[Prognostic factors in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage]

The introduction of etiological, diagnostic and therapeutical factors have modified the knowledge on the evolutive behaviour of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH). Mortality and morbidity associated to spontaneous ICH were assessed using as independent variables clinical and neuroimage factors obtained upon admission of the patients. We studied 228 patients with spontaneous ICH selected from a data bank of 277 patients with non-traumatic ICH. During the first 24 hours, we assessed several clinical factors (arterial hypertension, Glasgows Neurological Scale and Barthels Scale) and TC images (size, location, extension of bleeding to ventricles, edema and atrophy). Thirty-one per cent of the patients died during the first 2 months. The multiple linear regression study showed that mortality was related to variables of the Glasgows Neurological Scale upon admission, extension to ventricles, size of ICH and perilesional edema, whereas the morbidity was only related to the size of the hemorrhage. Severity of the clinical affection, extension of the bleeding to ventricles, size of the hemorrhage and presence of perilesional edema, but not arterial hypertension, were the main factors affecting mortality at two months of spontaneous ICH.

Treatment with imipenem of experimental endocarditis caused by penicillin-resistant Streptococcus sanguis

The efficacy of imipenem alone or in combination with gentamicin for the treatment of experimental endocarditis in rabbits caused by a penicillin resistant strain of Streptococcus sanguis was compared to that of gentamicin and penicillin G. In vitro, both beta-lactams were bactericidal in action and the combination of gentamicin and imipenem was synergistic after 4 h whereas penicillin G and gentamicin showed synergy after 8 h. Antibiotic treatment was started two days after initiating infection and groups of 20 animals were treated for 5 days with imipenem alone or in combination with gentamicin or with gentamicin and penicillin G. Two of 20 rabbits which received no therapy died whereas all other rabbits survived the treatment period. Blood cultures became negative in 19 rabbits on the second day of treatment with imipenem and gentamicin and sterilization of the vegetations was achieved in 12 animals. In contrast, eight animals given the alternative treatments remained bacteraemic and viable organisms were recovered from the vegetations in every case. However, bacterial counts and vegetation weights only differed significantly between treated animals and controls but not between the different treatment groups. Never the less, these data suggest that combined treatment with imipenem and gentamicin might provide an effective regimen for patients with endocarditis caused by penicillin resistant S. sanguis.

Treatment of experimental endocarditis caused by penicillin-resistant Streptococcus sanguis with different doses of teicoplanin

Streptococcus viridans continues to be the most frequent causal agent of infective endocarditis. Treatment has become more complicated due to the increase in resistance to penicillin and cephalosporins. In order to study the possible efficacy of teicoplanin at low and high doses, this antibiotic was investigated in rabbits as a monotherapy and in association with gentamicin. The effects were compared with a control group and a group given classical penicillin-gentamicin treatment. Infective endocarditis was induced in 120 rabbits with a clinical isolate of Streptococcus sanguis. Treatment was started 48 h after infection, and lasted 5 days. Animals were divided into 6 groups of 20 rabbits each: G1, untreated controls; G2, penicillin+gentamicin; G3 low-dose teicoplanin; G4, low-dose teicoplanin+gentamicin; G5, high-dose teicoplanin; and G6, high-dose teicoplanin+gentamicin. Response to therapy was evaluated with mortality curves, negativization of blood cultures, concentration of S. sanguis in aortic vegetations and rate of sterilization of vegetations. Vegetation weight was significantly lower in treated groups than in controls; lower weights were found in G4, the only treatment that sterilized 65% of vegetations. Death occurred only in the control group (10% mortality). Negativization of blood cultures was greatest and most rapid in G4, followed by G6. Concentrations of S. sanguis in aortic vegetations were significantly lower in all treated groups compared with controls, with the lowest being in groups G4 and G6. Combined treatment with teicoplanin+gentamicin may be highly efficacious in patients with endocarditis caused by penicillin-resistant Streptococcus sanguis. High-dose teicoplanin+gentamicin does not seem to be more efficacious than low-dose teicoplanin+gentamicin.

[Primary tuberculosis of the penis]

Presentation of one case of primary tuberculosis of the penis which presented as a skin ulcer. The need of preparing a good clinical history, with special emphasis on sexual habits, as well as the convenience of taking a biopsy for diagnosis and further treatment is analyzed.

[Changes in neuroexcitatory amino acids during and between migraine attacks]

We studied changes in plasma levels of neuroexcitatory amino acids during and between migraine attacks in 16 patients with migraine without aura, 11 with aura and 21 controls. Glutamic acid levels between attacks were 1.027 +/- 0.60 and 0.890 +/- 0.41 mg/dl in migraine patients without and with aura, respectively; during attacks the levels were 0.535 +/- 0.23 and 0.601 +/- 0.20 for the same patients. The concentration of glutamic acid in the control group was 0.980 +/- 0.64 mg/dl. Aspartic acid levels between attacks in patients without and with aura were 0.179 +/- 0.04 and 0.167 +/- 0.03 mg/dl. Concentrations during attacks were 0.129 +/- 0.02 and 0.119 +/- 0.02 mg/dl for the same patients. Plasma levels of aspartic acid for controls were 0.146 +/- 0.03 mg/dl. We found no significant variations in neuroexcitatory amino acids between migraine attacks in patients with an without aura; changes took place only during attacks, possibly related to the mechanisms of the spreading depression process.

[Compression of extracorporeal lithofragmentation based on the petrographic structure of the calculus]

A total of 114 calculi with 6 different compositions: whewellite (OXMH), whedellite (OXDH), struvite (FAM), carbopatite (CA) uric acid (UA) and oxolophosphate (OP) have been fragmented in vitro using 2 extracorporeal (electrohydraulic and piezoelectric) and 2 direct contact (ultrasound and laser) sources. A petrographic study of the calculi following their inclusion in acrylic thermoplastic resin allowed the definition of the different crystallographic patterns of each composition. Fragmentability and fragmentation spectra based on the particle size of each lithiasic composition are justified by the petrographic structure of the calculi. The intercrystalline cleavage charts explain fragmentability, while fracture lines in the crystal core the crushing susceptibility. The lithiasic fragility lies in the crystal's intercrystalline and intermolecular linking energies.

Preventing asthma epidemics due to soybeans by dust-control measures

BACKGROUND

The inhalation of soybean dust released during the unloading of soybeans into a silo caused outbreaks of asthma in Barcelona, Spain. This study was designed to determine morbidity due to asthma and serum IgE reactivity before and after the installation of filters in the silo.

METHODS

We measured soybean-allergen concentrations in 136 samples of air collected for 9 months before and 24 months after the installation of filters. We compared the number of days on which there was an unexpected increase in emergency room visits for asthma, the number of days on which the number of emergency room visits for asthma in one four-hour period was so high that it was unlikely to be due to chance, and the mean daily number of emergency room and intensive care unit admissions for asthma for a total of 60 months before and after filter installation. Serum IgE antibodies against soybean allergens were measured in 38 patients before and after filter installation.

RESULTS

The concentration of airborne soybean allergens on days when soybeans were unloaded decreased from 324 to 25 U per cubic meter after the installation of filters (P < 0.001). The number of days on which there was an unusually large number of visits to the hospital for asthma and the number of days on which asthma was epidemic both decreased significantly (both P < 0.001), from 29 to 6 and from 18 to 0, respectively. The mean daily number of emergency room and intensive care unit admissions for asthma on days when soybeans were unloaded decreased from 8.3 to 5.4 and from 0.26 to 0.01, respectively (both P < 0.001). The mean serum IgE antibody concentrations in the 38 patients studied decreased from 2 Pharmacia reference units per milliliter to 1 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Installing filters on silos to prevent airborne dissemination of allergenic soybean dust eliminates outbreaks of asthma caused by inhalation of the dust, thus supporting the idea that the avoidance of allergens helps prevent asthma.

[Effect of addition of instant corn flour on rheological characteristics of wheat flour and breadmaking III]

The instant corn flour prepared by the hydrothermal process using corn grits soaked in water at room temperature (28-30 degrees C) for 5 hours and steaming for 1 minute at 118 degrees C presented characteristics similar to that of flours prepared with grits soaked in water at temperature higher than room temperature and different steaming time (5 and 15 minutes). The addition of instant corn flour up of a 25% mixture with wheat flour reduced the peak of maximum viscosity during the heating cycle; however, the final viscosity during the cooling cycle was increased. The water absorption was increased with the increase of substitution in the level of wheat flour. Extensibility, maximum resistance and values of area were reduced with an increase in the level of instant corn flour in the mixture. However, extension resistance and proportional number were increased. Bread prepared from a mixture of instant corn flour and wheat flour showed higher weight with low loaf volume, color and texture of the crumb related to bread wheat.

[Chemical characteristics and uses of instant corn flour II]

The hydrothermal process using corn grits soaked in water at room temperature (28-30 degrees C) for 5 hours and steaming for 1 minute at 118 degrees C did not affect the proximal composition of the corn flour. However, the amino acid content was reduced approximately 18% (specially lysine and tryptophan). Vitamin and pigment contents were few affected. The characteristics of color and shelf life of corn flour were improved with the hydrothermal process. Tortillas prepared with instant corn flour showed better color and texture in comparison to the tortillas prepared by the conventional process. Polentas prepared with instant corn flour with 30 seconds of mixing showed better characteristics of flavor, odor, texture and required less preparation time than commercial polentas.

Magnetic resonance imaging of muscles in myotonic dystrophy

The MR findings in 27 patients with myotonic dystrophy were compared with those observed in 11 patients with other muscular dystrophies: six with limb-girdle dystrophy, three with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and two with Becker-type muscular dystrophy. Clinical status was graded into 10 stages. The MR study was performed at the medium third of the thigh, with a slice thickness of 7.5 mm (TR: 750/TE: 25 for T1; TR: 2200/TE: 30/90 for DP/T2). Muscle signal intensity was evaluated with a four-point grading scale using subcutaneous fat as a reference. Statistical analysis was done using the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon's test and simple linear regression. In the myotonic dystrophy group, 81.4% of the patients showed an abnormal signal at the crural muscle level, adopting a semilunar shape around the anteroexternal side of the femur. The presence and intensity of this hyperintense signal correlated positively with the duration of disease (r = 0.54) and the clinical stage (r = 0.69). Of the 11 patients with other muscular dystrophies, only three (27.2%) showed hyperintense signal at the crural muscle level. MR imaging of patients with muscle disease may contribute to the in vivo study of muscular dystrophy, its differential diagnosis and the detection of asymptomatic patients.

Catecholamine levels in plasma and CSF in migraine

There is clinical and pharmacological evidence of the existence of sympathetic dysfunction in migraine. Adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations were determined in plasma and CSF of patients during attacks of common or classic migraine, comparing them with controls suffering from stress. Plasma noradrenaline levels were significantly lower in the patients with common migraine than in controls (p < 0.05). Other catecholamine levels in plasma and CSF in both migraine groups were only slightly lower than in controls. Our results suggest that central sympathetic dysfunction exists in patients with migraine.

[Hepatitis B markers at 3 open centers for mentally retarded]

With the aim of investigating the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection, we studied 161 mentally retarded patients with an age range of 1 to 56, in three open institutions from the Safor Area (Valencia). Some positive serum markers of HBV infection were found in 15 patients (9.3%). The mentally retarded older than 17, presented a prevalence of HBV markers (20.6%), in contrast to those under this age (1.1%) and against the control group (5.1%) (p < 0.001). HBsAg positive markers were found in three cases, representing 4.4% among the older than 17's, against 0.4% of the general population (p < 0.05). There was some positive correlation with personal history of hepatitis (p < 0.01) and severely handicapped patients (p < 0.05) an there was no association with sex, duration of stay and Down's Syndrome. Our results indicate that seropositive B prevalence is similar to the general population in the mentally retarded younger than 17 years old and higher from this age on, which confirms the need for active prophylaxis in the youngest of this collective. Reviewing the Spanish studies we observe a lower prevalence of HBsAg(carriers) and HBV markers in open institutions than in closed institutions.

Frozen vs. nonfrozen bone marrow for autologous transplantation in lymphomas: a report from the Spanish GEL/TAMO Cooperative Group

To investigate the impact of frozen and non-frozen bone marrow on engraftment kinetics and disease outcome, 94 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) autografted with frozen marrow (F group) were retrospectively compared with 38 who received marrow stored at 4 degrees C or 10 degrees C (NF group). The major end points of this study were time to hematopoietic recovery and early toxicity; disease response, disease-free survival (DFS), and relapse rate were also analyzed. Upon comparison of the NF and F groups, no significant differences were found in the period of time required to achieve a granulocyte count higher than 0.5 x 10(9)/l (20 and 22 days, respectively, p = 0.47) or a platelet count higher than 20 x 10(9)/l (28 and 27 days, respectively, p = 0.54). In addition, both groups behaved similarly in respect to toxic death (NF group 13%, F group 22%, p = 0.36), response rate (complete remission rate 78% in both groups), DFS (NF group 48%, F group 49%, p = 0.66), and relapse rate (NF group 30, F group 19%, p = 0.37). This study confirms that nonfrozen bone marrow is useful to support patients with NHL treated with myeloablative therapies.

[Bladder fibroma. Report of a case]

Analysis of one case of benign vesical primitive connective tumour, with pathoanatomical description of vesical fibroma. The interest of this case rests on its rarity and uncertain origin, still subject to controversy. The paper presents the tumour's clinical history, pathological anatomy, therapeutical approach and prognosis.

Effects of different factors in lead- and cadmium-induced hypothermia in mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the hypothermic effect induced by lead or cadmium chloride treatments and the cerebral metal levels attained. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with different doses of lead acetate or cadmium chloride at ambient temperatures of 22 degrees C and 35 degrees C, and rectal temperatures and brain metal levels were determined. At 22 degrees C, doses of lead acetate exceeding 25 mg/kg caused significant hypothermia and a rise of lead levels in the brain; this hypothermic effect was significantly inhibited at 35 degrees C. In mice repeatedly treated with 2 or 5 mg/kg lead acetate and exposed to 22 degrees C or 35 degrees C, no significant changes were observed in body temperature after the repeated exposure, although brain lead levels increased significantly. Cadmium chloride at 22 degrees C produced a significant fall in body temperature, and a rise in brain cadmium levels at doses of 2-4 mg/kg; the decrease in body temperature was partially inhibited at 35 degrees C. The results of the present study suggest that the hypothermic effect elicited by these heavy metals is related to both the level of metal absorbed by the brain and its rate of uptake.

Taurine levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in migraine patients

Taurine is the amino acid with the highest concentration in the human body. Its physiologic functions are not yet well understood. As a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator it may display inhibitory functions. We have measured taurine levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of migraine patients during attacks, comparing them with controls. Patients with migraine had significantly higher concentrations than controls. No sex or age influence over the amino acid levels were observed. Plasma taurine levels in patients with classic migraine correlated negatively with severity of headache. Central taurine liberation during migraine crisis may be due to spontaneous depolarization or a defensive reaction in the context of cerebral homeostatic processes.

Respiratory control induced by ATP in human term placental mitochondria

Oxygen uptake in human placental mitochondria was stimulated by ATP addition. ATP-induced respiration was supported by malate, alpha-keto glutarate, and succinate, and inhibited by oligomycin and carboxytractyloside. This phenomenon was not caused by contamination with unspecific phosphatases or alkaline phosphatase, since NaF, L-phenyl alanine, or P1, P5-di-(adenosine-5') pentaphosphate failed to inhibit oxygen uptake induced by ATP. The stimulation of respiration was caused by an ATPase activity tightly bound to mitochondria, which yields ADP that is responsible for the oxygen uptake. The stimulation was not an uncoupling effect because ATP addition produced a transition between state 3 and 4 of respiration, indicating that ATP was not released from mitochondria.

[Treatment with vancomycin of experimental endocarditis caused by Streptococcus sanguis II resistant to penicillin]

BACKGROUND

Streptococcus viridans continues to be the most frequent causal agent of infective endocarditis. Treatment has become more complicated due to the increase in resistance to penicillin and cephalosporins. In order to study the possible efficacy of vancomycin, this antibiotic was investigated in rabbits as a monotherapy and in association with gentamicin. The effects were compared with a control group and a group given classical penicillin-gentamicin treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, lethality curves and synergism were determined against Streptococcus sanguis II. Infective endocarditis was induced in 80 rabbits, which were infected via catheter. Treatment was started 48 hours after infection, and lasted 5 days. The animals were divided into 4 groups of 20 rabbits each: 1, untreated controls; 2, penicillin-gentamicin; 3, vancomycin; 4, vancomycin-gentamicin. Response to therapy was evaluated with mortality curves, negativization of blood cultures, concentration of Streptococcus sanguis II in aortic vegetations, rate of sterilization of vegetations, body weight and serum bactericidal capacity.

RESULTS

Vegetations weight was significantly lower in treated groups than in controls; lower weights were found in groups 2 and 4. The lowest vegetation weight was recorded in group 4, the only treatment that sterilized 75% of vegetations. Death occurred only in the control group (10%). Negativization of blood cultures was greatest and most rapid in group 4. Serum bactericidal capacity was greater after the two combined treatments, and highest in group 4.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined treatment with vancomycin-gentamicin may be highly efficacious in patients with endocarditis caused by penicillin-resistant Streptococcus viridans.

[Liver function tests]

The liver function tests are basic tools in the assessment of liver disease, they supply information about severity, progression of the illness and help to discriminate among treatment options. They are divided into two sections: biochemical test of liver function per se and serum markers of hepatobiliary disease. Although there are no new tests, liver transplant programs have stimulated development of metabolic capacity measurements to estimate liver function. At present the liver function tests, still are the best method to assess patients with liver diseases.

Neuroexcitatory amino acid levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid during migraine attacks

A current hypothesis for migraine suggests that neuroexcitatory amino acids may participate in the triggering of attacks. To investigate this possibility we measured glutamic and aspartic acid level in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with common and classic migraine during attacks, making comparisons with controls suffering stress. Plasma levels of amino acids in migraine patients were lower than in controls. CSF concentrations of glutamic acid were higher in migraineurs than in controls. Our results suggest an excess of neuroexcitatory amino acids in the CNS of migraine patients during attacks, possibly favoring a state of neuronal hyperexcitability.

Air pollution and emergency room admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a 5-year study

An association between sulfur dioxide levels in urban air and the daily number of emergency room admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was previously reported in Barcelona, Spain, for the period 1985-1986. The present study assesses this association over a longer period of time, 1985-1989. This made it possible to carry out separate analyses for the winter and summer seasons and thus to control more adequately for weather and influenza epidemics. An increase of 25 micrograms/m3 in sulfur dioxide (24-hour average) produced adjusted changes of 6% and 9% in emergency room admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during winter and summer, respectively. For black smoke, a similar change was found during winter, although the change was smaller in summer. The association of each pollutant with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admissions remained significant after control for the other pollutant. The present findings support the conclusion that current levels of sulfur dioxide and black smoke may have an effect on the respiratory health of susceptible persons.

Reliability of a monitoring system for respiratory emergency room admissions

A respiratory emergency room admissions monitoring system (RERAMS) was set up in Barcelona between 1985-1989, in order to investigate asthma epidemics in the city. Information on emergency room admissions for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was recorded daily from the four main hospitals of the city. The present study aims at assessing the reliability and coverage of this monitoring system. Identification of asthma and COPD emergencies was repeated by a reference observer, following the same protocol to extract data as that used by the register. To assess the coverage of the monitoring system, information was collected over 28 randomly selected days, from the emergency room clinical records for the seven additional hospitals in the city with five or more daily emergencies. Identification of asthma emergencies was highly reliable (kappa value, kappa = 0.81) as was the discrimination between asthma and COPD diagnoses (kappa = 0.91). Reliability for emergencies classified as COPD was lower, but still good (kappa = 0.65). The monitoring system covered 76 and 78% of all Barcelona asthma and COPD emergency room admissions, respectively. Emergency room admissions from our monitoring system did not differ in terms of social and demographic characteristics from emergencies recorded at the other hospitals. We conclude that the monitoring system for the Barcelona respiratory emergency room admissions was highly reliable, which suggests that, when adequately collected, information from clinical records of respiratory emergencies could be used for environmental epidemiological purposes.

Cholesterol increase in mitochondria: its effect on inner-membrane functions, submitochondrial localization and ultrastructural morphology

The effect of cholesterol incorporation on some functions of the mitochondrial inner membrane and on the morphology of rat liver mitochondria was studied. Basal ATPase and succinate dehydrogenase activities remained unchanged after cholesterol was incorporated into the mitochondria; however, uncoupled ATPase activity was partially inhibited. The presence of several substrates and inhibitors did not change the amount of cholesterol incorporated, which was localized mostly in the outer membrane. Electron-microscope observations revealed the presence of vesicles between the outer and inner membranes; these vesicles increased in number with the amount of cholesterol incorporated. The data suggest that cholesterol induces the formation of vesicles from the outer membrane, and modifies the activity of stimulated ATPase.

The antifertility agent, gossypol, releases calcium from rat liver mitochondria

1. The effect of gossypol in the presence of K+ or Ca2+, or both, was studied on respiration, ATPase activity, and Ca2+ transport of rat liver mitochondria. 2. The uncoupled respiration induced by gossypol was inhibited by Ca2+. 3. This inhibition was lowered by the presence of Mg2+. ATPase activity was stimulated when gossypol and Ca2+ were in the incubation medium, in a Ca(2+)-dose related fashion. 4. Mitochondrial Ca2+ was released by gossypol, an effect associated with the membrane fluidity. 5. The results suggest that gossypol modifies the mitochondrial concentration of Ca2+.

Effect of calcium on mitochondria from human term placenta

We describe here the effects of free Ca2+ on several functions of mitochondria from human term placenta. In the presence of 0.1 microM free Ca2+, an inhibitory effect on both ADP-induced respiration and succinate-DCPIP reductase activity was observed. At the same Ca2+ concentration, ATPase activity as well as various segments of the respiratory chain were stimulated. However, a higher free Ca2+ concentration (0.3 microM) was needed to stimulate progesterone synthesis. Our results suggest that Ca2+ plays an important role in the metabolic functions of mitochondria from human term placenta.

[The results of drug holiday in Parkinson's disease]

The transitory suppression of L-dopa in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease improves motor response upon reintroduction of the drug although this improvement is not constant. The degree and duration of clinical improvement obtained following L-dopa drug holiday were studied and the factors which may intervene in the result of 32 patients with Parkinson's disease were analyzed. Improvement was found in 100% (24.9 +/- 6.7%) with significant differences being observed in the degree of disability (p < 0.05) and the final decrease of the doses of L-dopa (p < 0.05). Improvement was maintained during 10.3 +/- 7.9 weeks. Linear regression studies did not show any relation between the length of the drug holiday, longer than 4 days, and the degree and maintenance of improvement or final decrease of the doses of L-dopa. The authors consider this procedure useful in patients with important fluctuations in treatment response or with important refractory side effects to other measures.

Subcellular localization and properties of adenosine diphosphatase in human placenta

It was found that mitochondria from human placenta exhibited an ADPase activity with the following characteristics. The enzyme responsible for this activity was associated with the inner mitochondrial membrane. It was not released by treatment of the submitochondrial particles with solutions of high ionic strength. Maximal ADP hydrolysis was reached at pH 8. Specific inhibitors for alkaline phosphatase (L-phenylalanine), myokinase (P1,P5-di(adenosine-5')pentaphosphate), or 5'-nucleotidase (concanavalin A) did not decrease ADP hydrolysis. ATP synthesis from ADP by myokinase was about 13 nmol/mg/min, whereas ADP hydrolysis reached values around 500 to 550 nmol/mg/min, indicating that a myokinase-H+ATPase combination could not account for the observed rates of ADP hydrolysis. The activity was stimulated by Mg2+, but high concentrations of this cation produced inhibition. High ADP concentrations did not inhibit ADPase activity. Kinetic measurements of the activity in the submitochondrial particles showed that the true substrate was ADP-Mg. The kinetic studies showed V(app) values of 476 and 270 nmol/mg/min, and Kmapp values of 416 and 8.7 microM.

The antifertility agent, gossypol, changes several mitochondrial functions in the presence of Mg2+

1. The effect of gossypol in the presence of K+ or Mg2+, or both, was studied on ATPase activity and respiration of rat liver mitochondria. 2. Respiration was uncoupled in the presence of gossypol, Mg2+, and K+, whereas in the presence of gossypol and Mg2+ a partial inhibition was observed. 3. Gossypol stimulated ATPase activity in the presence of K+ or Mg2+, but maximal activity was observed when both cations were in the incubation medium. 4. Stimulation of ATPase activity in the presence of Mg2+ was dose related. 5. EDTA reverted the stimulation produced by gossypol on ATPase activity. 6. Gossypol had no effect on the ATPase activity of submitochondrial particles, which suggests an indirect action of gossypol on the enzyme. 7. Mitochondrial membrane potential showed a higher collapse in the presence of gossypol and 1 mM MgCl2. 8. The observed effects of gossypol could be explained by the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential.

[Prevalence of hepatitis B markers in non-hospital health personnel]

Through a hepatitis B prophylaxis campaign, vaccination and serological study was offered to 316 nonhospital health personnel of the Health Area of Gandia (Valencia). 117 people volunteered (37%); among them, nurses showed the highest participation (45.8%) in comparison with doctors, nursing auxiliaries and non-technical personnel (p less than 0.05). In 22 cases a positive marker could be proved; therefore, total prevalence (18.8%) was significantly higher than that of the control group, which was 6.8% (p less than 0.01). This prevalence is compared with other groups of hospital and nonhospital personnel, and the convenience of new studies and the recommendation of active prophylaxis for this subset of health workers are discussed.

[Effect of the sorghum extraction process on the color of the flour and tortillas made from mixtures with lime-treated cornmeal]

The objective of this work was to study the effect of the extrusion process in the color of instant flours and its tortillas prepared with mixtures of commercial instant corn flour. In the extrusion process four flours from two genotypes of sorghum (whole and decorticated sorghum of each genotype) were used. These flours were processed in a single screw Brabender laboratory extruder. In the preparation of sorghum tortillas and sorghum-corn tortillas four flours were selected from the extrusion process. 1) genotype CMSXS 9A: Whole flour extruded with moisture content of 15% and screw rate of 130 rpm, flour from decorticated sorghum with particle size less than 0.420 mm extruded with moisture content of 15% and screw rate of 130 rpm, 2) genotype CMSXS 145: whole flour extruded with moisture content of 18% and screw rate of 170 rpm, decorticated sorghum flour extruded with moisture content of 15% and screw rate of 130 rpm. Also these flours were utilized with mixtures of commercial instant cornflour for the preparation of tortillas. The instant sorghum flours and tortillas from decorticated sorghum (20% = presented whiter color compared to instant whole sorghum flour and its tortillas. The addition of different levels of commercial instant corn flour (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%) to the instant sorghum flours improved the color of the mixtures of flour and tortillas. This improvement was more pronounced with instant sorghum flour from whole sorghum grain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Physical and chemical properties and correlations of early hybrid corn for high valleys]

The evaluation of physical and chemical properties of corn kernels permits the obtaining a wider vision of the experimental hybrids that present good yield and suitable agronomic characteristics. The objectives of this paper were: to classify 24 modern hybrids of early corn according to endosperm texture and to determine their physical and chemical properties and their relationships. The physical parameters tested were: test weight (TW), endosperm texture (TE), pearling index (IP), 1000 kernel wt (W 1000), infrared reflectance (NIR) and color (Ref). The chemical parameters tested were: protein content (Prt), lysine content (Lis) and tryptophan content (Trp). When the hybrids were classified according to IP it was possible to detect 5 hybrids with soft, 12 intermediates and 7 with hard endosperm. The hybrids with hard endosperm presented an average TW of 80.3 Kg/hl, 10.70% of Prt, 0.082% of Trp and 0.35 of NIR, these values were statistically higher than those hybrids with soft endosperm; the IP showed a negative relationship with Prt, NIR and TW; a positive relationship was observed with Ref, meaning that corn grains with soft endosperm presented lower protein content and smaller average flour particle size, larger size grain and whiter color. It was possible to detect hybrids with yields from 8.1 to 9.5 t ha-1 with soft, intermediate and hard endosperms.

[Comparison of methods for determining corn hardness (Zea mays L.)]

One of the most important intrinsic properties of corn kernels is hardness. Nowadays controversy exists as to which method is more accurate to measure this property. In the present study, therefore, several methods for measuring hardness in corn kernels are compared, for the purpose of finding the most appropriate one. A corn population ranking from hard to soft was tested. The methods tested were: endosperm texture (ET), pearling index (PI) floating index (FI), density (D), near infrared reflectance (NIR), test weight (Ph) and time required to grind the corn with the Brabender automatic micro-hardness (TDB) method. The floating index (FI) method was found to be the most suitable one for determining hardness of corn kernels. This method permitted determination of the differences existing in corn with hard, intermediate, and soft-textured endosperms, with low variation coefficients. The TDB and NIR methods were not appropriate to determine the hardness of corn kernels, showing high variability in the results. With the Ph and D methods it was difficult to distinguish between corn with hard, intermediate and soft texture endosperm.

[Chemical changes in sorghum during the extrusion and tortilla preparation process]

Chemical changes that occur during preparation of instant sorghum flours processed by extrusion and during the preparation of tortillas, were studied. In the preparation process of instant flours and tortillas two flours were used: whole flour obtained from a sorghum cultivar genotype cmsxs 9A, and another one (20%) from decorticated sorghum flour cultivar, cmsxs 145. These flours were processed in Brabender laboratory extruder GNF/2 of a single screw, with a compression rate of 1:1 and extrusion temperature of 80, 100 and 100 degrees C in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd zones, respectively, with a 5 mm diameter and a screw rate of 130 rpm, flour with 15% moisture and 0.15 Ca(OH)2 concentration. The decorticated sorghum flours presented a lower content of ashes, protein, fiber, lipids, vitamins and minerals in comparison with the whole sorghum flours, due to a partial loss of pericarp and germ. Reduction of said components increased the starch percentage in the decorticated sorghum. The addition of alkali induced an increment in the calcium and ash content of instant flours and tortillas. The most affected components during the extrusion process were thiamine, calcium and the amino acids histidine, arginine and leucine. The more notorious changes in the cooking process for the preparation of tortillas were observed in the calcium, leucine, arginine, histidine and phenylalanine content.

[Physical separation of the populations of cochlear and vestibular efferent somas. A study using horseradish peroxidase]

We have physically separated cochlear and vestibular end organs, and after injecting horseradish peroxidase two different populations of efferent somas have been described belonging to the cochlea and vestibule.

[Adenine nucleotides in migraine]

Several studies have shown that migraine is associated with an abnormal platelet activation state, characterized by increased plasma levels of platelet BTG and PF4 proteins. Adenine nucleotides are contained in platelets as a part of the dense granules released during platelet activation. In the present study we evaluated the plasma levels of the adenine nucleotides AMP, ADP and ATP during asymptomatic and painful episodes in a group of 50 patients with migraine (common and classical) and a control group. During the painful phases we found a significant reduction in AMP plasma levels, and we did not find significant differences between the control group and the migraine patients in ADP and ATP levels, nor between asymptomatic and painful phases. Our results support the hypothesis that in migraine a hyposecretion of platelet dense granules is present.

[Etiology of lower respiratory infections in hospitalized infants]

As a contribution to knowledge about the etiology of lower respiratory tract infections (LRI) in infants, 235 patients aged one year or less admitted to a children's hospital at northern metropolitan area of Santiago, Chile along years 1987 throughout 1989 with radiologically confirmed diagnosis were studied. Infants were eligible only if their symptoms lasted for not more than five days and their hospital stay was less than two days. Controls consisted on 74 healthy infants. A search for presumptive etiology was done by means of usual bacteriological procedures (pharyngeal swabs and blood cultures), plus latex test for type b Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) in concentrated urine specimens; indirect immunofluorescence (IF) for specific Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) IgM; serological tests, isolation and IF in pharyngeal aspirates for syncytial respiratory virus (SRV), influenza, parainfluenzae and adenoviruses were also used. Evidence of viral infection was detected from 135/235 (57.5%) of cases and 21/74 (28.3%) controls, SRV being the most common. From 18/119 and 2/119 studied patients Hib and SP antigens were respectively detected, but urinary antigens were also present in 6/24 controls, raising questions about this test's specificity. IF titers of 1:32 or higher for CT were found in 5/80 patients, all younger than 5 months. It was possible to perform the whole set of available methods in 80 patients, in 70% of which some evidence of a known etiologic agent was found. Serology alone gave etiological clues in only 30% of these cases and usual microbiological cultures of throat swabs and blood from none of them. No combinations of age, fever, respiratory rate, apnea, bronchial obstructive syndrome, white blood cell counts over 15,000 or of band forms over 500 per cu mm, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, reactive C protein and x-ray findings allowed differential diagnosis between presumptive bacterial or viral etiology, except in one case of an infant presenting with pleural effusion and positive antigenuria for Hib.

Interactions between Glucose and Inorganic Carbon Metabolism in Chlorella vulgaris Strain UAM 101

Chlorella vulgaris strain UAM 101 has been isolated from the effluent of a sugar refinery. This alga requires glucose to achieve maximal growth rate even under light saturating conditions. The growth rate of cultures grown on light + CO(2) + glucose (3.16 per day) reaches the sum of those grown on light + CO(2) (1.95 per day) and on dark + glucose (1.20 per day). Unlike other Chlorella strains, uptake of glucose (about 2 micromoles per milligram dry weight per hour) was induced to the same extent in the light and dark and was not photosensitive. The rate of dark respiration was not affected by light and was strongly stimulated by the presence of glucose (up to about 40% in 4 hours). The rate of photosynthetic O(2) evolution was measured as a function of the CO(2) concentration. These experiments were conducted with cells which experienced different concentrations of CO(2) or glucose during growth. The maximal photosynthetic rate was inhibited severely by growing the cells in the presence of glucose. A rather small difference in the apparent photosynthetic affinity for extracellular inorganic carbon (from 10-30 micromolar) was found between cells grown under low and high CO(2). Growth with glucose induced a reduction in the apparent affinity (45 micromolar) even though cells had not been provided with CO(2). Experiments performed at different pH values indicate CO(2) as the major carbon species taken from the medium by Chlorella vulgaris UAM 101.

[Platelets and migraine. Correlation between biochemical markers of platelet aggregation and serotonin]

The correlation between the biochemical markers of platelet activation and serotonin in migraine was investigated. The beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), platelet factor 4 (PF-4) and serotonin levels in 105 patients with migraine were measured. The results confirmed an increase in beta-TG and PF4 levels and a reduction in serotonin levels during the migraine attacks. However, we did not find a significant correlation between these fluctuations. These findings suggest the existence of extraplatelet mechanism in the pathophysiology of migraine.

[Hormonal profile and changes in platelet aggregation in menstrual migraine]

We evaluated the hormonal profile and the platelet function in a group of 20 patients with menstrual migraine and a control group of 10 healthy women. Plasma levels of estradiol, progesterone, FSH and LH, as well as betathromboglobulin, platelet factor 4 and platelet serotonin were measured in different phases of the menstrual cycle. The hormonal profile did not show significant differences between both groups. The patients with menstrual migraine had higher BTG, FP4 and serotonin levels in the premenstrual phase than the control group. The results of this study show that in premenstrual migraine a platelet hyperagregation develops during the premenstrual phase. This abnormality is not directly correlated with the hormonal fluctuations observed during the menstrual cycle.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation versus chemotherapy in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in second complete remission

Seventy-six patients between the ages of 2 and 17 years with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) achieved a second complete remission induced by polychemotherapy. Twenty-one had an HLA-identical donor and underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) after conditioning with total body irradiation and cyclophosphamide. The remaining 55 patients lacked a suitable donor and received intensive chemotherapy as treatment. Fifteen patients were excluded from the analysis because they relapsed within 3 months after achieving a second complete remission. Three of the 21 BMT patients died of transplant-related complications and seven relapsed between 90 and 480 days after transplantation. Eleven patients are alive and disease free at 5.5-71 months with an actuarial survival of 47.1%; eight patients are on a plateau extending from 22 to 71 months. Thirty-three patients treated with chemotherapy died from relapse and seven are alive and disease free 7.5-99 months from the second remission, with an actuarial survival of 9%. The probability of survival was significantly higher in the BMT group (p less than 0.025). The probability of remaining in complete remission in the BMT group was 58.5% versus 10.9% in the chemotherapy group (p less than 0.005). Our results show that BMT is the best alternative therapy for children affected by ALL who have had a relapse in the marrow.