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Background and Objective: Lobular panniculitis, together with polyarthritis and intraosseous fat necrosis, may occasionally complicate pancreatic disease. This triad is known in the literature as the pancreatitis, panniculitis, and polyarthritis (PPP syndrome). We describe a case of the PPP syndrome and review the available literature to summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with this condition., Methods: A patient with the PPP syndrome, with evidence of extensive intraosseous fat necrosis in the joints involved revealed by magnetic resonance imaging, is described and the relevant literature based on a PubMed search from 1970 to February 2008 is reviewed. The keywords used were pancreatitis or pancreatic disease, panniculitis, arthritis, and intraosseous fat necrosis., Results: Including our case, 25 well-documented patients with the PPP syndrome have been reported. Our patient had few abdominal symptoms despite high serum levels of pancreatic enzymes. In our review of the literature, almost 2/3 of patients had absent or mild abdominal symptoms, leading to misdiagnosis. The delay in diagnosis and specific treatment of the underlying pancreatitis worsens the prognosis of this condition, which has a mortality rate as high as 24%. In nearly 45% of the patients, the arthritis follows a chronic course with a poor response to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids, and the rapid development of radiographic joint damage., Conclusion: Certain forms of pancreatic disease can very occasionally cause arthritis and panniculitis. Although uncommon, physicians should be alert to the possible presence of this syndrome for 2 reasons: first, unrecognized pancreatic disease can be fatal if not treated promptly; second, to avoid inappropriate and risky therapy to improve joint symptoms., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.) more...

With the aim of determining the real predictive ability of three methods for measuring phenolic maturity (Glories, ITV and Cromoenos), representative grapes of Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, Grenache and Tempranillo were harvested at three different ripening levels. The grapes were vinified by triplicate and were also used for phenolic maturity estimation. After that, color intensity, CIELAB coordinates, anthocyanins by spectrometry and HPLC and total phenolics were analysed in wines and also in the different extracts from the three extraction methods. Statistical analysis of data was carried out to determine the real performance of prediction of the different methods. Glories method predicted reasonably the color intensity, CIELAB coordinates and the concentration of anthocyanins and total phenolics in wine although it needs a lot of time and it requires working carefully. On the other hand, Cromoenos method predicted similarly or even better the color and phenolic composition of wine. This method also presents the advantage of being much faster and easier to apply. In contrast, although the ITV method provided reasonable results for anthocyanins and total phenolic compounds its color prediction was not adequate., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.) more...

Castleman's disease is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder having two types of presentation: the localized and the multicentric form. Multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) typically presents with constitutional symptoms, generalized peripheral lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and laboratory markers of inflammation. Rash and arthritis may also be initial complaints of this disease. In these cases, MCD can resemble adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), especially if the arthritis precedes other manifestations. We describe a patient with initial clinical suspicion of AOSD. Eighteen months later evidence of MCD was ascertained when the patient developed insidiously growing axillary lymphadenopathies. Despite its rarity, MCD should be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis of patients with suspicion of AOSD. more...

Introduction: The objective of the current study was to assess patient involvement in adjuvant chemotherapy choice, reasons for treatment choice and satisfaction with the chosen treatment, given that improvement in breast cancer survival has been accompanied by a greater demand for disease information from patients., Material and Methods: An epidemiologic, prospective, multicentre study was conducted with patients aged over 18 diagnosed with breast cancer stages I, II and III. The study, which was conducted prior to these patients initiating adjuvant chemotherapy, was based on a baseline visit and a follow-up visit. Data on sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected and a survey was administered to assess both the reasons for choosing particular treatments and ultimate satisfaction with the chosen treatment. Statistical procedures included a descriptive analysis, bivariate tests and logistic regression., Results: A total of 613 patients were recruited with a mean (SD) age of 53.3 (10.8) years. Most patients had stage II breast cancer (53.9%) and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 (82.8%). Of these patients, 58.3% were treated with taxanes (48.2% docetaxel, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide) and 41.7% without (43.5% 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide). At the baseline visit and final visit, 73.8% and 72.6% of patients, respectively, were aware of their diagnosis and prognosis. A total of 77.1% patients (64.7% who had followed their physician's advice) were involved in treatment choice and this involvement was directly related to improved ECOG performance status and information. A total of 78.7% of patients were very satisfied or satisfied with their treatment and 5.4% of patients refused to continue treatment (with 39.3% giving toxicity as the reason)., Conclusions: Although a high proportion of patients were involved in choosing their treatment, this involvement was not related to greater treatment satisfaction. Further research in routine clinical settings is needed in order to assess other factors related to choice of adjuvant chemotherapy, treatment satisfaction and long-term effectiveness (3-5 years). more...

Aim: To describe the treatment prescribed to osteopenic women seen at an urban primary health care centre and the treatment compliance of those patients with a prescription of calcium and/or vitamin D., Materials and Method: Cross-sectional study, osteopenic women diagnosed by bone densitometry between February 2005 and January 2006 (n=121). Clinical history review: demographic information; previous clinical history of bone fracture, type of fracture; parental history of fractures; tobacco use; osteoporosis-related medication or disease; dietary and sun exposure assessment; calcium, vitamin D and raloxiphene/bisphosphonates prescription; mean daily dose of calcium and vitamin D supplements collected at the pharmacy by patients. Analysis of treatment prescription and compliance according to the information collected was performed., Results: Mean age, 61.9±9.1 years; 90.7% post-menopausic. The dietary assessment was performed in 30.5% of the women included in the study. The drug prescription was as follows: calcium 74.6%, vitamin D 68.6% and raloxiphene/bisphosphonates 16.1%. All drug prescriptions were associated with lower T-score values. The patient's compliance of calcium supplements has been calculated as mean of 423.8±321.7 mg/day, and 343.1±225.9 IU of vitamin D; with no association with any of the studied variables., Conclusions: We identified greater drug prescription in those patients with a lower T-score. The clinical history of previous fracture did not show association with drug prescription nor a better compliance. There was a lack of information about relevant issues in the clinical history of the osteopenic women included in the study. The patient's compliance of calcium and vitamin-D supplements is very variable., (Copyright © 2009 Elsevier España S.L. Barcelona. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.) more...

Free fatty acid (FFA) release and quantification and lipid oxidation extent of ultra-high-pressure homogenized (UHPH) milk samples were evaluated to assess the effect of UHPH on the susceptibility of milk lipids to lipolysis and oxidation. Milk was UHPH-treated at 200 and 300 MPa with inlet temperatures of 30 and 40 degrees C. UHPH-treated samples were compared to high-pasteurized milk (PA; 90 degrees C, 15 s). Results showed that all FFA increased significantly during storage only in 200 MPa samples. Lipid oxidation was measured as an accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides as the primary oxidation product and malondialdehyde and hexanal as the secondary oxidation products. Samples treated at 300 MPa presented higher malondialdehyde and hexanal content compared to 200 MPa treated-samples and to PA milk. more...

Objective: to evaluate lesions detected in two screening rounds performed in a pilot screening programme for colorectal cancer in Catalonia, Spain., Material and Methods: a colorectal cancer screening programme was initiated in 2000. The target population included men and women aged 50-69 years. Screening consisted of biennial guaiac-based fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), and colonoscopy for participants with a positive FOBT. Any polyps found were removed, and biopsies were performed for any masses., Results: colonoscopies were performed in 442 of 495 people with positive FOBT. In 213 (48.2%), 36 invasive cancers, 121 high-risk adenomas, 29 low-risk adenomas, and 27 hyperplastic polyps were diagnosed. Lesion size was smaller than 10 mm in 25.8% of cases. Most detected lesions (37.2%) were located in the distal colon, followed by the proximal colon (5.7%) and both locations (5.2%). Advanced neoplasm was significantly associated with male gender and distal location. The prevalence of advanced proximal neoplasms among patients with no distal polyps was 5.1%., Conclusions: the most common lesions detected by colonoscopy were high-risk adenomas located in the distal colon. FOBT is a suitable method for detecting small precancer lesions during population screening, and is thus a key factor in reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer. more...

In the event of ulcers with critical colonization, a correct diagnosis and adequate treatment are vital for healing to occur since the presence of a possible infection would impede an adequate evolution leading to healing the ulcer The authors publish a prospective and multi-centric study which included 375 patients who were evaluated regarding the healing of their ulcers over a 12 week period in which the "Biatain Plata" dressing was used. The average initial size of their ulcers was 30 cm2 +/- 67. After 72 weeks of treatment, patients' ulcers were reduced by 80% in relative value. 33% of these ulcers showed a complete healing, while another 47.4% evidenced a noticeable improvement. The product studied proved to be highly effective in the treatment of chronic ulcers with critical colonization. Regarding the safety of this dressing, the authors did not observe any adverse reaction to it, nor did they observe any toxicity associated with the release of silver, in spite of having used this dressing over 12 weeks. In the same way, the authors did not notice any indications of possible development of bacterial resistance to the dressing's anti-bacterial action. more...

Quantum chemistry calculations have been performed to unravel the electronic and electrochemical properties of a FeIII-sandwich polyoxometalate. Using a combination of methods, it is shown that in these clusters the first reduction occurs in the so-called external Fe, which is bonded to a water ligand. Calculations also show that the electron reductions are coupled with protonation processes, in full agreement with existing experimental results. more...

Several intrinsic and extrinsic factors have been advocated in the pathogenesis of rotator cuff tears, but it is still unclear whether the origin of the tear is related to tendon degeneration itself or induced by several morphologic changes. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between the acromial coverage of the humeral head and the presence of a cuff tear. We evaluated 148 shoulders, including 45 that underwent surgical rotator cuff repair (group I), 26 with documented rotator cuff tears treated conservatively (group II), and 77 with no cuff pathology as a control group (group III). The mean acromial coverage index was 0.68 in group I, 0.72 in group II, and 0.59 in group III, giving a highly significant difference (P < .0001) between the control group and both cuff tear groups. Patients with a cuff tear have a significantly higher acromial coverage index than the control group. more...

Introduction and Objective: interventionist endoscopic ultrasonography is increasingly used because of its growing indications. We present here our retrospective and initial experience (60 procedures) with endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) both for diagnosis (EUS-FNA) and therapy (EUS-guided tumorectomy and mucosectomy)., Patients and Method: in a group with 27 cases including 10 submucosal tumors (SMTs), 2 adenopathies, and 15 potential pancreatic tumors (8 pancreatic cancers), a sectorial EUS-FNA at 7.5 MHz was performed for diagnosis prior to therapy (mainly surgical). A pancreatic pseudocyst was drained. In 21 cases with 27 SMTs (10 patients with 13 carcinoids) a tumorectomy was carried out using the standard loop or assisted polypectomy technique with submucosal injection, and in a few cases (two) using elastic band ligation following a radial EUS at 7.5, 12, or 20 MHz. In 6 cases of superficial gastroesophageal cancer or gastric dysplasia an endoscopic mucosal resection (classic EMR) was performed after EUS or MPs at 7.5 and 20 MHz. Fifty-five patients with 60 lesions, 29 femaes and 26 males with a mean age of 60 years (30-88 years) were retrospectively analyzed., Results: diagnostic precision (P), sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for EUS-FNA was 85, 83, 100, 100, and 43%, respectively, when comparing results with specimen histology. P was higher for adenopathies (100%) and pancreatic tumors (87%) than for SMTs (80%). No complications arose, except for one episode of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) (3.7%) that was endoscopically and satisfactorily treated in a gastric SMT. In the group with 21 patients (10 carcinoids with 13 tumors) 27 SMTs were endoscopically treated by tumorectomy with no perforation and only 2 UGIBs (7.4%), one of them self-limited, recorded. Endoscopic resection was complete in 92% of cases. No complications occurred with classic EMR, and all patients are still alive with no evidence of relapse, either local or metastatic. In this group the rate of complete resections was 100%., Conclusions: EUS-FNA is a safe technique with high diagnostic accuracy. EUS-guided tumorectomy and mucosectomy are also safe and effective techniques in the endoscopic management of these tumors. more...

The enteric pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (Yptb) causes gastroenteritis, mesenteric lymphadenitis, and systemic infections in humans, livestock, and wild animals. Yptb Type III secretion system (pTTSS) mutants efficiently colonize lymphoid tissues, but not the gastrointestinal tract, spleen, or liver. Here, we show that a single oral inoculation of pTTSS mutants prevents morbidity in almost 100% of mice challenged intragastrically with virulent Yptb. In addition, a single oral inoculation of a pTTSS mutant protected 50% of mice challenged intraperitoneally or intranasally with virulent Yptb. In addition, the intranasally challenged mice that succumbed to infection lived significantly longer than non-immunized mice. Thus, pTTSS mutants can function as live attenuated vaccine when delivered orally. Potential uses for these attenuated strains include use as a livestock vaccine, a rodent plague control reagent in endemic areas around the world, and a vector for delivery of other antigens to the mesenteric lymph nodes. more...

In this study we explored the changes in the variability and complexity of the electrocardiogram (ECG) of flight phobics (N=61) and a matched non-phobic control group (N=58) when they performed a paced breathing task and were exposed to flight related stimuli. Lower complexity/entropy values were expected in phobics as compared to controls. The phobic system complexity as well as the heart rate variability (HRV) were expected to be reduced by the exposure to fearful stimuli. The multiscale entropy (MSE) analysis revealed lower entropy values in phobics during paced breathing and exposure, and a complexity loss was observed in phobics during exposure to threatening situations. The expected HRV decreases were not found in this study. The discussion is focused on the distinction between variability and complexity measures of the cardiac output, and on the usefulness of the MSE analysis in the field of anxiety disorders. more...

Pathogenic Yersinia have a pronounced tropism for lymphatic tissues and harbor a virulence plasmid that encodes a type III secretion system, pTTSS, that transports Yops into host cells. Yops are critical virulence factors that prevent phagocytosis by macrophages and neutrophils and Yersinia mutants lacking one or more Yops are defective for survival in lymphatic tissues, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. However, here we demonstrate that Y. pseudotuberculosis (Yptb) mutants lacking the pTTSS survived as well as or better than wild-type (WT) Yptb in the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). Infection with pTTSS mutants caused lymphadenitis with little necrosis, whereas infection with WT Yptb provoked lymphadenitis with multiple necrotic suppurative foci. Gentamicin protection assays and microscopic examination of the MLN revealed that pTTSS mutants resided extracellularly adjacent to B and T lymphocytes in the cortex and paracortex. WT Yptb was found extracellularly adjacent to neutrophils and macrophages in necrotic areas and adjacent to B and T lymphocytes in less-inflamed areas. To determine whether lymphocytes protected pTTSS mutants from phagocytic cells, Rag1(-/-) mice were infected with pTTSS mutants or WT Yptb. pTTSS mutants but not WT, were impaired for survival in MLN of Rag1(-/-) mice, suggesting that lymphocyte-rich regions constitute a protective niche for pTTSS mutants. Finally, we show that invasin and the chromosomally encoded TTSS were not required for Yptb survival in MLN. In summary, chromosomally encoded factors are sufficient for Yptb replication in the cortex and paracortex of MLN; the pTTSS enables Yersinia to survive within phagocyte-rich areas of lymph nodes, and spread to other tissues. more...

Introduction: the only way of improving prognosis and survival in gastrointestinal cancer is early diagnosis, with intramucosal localization as confirmed by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) or 20-MHz miniprobes (MPs) (T1) being most appropriate. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has proven effective in the treatment of this sort of lesions., Patients and Method: in a group (18 cases) with 15 cases of superficial gastrointestinal cancer and 3 cases of severe gastric dysplasia, 9 cases (3 esophageal, 4 gastric, 2 rectal) underwent a classic EMR following EUS or a 7.5- and 20-MHz miniprobe exploration., Results: ultrasonographic studies showed a T1 in all but one esophageal case (Tis), and in both gastric dysplasias, with no changed layer structure being demonstrated in the latter (T0). No complications arose with classic EMR, and all 9 patients are alive and free from local or metastatic recurrence, except for one esophageal case, which recurred distally to the esophageal lesion (metachronous)., Conclusions: echoendoscopically-assisted EMR is a safe, effective technique in the endoscopic management of superficial gastrointestinal (esophageal, gastric, colorectal) cancer. Recurrence most likely depends upon cancer multiplicity. more...

Micro-oxygenation is usually applied to red wines as a cheaper alternative to oak aging. It has been suggested, however, that micro-oxygenation can also be used to complement oak aging in order to improve the quality of very astringent and herbaceous red wines. In this paper we study how applying the micro-oxygenation technique before oak aging affects the composition and quality of astringent red wines. When this technique is applied prior to oak aging, the wines have a slightly less intense red color and significantly higher levels of combined and free anthocyanins and ethyl-bridged anthocyanin-flavanol pigments. On the other hand, no differences in other newly formed pigments are found. Applying micro-oxygenation before oak aging does not affect the total proanthocyanidin concentration, but it produces wines with a slightly (though significantly) higher mean degree of proanthocyanidin polymerization and a drastically lower astringency. These wines also present a clearer impact of wood aromas. more...

The invention of the internet and the world-wide web was a landmark that has affected many aspects of everyday life, but is so recent and dynamic that many of its potential uses are still being explored. Aside from its purely commercial use as a virtual pharmacy (e-commerce), the internet is useful in at least three aspects related to clinical pharmacology: communication, training and research. In this paper we briefly review several internet applications related to clinical pharmacology and describe, as an example, the logistics of a multicentre research collaboration related to the promotion of rational drug use in the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage. more...

Introduction: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has already proven useful in the assessment of submucosal lesions, and the staging of gastrointestinal cancer, particularly gastric MALT-type lymphoma. The goal of this paper was EUS staging., Patients and Method: 24 patients (10 females, 14 males) with a median age of 56 years and possibly gastric MALT lymphoma (25 cases) were studied using videoendoscopy, biopsies, and echoendoscopy with 7.5- and 20-MHz radial EUS, and also with 12- and 20-MHz miniprobes (MPs). Nineteen patients were definitely evaluated (7 females, 12 males) as having 20 MALT-type lymphomas, as five patients were post-hoc disregarded when an invasive, high-grade gastric lymphoma (3c) or plasmocytoma (2c) was subsequently demonstrated. Of these 19 patients, all had T1 lesions except for two with T2 lesions; one patient had a gastroduodenal T1 lymphoma. Echographic findings with MPs were compared to EUS (gold standard) and histology both before and after eradication. Then, patients were followed up every 1-3-6 months using videoendoscopy and MPs., Results: Echoendoscopy correctly identified T stages in 90% of cases. MPs identified T stages in 88% of cases, and N stages in 33% of cases, with results being slightly inferior to those obtained with conventional EUS (91 vs. 45%); they were consequently used for follow-up. After eradication, all but two patients are in complete remission and have been followed every 1-3-6 months using MPs without echographic abnormalities, except for a patient who relapsed. more...

DFT and post Hartree-Fock calculations were carried out to characterize the electronic structure of the 10-electron-reduced [PMo8V4O40(VO)4](5)(-) polyoxometalate. This molecule may be viewed as a mixed-metal PMo8V4O40 Keggin structure capped with four VO units, in which the eight vanadiums form a ring. In mixed V/Mo clusters it is accepted that the first reductions occur at the V(5+) ions. The BP86 calculations on this modified Keggin anion reveal that the ground state is a septet with the six unpaired electrons delocalized over the eight V centers. The B3LYP calculations and especially the CASSCF technique modify the tendency of the BP86 method, thus reproducing the expected 8/2 distribution. The unpaired electrons residing in the eight vanadiums are antiferromagnetically coupled. more...

Background: The resection and histologic examination of the lesions is generally considered the treatment of choice in order to achieve diagnosis in gastrointestinal submucosal tumors. Moreover, the degree of malignancy of the tumor depends on certain features that can only be studied on the entire resected piece., Methods: We revised the cases of patients who underwent endoscopic resection of gastrointestinal submucosal tumors in the period from 1997 through 2002., Results: Fifty submucosal lesions were resected in 45 patients (64.4% men). Patient mean age was 55.31 years. Of the lesions, 52% were gastric tumors and 88% were located in the second layer. Mean size was 12.34 mm, and 54% were smaller than 10 mm. Resection with submucosal injection of saline solution and diluted adrenaline was performed on 46% of the lesions, and standard resection using polypectomy snare on 48%. Ligation was used in three cases. Resection was successful in 98% and major complications were observed in 4% (two cases of bleeding, endoscopically resolved)., Conclusions: The endoscopic resection of submucosal tumors is a safe and efficient technique: It has few associated complications and allows diagnosis in all the cases and cure of the lesion in the great majority of cases. more...

Background and Aims: Considering the results of cost-effective analyses, the National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends osteoporosis treatment for patients with previous hip fracture. The aim of this study was to examine the application of adequate treatment for osteoporosis among patients who have had a hip fracture. We also evaluated the rate of subsequent fractures after five years., Methods: We conducted a retrospective data study, with a follow-up at five years after discharge, in a tertiary teaching hospital with orthopedic services and all medical specialities. Treatment for osteoporosis and subsequent fracture rates were evaluated in 114 patients with hip fracture. Functional status was assessed using the Barthel Index (BI). We also evaluated the rate of subsequent fractures after five years., Results: Twenty-five patients (22%) had a new fracture at some moment during the follow-up. Six percent at discharge and 12% at five years of follow-up were receiving adequate treatment for osteoporosis. After five years of follow-up, a decline in their BI persisted in 72% of the 43 surviving patients., Conclusions: Few patients were receiving adequate treatment for osteoporosis after hip fracture. Their fracture rates and functional decline were important. more...

Similarities between lambda and rRNA transcription antitermination have led to suggestions that they involve the same Nus factors. However, direct in vivo confirmation that rRNA antitermination requires all of the lambda Nus factors is lacking. We have therefore analyzed the in vivo role of NusB and NusG in rRNA transcription antitermination and have established that both are essential for it. We used a plasmid test system in which reporter gene mRNA was measured to monitor rRNA antiterminator-dependent bypass of a Rho-dependent terminator. A comparison of terminator read-through in a wild-type Escherichia coli strain and that in a nusB::IS10 mutant strain determined the requirement for NusB. In the absence of NusB, antiterminator-dependent terminator read-through was not detected, showing that NusB is necessary for rRNA transcription antitermination. The requirement for NusG was determined by comparing rRNA antiterminator-dependent terminator read-through in a strain overexpressing NusG with that in a strain depleted of NusG. In NusG-depleted cells, termination levels were unchanged in the presence or absence of the antiterminator, demonstrating that NusG, like NusB, is necessary for rRNA transcription antitermination. These results imply that NusB and NusG are likely to be part of an RNA-protein complex formed with RNA polymerase during transcription of the rRNA antiterminator sequences that is required for rRNA antiterminator-dependent terminator read-through. more...

Astringency is an important sensory attribute of red wine. It is usually estimated by tasting and is subject to a certain subjectivity. It can also be estimated by using the gelatin index. This procedure is not very reproducible because there are many gelatins on the market with a heterogeneous composition. Furthermore, the gelatin index determines procyanidin concentration by acid hydrolysis that gives only an approximate result. This paper proposes a new and reproducible method that determines astringency by using ovalbumin as the precipitation agent and tannic acid solutions as standards. Statistical analysis of the results indicates that this method is more reproducible (RSD = 5%) than the gelatin index (RSD = 12%) and correlates better with sensorial analysis. more...

The importance of the preservation of the subacromial arch has been stressed recently, especially in irreparable lesions of the rotator cuff to prevent anterosuperior migration of the humeral head. The purpose of this article is to describe the surgical technique of a modified open anterior acromioplasty performed through an intra-acromial osteotomy that increases the subacromial space and preserves the insertion of the coracoacromial ligament on the undersurface of the acromion. To compare this new technique with classical acromioplasty, a prospective but nonrandomized study was performed including 20 patients undergoing open anterior acromioplasty and 22 patients undergoing a modified open anterior acromioplasty. At a mean follow-up of 18 months, no differences related to shoulder function as evaluated by the Constant score were found between these two groups. This modified acromioplasty increases the subacromial space, preserving the anatomy of the subacromial arch, and provides functional results as good as those obtained with classical open acromioplasty. more...

Multiplet splittings for several excited configurations of [Co(II)W(12)O(40)](6-) were calculated using DFT methods. In agreement with the experimental interpretation of the spectrum the calculations found that the first strong band corresponds to Co d-d transitions, but it is worth noting that superposed to these transitions there are charge transfer transitions from cobalt to tungsten. The calculations also showed the importance of Jahn-Teller distortions in the excited states. With the exception of the consequences derived from a smaller splitting of d cobalt orbitals the d-d spectrum of [CoCl(4)](2-) is similar to that of the more complex Keggin anion. Finally, the energy of the bielectronic transition (4)A(2) --> (4)T(1)(P) was estimated via an approximate procedure based on ligand field theory. more...

The role of Pediococcus spp. in the production of tyramine was studied. Strains of these microorganisms were isolated from industrial beer fermentations where high tyramine formation occurred. It has been verified that Pediococcus spp. are able to form tyramine during beer fermentation, and the quantity of tyramine produced depends on the degree of contamination. Thus, CFU of Pediococcus spp. ranging from 4 ×10 3 to 1 × 10 4 CFU/ml led to low tyramine formation (<5 mg/liter). Tyramine production between 5 and 15 mg/liter was related to Pediococcus spp. counts from 1 × 10 4 to 5 × 10 4 CFU/ml, while counts of these microorganisms above 5 ×104 CFU/ml led to tyramine levels ranging from 15 to 20 mg/liter. Prolonged storage in culture media of the isolated strains of Pediococcus spp. as well as isolation of these microorganisms from beer and transfer to media caused them to lose their ability to produce tyramine. Determination of tyramine levels in beer was found to be a reliable indicator of the degree of contamination by Pediococcus spp. during beer fermentation. more...

Biogenic amine contents and microbial contamination (wild yeasts and lactic acid bacteria) were followed during beer fermentation in both industrial and pilot plants. No significant change in the amine contents was observed, except for tryptamine and tyramine. Tyramine formation showed a great variability (from 8 to almost 30 mg/l), while tryptamine formation was always much lower than tyramine (<3.5 mg/l). No relationship was found between wild yeast counts and tyramine formation, whereas a significant positive relationship was found between tyramine formation and lactic acid bacteria. Colony-forming units (CFU) of these microorganisms ranging from 4 × 10 3 to 1 × 10 4 CFU/ml were related to low tyramine production (<5 mg/l). Tyramine formation between 5 and 15 mg/l was related to lactic acid bacteria counts from 1 × 10 4 to 1 × 10 5 CFU/ml, while lactic acid bacteria higher than 1 × 10 5 CFU/ml were related to tyramine formation between 15 and 25 mg/l. No marked tyramine production occurred when lactic acid bacteria counts were lower than 4 × 10 3 CFU/ml. The lactic acid bacteria isolated were identified as species of Pediococcus . Secondary fermentation was not related to tyramine formation. Phosphoric acid washing of the brewer's yeast was effective in eliminating Pediococcus spp. and, therefore, in reducing tyramine levels in the final product. more...

Esophageal ulcers are often found in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. We have retrospectively reviewed the upper endoscopies performed in these patients during the last four years. 149 examinations were realized in 73 patients. Fourteen patients with esophageal ulcers were diagnosed. A severe immunological impairment was present in all patients (CD4 24.4 +/- 31.1 cells/ul). Symptoms were non-specific, with prevailing dysphagia and odynophagia. The etiological diagnosis was reached by histological studies and cultures in 5 cases (36%), three due to Herpes virus type I, one due to Cytomegalovirus and another one to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Patients with multiple ulcers or small ones were successfully treated with antiviral drugs, even when the etiological studies were negative. Corticosteroids were useful in single and large ulcers in which diagnostic tests were negative. more...

Spermatogonial cell loss has been observed in rats flown on Space Lab 3, Cosmos 1887, Cosmos 2044 and in mice following irradiation with X-ray or with high energy (HZE) particle beams. Spermatogonial loss is determined by cell counting in maturation stage 6 seminiferous [correction of seminferous] tubules. With the exception of Iron, laboratory irradiation experiments (with mice) revealed a similar pattern of spermatogonial loss proportional to the radiation dose at levels less than 0.1 Gy. Helium and Argon irradiation resulted in a 5% loss of spermatogonia after only 0.01 Gy exposure. However, significant spermatogonial loss (45%) occured at this radiation level with Iron particle beams. The loss of spermatogonia during each space flight was less than 10% when compared to control (non-flight) animals. This loss, although small, was significant. Although radiation may be a contributing factor in the loss of spermatogonia during space flight, exposure levels, as determined by dosimetry, were not significant to account for the total cell loss observed. more...

Twelve cases of superficial carcinoma of the esophagus, representing 4.9% of patients with carcinoma of the esophagus, were evaluated. All the patients were male smokers who drank alcohol excessively. The main clinical features were dysphagia, asthenia, anorexia, and weight loss. Most of the lesions were elevated and all endoscopic biopsies were positive for cancer. Half of the cases showed invasion of the submucosa; the remainder involved mucosa only. Ten patients are alive and free of metastatic disease. more...