José María Chamoso Sánchez

A New Approach for Structural Monitoring of Large Dams with a Three-Dimensional Laser Scanner.

Driven by progress in sensor technology, computer methods and data processing capabilities, 3D laser scanning has found a wide range of new application fields in recent years. Particularly, monitoring the static and dynamic behaviour of large dams has always been a topic of great importance, due to the impact these structures have on the whole landscape where they are built. The main goal of this paper is to show the relevance and novelty of the laserscanning methodology developed, which incorporates different statistical and modelling approaches not considered until now. As a result, the methods proposed in this paper have provided the measurement and monitoring of the large “Las Cogotas” dam (Avila, Spain).

Lymphoid subsets and prognostic factors in multiple myeloma

In a uniform series of 170 untreated myeloma patients (MM) we investigated the distribution of T cell subsets in peripheral blood (PB) and their relationship with the most relevant disease characteristics, including survival. CD4 cells were significantly decreased both in percentage and absolute numbers (P < 0.0001). On the other hand, the CD8 cells only showed a slight increase in relative numbers. Upon correlating the abnormalities in the distribution of T cells with other clinical and biological disease characteristics the most remarkable correlation was with survival. A low number of CD4 cells (< 700 × 106/1) was associated with both an advanced clinical stage and a shorter survival (20 v. 43 months, P= 0.01). Moreover, a significant correlation also exists between the decrease in CD4 cells and both high β2‐microglobulin (β2M) levels and anaemia. On the other hand, no relationship was found with the type of M‐component nor with the plasma cell phenotype. Finally multivariate analysis showed that the number of CD4 cells add independent prognostic information to other well‐established tests for the assessment of disease outcome in patients with multiple myeloma.

Prognostic factors and classification in multiple myeloma.

Analyses of prognostic factors have allowed the design of staging systems in different haematological disorders. In a series of 220 patients with multiple myeloma, univariate analysis showed that nine parameters had a significant adverse effect on survival; poor performance status (Karnowsky scaling system less than 70%), infections before diagnosis, renal impairment (assessed either by creatinine clearance greater than 2 mg dl-1 or urea greater than 40 mg dl-1), serum calcium (greater than 10 mg dl-1), severe anaemia (less than 8.5 g dl-1), the presence of Bence-Jones proteinuria, failure to achieve complete remission, more than 40% plasma cells in bone marrow and a low paraprotein index (monoclonal component/% plasma cells: P less than 0.09). In addition, this index correlated significantly with all the other prognostic factors except performance status. The best combination of disease characteristics selected by means of the Cox regression proportional hazards method were performance status and creatinine levels. Additionally, by factor analysis of principal components we obtained a regression equation that included creatinine levels, haemoglobin, performance status and paraprotein index. Using this it was possible to separate the series of patients into three risk categories: A (65 patients), B (69 patients) and C (65 patients) with a median survival of 41, 24 and 12 months, respectively. The model provided similar results to those of the British Medical Research Council, whereas the staging systems proposed by Durie and Salmon, Merlin et al. and Carbone et al. had a lower discriminant value in our series.

Sorption isotherms and kinetics in the primary biodegradation of anionic surfactants by immobilized bacteria : II. Comamonas terrigena N3H

Comamonas terrigena N3H was immobilized by covalent linking on silanized inorganic supports and by physical entrapment of cells within calcium alginate beads and reticulated polyurethane foam. Both entrapped cells were efficient for the primary biodegradation of the anionic surfactants dihexyl sulphosuccinate (DHSS) and dioctyl sulphosuccinate (DOSS), furthermore, exhibiting, in the case of polyurethane immobilized cells, a positive fractionating effect of the substrate by adsorption onto the polymer matrix. The overall kinetics for the surfactant removal from water were well-fitted to a biphasic process, a rapid passive sorption step of the surfactant onto the cell-loaded support and the intrinsic primary biodegradation slower step, both acting synergically.

Sorption isotherms and kinetics in the primary biodegradation of anionic surfactants by immobilized bacteria: I. Pseudomonas C12B

Abstract The surfactant-degrading biocatalyst Pseudomonas C12B was immobilized by covalent linking on silanized inorganic supports and by physical entrapment of cells within reticulated polyurethane foam. Both immobilized biocatalysts have been shown to be appropriate for the effective primary biodegradation of the anionic surfactants sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid (DBS), dioctyl sulphosuccinate (DOSS) and dihexyl sulphosuccinate (DHSS). The overall surfactant removal from water by cells entrapped in reticulated polyurethane foam exhibits a biphasic process, a rapid sorption step of the surfactant onto the cell-loaded support and the intrinsic primary biodegradation slower step, both acting cooperatively. The optimization of variables for the adsorption and the biodegradation processes (flow rate, particle size, substrate concentration) have been studied. Sorption isotherms for the surfactants on reticulated polyurethane foam have been established as type II of the Brunauer, Deming, Deming and Teller (BDDT) classification. The kinetics of the primary biodegradation of SDS by cells covalent linked on sepiolite treated with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTS) were found to be first-order. In this case, surfactant adsorption does not exist.

Cardenolide content in suspension cell cultures derived from root and leaf callus of Digitalis thapsi L.

Summary Growth and cardenolide production of Digitalis thapsi L. cell suspension cultures were investigated. Although cardenolide content in plantlets was high, only trace amounts of these compounds were found in the cultures and the production of cardenolides coincided with an almost complete depletion of phosphate from the medium. When Digitalis thapsi cells were transferred from suspension cultures to the surface of a solidified medium containing different concentrations of growth regulators an increase in the content of cardiac glycosides was observed.

Validation of the NCCN-IPI for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL): the addition of β2 -microglobulin yields a more accurate GELTAMO-IPI.

The study included 1848 diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL)patients treated with chemotherapy/rituximab. The aims were to validate the National Comprehensive Cancer Network International Prognostic Index (NCCN‐IPI) and explore the effect of adding high Beta‐2 microglobulin (β2M), primary extranodal presentation and intense treatment to the NCCN‐IPI variables in order to develop an improved index. Comparing survival curves, NCCN‐IPI discriminated better than IPI, separating four risk groups with 5‐year overall survival rates of 93%, 83%, 67% and 49%, but failing to identify a true high‐risk population. For the second aim the series was split into training and validation cohorts: in the former the multivariate model identified age, lactate dehydrogenase, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, Stage III‐IV, and β2M as independently significant, whereas the NCCN‐IPI‐selected extranodal sites, primary extranodal presentation and intense treatments were not. These results were confirmed in the validation cohort. The Grupo Español de Linfomas/Trasplante de Médula ósea (GELTAMO)‐IPI developed here, with 7 points, significantly separated four risk groups (0, 1–3, 4 or ≥5 points) with 11%, 58%, 17% and 14% of patients, and 5‐year overall survival rates of 93%, 79%, 66% and 39%, respectively. In the comparison GELTAMO IPI discriminated better than the NCCN‐IPI. In conclusion, GELTAMO‐IPI is more accurate than the NCCN‐IPI and has statistical and practical advantages in that the better discrimination identifies an authentic high‐risk group and is not influenced by primary extranodal presentation or treatments of different intensity.

Efficacy of the GemOx-R regimen leads to the identification of Oxaliplatin as a highly effective drug against Mantle Cell Lymphoma.

Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive lymphoma subtype that accounts for 6–8% of non‐Hodgkin lymphomas. The disease is mostly incurable and characterized by a continuous pattern of relapse. Major changes have recently been implemented in the management of MCL, but continuous relapses still mark this disease as a challenge for clinicians. We previously reported the efficacy of GemOx‐R (Gemcitabine, Oxaliplatin and Rituximab) in patients with refractory and relapsing MCL. We present results for a larger series with longer follow‐up and including high‐risk frontline patients, showing an overall response rate of 83%. The efficacy of each component of GemOx‐R was evaluated in a panel of MCL cell lines. Also, patient‐derived primary cells were used in ex vivo experiments. The results show that oxaliplatin has a profound effect on cellular viability and is the most effective drug within this regimen. We further present synergistic efficacy of oxaliplatin combined with cytarabine in MCL cells. Interestingly, this synergistic effect was not seen when cisplatin and cytarabine were combined, indicating that among the platinum‐derived agents oxaliplatin may be the preferred approach. Taken together our findings suggest that oxaliplatin alone or combined with cytarabine could constitute an alternative backbone for MCL regimens.

Analizado cuentos para enseñar matemáticas

ResumenExisten trabajos que relacionan las Matemáticas con otras disciplinas pero son escasos los que lo hacen con la Literatura, a pesar de que algunos libros las utilizan para su desarrollo. Ésa es la razón por la que presentamos un cuento creado con ese objetivo. A partir de él se muestra que, de una historia adecuada y agradable para niños, es posible extraer actividades matemáticas. Posteriormente se entregan sugerencias para su aplicación al aula. A continuación, a partir de una actividad organizada por el docente, se estudió el trabajo de algunos futuros profesores con el cuento asi como el posterior trabajo de éstos en la invención de cuentos o en la adaptación de otros con fines educativos. Para terminar se presentan las conclusiones obtenidas.SummaryThere are projects in order to work the Mathematics with others disciplines but there are rare with the Literature, in spite of some books use them in their development. For this reason, we shall present a story invented with this objective. It will be shown that, from a suitable and pleasant story for children, it is possible to take out Mathematics activities. Subsequently, suggestions will be made for its application in the classroom. Then, from an activity organized by the teacher, the work of some future teachers on this story and their own stories invented or the adaptation of others with educational mathematical aims will be studied. At the end, the conclusions obtained will be given.RésuméII existe des travaux qui traitent les mathématiques en relation avec d’autres disciplines mais rares sont ceux qui ont un lien avec la littérature, malgré quelques livres qui utilisent cette science pour leur développement. C’est la raison pour laquelle nous présentons une histoire créée dans ce but. A travers elle, nous montrons qu’il est possible d’extraire des activités mathématiques à partir d’une histoire adéquate, et agréable pour enfants. Par la suite, des suggestions pourront être faites pour son application en classe. Puis, à partir d’une activité organisée par le professeur, nous étudierons le travail de quelques futurs enseignants sur cette histoire, ainsi que sur leurs propres histoires inventées ou sur l’adaptation d’autres contes qui ont pour objectif l’apprentissage des mathématiques. Pour terminer, nous présenterons les conclusions obtenues.

Differential prognostic impact of GELTAMO-IPI in cell of origin subtypes of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma as defined by the Hans algorithm

The Grupo Español de Linfomas y Trasplantes de Médula Ósea International Prognostic Index (GELTAMO‐IPI) stratifies four risk groups in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients treated with immunochaemotherapy: low (LR), low‐intermediate (LIR), high‐intermediate (HIR), and high (HR). The present study explores the effect of GELTAMO‐IPI in the DLBCL subtypes defined by the immunohistochaemistry‐based Hans algorithm, Germinal Centre B (GCB) and non‐GCB. A multivariate Cox regression model including GELTAMO‐IPI risk groups, cell of origin (COO) subtypes and their product was developed to evaluate interaction between the two variables. The COO subtype was available in 839 patients (380 GCB; 459 non‐GCB) and both the GELTAMO‐IPI and the COO subtype in 780 (353 GCB; 427 non‐GCB). There were no differences in 5‐year overall survival (OS) between the two subtypes. The Cox model revealed interaction between the GELTAMO‐IPI risk groups and the COO subtypes (P = 0·005), indicating that GELTAMO‐IPI has a different effect in the two subtypes. Three risk groups were stratified in both COO subtypes: in the GCB subtype, LR, LIR and the combined HIR+HR had 5‐year OS of 100%, 75% and 52%, respectively. In the non‐GCB subtype, LR, the combined LIR+HIR and HR had a 5‐year OS of, 97%, 82% and 35% respectively. GELTAMO‐IPI identifies a genuine poor outcome group of patients in the DLBCL non‐GCB subtype.