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Introducción: Las personas con diagnóstico de cáncer y que reciben tratamiento manifiestan factores estresantes, físicos, emocionales y sociales, que inciden en la salud mental del paciente, por lo tanto, se reconoce la importancia de las prácticas de automanejo para aliviar la carga de estos factores. Objetivo: Identificar factores emocionales que puedan ser útiles para predecir la práctica de automanejo. Método: Diseño transversal, predictivo, muestreo no probabilístico intencional conformado por 160 personas con diagnóstico de cáncer. Se emplearon los instrumentos: Partners in Health (PIH), Self-rated Health, Escala de depresión del Cuestionario de Salud del Paciente (PHQ-8P), Escala Visual Análoga para valorar el estrés e insomnio. Se aplicó el modelo de regresión lineal múltiple; se calculó el efecto de la diferencia y la potencia estadística utilizando el método de escalonado. Resultados: Se identificaron dos variables predictoras con significancia estadística (p

Electrical frequency analysis of an electric machine and its controller require linearizing approximations, like the constant speed assumption, so that linear system analysis techniques can be used. Using the constant speed assumption is usually valid because sampling periods are so small and inertias so large that the velocity cannot significantly change. However, in the case where accelerations are high or sampling frequencies are low, this assumption may not be valid. The proposed technique models the electrical dynamics of an electric machine without making a constant speed or other linearizing assumption while still being linear with respect to time and physically meaningful. The technique is developed using the induction machine model as a prime example, although it is applicable to any machine type. Two examples are given to show how the technique can be used in analysis and controls design.

A full capacitance model for amorphous oxide semiconductors Thin Film Transistors (AOSTFTs) is validated in dynamic regime using a Ring Oscillator of 19 stages fabricated and measured, describing the model in Verilog-A language. In this paper, we obtained good results and coincidence between the dynamic characteristics of the circuit measured and modeled. The modeled characteristics where obtained using the SmartSpice tool from Silvaco. The model includes the effect of the different overlaps capacitance present in the structures of the a-IGZO TFTs analyzed, which is an important factor used to determine the oscillator performance of the devices. We also analyze the dynamic behavior of the circuit when the internal capacitances of the TFTs increase or decrease, with respect to the real value, obtaining the expected behavior. In this work we also show how was considered the effect of the time in the internal capacitances of the transistors, using the Spice simulator. The model was validated for different supply voltages, for 10, 15 and 20 V, in all cases, the agreement between characteristics simulated and measured was good.

State-of-the-art stator and rotor flux observers implemented in the discrete domain for high-performance drives, such as those used in deadbeat-direct torque and flux control, have become increasingly complex in nature and have an underlying linearizing constant speed assumption. The proposed observer is expected to consume less computational resources, does not make linearizing assumptions about the motor, and has shown to run well at low sampling-to-fundamental frequency ratios. The observer also does not rely on lookup tables or compensation curves to correct for errors caused by approximations, allowing easier tuning than the state-of-the-art flux observer. In this paper, this observer is developed in the continuous and discrete domain and analyzed for rotor flux estimation accuracy performance.

PMC6682346; Pexastimogene devacirepvec (Pexa-Vec) is a vaccinia virus-based oncolytic immunotherapy designed to preferentially replicate in and destroy tumor cells while stimulating anti-tumor immunity by expressing GM-CSF. An earlier randomized Phase IIa trial in predominantly sorafenib-naive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) demonstrated an overall survival (OS) benefit. This randomized, open-label Phase IIb trial investigated whether Pexa-Vec plus Best Supportive Care (BSC) improved OS over BSC alone in HCC patients who failed sorafenib therapy (TRAVERSE). 129 patients were randomly assigned 2:1 to Pexa-Vec plus BSC vs. BSC alone. Pexa-Vec was given as a single intravenous (IV) infusion followed by up to 5 IT injections. The primary endpoint was OS. Secondary endpoints included overall response rate (RR), time to progression (TTP) and safety. A high drop-out rate in the control arm (63%) confounded assessment of response-based endpoints. Median OS (ITT) for Pexa-Vec plus BSC vs. BSC alone was 4.2 and 4.4 months, respectively (HR, 1.19, 95% CI: 0.78-1.80; p = .428). There was no difference between the two treatment arms in RR or TTP. Pexa-Vec was generally well-tolerated. The most frequent Grade 3 included pyrexia (8%) and hypotension (8%). Induction of immune responses to vaccinia antigens and HCC associated antigens were observed. Despite a tolerable safety profile and induction of T cell responses, Pexa-Vec did not improve OS as second-line therapy after sorafenib failure. The true potential of oncolytic viruses may lie in the treatment of patients with earlier disease stages which should be addressed in future studies. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01387555.

Background: A marginal interaction between sex and the type of alkylating agent was observed for event‐free survival in the Euro‐EWING99‐R1 randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide in Ewing sarcoma. To further evaluate this interaction, we performed an individual patient data meta‐analysis of RCTs assessing cyclophosphamide versus ifosfamide in any type of cancer. Methods: A literature search produced two more eligible RCTs (EICESS92 and IRS‐IV). The endpoints were progression‐free survival (PFS, main endpoint) and overall survival (OS). The hazard ratios (HRs) of the treatment‐by‐sex interaction and their 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were assessed using stratified multivariable Cox models. Heterogeneity of the interaction across age categories and trials was explored. We also assessed this interaction for severe acute toxicity using logistic models. Results: The meta‐analysis comprised 1,528 pediatric and young adult sarcoma patients from three RCTs: Euro‐EWING99‐R1 (n = 856), EICESS92 (n = 155), and IRS‐IV (n = 517). There were 224 PFS events in Euro‐EWING99‐R1 and 200 in the validation set (EICESS92 + IRS‐IV), and 171 and 154 deaths in each dataset, respectively. The estimated treatment‐by‐sex interaction for PFS in Euro‐EWING99‐R1 (HR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.00–3.00) was not replicated in the validation set (HR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.55–1.72), without heterogeneity across trials (P = 0.62). In the pooled analysis, the treatment‐by‐sex interaction was not significant (HR = 1.31, 95% CI = 0.89–1.95, P = 0.17), without heterogeneity across age categories (P = 0.88) and trials (P = 0.36). Similar results were observed for OS. No significant treatment‐by‐sex interaction was observed for leucopenia/neutropenia (P = 0.45), infection (P = 0.64), or renal toxicity (P = 0.20). Conclusion: Our meta‐analysis did not confirm the hypothesis of a treatment‐by‐sex interaction on efficacy or toxicity outcomes. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Objective To identify coping strategies and socio-demographics impacting satisfaction with life and quality of life in Crohn's disease (CD). Methods 402 patients completed the Patient Harvey-Bradshaw Index, Brief COPE Inventory, Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ). We performed structural equation modeling (SEM) of mediators of quality of life and satisfaction with life. Results The cohort comprised: men 39.3%, women 60.1%; P-HBI 4.75 and 5.74 (p = 0.01). In inactive CD (P-HBI≤4), both genders had SWLS score 23.8; men had SIBDQ score 57.4, women 52.6 (p = 0.001); women reported more use of emotion-focused, problem-focused and dysfunctional coping than men. In active CD, SWLS and SIBDQ scores were reduced, without gender differences; men and women used coping strategies equally. A SEM model (all patients) had a very good fit (X2(6) = 6.68, p = 0.351, X2/df = 1.114, SRMR = 0.045, RMSEA = 0.023, CFI = 0.965). In direct paths, economic status impacted SWLS (β = 0.39) and SIBDQ (β = 0.12), number of children impacted SWLS (β = 0.10), emotion-focused coping impacted SWLS (β = 0.11), dysfunctional coping impacted SWLS (β = -0.25). In an indirect path, economic status impacted dysfunctional coping (β = -0.26), dysfunctional coping impacted SIBDQ (β = -0.36). A model split by gender and disease activity showed that in active CD economic status impacted SIBDQ in men (β = 0.43) more than women (β = 0.26); emotional coping impacted SWLS in women (β = 0.36) more than men (β = 0.14). Conclusions Gender differences in coping and the impacts of economic status and emotion-focused coping vary with activity of CD. Psychological treatment in the clinic setting might improve satisfaction with life and quality of life in CD patients.

INTRODUCTION: Substituted indoles and related structures have been shown to exhibit potent anticancer activity against breast cancer cell lines. Here, the effects of structurally similar substituted indoles against the human glial cancer cell lines, 1321N1 and U87MG, have been investigated by comparing the effects of these compounds to conventional anti cancer drugs. METHODS: Cell viability in the presence of the test compounds was measured using an MTS assay and corroborated by an ATP cell proliferation assay as well as a Trypan blue exclusion test. The significance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the process was determined using an Image-iT® LIVE ROS kit from Invitrogen. RESULTS: Both cell lines were treated with four commercial anticancer drugs and IC50 values were only reached at concentrations of 20 µM for cisplatin and 50 µM for gemcitabine over 48hrs on the 1321N1 cell line. However, the more malignant U87MG cell line was resistant to all the drugs, except for cisplatin where the IC50 value was reached at 300 µM after treatment for 48hrs. Similar studies were carried out with various substituted indoles and the cytotoxicity results on both cell lines showed that the IC50 value was reached within 90 minutes for the most potent compound at a concentration of 600 µM (1321N1) and 800 µM (U87MG). The idea that the mechanism of action of these compounds may work through the generation of ROS was investigated and this was confirmed over a similar time course using a suitable fluorogenic marker. Moreover, it was shown that the addition of an antioxidant (ascorbic acid) abolished the potency of the most active compound. CONCLUSION: Here, it has been demonstrated that certain substituted indoles are able to have a rapid, deleterious effect on the viability of two glioma cell lines and indicated that ROS generation may induce cell death.

An auxetic material is one with a negative Poisson’s ratio and has the property of widening when stretched or narrowing when compressed in contrast to conventional materials. Typical auxetic materials include modified polymeric foams ( Lakes, 1987 ), regular honeycombs, polypropylene fibres and certain crystal structures. Auxetic materials benefit from enhanced mechanical properties. These benefits include improved indentation resistance, enhanced shear moduli and fracture toughness Evans and Alderson (2000) . While modelling granular materials, Bathurst and Rothenburg, 1988a , Bathurst and Rothenburg, 1988b noted the theoretical possibility of a negative Poisson’s ratio if the constitutive grains had unconventional interactive properties. These unconventional interactive properties are that the tangential interaction should be stiffer than the normal interaction. In this work, a 2D unit cell has been designed with just such an unconventional interaction so that a 2D granular material can be constructed with negative Poisson’s ratio. Theoretical calculations of such a granular assembly are made using mean strain assumptions and first order heterogeneity calculations. These are compared to 2D discrete element simulations, finite element simulations and Bathurst and Rothenburg’s original result.

Two-dimensional regular theoretical units that give a negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) are well documented and well understood. Predicted mechanical properties resulting from these models are reasonably accurate in two dimensions but fall down when used for heterogeneous real-world materials. Manufacturing processes are seldom perfect and some measure of heterogeneity is therefore required to account for the deviations from the regular unit cells in this real-life situation. Analysis of heterogeneous materials in three dimensions is a formidable problem; we must first understand heterogeneity in two dimensions. This paper approaches the problem of finding a link between heterogeneous networks and its material properties from a new angle. Existing optimisation tools are used to create random two-dimensional topologies that display NPR, and the disorder in the structure and its relationship with NPR is investigated.

To date, microstructural modelling of auxetic materials has relied mainly on the assumption of both a regular and a homogeneous microstructure present throughout the bulk material. The disorder within a material is seen as something undesirable, with the expectation that disorder or heterogeneity will tend to reduce the range of properties available. In this work the presence of short-range variations in the elastic moduli are considered together with the resulting effect on a material’s Poisson’s ratio. It is shown that such variations alone can cause a material with a mean positive Poisson’s ratio to become negative (auxetic). In addition, anisotropic variations can enhance the magnitude of a negative Poisson’s ratio.

It the task to accurately model auxetic foams, a number of details must be correctly accounted for. Firstly, the micro-structure is not simple and can only be quantitatively described by traditional, regular, cellular models. Computer tomography (CT) data has been used to begin to describe the details of the complex geometry of the foams' microstructure and to describe it in a manner suitable for advanced models. Using these modelling techniques that are able to capture difficult geometries, values of the local and global mechanical properties are calculated. These mechanicals calculations are based on a linear elastic core and global properties are a mean strain estimate. The latter is shown to be inadequate, highlighting the need for a heterogeneous basis for accurate modelling. The significant mechanical anisotropy of the materials is reported and mechanical results are recast according to axis of major and minor principal stiffness demonstrating the elastic symmetry of the foam and a requirement of an objective methodology in modelling an inherently anistropic material.

The mechanical response of an aggregate of bending beams in two dimensions is investigated. The special mission of this paper is to find auxetic properties (negative Poisson's ratio). A formal correspondence between a contacting granular material and a medium consisting of bending beams is established. The former has already been studied in previous papers and the results can be taken over quite readily. Among the results it is reported that networks of beams that are stubby auxetic behaviour is naturally present, even in a mean field approach. For heterogeneous materials the role of local anisotropies is highlighted as a possible mechanism underlying an overall negative Poisson ratio.

Materials with a negative Poisson’s ratio have been modelled largely by regular 2D networks. These models represent the conceptual features of the microscale of materials with a negative Poisson’s ratio. To date they do not reflect the detail or exact structure of any known auxetic material. In this paper, 2D materials have been constructed whose microstructure is represented exactly by the auxetic models. These materials are subjected to an axial strain and the measured Poisson’s ratio is compared to the predictions by the models. The models are also amended to fit better the observed deformation within the 2D materials. The models are found to predict some behaviour reasonably well but only when model parameters are measured from the experimental data.

The auxetic foams first produced by Lakes have been modelled in a variety of ways, each model trying to reproduce some observed feature of the microscale of the foams. Such features include bent or broken ribs or inverted angles between ribs. These models can reproduce the Poisson's ratio or Poisson's function of auxetic foam if the model parameters are carefully chosen. However these model parameters may not actually reflect the internal structure of the foams. A big problem is that measurement of parameters such as lengths and angles is not straightforward within a 3-d sample. In this work a sample of auxetic foam has been imaged by 3-d X-ray computed tomography. The resulting image is translated to a form that emphasises the geometrical structure of connected ribs. This connected rib data are suitably analysed to describe both the microstructural construction of auxetic foams and the statistical spread of structure, that is, the heterogeneity of an auxetic foam. From the analysis of the microstructure, observations are made about the requirements for microstructural models and comparisons made to previous existing models. From the statistical data, measures of heterogeneity are made that will help with future modelling that includes the heterogeneous aspect ofmore » auxetic foams.« less

Auxetic materials are gaining practical interest for their unusual and sometimes extreme mechanical response. The process of modeling these materials so far has highlighted a number of microstructural properties that are key to these materials. However these models often rely on the assumption of homogeneity and order within the materials. Practically, a homogeneous auxetic material such as foam is unlikely to be manufactured. This work seeks to analyze the effect of fluctuations within the microstructure of the material. Numerical results show the effect of fluctuations in an auxetic granular substance and analytical work indicates the relation between microscale fluctuations and the elastic moduli for a general auxetic material.

A granular medium is viewed as a heterogeneous continuum that satisfies mechanical equilibrium at each material point. Analysis of the strain distribution under deviatoric loading displays structures formation when the strain pattern is filtered through a directionally sensitive deformation intensity analyzer. The same type of analysis carried out on numerical experiments yields similar structures. Comparison between the two methods permits an estimate of the radius of the mesodomain that is characteristic for granular media. This scale is one of the necessary scales of discrimination that is needed for the understanding of the deformation of granular materials with elastofrictional particle interaction. Evolution of the thickness of the structures is also analyzed. They become elongated with increasing deviatoric deformation. The encroachment of the mesoscale onto the microscale (that is, the particle interactive scale) is signaled.

The deformation of a granular assembly is studied using mean-field theory. It is demonstrated that this theory is inadequate in explaining even the most common features of the stress-strain behaviour. The length scale introduced by the two-particle statistics on which the theory is based is questioned and a new length scale is put forward that is relevant to structures observed in a new analysis methodology.

Resume L'actinomycose est une infection rare due a un bacille Gram positif anaerobie souvent difficile a isoler. Cas clinique Une enfant de six ans a eu une lesion lytique apparemment isolee de l'os iliaque d'extension progressive pendant plusieurs mois conduisant a un envahissement compressif pelvien. L'aspect etait fortement evocateur d'une tumeur maligne. Les deux premieres biopsies n'ont pas ete concluantes. Ce n'est qu'a la troisieme biopsie realisee a six mois d'evolution qu'un fragment mis en culture a permis la mise en evidence apres trois semaines d'un Actinomyces . Il s'agit donc d'une actinomycose de l'os iliaque apparemment primitive. La reduction du processus infectieux n'a pu etre obtenue que par l'association d'un traitement antibiotique adapte et d'une reduction chirurgicale. Conclusion Le cas rapporte correspond a la premiere description d'une actinomycose de l'os iliaque qui a presente toutes les caracteristiques d'une tumeur maligne. © 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS

The flow in a torsional shear cell is investigated with the purpose of finding a measure for the wall effect due to strongly nonuniform flow in the vicinity of the edge of the top platen. Various laminar flow problems are analysed that are relevant to this set-up. These include pure shearing flow of a single fluid in a both an infinite and finite cell, as well as pure shear of a two-fluid system in a finite cell. For pure shearing flow it is found that the extent of the wall effect is of the order of magnitude of the depth of the fluid layer. For piston flow the wall effect is entirely determined by boundary conditions at the bottom of the cell.

Disseminated Geotrichum capitatum infection is uncommon, and has been reported exclusively in immunocompromised patients. The prognosis is poor with a mortality rate of approximately 50-75%. We report a case of disseminated G. capitatum infection in a severely neutropenic patient who was receiving chemotherapy for acute myeloblastic leukaemia. G. capitatum was isolated from blood cultures, skin lesions, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, throat swabs and stools. The infection was successfully cured with a combination of voriconazole and caspofungin.

Bacteraemia and endocarditis are the most frequently reported clinical infections due to Abiotrophia defectiva species. This species has been rarely implicated in infections in neutropenic patients. We report a rare case of long-term venous catheter-related infection caused by A. defectiva that occurred in a febrile child who had neutropenia and Langerhans’ cell histiocytosis.

We describe 5 cases of immediate-type reactions to systemic corticosteroids observed during the last 2 decades in boys aged 2, 4, 8, 9, and 10 years. Symptoms ranged from generalized urticaria and angioedema to anaphylactic shock immediately after administration. Oral betamethasone was implicated in 2 cases, oral prednisolone in 2 cases, and intravenous prednisolone in 1 case. The parents of patient 5 refused the skin tests. The remaining patients underwent skin prick tests with the following undiluted corticosteroids: parenteral prednisolone, oral prednisolone, parenteral methylprednisolone, parenteral dexamethasone, parenteral hydrocortisone, and oral betamethasone. If the results were negative, intradermal tests were performed with the same drugs at increasing concentrations. Skin test results were positive for all suspect corticosteroids, thus indicating an immunoglobulin E-mediated mechanism. Two patients had positive skin test results to other corticosteroids, suggesting cross-reactivity. An oral challenge test was performed with deflazacort in 4 cases and with betamethasone in 1 case; the results were negative.

Introduction et but de l’etude Tous les ans, 1 700 nouveaux cas de cancer sont diagnostiques chez les 15–25 ans. Ce drame est frequemment associe a un risque de refus de soin ou de mauvaise compliance dans cette population. Le cancer aura un impact sur la perception du schema corporel, mais aussi l’integration sociale ou professionnelle. Les AJA refusent frequemment les CNO ou la nutrition enterale et sous-estiment la gravite de leur etat nutritionnel. Dans le cadre du programme d’education therapeutique AGORA dedie aux AJA, mis en place dans notre etablissement en 2012, nous avons organise des ateliers d’information et de discussion sur l’alimentation et la nutrition au cours des cancers. Le but de ce travail etait de presenter les premiers resultats de l’enquete de satisfaction realisee durant ces ateliers. Materiel et methodes L’atelier dure 90 minutes et est compose de 4 parties interactives : quiz (15 questions a choix simple) evaluant les connaissances sur l’alimentation, reflexion sur l’equilibre alimentaire avec exemple de repas consommes par les participants, information sur la denutrition et ses consequences, information sur les conseils dietetiques au cours des traitements et degustation de CNO. Un questionnaire est systematiquement remis en fin d’atelier. Il evalue la qualite du contenu et des connaissances acquises, et l’impact de l’atelier sur l’etat physique et psychologique (echelle 0 (tres altere)-10 (normal)). Resultats et Analyse statistique Entre juin 2013 et juin 2014, 5 ateliers ont ete organise[m1] s, et on[m2] t rassemble 15 patients (âge median 18 ans [12–25 ans], 9 filles, temps median depuis le diagnostic : 6 mois [1–12 mois]) et 2 proches. Meme si 6/15 ont trouve l’atelier trop long, 10 etaient tout a fait satisfaits du contenu, de l’interactivite, des connaissances acquises et de la clarte de l’atelier. Les deux points positifs les plus souvent evoques etaient l’interactivite et la degustation des CNO. Le point negatif plusieurs fois releve etait l’ecart d’âge entre les participants. Les ateliers n’ont pas induit de fatigue (echelle de bien-etre physique avant atelier : 6,75 – pendant : 7,22 – apres : 7,86) ni de trouble de l’humeur (echelle de moral avant : 6,89 – pendant : 7,41 – apres : 8,19). Tous les participants conseilleraient a d’autres AJA de participer a l’atelier. Conclusion Ces resultats preliminaires confirment l’interet d’une information precise et interactive des AJA concernant l’alimentation et la nutrition au cours des traitements des cancers. Elle reduit les apprehensions des AJA vis-a-vis des CNO, et induit une prise de conscience propice a une prise en charge nutritionnelle plus precoce. Des groupes homogenes d’âge doivent etre envisages. L’implementation de cet atelier dans d’autres etablissements prenant en charge des AJA est possible.

Most requests for gastroenterology consultations for hospitalized patients are for endoscopic procedures. Open access endoscopy has been evaluated in several institutions for outpatients. Our aim was to evaluate an open access policy for hospitalized patients.Since April of 1996, patients hospitalized in the Soroka Medical Center have been referred directly for upper endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy, EGD) and flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS). The numbers of procedures and consultation requests between July 1, 1996, and September 30, 1996, were compared with the corresponding months of 1995. A survey of physician satisfaction with the new open access system was conducted.The mean number of monthly consultations during the study period was 30.7 +/- 2.4, compared with 119.3 +/- 5.4 during the same months in 1995 (p = 0.006). Open access endoscopy was performed on 114 patients during the study period. Upper GI bleeding (n = 41) and abdominal pain (n = 33) were the most common indications for EGD. There were nine duodenal ulcers, five gastric ulcers, and eight gastric carcinomas. Sixteen patients (21%) had normal EGDs. The most common indications for FS were rectal bleeding (n = 24) and diarrhea (n = 13). Seven patients had colorectal cancer; 12 FSs were normal. In all, 286 EGDs and FSs were conducted in the study period compared with 253 in 1995 (not significant). All physicians expressed satisfaction with the new system and favored its continuation.The open access policy for hospitalized patients led to a considerable reduction in requests for consultations, with no significant increase in the number of endoscopies. The majority of patients referred directly for endoscopy had appropriate indications.

Crohn's disease in Israel was described in the past as being of low incidence, more common in Europe-America-born Jews than other Jews, and of uncharacteristically low morbidity. However, recent experience has suggested that these premises are no longer correct.The records of all hospital and outpatient cases of Crohn's disease in southern Israel for the period 1968-1992 were reviewed. Private family practitioners and specialists were contacted to assure complete case ascertainment.The prevalence rate of Crohn's disease among Jews on December 31, 1992, was 50.6/10(5) (Asia-Africa-born Jews 55.0/10(5), Europe-America-born Jews 58.7/10(5), and the rate was 8.2/10(5) among Bedouin Arabs. The annual incidence rate (1987-1992) was calculated as 4.2/10(5)/yr in Jews (Asia-Africa-born 4.6/10(5)/yr, Europe-America-born 3.9/10(5)/yr). The age of presentation declined progressively over the study period, was lower in Israel-born patients than immigrants, and was lower in ileocolonic versus other sites of disease.The data show that Crohn's disease has become more common in Jews in Israel, losing ethnic differences of frequency, and that it occurs at a younger age than before. In Arabs, the disease is more rare.

Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis of Kikuchi and Fujimoto (HNL) is a benign, self-limited disease of unknown etiology. It can easily be mistaken for lymphoma, both clinically and on pathological examination. We report a 25-year-old woman who presented with fever and painful unilateral lymphadenopathy, clinically compatible with, and histologically diagnosed as HNL. Only 2 previous cases of HNL have been reported from Israel.

Acquired aplastic anemia is usually fatal. During recent years autoimmune disturbances have been implicated in bone marrow depression. This has led to a novel therapeutic approach based on immune suppression to enable bone marrow recovery. We report 4 adult patients who were treated with antithymocyte globulin.

Strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae resistant to penicillin have been reported from several countries around the world. Many South African isolates, in addition, exhibit resistance to tetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, clindamycin, and cotrimoxazole in varying patterns. A qualitative test of the ability of antibiotic-resistant pneumococci to inactivate penicillin, oxacillin, cephalothin, cefoxitin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, minocycline, erythromycin, clindamycin, streptomycin, gentamicin, and cotrimoxazole revealed that only chloramphenicol was degraded. This finding was confirmed in a quantitative test in which the residual antimicrobial activity of broth containing chloramphenicol in subinhibitory concentrations was determined after incubation with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Chloramphenicol resistance was shown to be associated with the production of inducible chloramphenicol acetyltransferase. No beta-lactamase activity was demonstrated. Plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid was not demonstrable in partially purified lysates of antibiotic-resistant strains of S. pneumoniae .

The secretion of citric acid by the bovine female genital epithelium has been investigated by Gaspar & Cseh (1963). In 60% of cases no citric acid was present, but in the secreta of 40 % of the cows, quantities corresponding to spots of 1 \m=.\5to 40 \g=m\gcould be demonstrated. In 30 % of the investigated cases one unidentified spot, usually accompanied by citric acid and showing Rf values from 0\m=.\78to 0\m=.\80,also appeared on the chromatogram. We have been trying to identify more closely the compound forming this spot. It was diffusible and remained unhydrolysed in 1 n-sulphuric acid for 2 hr and was in character acid. Although the unknown compound was generally accompanied by citric acid, it could not be identified either with lactic acid, pyruvic acid and the components of the citrate cycle, or with maleinic and citraconic acid. Oestrous secreta from eighty-four living dairy cows and sixty slaughtered animals were used as test material. The material from living cows was collected directly from the os of the cervix by aspiration with a syringe provided with a catheter. Uterine mucus, oviduct fluid, and follicular fluid was collected from slaughtered animals directly from the organ. The method of paper chromatography described by Schreier & Hack (1956) was used. The absorption spectrum of the stained compound, eluted with ethanol, was measured with a Beckman spectrophotometer. The unknown compound is supposed to be closely related to or even identical with hippuric acid, which is found in exceedingly large quantities in herbivora, as a final product of the detoxication of benzoic acid and its derivates. This conclusion is based on the following considerations. (a) The comparison made between the chromatographic data of Gaffney, Schreier, DiFerrante & Altman (1954) and our own results (see Table 1). (b) The absorption maximum of the substance tested by Gaffney et al. (1954) was at 460 m\g=m\,while that of the substance deriving from the secreta and the absorption maximum of hippuric acid under similar conditions were found at 475 m\g=m\(see Gaffney et al. Fig. 1 and Text-figs. 1 and 2). (c) In-vivo load tests also prove that the investigated substance is a benzoic acid derivative. Sixty to 90 mg/kg of sodium benzoate was administered intravenously to five cows. The substance tentatively identified as

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of pneumococci is now essential to monitor for the presence of resistance to agents such as the penicillins, macrolides, lincomycins, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline. In this study, clinical isolates of a selection of resistant South African strains were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination and by a modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique, using Mueller-Hinton medium supplemented with 5% horse blood. Disk diffusion breakpoints were determined for penicillin G, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and rifampin. Reliable results were obtained on disk diffusion for all these agents except for penicillin G. With 6-μg penicillin G disks, zones of strains with intermediate penicillin susceptibility overlapped those of sensitive and resistant strains. With 5-μg methicillin disks, clearer separation of strains based on susceptibility to penicillin G occurred. Strains with zones of

Es wird das Verhaltnis von gebundenem und trichloressigsureloslichem Glykogen in verschiedenen Muskeln, Leber und Lunge von neugeborenen und ausgewachsenen Kaninchen bestimmt und auf einen Zusammenhang zwischen Glykogenspiegel und Resistenz gegenuber Sauerstoffmangel hingewiesen; ferner auf Anderungen im Glykogenspiegel bei akutem Sauerstoffmangel und Hunger.

A geothermal project constitutes two big stages: the exploration and the exploitation. Each one has a single task whose results allow defining the feasibility of a geothermal project, until achieving the construction and operation stage of the power generation plant. The first stage contains the area recognition, its limitation to the target, and elimination of external factors until defining a geothermal zone with characteristics to be commercially exploited. The main studies and analysis that can be applied during the exploration stage are listed, and the major indicator to continue with the project or suspend is the prefeasibility report. The major risks in the exploration stage are due to studies that are carried out on the surface; at this stage, the costs can be considered low. The main results of the exploration are the selection of sites to drill three or four initial wells. Each well provides a direct overview of the reservoir: depth, production thicknesses, thermodynamic parameters, and production characteristics. The drilling of three to four exploratory wells is recommended, as far as there is certainty of the feasibility of the project, and the development of the field begins with drilling of sufficient wells to feed the plant. In this stage, the cost increases, but the risks decrease.

Anticoncepció d’urgència; Farmàcies sentinella; Acetat d’ulipristal Anticoncepción de urgencia; Farmacias centinela; Acetato de ulipristal Emergency contraception; Sentinel drugstores; Ulipristal acetate Introducció. Registre de la dispensació de l’anticoncepciód’urgència a les oficines de farmàcia sentinella de la província de Barcelona, amb l’objectiu d’obtenir informació sobre el perfil de les usuàries de la píndola postcoital i altres condicionants que permetin millorar les estratègies dels programes d’anticoncepció actuals. Mètodes. S’ha dissenyat un formulari electrònic amb 18 ítems. S’han recollit les dades de l’oficina de farmàcia, dels usuaris, del medicament, del tipus de dispensació, de la sospita de reaccions adverses i del tipus d’actuació farmacèutica. Resultats. Durant els deu mesos d’estudi, s’han rebut 205 notificacions de dispensació de la píndola postcoital. Pel que fa a l’adquisició de la píndola a les oficines de farmàcia segons edat i sexe, la mitjana d’edat de les dones és de 28,2 anys ± 7,8 anys i la dels homes, de 24 anys ± 6,3 anys. El 56,6% de les usuàries manifesten haver-se pres la medicació en altres ocasions, la majoria fa més d’un any. El principal mètode anticonceptiu que utilitzen és el preservatiu. En la majoria de les dispensacions, el farmacèutic ha realitzat actuacions addicionals i ha proporcionat informació personalitzada a l’usuari. Conclusions. La informació registrada permet identificar el perfil de les usuàries i el seu patró de conducta i, en conseqüència, es confirma la necessitat de continuar fent un seguiment de la dispensació de la píndola per tal de poder planificar estratègies educatives i de salut pública de l’ús dels diferents mètodes anticonceptius existents. Introducción. Registro de la dispensación de la anticoncepción de emergencia en las oficinas de farmacia centinela de la provincia de Barcelona, con el objetivo de obtener información sobre el perfil de las usuarias de la píldora postcoital y otros condicionantes que permitan mejorar las estrategias de los programas de anticoncepción actuales. Métodos. Se ha diseñado un formulario electrónico con 18 ítems. Se han recogido los datos de la oficina de farmacia, de los usuarios, del medicamento, del tipo de dispensación, de la sospecha de reacciones adversas y del tipo de actuación farmacéutica. Resultados. Durante los diez meses de estudio, se han recibido 205 notificaciones de dispensación de la píldora postcoital. En cuanto a la adquisición de la píldora en las oficinas de farmacia según edad y sexo, la media de edad de las mujeres ha sido de 28,2 ± 7,8 años y la de los hombres, de 24 ± 6,3 años. El 56,6% de las usuarias manifiestan haberse tomado la medicación en otras ocasiones, la mayoría hace más de un año. El principal método anticonceptivo que usan es el preservativo. En la mayoría de las dispensaciones, el farmacéutico ha realizado actuaciones adicionales proporcionando información personalizada al usuario. Conclusiones. La información registrada permite identificar el perfil de las usuarias y su patrón de conducta y, en consecuencia, se confirma la necesidad de continuar haciendo un seguimiento de la dispensación de la píldora con el fin de poder planificar estrategias educacionales y de salud pública sobre el uso de los diferentes métodos anticonceptivos existentes. Introduction. Emergency contraception dispensation register in sentinel pharmacy offices of Barcelona province, with the objective of obtaining information on users profile and other conditions that allow to improve current contraception programmes’s strategies. Methods. An 18-item electronic form was designed. Data on the pharmacy office, patient, drug, type of dispensing, suspected adverse reactions and type of pharmaceutical action were collected. Results. During the 10-month study, 205 postcoital contraceptive dispensing reports were received. As regards postcoital contraceptive purchased by age and sex, the mean age of women was 28.2 ± 7.8 years and men’s 24 ± 6.3 years. 56.6% of women users report having taken medication on previous occasions, most of them more than a year ago. The main contraceptive method used is condom. In most dispensations, pharmacists performed additional actions by providing individually-tailored information to patients. Conclusions. Registered information allows to identify users profile and their behaviour pattern, confirming the need to continue monitoring in order to be able to plan educational and public health strategies on the use of different contraceptive methods.