsatellite (AT)n in the 3-untranslated region (3-UTR) of the CTLA4 gene. Methods. Genotyping of CT60 was performed in 395 patients with SLE and 293 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Genotyping of the rest of the dimorphisms has been previously reported. Genotyping of microsatellite polymorphism (AT)n in the 3-UTR was performed using PCR with a fluorescencelabeled primer. Results. With regard to CT60A/G, the frequency of the AA genotype was significantly decreased among the SLE patients (18.7% versus 28.3% in the control group; P 0.003, corrected P [Pcorr] 0.009, odds ratio [OR] 0.58, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.40– 0.85). In other words, the frequency of individuals bearing the G phenotype was increased in the patient group compared with the control group (81.2% versus 71.7%; P 0.003, Pcorr 0.006, OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.18–2.49). The distribution of allele frequency was also significantly different between patients and controls (P 0.01, Pcorr 0.02, OR [for allele G] 1.32, 95% CI 1.06–1.65). After combining the data on the different polymorphisms, 2 neutral haplotypes were found: 49A;(AT)7;CT60A and 49G;(AT)8–19;CT60G. In addition, a susceptibility haplotype was found: 49A; (AT)>19;CT60G. Conclusion. The 3-UTR of the CTLA4 gene is involved in susceptibility to SLE.

Low Temperature-Spectrally Resolved Cathodo-Luminescence (LT-SRCL) and Cathodo-Luminescence Imaging (CLI) have been used to study the effects of high temperature and high current density aging on 980 nm InGaAs/AlGaAs pump lasers. The aged lasers show a characteristic evolution of the luminescence band related to a thin (≅ 25 nm) InGaP etch-stop layer: a blue-shift of several meV is observed, together with a rather strong increase in the luminescence intensity. The blue-shift is related to an increase in the disorder of the InGaP alloy while the strong increase of the intensity may result from a different localization of the injected carriers due to a modification of the potential profile. A possible microscopic mechanism for the disordering of the InGaP layer is discussed, based on the migration of either p-type impurities (Zn, in this case) or excess group III interstitials.

InGaP alloy is a very promising material for several applications (BHT transistors, LEDs, etc). Nevertheless, it presents several problems related to the large lattice mismatch between the binary compounds, the formation of an ordered phase (undiserable for device applications) and the surface morphology. In this paper we study the properties of low pressure metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy (LP MOVPE) grown lattice matched GaInP/GaAs heterostructures using atomic force microscopy (AFM), high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD), micro-Raman spectroscopy (μ-R) and micro-photoluminescence (μ-PL). We study the incidence of ordering correcting the compositional changes. The role of the substrate type and the consequences of doping the layers on ordering are discussed.

In this work we analysed, by means of Spectral Imaging Cathodoluminescence, the luminescence properties of individual ZnO nanowires (NWs) grown by chemical vapour deposition. The NWs show a general increase of the radiative recombination channels, and a decrease of the relative intensity of the visible band respect to the bound exciton emission, pointing to a high crystal quality. Local changes in the peak position and intensity of the near band edge were found by studying the luminescence of individual NWs, which have been ascribed to structural changes along them (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

The micro-Raman spectra of three iridium silicides, IrSi, IrSi1.75 and IrSi3, were obtained. The silicides were prepared by rapid thermal annealing of iridium films deposited on Si substrates. The three phases were identified by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. The main bands observed in the micro-Raman spectra are described in order to provide a simple characterization method for these silicides with high spatial resolution. The three silicides present phonon bands around 165 and 200 cm−1. Some additional broad bands between 240 and 500 cm−1 were also observed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Background: Differences in Helicobacter pylori protein expression have been related to the risk of severe gastric diseases. In Spain, a marked geographic pattern in gastric cancer mortality has long been reported. Objective: To characterize antibody reactivity patterns against 16 H. pylori proteins, by age, sex, and region of birth, in a large sample of the Spanish adult population. Materials and Methods: Antibody reactivity was quantified by H. pylori multiplex serology in a sample from the control group of the multicase-control study MCC-Spain. For this analysis, 2555 population-based controls were included. Each participant was classified as seropositive or seronegative for each protein according to specific cutoffs. Overall H. pylori seroprevalence was defined as positivity against >= 4 proteins. Descriptive analyses by age, sex, and region of birth were performed for both seroprevalence and seroreactivity (continuous measure). Differences among groups were tested by logistic and linear regression models. Results: Overall H. pylori seroprevalence increased with age in both sexes. For ages 55-74, seroprevalence was lower in women than in men (84% vs 92%, P

Several types of crystalloids may be found in fine-needle aspiration cytology of salivary gland lesions. Amylase crystalloids (sometimes referred to as nontyrosine crystalloids) are tabular structures with frequent pointed ends that have received little attention until recent years. We report on a parotid cyst containing the latter type of crystalloids in a 51-yr-old white woman. The cytologic and radiologic findings were diagnostic of sialolithiasis. To the best of our knowledge, amylase crystalloids have been observed only in benign salivary gland lesions. Although this statement may be helpful in the diagnostic workup of patients presenting with parotid lumps, we do not recommend rendering a specific diagnosis based on the presence of such crystalloids. Good clinical and radiological correlation, as well as close follow-up, is mandatory in this setting.