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Pediatric Hepatic Malignancies (PHMs) are the result of the interaction between constitutional and environmental risk factors (RFs). We review the evidence on the main RFs associated to PHMs.Systematic review of the literature published in the last 25 years on Medline, Embase, Cancerlit, Lilacs and SciElo using the following key words: "etiology/risk factor/epidemiology" and "malignant liver tumors/hepatic cancer" or "hepatoblastoma/hepatocarcionoma".PHMs account for 1 % of all pediatric malignancies. The main types, hepatoblastoma (HB) and hepatocarcionma (HCC) make up 98-99 % of PHM. The main constitutional RFs are: a) Beckwith-Wiedemann (BW) syndrome; b) isolated hemihyperplasia syndrome (IHS); c) adenomatous polyps of the colon; d) hemochromatosis; e) Hereditary Tyrosinemia Type 1; f) a -1-antitrypsin deficiency; g) porphyrias; h) cirrhosis; i) nonalcoholic steatosis; and j) primary sclerosing cholangitis. The main environmental RFs are: a) hepatitis B virus (HBV) and C virus (HCV); b) B1 aflatoxin (B1AF); c) ionizing radiation; d) alcohol; e) hormonal treatments; f) occupational exposure to pesticides, solvents, vinyl chloride and metals; g) smoking; h) arsenic; i) prematury and very low birth weight; and j) trematodes.The clinical, analytical and ultrasound screening facilitate the early diagnosis of HB in the previously mentioned genetic syndromes, particularly BW and IHS during the first years of life. HBV universal vaccination of newborns provides the biggest opportunity to prevent a substantial proportion of PHMs. Also systematic monitoring of HBV and HCV in blood, hemoderivates, donated organs and drug addicts, are very useful. Other effective measures are: the reduction/elimination of B(1)AF in food, zero alcohol intake during childhood and adolescence as well decreasing prenatal exposure to the tobacco, solvents, pesticides, vinyl chloride, metals, ionizing radiation and hormonal treatments.

To gain further insight into the natural history of patients with biliary atresia.We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive, case series study. All patients with biliary atresia attended at the Pediatric Gastrointestinal and Hepatology Unit of La Fe Children's Hospital in Valencia (Spain) from January 1990 to December 2000 were included.Of 16 children followed-up, eight are currently stable, six have undergone liver transplantation and two died. The mean age at diagnosis was 47.5 days. The most frequent clinical manifestation was jaundice (87.5%) and the most common biochemical finding was raised gamma-glutamyltransferase (3-4 times its standard value), which appeared in 100 % of the patients. Abdominal ultrasonography was diagnostic in 85.7% of the patients. Nuclear scintiscan (DISIDA) showed a sensitivity of 100%. Portoenterostomy with intraoperative liver biopsy was performed in all patients. Patient age at surgery was a predictor of long-term outcome, with more favorable results in patients aged less than 65 days of life.Biliary atresia should be suspected as soon as possible, since early surgical treatment is the only therapeutic measure that can improve outcome.

This letter describes a confocal scanning beam macroscope/microscope that can image specimens up to 7 cm in diameter using both photoluminescence and reflected light. The macroscope generates digital images (512×512 pixels) with a maximum 5 μm lateral resolution and 200 μm axial resolution in under 5 s, and in combination with a conventional confocal scanning laser microscope can provide quality control at a macroscopic/microscopic level for porous silicon specimens, wafers, detectors, and similar devices. This combination of instruments can also be used as a method for evaluating preparation parameters involved in the manufacture of porous silicon. Various confocal and nonconfocal photoluminescence and reflected‐light images of porous silicon are shown using both a macroscope and a conventional confocal scanning laser microscope. A 3D profile of a porous silicon structure reconstructed from confocal slices is also shown.

The STMicroelectronics facility at Crolles develops and volume produces ASICs for CMOS and BICMOS processes on 200 mm wafers for technologies down to 0.12 /spl mu/m. Given the wide range of products and processes, a high degree of manufacturing flexibility is required. A large-scale TPM (Total Productive Manufacturing) program was introduced in 1992 based on a comprehensive manufacturing strategy to improve equipment productivity.

To study the incidence of perinatal cytomegalovirus infection in neonates admitted to our hospital in the last three years, as well as the mode of transmission, serologic and microbiologic data, and the clinical outcome of these infants.We performed a retrospective study by reviewing the medical records of neonates with a diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection.Twenty-four neonates received this diagnosis. Of these, 21 (85 %) were premature infants with a birthweight of less than 1500 gr, representing 6 % of all neonates with this birthweight hospitalized during the study period. The percentage of transfusion and breastfeeding was high (87 % and 91 %, respectively) and consequently the route of transmission could not be identified. Nine neonates (34 %) presented associated hepatic dysfunction and three (12 %) developed severe disease requiring antiviral treatment.Perinatal cytomegalovirus infection is frequent in preterm infants and may be serious. It is important to detect cytomegalovirus infections and to develop preventive methods.

A multicentric, open, prospective, observational and no-randomized clinical trial was carried out in Spain with 190 postmenopausal women receiving a soy preparation rich in isoflavones (PHYTO SOYA, capsules containing 17.5 mg isoflavones). The main object of the present study was to investigate its efficacy in alleviating the symptomatology derived from the lack of estrogen, mainly hot flushes, but also other symptoms such as sleep disorder, anxiety, depression, vaginal dryness, loss of libido and bone pain. Each patient received 35 mg isoflavones per day in two doses. During the four months' treatment, a statistically significant decrease in the number of hot flushes with PHYTO SOYA was experienced by 80.82% women; only 5,48% patients did not improve with the treatment. The average reduction was 47.8%, which is equivalent to 4 hot flushes. All the other studied parameters also showed a statistically significant decrease. No severe side-effects were reported and tolerance was excellent. Treatment with PHYTO SOYA resulted in a significant improvement of the symptomatology that accompanies the lack of estrogen during menopause.

ELISA methods for the measurement of IgA antigliadin antibodies (AGA), both home-made and commercial systems, routinely employ wheat gliadin fractions as coating antigens. We investigate the sensitivity and specificity for CD diagnosis of a new ELISA method using a highly immunoreactive beta-turn rich gamma3-avenin peptide as an alternative coating antigen.The assay was standardized with antihuman IgA peroxidase-conjugated as the second antibody. Alternatively, an ELISA based on the use of protein A-peroxidase was assayed to measure both IgG plus IgA antibodies. Sixty-three sera from healthy controls were analyzed to establish the system's cut-off point. Sera from 103 coeliac and from 65 noncoeliac children were tested; for diagnosis purposes, a small intestinal biopsy had been performed in all of them.For the IgA class antibodies assay a high sensitivity and specificity of 90.3% and 98.5%, respectively, was obtained, comparable to those achieved for IgA antiendomysium antibodies (EmA) with the same sera.In view of the high sensitivity and specificity obtained together with water solubility of the peptide and easiness for large-scale reproducible synthesis, the new AGA IgA avenin peptide ELISA represents a significant improvement in CD diagnosis in comparison with conventional established AGA IgA ELISA using crude gliadins as coating antigens.

Objective: To test venous endothelial function during long-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and after treatment withdrawal. Design: Measurement of dorsal hand-vein diameter by venous occlusion plethysmography during infusion of norepinephrine, bradykinin, NG-monomethyl l-arginine, and sodium nitroprusside. Setting: Plethysmography and menopause units, University Hospital Marques de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain. Patient(s): Twenty postmenopausal women, of whom 10 were assigned to receive no hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for 6 months after plethysmography (group A) and 10 were assigned to receive HRT for 6 months (group B). After 6 months, HRT was administered to group A and withdrawn from group B for another 6 months. Intervention(s): Plethysmography at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. Main Outcome Measure(s): Dorsal hand-vein diameter measured by venous occlusion plethysmography during infusion of norepinephrine, bradykinin, NG-monomethyl l-arginine, or sodium nitroprusside. Result(s): At 6 months, the maximum dilation obtained with bradykinin was 48.8 ± 7.58% in group A and 76.7 ± 12.9% in group B. At 12 months, maximum bradykinin dilation increased to 74.3 ± 14.2% in group A and decreased to 54.0 ± 15.9% in group B. Conclusion(s): Long-term HRT with estrogen plus progestin improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation, but this effect is lost in a relatively short time. Endothelial function in dorsal hand veins is an easy-to-use plethysmography model that can be used in serial studies.

A highly sensitive confocal scanning-beam system for time-resolved imaging of fingerprints is described. Time-resolved imaging is a relatively new forensic procedure for the detection and imaging of latent fingerprints on fluorescent substrates such as paper, cardboard, and fluorescent paint. Ordinary fluorescent imaging of latent fingerprints on these surfaces results in poor contrast. Instead, the specimens are treated with a phosphorescent dye that preferentially adheres to the fingerprint which allows time-resolved discrimination between the fingerprint phosphorescence and the background fluorescence. Time resolved images are obtained by synchronizing the digital sampling of the specimen luminescence with the on-off cycle of the chopped illumination beam. The merit of this technique is illustrated with high contrast images of fingerprints obtained from the fluorescent painted surface of a Coke can.

In 1996 and 1997, a knowledge, attitude and practice survey concerning seafood poisonings was conducted in 560 villages spread along the Madagascar coasts, gathering 585,000 people. 175 serious and 205 mild seafood poisonings after fish, shark and turtle meals occured during the period 1930 to 1996. Squales (mainly Sphyrnidae and Cacharinidae familiesi) are the most often responsible of serious poisoning (48% of episodes), then other fishes (37%), and mainly of the Clupeidae family (herrings, sardinels), then marine turtles (11%), with Eretmochelys imbricata and Chelonia mydas, and finally crabs (4%). Neurological symptoms are predominant in squale poisonings, neurological symptoms associated with gastrointestinal symptoms are present in 50% of all kind of seafood poisoning episods. Most of episods incame on the East Coast (mainly Toamasina and Antisiranana Region) and on the South-West Coast (Toliara Region). Mild seafood poisonings are spread along all the Coasts but central East Coast; fishes are the most often responsible (41% of episodes). Gastro-intestinal symptoms are the most conmon. More than 50% of t interviewed people knows about poisoning risks with some kind of marine animals, but less than 20% practice preventive measures such as giving a piece of fished animal to a domestic animal before eating. These results are used to plan a comprehensive epidemiological surveillance and control programme.

To date, the most commonly accepted techniques for the screening of coeliac disease are indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which reveal antiendomysium and antigliadin antibodies respectively. We report the use of a simple visual system for coeliac disease screening based on the use of Staphylococcus aureus protein A, which binds to both IgG and IgA, thus avoiding the need for two parallel immunoassays.Opaque polystyrene microwell strips coated with a wheat gliadin extract were incubated with sera followed by incubation with protein A-colloidal gold conjugate. The resulting colour was compared with that of positive and negative control sera. The procedure took less than an hour.One hundred and forty-five biopsy-proven sera, 94 from active coeliac patients and 51 from non-coeliac patients with diverse gastrointestinal pathologies or diabetes mellitus, were assayed. Ninety of the 94 sera from the active coeliac patients were positive, whereas only 3 of the 51 non-coeliac control subjects were positive. The technique has a sensitivity of 95.7% and a specificity of 94.1%.The sensitivity and specificity of the visual system are greater than those of most ELISA systems and are similar to those observed with IgA antiendomysium antibodies when tested in the same population. Moreover, it is inexpensive, quick, simple to perform and easy to interpret, i.e. it requires no qualified personnel. It is for these features, together with the outstanding sensitivity and specificity, that we propose this immunoassay as a new test for reliable coeliac disease screening.

After the dramatic increase of malaria infections from 1985 to 1988 in the Highlands of Madagascar, the vector control programme was reactivated. In order to evaluate the impact of this strategy in the district of Arivonimamo, we have analysed the morbidity and the mortality data collected in all the health care centers of this district. Since 1988, extensive residual house spraying has been carried out on a yearly basis in the eastern part of this district whereas the western part was not included in this spraying programme. Data from each area were compared. In the eastern part, a dramatic decrease of morbitity and mortality related to malaria was observed, the benefit was 69% of expected simple cases, 87% of expected serious cases and 40% of expected deaths due to malaria. It has to be noted that only presumptive cases have been reported since no laboratory facilities are available in these health centers. Nevertheless such findings provide strong support to the continuation of the spraying programme, maybe in a less intensive way, together with an accurate epidemiological surveillance.

A new confocal scanning beam laser microscope/macroscope is described that combines the rapid scan of a scanning beam laser microscope with the large specimen capability of a scanning stage microscope. This instrument combines an infinity-corrected confocal scanning laser microscope with a scanning laser macroscope that uses a telecentric f*(Theta) laser scan lens to produce a confocal imaging system with a resolution of 0.25 microns at a field of view of 25 microns and 5 microns at a field of view of 75,000 microns. The frame rate is 5 seconds per frame for a 512 by 512 pixel image, and 25 seconds for a 2048 by 2048 pixel image. Applications in fluorescence are discussed that focus on two important advantages of the instrument over a confocal scanning laser microscope: an extremely wide range of magnification, and the ability to image very large specimens. Examples are presented of fluorescence and reflected-light images of high quality printing, fluorescence images of latent fingerprints, packaging foam, and confocal autofluorescence images of a cricket.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin (a-1AT) is a natural inhibitor of the elastase that is released physiologically by neutrophils in the lung. As a result of the increased neutrophil degranulation secondary to chronic epithelial inflammation in cystic fibrosis patients with chronic infections by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, there are larger amounts of elastase in airway secretions. This results in the a-1AT concentration being insufficient to inhibit the destructive proteolytic degradation, culminating in a chronic epithelial burden and a worsening of the cystic fibrosis pulmonary disease. In this preliminary study, we have evaluated the results obtained from the sputum of 4 cystic fibrosis patients treated with a-1AT (Prolastina, Bayer) in aerosol. The levels of a-1AT, neutrophil elastase, antineutrophil elastase activity, IgG, albumin and clinical parameters were measured. The concentration of sputum a-1AT was increased when compared to the same patient after 8 days with treatment (we compared means with Student's t-test and p0.05 was considered significant). We did the same with the impairment of neutrophil elastase, although we found no significant results. Nevertheless, antineutrophil elastase activity increased (p0.05). These results encourage us to continue the same treatment for a longer period of time to prevent pulmonary disease in CF subjects.

Scanning stage microscopes have traditionally been used to provide high resolution, large area photocurrent mapping of solar cells and detectors. This imaging method, while very useful in the characterization and quality control of solar cells, is unfortunately slow (image acquisition takes several minutes). This paper describes a confocal scanning beam MACROscope-Microscope which can image specimens from 25×25 μm up to 7.5×7.5 cm in size, a zoom factor of 3000, using reflected light, photoluminescence, and optical beam induced current in less than 10s. Resolutions range from 0.25 to 10 μ;m laterally and 0.5 to 300 pm axially depending upon whether microscope or MACROscope mode is used. This instrument can therefore be used to characterize and provide quick and efficient quality control for solar cells and detectors at a microscopic and macroscopic level.A brief description of the MACROscope-Microscope is given. The MACROscope- Microscope's many abilities are highlighted by showing various reflected-light, photolhminescence and optical beam induced current images from CdZnS/CulnSe2 thin film solar cells and porous silicon devices.

A new confocal scanning beam laser microscope/macroscope is described that combines the rapid scan of a scanning beam laser microscope with the large specimen capability of a scanning stage microscope. This instrument combines an infinity-corrected confocal scanning laser microscope with a scanning laser macroscope that uses a telecentric f*(theta) laser scan lens to produce a confocal imaging system with a resolution of 0.25 microns at a field of view of 50 microns to 5 microns at a field of view of 75,000 microns. The frame rate is 3 seconds per frame for a 512 X 512 pixel image, and 45 seconds for a 2048 X 2048 pixel image. Changes made in the instrument to increase the image capture from 512 X 512 pixels to 2048 X 2048 pixels are described. Applications discussed focus on three important advantages of the instrument over a confocal scanning laser microscope: an extremely wide range of magnification, the ability to record very large data sets, and the ability to image very large specimens. Examples are presented from imaging of fibers in paper, latent fingerprint detection, and reflected-light and photoluminescence imaging of porous silicon.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

[EN] Ceramic tile decorating techniques have evolved significantly in recent years. Digital inkjet printing technology has enabled digital systems to be used for the direct decoration of ceramic tiles, revolutionizing ceramic tile decoration and providing many advantages over traditional decoration techniques. It was the formulation of inks with soluble and vitrifiable stains that allowed inkjet printing technology to be introduced into ceramic tile decoration. The incorporation of milled inorganic pigments into the inks broadened the available color palette. However, the colloidal instability of these inks and the constraints of the printing heads themselves made it necessary to reduce pigment particle size, thus limiting color saturation and the color gamut. In order to increase color saturation and obtain a set of pigmented inks with colors more closely resembling CMYK colors, pigments with larger particle sizes need to be used. Indeed, other digital decorating techniques, such as xerography, allow larger particle sizes to be used, while also providing the advantages associated with digital decoration. However, the implementation of this technique for ceramic tile decoration requires the development of appropriate ceramic toners and adaptation of printing machines. This article reviews the technical evolution of ceramic tile printing and describes the development of a prototype, based on xerographic printing, that is able to print ceramic tiles directly and provides greater color intensity and a wider color gamut.

On the basis of systematic observations of sunspots available since Galilei’s time, we have been able to derive certain properties of normal and low-activity cycles, such as those of the Maunder minimum cycles. The characteristics used are the sunspot number, the north-south asymmetry of the sunspot distribution, the solar rotation, and other indicators of magnetic field strength. Furthermore, there is evidence that a long period of low-activity cycles began prior to the Maunder minimum that may have led to a decrease in solar output. A scenario is proposed for the long-term evolution of the magnetic field, with evident implications for the Earth’s climate.

not Available.

The present study is based on the typical dendritic forms of the sweat crystallization from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The phenomenon was analyzed in sweat collected by pilocarpine iontophoresis in 26 affected subjects (Homozygotes), 42 heterozygotes and 100 healthy-control subjects. The positive crystallization pattern (dendritic form), became useful in identifying the affected patients in 100% of cases and in differentiating them from the healthy-control subjects (100%, negative crystallization). The positive crystallization pattern was not altered by decreasing the electrolytes concentration in the sweat. This test could be a help to evaluate the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.

This study aimed to assess the value of IgA-antigliadin and antiendomysium antibodies for coeliac disease screening in children with short stature. In 118 children with height less than the 3rd percentile for age preliminary work-up included absorption, hormonal and genetic studies, sweat test, X-ray for bone age, serum immunoglobulin levels and antigliadin antibodies. In 65 patients antiendomysium antibody and a small-intestinal biopsy were performed. Forty-three children had a normal mucosa and 22 a subtotal villous atrophy. Three coeliac children were negative for both antigliadin and antiendomysium antibodies; one further 11-year-old boy was negative only for antiendomysium antibodies. Sensitivity and specificity for antigliadin antibodies were 94.75% and 93%, respectively, and for antiendomysium antibodies 88.3% and 90.5%. Our results show that the use of antiendomysium antibodies as a confirmatory test to select patients for biopsy could result in coeliac disease going undiagnosed in adolescents.

A highly sensitive confocal scanning-beam system for time-resolved imaging of fingerprints is described. Time-resolved imaging is a relatively new forensic procedure for the detection and imaging of latent fingerprints on fluorescent substrates such as paper, cardboard, and fluorescent paint. Ordinary fluorescent imaging of latent fingerprints on these surfaces results in poor contrast. Instead, the specimens are treated with a phosphorescent dye that preferentially adheres to the fingerprint which allows time-resolved discrimination between the fingerprint phosphorescence and the background fluorescence. Time resolved images are obtained by synchronizing the digital sampling of the specimen luminescence with the on-off cycle of the chopped illumination beam. The merit of this technique is illustrated with high contrast images of fingerprints obtained from the fluorescent painted surface of a Coke™ can.

P2.12.04 P2.12.06 VENOUS ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN ON LONG-TERM HORMONAL TREATMENTS, OESTROGENS AND PROGESTIN C. Ceballos, J.R. Berrazueta, M.T. Garcia-Unzueta, J.A. Amado, I. de Mier, C. Ribes. Cardiology and Gynecology Departments. Universitary Hospital M. Valdecilla. Santander. Spain PERCEFTION OF VARIOUS MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS AMONG POST-MENOPAUSAL WOMEN ATTENDING THE GYNECOLOGICAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC AT MO1 TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL, ELDORET, KENYA S.R. Mishra, Dept. of Reproductive Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya.

Historical records suggest that during the seventeenth century the Sun was subject to an anomalous scarcity of sunspots (the Maunder minimum1). This minimum was coincident with a severe temperature dip of the Little Ice Age2, from which a relation between solar activity and terrestrial climate has been conjectured3. Solar variability is also suggested by the regular variations in the thickness of annual laminae or 'varves' in the late Precambrian formation in south Australia4. The climatic cycles recorded by the varves include the present 10–12-year solar cycle as well as deep minima, with a mean period of 314 years. A natural explanation of the solar cycle climate connection would be a modulation of the solar output radiation, and possibly a change of the solar diameter5,6. By analysing a unique 53-year record of regular observations of the solar diameter and sunspot positions during the seventeenth century, we have shown for the first time that the solar diameter was larger and rotation slower during the Maunder minimum. This finding sheds new light on the dynamo mechanism, solar variability, and the consequent effects on terrestrial climate.

The subject of extraterrestrial civilizations is relevant to astronomy in two ways. Firstly, the very existence of life outside Earth is dependent upon the picture that astronomers can draw of the Universe, and we will see how that picture allows us to be very optimistic. Then, if we think that there are intelligent beings in space, the detection of signals from them is an astronomical problem, and we will see that it most probably concerns radio astronomers.

110 children suffering from malabsorption underwent several biopsies of the gut to confirm coeliac disease (CD) following the ESPGAN criteria. We studied the values for alkaline phosphatase (AP) in the intestinal mucosa after gluten challenge. In 42 patients the after challenge biopsy was normal, thus excluding coeliac disease. In 68 children the mucosa was severely damaged confirming CD. In all biopsy specimens lactase, invertase, maltase and alkaline phosphatase were measured. We found a good correlation between PA values and severity of mucosal damage, showing that measurement of PA in the mucosa is helpful in assessing the degree of mucosal atrophy in children suffering from malabsorption.

Levels of penicillin both in blood and CSF are determined in 11 children with meningococcal meningitis. Authors compare these values with MIC. The therapeutic pattern was 500.000 Ul/Kg/day of benzylpenicillin, in six doses, with a single initial doses of 200.000 Ul/Kg. The results recommend not to use a lower doses in order to assure a permanently efficient penicillin concentration.

Badger luteal tissue fragments harvested and cultivated during the inactive phase do not resemble active corpus luteum as do granulosa cells in vitro. Production of oestrogen and progesterone by these fragments was examined. Amounts produced are much smaller than in the case of granulosa cells and are slightly influenced by the nature of the serum used in culture medium.

The Paris observatory is in possession of a 53 y record of solar diameters and sunspot positions during the Maunder minimum (1666 – 1719). For the period (1666 to 1684), the solar diameter was 32′9″ and slowly decreased down to 32′6″ when sunspot activity had resumed. Nowadays, the solar diameter is 32′2″ when taking into account of the solar irradiance. During the same period, the sunspot rotation was smaller than the present one (3% less near the equator), and the differential rotation was greater.

The equipment used by professional astronomers in past centuries was no better than that used by modern amateurs. Systematic observation of the Sun began in the 17th century and continuity of observations is very important for understanding the solar cycle.