Chiral domain dynamics and transient interferences of mirrored superlattices in nonequilibrium electronic crystals

Mirror symmetry plays a major role in determining the properties of matter and is of particular interest in condensed many-body systems undergoing symmetry breaking transitions under non-equilibrium conditions. Typically, in the aftermath of such transitions, one of the two possible broken symmetry states is emergent. However, synthetic systems and those formed under non-equilibrium conditions may exhibit metastable states comprising of both left (L) and right (R) handed symmetry. Here we explore the formation of chiral charge-density wave (CDW) domains after a laser quench in 1T-TaS2 with scanning tunneling microscopy. Typically, we observed transient domains of both chiralities, separated spatially from each other by domain walls with different structure. In addition, we observe transient density of states modulations consistent with interference of L and R-handed charge density waves within the surface monolayer. Theoretical modeling of the intertwined domain structures using a classical charged lattice gas model reproduces the experimental domain wall structures. The superposition (S) state cannot be understood classically within the correlated electron model but is found to be consistent with interferences of L and R-handed charge-density waves within domains, confined by surrounding domain walls, vividly revealing an interference of Fermi electrons with opposite chirality, which is not a result of inter-layer interference, but due to the interaction between electrons within a single layer, confined by domain wall boundaries.

P85 THE SUPERPOWERS OF A REAL HEART TEAM: TAVR AND PERIOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF A PATIENT WITH COREA DISORDER

Aortic stenosis is the most common valve disease in over75 years old patients.Managing the preoperative assessment and the perioperative course could be problematic in frailty patients.Having a real and solid multidisciplinary heart team(MDHT)is essential.This is how we succeeded in optimizing the treatment of 82–year–old patient affected by Huntington‘s disease(HD) and severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis.HD is an autosomal–dominant progressive neurodegenerative pathology due to an expanded CAG repeat leading to a mutant protein(huntingtin) and it‘s usually characterized by chorea, dystonia, incoordination, and cognitive decline.Life expectancy in people with a late manifestation of the disorder can be long, raising the challenge of the treatment of concomitant pathology.Surgery was not indicated in this old and frail patient, but preoperative diagnostic imaging was compulsory to explore the possibility of transcatheter valve implantation. Chorea unintentional movements and dystonia make standard CTscan and angiographic analysis impossible.At our weekly institutional MDHT, we decided to overcome the technical difficulties putting the patient under general anesthesia. As we all know, multiple or very long sedations can be detrimental in frail patients.Confident in our solid multidisciplinary collaboration, we decided on an all–in–one procedure.On the procedure day, the patient was transferred to the hybrid OR.An anesthesiologist and a dedicated nurse induced the patient to general anesthesia.Intubated and with complete vital sign monitoring, the patient was moved back and forth to radiology to perform the angioCTscan.A cardiac surgeon and an interventional cardiologist analyzed the CT images deciding on a transfemoral 34mm Medtronic Evolut Pro+ bioprosthesis. The coronary angiography was performed with no evidence of significant stenosis. We proceed to commissural alignment and release of the bioprosthesis. The patient was extubated in the OR. Stable neurological status, total anesthesia time 140min. The patient was safely discharged home on the second postoperative day. Treating complex cases require multiple skills, well–established protocol, strong communication, and routine cooperation between all the involved professional figures. Therefore, the multidisciplinary heart team is not just an overused word without real significant;it is the only way to approach cardiovascular pathology in our everyday practice permitting us to have a real patient–centered vision.

Spinal cord involvement in Kearns-Sayre syndrome: a neuroimaging study

Purpose

Spinal cord involvement in Kearns-Sayre (KSS) syndrome could be more frequent than commonly thought. Our aims were to evaluate the involvement of the spinal cord in patients with KSS by means of MRI and to investigate possible correlations of spinal and brain disease with patient disability.

Methods

Eleven patients with KSS disease and spinal cord MRI were retrospectively recruited. The severity of spinal disease was defined as follows: grade 0 (none), grade 1 (focal), and grade 2 (extensive). We calculated a radiologic score of brain involvement based on typical features. We performed a chi-square test to correlate spinal cord and brain MRI involvement to patient disability. For significant variables, a contingency coefficient, phi factor, and Cramer’s V were also computed.

Results

Spinal cord lesions were detected in 6/11 patients, showing four patterns: involvement of gray matter, gray matter and posterior columns, posterior columns, and anterior columns. The severity of spinal disease was grade 1 in two and grade 2 in four patients. All patients showed brain involvement (9-point average for patients with spinal involvement and 10 for the others). A significant correlation was found between disability score and spinal cord involvement (χ² = 7.64; p = 0.022) or brain score (χ² = 26.85; p = 0.043). Significance for brain score-disability correlation increased with the spinal cord as a cofactor (χ² = 24.51; p = 0.017, phi factor = 1.201, Cramer’s V = 0.849, contingency effect = 0.767; p = 0.017).

Conclusion

Spinal cord lesions are common in KSS. Patients with spinal disease show higher disability than patients without spinal cord lesions, supporting the inclusion of dedicated acquisitions to routine MRI of the brain in patients with KSS.

Ultrafast Optical Control of the Electronic Properties of ZrTe₅

We report on the temperature dependence of the ZrTe(5) electronic properties, studied at equilibrium and out of equilibrium, by means of time and angle resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. Our results unveil the dependence of the electronic band structure across the Fermi energy on the sample temperature. This finding is regarded as the dominant mechanism responsible for the anomalous resistivity observed at T*∼160  K along with the change of the charge carrier character from holelike to electronlike. Having addressed these long-lasting questions, we prove the possibility to control, at the ultrashort time scale, both the binding energy and the quasiparticle lifetime of the valence band. These experimental evidences pave the way for optically controlling the thermoelectric and magnetoelectric transport properties of ZrTe(5).

Impact of OncoType DXTM Recurrence Score and Tumor Size on Making Chemotherapy Decisions in Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Oncotype DXTM is a 21 gene assay that calculates recurrence score(RS) and recurrence risk(RR) over 10 years. Despite the contention that this genomic assay is more accurate than tumor size(TS) and age in predicting outcome, these factors continue to have major impact in decision-making regarding chemotherapy(CT). We analyzed the impact of TS, RS, and age on the decision to give CT.Methods: An IRB-approved chart review of 105 lymph node(LN) negative patients with ER+ T1 and T2 tumors was performed, reviewing age, RS, TS, CT history, Her-2 status, and pathology. RS was low(0-17), intermediate(18-30), or high(>30). TS was divided into T1a(0.1-0.5 cm), T1b(0.51–1.0 cm), T1c(1.1–2.0 cm), and T2(2.1-5.0 cm).Results: Mean patient age was 60.9 years(range 35-82 years). Average(AVG) RS was 20.9; AVG RR at 10 years, 13.6%. Mean TS was 1.5 cm(median 1.3 cm). Overall, 29 patients(27.6%) received CT; 76(72.4%) did not. AVG TS for CT patients was 1.8cm, AVG RS was 29.5, and AVG age was 56.4(range 35-75). Non-CT patients' AVG TS was 1.4cm; AVG RS, 17.7; AVG age, 62.6(range 44-86). 9 patients(8.5%) had T1a tumors with an AVG RS of 19.1, and no patient received CT. 25(23.8%) had T1b tumors with an AVG RS of 21.0, and 5(20.0%) received CT. 51(48.6%) had T1c tumors with an AVG RS of 20.4, and 15(29.4%) received CT. 20(19.0%) had T2 tumors with an AVG RS of 23.1; 9(45.0%) received CT. 41 patients(39.0%) had low RS: 4(9.8%) received CT; 37(90.2%) did not. AVG TS and RS were 1.6cm and 15.0 respectively for CT patients, and 1.5cm and 11.6 for no CT patients. 49 patients(46.7%) had intermediate RS: 13(26.5%) received CT; 36(73.5%) did not. AVG TS and RS were 1.9cm and 22.7 for CT patients; 1.3cm and 22.2 for no CT patients. 15 patients(14.3%) had high RS: 12(80.0%) received CT; 3(20.0%) did not. AVG TS and RS were 1.7cm and 44.7 for CT patients; 1.3cm and 39.3 for no CT patients. 10 patients were Her-2+, 5 with high, 4 with intermediate, and 1 with low RS. 7 had CT. 5 of the 15(33.3%) high RS patients were Her-2+. AVG RS for the Her-2+ patients was 36.2, and AVG TS was 1.9cm. AVG RS was 19.3 for the non-Her-2+ patients. 16 patients were <50 years old. AVG TS was 1.5cm and AVG RS was 24.2. 8 received CT and 8 did not. 89 patients were ≥50. AVG TS was 1.5cm and AVG RS was 20.3. 21(23.6%) received CT and 68 did not. Discussion: AVG RS was 20.9 for all T stages. Overall, 27.6% of patients received CT. Of the 64 with RS>18, only 25(39.1%) received CT; 4(9.8%) of low RS patients still received CT. Patients with larger tumors and younger age were more likely to receive CT. Neither RS, TS, nor age alone seemed to influence the final decision. Multiple factors are still considered by oncologists when making CT decisions, and conversely, patients may not accept CT despite high RS.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 6039.

Phase II study of AVR118 in the management of cancer related anorexia/cachexia

e20631

Background: AVR118 represents a new class of cytoprotective drugs in managing symptoms associated with anorexia\/ cachexia. In a previous study in patients with advanced HIV-AIDS, an improvement in appetite, strength and alertness was noted. The precise mechanism of action is not understood, but activity may be related to AVR118's adenosine based components. Other active components include guanosine and branched chain amino acids leucine and valine. Objective: To determine the effect of AVR118 on appetite, early satiety and nutritional intake in patients with advanced cancer. Secondary endpoints include changes in performance status, lean muscle mass and quality of Life (QOL). Methods: Eligible adult patients received 4.0 ml of AVR118 subcutaneous daily injections. Patients underwent bi-monthly evaluations during the 28 day initial treatment (phase A) Evaluations included Karnofsky performance status, Edmonton Symptoms Assessment Scale (ESAS), Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), Simmonds Functional Assessment, Dyspepsia Symptom Severity Index, Weight, Lean Body Mass, skin fold thickness and grip strength. Patients who benefited from phase A could elect to continue with therapy (phase B). Results: Currently, of 16 enrolled patients 7 have completed phase A. All 7 patients chose to continue with AVR118 treatment (phase B). Improvements in anorexia and PG-SGA scores were seen in 7/7 and 6/7 patients respectively. Weight stabilization or gain was observed in 5/7 patients. All other parameters showed no significant difference. There was AVR118 has been well tolerated and no serious side effects have been reported. Conclusions: Based on these positive results, the primary endpoints have been achieved and the study will be expanded from 14 to 30 patients.

[Table: see text]

Use of Barcelona Test for cognitive assessment of patients with schizophrenia

INTRODUCTION

In recent years different neuropsychological batteries have been developed to assess cognitive performance in schizophrenia. However, no test has been validated in Spanish for this purpose. The Barcelona Test has been one of the tests used. This present article has aimed to present a specific neurocognitive battery for schizophrenia by selecting specific subtests from the Barcelona Test. Normative data for patients with schizophrenia are presented and the influence of a number of variables is taken into account.

METHODS

The sample included 209 patients. The relationship between cognitive performance and gender, age, educational level, age of onset, duration of illness and symptomatology were assessed. Symptomatology was collected with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia.

RESULTS

More of the 50% of the sample had cognitive impairment when compared with standardized percentile scores of the Barcelona Test. No significant relationships between cognitive performance and variables assessed were found, except for in the educational level. Thus, percentile scores for the total sample and for the sample in terms of educational level were obtained.

CONCLUSIONS

The high percentage of patients with cognitive impairment when standardized percentile scores were used reinforces the need to use normative data appropriate for the schizophrenia group. The lack of relationship between cognitive performance and the variables assessed supports the hypothesis that cognitive impairment is a core feature in schizophrenia.

[Insight, neurocognition and psychopathology in schizophrenia]

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, research has been aimed at finding variables mediating between neurocognition and psychosocial functioning in schizophrenia, proposing insight as one of these variables. Some authors have found associations between insight and functional outcome, and between insight and symptomatology, although these associations remain unclear. These different findings could be explained by the insight definition used. The current study evaluates insight unidimensionally and multidimensionally and studies its relationship with cognitive and psychopathological variables.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 94 subjects admitted to an outpatient Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program, all diagnosed of schizophrenia according to ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. A brief version of the Neuropsychology Battery Test Barcelona and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test were used to evaluate cognitive variables. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to evaluate psychopathology. Insight was assessed with the PANSS item ((lack of judgment and insight)), and with a semi-structured interview.

RESULTS

Two insight factors were found, one including more specific knowledge about the disease and its consequences (cognitive factor), that is related to executive functions, and another referring to unspecific knowledge about suffering from an illness and the need for treatment (psychotic factor). Each factor was statistically related to positive symptoms and superior cognitive functions.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support a relationship between insight and low cognitive performance.

Adolescent depression and risk factors

Seventy-nine high school seniors were administered the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), as well as a questionnaire on parent relationships, peer relationships, positive and negative feelings including suicidal thoughts, and lifestyle variables including academic performance, exercise, and drug use. The group of adolescents who scored above the clinical cutoff for depression on the CES-D (n = 29) had poorer relations with parents. Further, the incidence of paternal depression in that group was greater. The depressed adolescents also had less optimal peer relationships, fewer friends, and were less popular. They experienced less happiness and more frequent suicidal thoughts. They spent less time doing homework, had a lower grade point average, and spent less time exercising. The depressed group also reported more use of marijuana and cocaine. A stepwise regression indicated that physical affection with parents, homework, well-being, exercise, happiness, and parent relations explained 55% of the variance.

Prenatal anger effects on the fetus and neonate

One hundred and sixty-six women were classified as experiencing high or low anger during the second trimester of pregnancy. The high-anger women also had high scores on depression and anxiety scales. In a follow-up across pregnancy, the fetuses of the high-anger women were noted to be more active and to experience growth delays. The high-anger mothers' high prenatal cortisol and adrenaline and low dopamine and serotonin levels were mimicked by their neonates' high cortisol and low dopamine levels. The high-anger mothers and infants were also similar on their relative right frontal EEG activation and their low vagal tone. Finally, the newborns of high-anger mothers had disorganised sleep patterns (greater indeterminate sleep and more state changes) and less optimal performance on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale (orientation, motor maturity and depression). These data highlight the need for prenatal intervention for elevated angry mood during pregnancy.

Employment during adolescence is associated with depression, inferior relationships, lower grades, and smoking

A self-report questionnaire was administered to high school seniors to collect data on the psychological, behavioral, and social aspects of their lives. It was found that employment was associated with (1) greater depression; (2) inferior relationships with parents and best friend, including less time and physical contact with parents; (3) lower grade point average; and (4) smoking.

Exercise is positively related to adolescents' relationships and academics

Eighty-nine high school seniors were administered a questionnaire that gathered information on their exercise habits (ranging from rarely to daily), relationships with parents and peers, depressive tendencies, sports involvement, drug use, and academic performance. Students with a high level of exercise had better relationships with their parents (including greater intimacy and more frequent touching), were less depressed, spent more time involved in sports, used drugs less frequently, and had higher grade point averages than did students with a low level of exercise.

Effect of exogenous cholecystokinin and secretin on pancreatic secretion of insulin and glucagon in rats: in vivo model without hepatic filter

In order to study the effect of cholecystokinin and secretin on the endocrine function of the pancreas, we have developed an experimental model that we have applied to a total of 30 anesthetized rats stimulated with physiological or supraphysiological doses of cholecystokinin and secretin administered intravenously by continuous infusion. Our results show that the serum insulin concentration increases after the supramaximum dose of cholecystokinin is infused, while that of glucagon increases after the maximum dose of this hormone. In case of secretin, the serum glucagon level increases after the supramaximum dose, while that of insulin is not affected by any dose. We conclude that after infusion of physiological doses of cholecystokinin, the pancreatic secretion of glucagon is modified but not that of insulin, while secretin has no effect on the endocrine pancreatic secretion of either insulin or glucagon upon the same conditions.

Angry adolescents who worry about becoming violent

In the present study, 31 of 89 adolescents responded affirmatively to the following statement: "Sometimes I get so angry that I worry I will become violent." These adolescents (the anger group) were compared with the nonanger group, and several differences were found. The anger group (1) reported less intimacy with parents, received less support from them, and was less close to siblings; (2) had more opposite-sex friends, dated more frequently, and more frequently had a boyfriend or girlfriend; (3) had a lower grade point average; (4) were more depressed; and (5) used marijuana more frequently. Results of a regression analysis revealed that depression and dating were the only significant predictors of anger, explaining 17% of the variance.

Moderate involvement in sports is related to lower depression levels among adolescents

Sports involvement has been found to be related to social and psychological well-being in Icelandic adolescents. The present study investigated whether similar relationships exist for American adolescents. A group of 89 high school seniors completed a questionnaire that gathered data on sports involvement, depression, intimacy with parents and friends, and grade point average. It was found that the moderate sports involvement group (3 to 6 hours per week) had lower depression scores than did the low sports involvement group (2 hours or less per week). The findings are discussed.

The relationship of Internet use to depression and social isolation among adolescents

The present study investigated whether higher levels of Internet use are associated with depression and social isolation among adolescents. Eighty-nine high school seniors were administered a questionnaire that measured low (less than 1 hour per day), moderate (1-2 hours per day), and high (more than 2 hours per day) Internet use; relationships with mother, father, and peers; and depression. Low Internet users, as compared with high users, reported better relationships with their mothers and friends.

Adolescent suicidal ideation

Adolescent suicidal ideation and its relationship to other variables was tapped by a self-report questionnaire administered to 88 high school seniors. Eighteen percent responded positively to the statement "sometimes I feel suicidal." Those who reported suicidal ideation were found to differ from those who did not on a number of variables, including family relationships (quality of relationship with mother, intimacy with parents, and closeness to siblings), family history of depression (maternal depression), peer relations (quality of peer relationships, popularity, and number of friends), emotional well-being (happiness, anger, and depression), drug use (cigarettes, marijuana, and cocaine), and grade point average. Stepwise regression indicated that happiness explained 46% of the variance in suicidal ideation, and number of friends, anger, and marijuana use explained an additional 20%, for a total of 66% of the variance. While 34% of the variance remained unexplained, it is suggested that the questions used to measure these four variables be included in global screenings to identify adolescents at risk for suicidal ideation.

CXCR4 and CCR5 expression by H9 T-cells is downregulated by a peptide-nucleic acid immunomodulator

Product R (Reticulose(TM)) is a peptide-nucleic acid immunomodulator with broad-spectrum antiviral activity that was recently shown to increase expression of mRNAs encoding the proinflammatory cytokines, IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Since these cytokines induce expression of the chemokines, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, RANTES, and SDF-1, all of which inhibit viral infectivity, we were interested to determine if Product R also alters chemokine expression. In addition, the finding, that Product R decreases HIV-1 RNA and extracellular p24 antigen in H9 T-lymphoma cells, suggested to us that this drug may block viral infection by reducing the expression of chemokine receptors on target cells. We have therefore utilized H9 cells to test the effects of Product R on expression of mRNAs encoding the chemokine receptors, CD4, CXCR4 and CCR5, as well as their ligands, IL-16, SDF-1, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES, by RT-PCR. We also assayed the effect of Product R on surface receptor expression by flow cytometry, and on the chemotactic activity of these cells towards the CXCR4 ligand, SDF-1, and the CCR5 ligands, MIP-1alpha and RANTES. H9 cells were cultured for 3-21 days in medium containing 5% or 10% Product R, or 5% or 10% PBS. We found that, compared to control cultures, cells cultured in media containing Product R expressed lower amounts of CXCR4 and CCR5 mRNA and surface antigen at all time points. Culture for 3 days in media containing Product R also reduced the ability of cells to migrate towards 10-20 ng/ml SDF-1 and 100-250 ng/ml RANTES. In contrast, Product R had no effect on the expression of CD4 mRNA and receptor protein, or on expression of IL-16 mRNA. These findings suggest that Product R may have clinical efficacy in HIV-1-infected patients by downregulating viral coreceptors on target T-cells.

Effect of exogenous insulin and glucagon on exocrine pancreatic secretion in rats in vivo

BACKGROUND

The physiological roles of the islet hormones insulin and glucagon in the control of exocrine pancreatic secretion is not clear. It is still unknown whether these hormones have a stimulatory or an inhibitory effect on the basal exocrine pancreatic secretion.

METHODS

Thirty anesthetized rats were stimulated with doses of insulin and glucagon administered by continuous intravenous infusion. Doses varying from physiological to supraphysiological were used. Different groups of 5 rats were given each of these doses. The volume of pancreatic juice and amylase, lipase and trypsin activity, as well as enzyme output, were measured 0, 20, 40, and 60 min after starting infusion. The insulin, glucagon, and glucose levels were determined in serum at 0, 10, 30, and 60 min.

RESULTS

In the insulin group, the secreted volume of pancreatic juice increases with the maximum dose. All insulin doses results in amylase and lipase decreased activity. When submaximum and maximum insulin doses are administered, the trypsin activity also decreases. In the glucagon group, the activity of lipase and trypsin decreases regardless the dose, whereas the amylase activity decreases with submaximum and supramaximum doses.

CONCLUSION

Both insulin and glucagon affect the basal exocrine pancreatic secretion in vivo when physiological doses are administered.

Postural vision loss in giant cell arteritis

Two patients with biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis experienced bilateral transient vision loss after bending over and after getting up from a supine position. One patient had no demonstrable signs of carotid, ophthalmic, or anterior ciliary vascular disease, suggesting that his episodes of transient vision loss were due to vertebrobasilar insufficiency. The other patient experienced bilateral postural vision loss in the context of impending bilateral anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Bilateral transient postural vision loss is an uncommon manifestation of giant cell arteritis that could reflect either severe bilateral vascular compromise of the anterior circulation or severe vertebrobasilar insufficiency. In either situation, prompt evaluation and treatment is indicated to prevent the irreversible sequelae of the disease.

Follow-up of patients resected for gastric cancer

In this study we used a cost-outcome analysis to evaluate our follow-up protocol for patients who had been resected for gastric cancer. We designed a descriptive cross-sectional trial through consecutive sampling of patients who had undergone resection of gastric carcinoma and were followed in our outpatient department during 1991. Serological (CEA) and or imaging procedures were pathologic at least two months prior to the onset of symptoms in 33% of recurrences. No significant correlation was found between serum CEA levels and CEA tumor tissue staining in patients who recurred. Only 17% of patients who relapsed underwent further treatment (surgery and chemotherapy) with no improvement found in terms of survival. The overall cost per year has been estimated at US$ 6118. Our results show that serological levels of CEA and available imaging techniques for routine follow-up provide little advantage in diagnosing gastric cancer recurrence over clinical surveillance alone.

[The "arrhythmic pattern": a new method with prognostic significance in myocardial infarct]

OBJECTIVES

To establish a score or arrhythmic pattern for the prediction of long-term cardiac deaths on patients who have survived to the first acute myocardial infarction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We studied prospectively 200 patients that survived at a first myocardial infarction and in whom ambulatory ECG monitoring during 24 hours between days 7th and 18th (mean 12th) from the infarction was performed. The mean follow-up time was 51 +/- 18 months. The number and type of ventricular arrhythmias were analyzed and a score was measured, accordingly with Castellanos and Lown's classifications. An "arrhythmic pattern" or "total punctuation" was defined and compared among two groups: group 1 > 65 points and group 2 < 65 points.

RESULTS

The differential characteristics of both groups were: age (60 +/- 9 versus 56 +/- 10 years old; p = 0.004); hypertension (63% versus 29%; p < 0.001); clinic stage II-III (23% versus 11%; p = 0.02); echocardiographic ejection fraction (45 +/- 11% versus 50 +/- 10%; p = 0.04); positive exercise testing (73% versus 56%; p = 0.01); arrhythmias on the exercise test (15% versus 25%; p = 0.006). The long-term cardiac mortality was 25% versus 6% (p = 0.01), with an incidence of sudden death of 11% versus 3% (p < 0.05). Specificity, sensibility, positive predictive value and negative predictive value (reference cut point of 100) were 94, 65, 71 and 91%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a score of arrhythmic pattern may identify 2 groups of patients with different clinic profiles that probably justify a different long-term prognosis after a first acute myocardial infarction.

Gastric carcinoma: study of the most eminent prognostic factors

In order to analyse some prognostic factors in relation to gastric cancer, 218 patients were included in a prospective protocol at 'Hospital General de Elche' (Spain) with a follow-up of 100%. Survival curves were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared using the log-rank test. The number of patients who underwent resection was 122 (63.5%). In 70 cases (36.5%) the resection was not possible. The postoperative mortality was 4.9%. In the survival of patients with gastric cancer we find the following prognostic factors are significant: age, tumour site, macroscopic type, depth of gastric wall affection, presence of lymph nodes, staging, resectability and surgical intention (curative vs palliative).

[Comparison of adsorption capacity for FSH between kaolin and montmorillonite. Biological and immunological activity relation (author's transl)]

The adsorption capacity of urinary FSH has been studied comparatively with kaolin and montmorillonite, a new type of bentonite, never used before in gonadotrophin adsorption. To measure adsorption capacity, two different assay methods were used: bioassay (for biological activity of the kaolin and montmorillonite extracts) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the immunological activity of FSH in both extracts. From the present results a biological activity increase was observed in montmorillonite extracts, while no significant differences between immunological activity of FSH were found in either extract. These findings suggest that montmorillonite could replace kaolin in gonadotrophins extraction and purification methods.