University of Extremadura

About: University of Extremadura is a education organization based out in Badajoz, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Hyperspectral imaging. The organization has 7856 authors who have published 18299 publications receiving 396126 citations. The organization is also known as: Universidad de Extremadura.

The Inferior Right Atrial Isthmus: Further Architectural Insights for Current and Coming Ablation Technologies

Abstract: Morphology and Structure of the Inferior Right Atrial Isthmus. Background: Although linear ablation of the right atrial isthmus in patients with isthmus-dependent atrial flutter can be highly successful, recurrences and complications occur in some patients. Our study provides further morphological details for a better understanding of the structure of the isthmus. Methods and Results: We examined the isthmic area in 30 heart specimens by dissection, histology, and scanning electron microscopy. This area was bordered anteriorly by the hinge of the tricuspid valve and posteriorly by the orifice of the inferior caval vein. With the heart in attitudinal orientation, we identified and measured the lengths of three levels of isthmus: paraseptal (24 ′ 4 mm), central (19 ′ 4 mm), and inferolateral (30 ′ 3 mm). Comparing the three levels, the central isthmus had the thinnest muscular wall and the paraseptal isthmus the thickest wall. At all three levels, the anterior part was consistently muscular whereas the posterior part was composed of mainly fibro-fatty tissue in 63% of hearts. The right coronary artery was less than 4 mm from the endocardial surface of the inferolateral isthmus in 47% of hearts. Inferior extensions of the atrioventricular node were present in the paraseptal isthmus in 10% of hearts, at 1-3 mm from the endocardial surface. Conclusions: The thinner wall and shorter length of the central isthmus together with its distance from the right coronary artery, and nonassociation with the atrioventricular node or its arterial supply, should make it the preferred site for linear radiofrequency ablation.

Inhibition of protein and lipid oxidation by rapeseed, camelina and soy meal in cooked pork meat patties

Abstract: In this study protein-containing by-products of deoiling processes rich in phenolics were applied to meat to be used as potential food ingredients in developing meat products with antioxidant effect. The effect of rapeseed meal (Brassica rapa L.), camelina meal (Camelina sativa), soy meal and soy flour (from soybean, Glycene max L.), in inhibiting oxidation of lipids and proteins was tested in cooked pork meat patties. A commercial CO2 extract from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) was used as a reference material alone and in combination with the other plant materials. The cooked pork meat with added plant materials was oxidized for 10 days at 5 °C under light. The oxidation was followed by measuring the formation of hexanal, pentanal and propanal by headspace gas chromatography and the formation of protein carbonyls by converting them to 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones (DNPH). Rapeseed meal (0.5 and 0.7 g/100 g meat) and camelina meal (0.7 g/100 g meat) as such and their combination (addition of 0.5 g/100 g) with rosemary extract (0.04 g/100 g) were effective antioxidants toward both protein and lipid oxidation while soy meal and flour were effective only in combination with rosemary extract.

Exercise in fibromyalgia and related inflammatory disorders: known effects and unknown chances.

Abstract: Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterised by chronic widespread pain and allodynia (pain from stimuli which are not normally painful with pain that may occur other than in the area stimulated) of more than 3 months duration. The current hypothesis of the aetiology of FM includes inflammatory and neuroendocrine disorders. The biophysiology of this syndrome, however; remains still widely elusive, and there are no formally approved therapies. Non-pharmacological interventions in FM patients include habitual exercise programs which improve physical function and quality of life of patients and may even reduce pain. However the mechanisms through which exercise benefits FM symptoms needs to be elucidated. In this article we firstly review the main topics and characteristics of the FM syndrome, while focusing our attention on the inflammatory hypothesis of FM, as well as on the beneficial effects of habitual exercise as a co-therapy for FM patients. In this context, the latest developments in research on anti-inflammatory effects of exercise are also reviewed and discussed. To find out what is known about the connection between benefits of exercise for FM and anti-inflammatory effects of exercise, we carried out a PubMed search using the term "fibromyalgia" and "exercise" together with "inflammation", and no more than ten published articles were found (six of them reviews), which are also discussed. In the second part of the article we present a pilot investigation on a group of 14 female FM patients with a diagnosis of FM by a rheumatologist. They took part in a pool-aquatic program in warm water over a period of fourth months (three weekly 60-min sessions). Circulating inflammatory (IL-1beta, IL-2, IFNgamma, TNFalpha, IL-8, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10 and CRP) and neuroendocrine (NA and cortisol) markers were determined. FM patients showed higher circulating levels of IL-8, IFNgamma and CRP as well as cortisol and NA than age-matched healthy control women. After the exercise program, a significant decrease in IL-8, IFNgamma, and CRP were found, in parallel with a decrease in circulating concentrations of cortisol and increased levels of NA. The results confirm an elevated "inflammatory status" in the FM syndrome and strengthen the hypothesis that the benefits of exercise in FM patients are mediated, at least in part, by its anti-inflammatory effects. A better regulation of the cytokine-HPA axis feedback may be also involved.