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A non-conventional modification of exfoliated few-layer graphene (FLG) with different arynes under microwave (MW) irradiation and solvent-free conditions is reported. The described approach allows reaching fast, efficient and mild covalent functionalization of FLG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expansion of the invasive rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss into the thermal headwaters of Valcheta Stream (Patagonia, Argentina) and new predation records on the endangered endemic naked characin Gymnocharacinus bergii are presented here. These findings are discussed in relation to the contemporary evolution and thermal refuges hypothesis. This study has immediate implications for the conservation of G. bergii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought events in the Mediterranean are likely to increase in frequency, duration and intensity due to climate change, thereby affecting crop production. Information about drought is valuable for river basin authorities and the farmers affected by their decisions. The economic value of this information and the resulting decisions are of interest to these two stakeholder groups and to the information providers. Understanding the dynamics of extreme events, including droughts, in future climate scenarios for the Mediterranean is being improved continuously. This paper analyses the economic value of information on drought events taking into account the risk aversion of water managers. We consider the effects of drought management plans on rice production in the Ebro river basin. This enables us to compute the willingness to compensate the river basin authority for more accurate information allowing for better decision-making. If runoff is reduced, river basin planners can consider the reduction of water allocation for irrigation in order to eliminate the risk of water scarcity. Alternately, river basin planners may decide to maintain water allocation and accept a reduction of water supply reliability, leaving farmers exposed to drought events. These two alternatives offer different risk levels for crop production and farmers' incomes which determine the value of this information to the river basin authority. The information is relevant for the revision of River Basin Management Plans of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) within the context of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing pressure on water systems in the Mediterranean enhances existing water conflicts and threatens water supply for agriculture. In this context, one of the main priorities for agricultural research and public policy is the adaptation of crop yields to water pressures. This paper focuses on the evaluation of hydrological risk and water policy implications for food production. Our methodological approach includes four steps. For the first step, we estimate the impacts of rainfall and irrigation water on crop yields. However, this study is not limited to general crop production functions since it also considers the linkages between those economic and biophysical aspects which may have an important effect on crop productivity. We use statistical models of yield response to address how hydrological variables affect the yield of the main Mediterranean crops in the Ebro river basin. In the second step, this study takes into consideration the effects of those interactions and analyzes gross value added sensitivity to crop production changes. We then use Montecarlo simulations to characterize crop yield risk to water variability. Finally we evaluate some policy scenarios with irrigated area adjustments that could cope in a context of increased water scarcity. A substantial decrease in irrigated land, of up to 30% of total, results in only moderate losses of crop productivity. The response is crop and region specific and may serve to prioritise adaptation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 48-year-old man with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy was found to have a large, spontaneous mesocaval shunt. The shunt was successfully occluded with the use of an Amplatzer Vascular Plug. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of this device to embolize a mesocaval shunt involving the superior mesenteric vein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many investigators have observed mild cognitive deficits in essential tremor (ET), yet the functional significance of these deficits is unclear. Also, there are very few data in which functional activity in ET has been divided into cognitively based activities (remembering appointments) versus motor-based activities (writing cheques).Objective: The authors (1) compared functional level in ET cases versus controls, assessing functional activities that are cognitively based and those that are dependent upon both motor and cognitive factors, and (2) determined whether lower mini mental status test scores in ET cases have a functional correlate.Methods: In a population-based study of people > or = 65 years in central Spain (NEDICES), a 37-item version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (37-MMSE) and an 11-item version of the Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) were administered to non-demented ET cases and controls.Results: The FAQ was 55.5% higher (ie, lower function) in 208 cases than 3616 controls (2.8+/-4.8 vs 1.8+/-4.2, p<0.001). Cases reported more difficulty (ie, higher FAQ scores) with FAQ items that were cognitive measures as well as FAQ items that were cognitive-motor in nature. In cases, a lower 37-MMSE was associated with more difficulty on both cognitively based and cognitive-motor-based FAQ items (p<0.001).Discussion: In this large, population-based study, ET cases reported more functional difficulty than controls, and this functional difficulty was present in both cognitive and cognitive-motor domains. Lower cognitive test scores were associated with more reported functional difficulty, indicating that lower cognitive test scores in ET, rather than being inconsequential, have a clear clinical-functional correlate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy allows the assessment of several metabolites in brain tissue. In patients with hepatic encephalopathy, this technique shows a rise in glutamine and a decrease in myoinositol in brain tissue. However, the role of magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy is not known. We report the case of a patient with a relapsing confusional syndrome who underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Previously, hepatic encephalopathy was ruled out because of the negative results of a transjugular liver biopsy and normal hepatic venous pressure gradient. The results of magnetic resonance were characteristic of hepatic encephalopathy. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated large portosystemic shunts associated with cirrhosis of the liver. This case shows that magnetic resonance spectroscopy is an useful technique for the diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy in selected cases, such as those without clinical signs of cirrhosis and/or large portosystemic shunts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemoperitoneum is a well-known form of hepatocellular carcinoma presentation and represents a frequent complication in countries with a high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma, but it is rarely seen in Western countries. Our aim was to report the results and describe the arteriographic and CT-scan characteristics in a series of seven consecutive patients. They were admitted to our hospital because of hemoperitoneum due to ruptured tumor as a first manifestation of hepatocellular carcinoma, and the rupture was effectively controlled by transcatheter arterial embolization. From April 1989 to April 1998, 440 consecutive patients were admitted to our liver unit with the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis. Fourteen patients (3%) presented with acute hemoperitoneum due to tumor rupture as a first manifestation of hepatocellular carcinoma. We here report our experience in the group of patients treated by transcatheter arterial embolization. Mean age was 67.1+/-5 years (range, 61-73). All patients presented with sudden abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and four patients had symptoms of acute anemia. In all cases the ruptured tumor was subcapsular. The procedure was effective in the control of bleeding in all cases, without significant impairment in liver function or treatment-related deaths. In six of the seven patients, a self-limited postembolization syndrome was observed. Mean survival time was 273+/-488.7 days (range: 15-1290). Three patients survived more than six months but at the time of evaluation, only one patient was alive. In conclusion, the present results confirm that transcatheter arterial embolization is an effective and well-tolerated treatment in the management of hemoperitoneum due to ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number and proportion of older U.S. adults who live alone have increased dramatically in the past three decades, and there is concern that these individuals may have particularly poor dietary quality. We examined the association of four living arrangements (living with a spouse only, with a spouse plus someone else, with someone other than a spouse or living alone) with dietary quality (the number of low nutrients out of a possible 15, with low defined as <67% of the recommended dietary allowance) among 6525 U.S. adults aged 50-64 y and those >/=65 y in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III 1988-1994). Among non-Hispanic Caucasian adults, those who lived with a spouse only had better dietary quality, with significant differences ranging from 0.8 to 1.5 fewer low nutrients compared with those with other living arrangements. Effects of living arrangements on dietary quality were also seen among non-Hispanic African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, and those of "other" races, but differences were significant only for African-American men aged >65 y living with a spouse plus others (1.6 additional low nutrients compared with those living with a spouse only). Energy intake was strongly associated with dietary quality, but did not account for the associations between living arrangements and dietary quality. Although middle-aged and older adults with living arrangements other than living with a spouse only (including those living alone) tended to have poorer dietary quality, the effects varied substantially across age, gender and ethnic categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of our study was to examine the disclosure decision by parents of children conceived by donor insemination.Study Design: A qualitative component of a self-administered questionnaire mailed to 184 couples who had become parents by donor insemination encouraged respondents to volunteer their written comments, concerns, or opinions about their disclosure decision.Results: A total of 70 men and 86 women submitted written comments indicating that 54% did not plan to disclose the donor insemination treatment (nondisclosers), 30% indicated they would (disclosers), and 16% remained undecided. The only significant relationship between the disclosure decision and expressed concern was with regard to confidentiality and honesty (chi2 = 99.9, p < 0.05).Conclusions: Whether parents viewed the disclosure issue as one of honesty (disclosers) or confidentiality (nondisclosers) was the major determinant in the decision of whether to tell children about their donor insemination origin. There was no association between disclosure status or gender and expressed concerns about parenting, children, or family relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the role of the utero-ovarian ligament (UOL) in the alternating ovulatory performance of ovaries in the capuchin monkey. In intact animals, the ovulation rate was near 90%, with 67.5% of ovulations occurring in the left ovary. Sectioning the UOL in any phase of the cycle decreased the ovulation rate by 40%, and restricted ovulations to the ovary still connected to the uterus by the UOL. Estradiol and progesterone levels were significantly reduced throughout the following cycles in treated monkeys. Removal of the ovary that had been disconnected 18-20 months previous, restored both the ovulation rate and normal steroid levels. Histological study of the UOL revealed the presence of arteries, veins, lymph vessels, and nerves. Electrical stimulation of the UOL was followed by an abrupt discharge of estradiol by the ovary bearing the follicle, advancing ovulation which was followed by a normal luteal development. Conversely, stimulation of the ovary bearing a corpus luteum did not modify either the ovarian or the peripheral levels of ovarian steroids. The UOL ligament appeared to be functional for products arising from the uterus. The distribution and effects of hCG injected intrauterinely depended upon the day of the luteal phase. In the early luteal phase, hCG was distributed symmetrically between both ovaries, and increased the progesterone secretion by the ovulatory ovary only. In the late luteal phase, hCG was preferentially distributed to the ovulatory ovary, and increased the progesterone secretion by both ovaries. The present findings provide evidence for a local mechanism, throughout the UOL, controlling both the alternation of ovulation and the transfer of substances originating in the uterus that regulate the ovarian function in primates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communication of a hepatic hydatid cyst to the duodenum appears to be extremely rare. This is the first case described in the imaging literature of hepatic echinococcosis fistulized to the duodenum studied by computed tomography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We report a 72 year-old man with dysphagia and dizziness. Aortography and Computed tomographic scans revealed the aberrant right subclavian artery arising from a calcified aneurysm of the Kommerell's diverticulum and bilateral carotid artery disease with atherosclerotic narrowing. Surgical relief was accomplished by excluding the aneurysm from circulation through the aortic arch and a 10 mm graft was interposed between the aberrant artery and the ascending aorta.

Abstract: Objective: To assess the long-term evolution and predictive factors of type B intramural hematoma (IMH). Material and methods: 34 patients (33 men), mean age: 67 years (47–87) diagnosed with type B IMH by computed tomography (CT) and followed up clinically and by CT yearly. Mean follow-up was 5.9 years (2–13 years). Two evolution patterns were considered: (a) regression and (b) progression. Clinical and imaging variables were analyzed for assessing their predictor values. Results: Evolution at one year was to regression in 56% and to progression in 44% of cases. There were no association among age, sex, other aortic abnormalities, presence of atherosclerotic disease or blood pressure, initial maximum aortic diameter, indexed maximum aortic diameter, IMH thickness or length, presence or absence of mediastinal hematoma and the evolution of type B IMH. Ten patients had small aortic ulcers in the acute phase. The presence of ulcers was related with progression of IMH. No differences were observed in evolution between the control at first year and the last control. Conclusions: The presence of small ulcers is a strong predictor of evolution in acute type B IMH. In addition, the regression group remains completely stable after the first year of evolution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]