The carbamate insecticide ZZ-Aphox® induced structural changes of gills,liver, gall-bladder,heart, and notochord of Rana perezi tadpoles

Embryos of Rana perezi were kept under laboratory conditions and treated with carbamate ZZ-Aphox^® at chronic doses of 0.02 and 0.14 for 9 weeks. Both the histological study and the analysis of mortality show a direct relationship between the dosage and the effects of the pesticide. The histological study of the survivors over 56 days show damages in gills, liver, gall-bladder, heart, and notochord. Damages on the epithelia of gills (on their distal portion) and gall-bladder recover over a few days, whereas those provoked on the compacting of the hepatic parenchyma and the hepatocytes, the auricle and the perinotochordal collagenic fibers alter their structure in a lasting way. Potentials of such alterations are discussed, with special reference to the possible interference of the pesticide on the successful synthesis of the supporting connective sheaths.     

Current prevalence of hepatitis B,A and C in a healthy Spanish population. A seroepidemiological study

Summary A seroepidemiological study was carried out in order to determine the prevalence of markers of viral hepatitis infection in employees of five health-care companies and their cohabiting family members. Each participating family unit was required to fill out a questionnaire, in which, among other data, the employee was requested to indicate his or her job category. Markers of hepatitis B infection (anti-HBs, anti-HBc or HBsAg) were observed in 11.7% (58/497) of all subjects. When employees and family members were analysed according to the employee's job category, significant differences were found between staff (3%) and administrative personnel (13.3%; p<0.01) or factory workers (16.9%; p<0.01). Of 489 individuals tested for the presence of anti-HAV and anti- HCV, 59.1% and 0.6% respectively, were positive. There was a correlation between the prevalence of anti-HAV and age; a large proportion of the subjects under the age of 30 years had no evidence of prior HAV infection.

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Prävalenz der Hepatitis B, A und C in einer gesunden spanischen Bevölkerungsgruppe. Aktuelle seroepidemiologische Studie

Zusammenfassung Um die Prävalenz von Virus-Hepatitis-Markern zu ermitteln, wurde eine seroepidemiologische Studie durchgeführt, in die Beschäftigte von fünf pharmazeutischen Firmen und Familienmitglieder der Wohngemeinschaft aufgenommen wurden. Fragebogen, die alle teilnehmenden Familien auszufüllen hatten, enthielten unter anderem Daten zur Berufsbezeichnung. 58 von 497 untersuchten Seren (11,7%) wiesen Marker einer Hepatitis B Virus-Infektion auf (anti-HBs, anti-HBc oder HBsAg). Nach Berufskategorie aufgeschlüsselt, fanden sich zwischen Beschäftigten und Familienmitgliedern signifikante Unterschiede: Personen, die zum Staff gehörten, waren in 3% der Fälle positiv, Verwaltungspersonal in 13,3% (p<0,01), Fabrikarbeiter in 16,9% (p<0,01). Von den 489 auf anti- HAV getesteten Personen waren 59,1 % positiv, anti-HCV-Antikörper wiesen in derselben Gruppe 0,6% der Getesteten auf. Die Prävalenz von anti-HAV zeigte eine Altersabhängigkeit; ein großer Anteil der unter 30jährigen hatte keine Marker für eine durchgemachte HAV-Infektion.

     

Hibernoma pleural

Hibernoma is a rare benign tumor arising in brown fat arising in young adults with similar incidence in both sexes. They are generally subcutaneous reaching in some instances a considerable size. The interscapular region, shoulders, head and neck are the main locations, but rare cases have been described in a wide variety of sites. Histologically three types of cells mixed in different proportions corresponding to the stages of maduration of the fatty cells. They are benign tumors with not recurrence after excision. We report a pleural hibernoma, a location not reported previously in the literature.     

Spontaneous involution of pulmonary sequestration in children: a report of two cases and review of the literature

Background. Two cases of pulmonary sequestration which regressed spontaneously are presented. Objective. To demonstrate the value of imaging studies in the diagnosis and follow-up of some forms of congenital masses of the lung in asymptomatic patients. Material and methods. We reviewed the clinical records and imaging studies of two asymptomatic children, one newborn and the other 3 months old, with thoracic masses which demonstrated variable degrees of spontaneous involution. Results. Abdominal ultrasound performed on the newborn with a palpable mass showed a triangular echogenic mass with a large central feeding vessel arising from the aorta. The mass had disappeared on follow-up US exam performed 6 years later. CT was performed in the 3-month-old patient with a persistent retrocardiac mass. A soft-tissue density mass in the left pulmonary base with a large feeding vessel arising from the aorta was visualised on contrast-enhanced CT. Five years later, a new CT scan showed significant shrinkage of the mass and no vessel. Conclusion. Radiological techniques such as real-time US with Doppler imaging and contrast-enhanced CT may establish the diagnosis of pulmonary sequestration by demonstrating the mass and its systemic vessel, thereby eliminating the need for more aggressive imaging procedures. Partial or total disappearance of these masses represents a further example of involutive pathology and suggests that not all cases of pulmonary sequestration should be surgically treated. Received: 12 September 1997 Accepted: 18 September 1997     

Concomitant boost radiation and concurrent cisplatin for advanced head and neck carcinomas. Preliminary results of a phase II, single-institutional trial

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to asses the effectiveness and toxicity of boost radiotherapy concomitant and concurrent cisplatin for patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 30 patients included in a prospective, phase II single-institution trial and of whom, 29 were at AJCC stage IV and 1 at stage III. Treatment consisted of radiotherapy acceleration fractionation with concomitant boost, 72 Gy, and 2 cycles of concomitant cisplatin (20 mg/m2/day continuous infusion; days 1-5 and 29-33). Amifostine, (i.v. 200 mg/m2) was administered to 26 prior to the first fraction of radiotherapy. Endpoints of the study were quality-of-life (QL), overall survival, and local control of disease. RESULTS: Complete response (CR) was achieved in 23 patients (77%), 2 patients had partial response (PR) (7%), 4 had no response (13%), and 1 was not evaluated for response. The 2-year overall survival and loco-regional control were 60% and 56%, respectively. Main toxicity was grade 3 or 4 mucositis in 93% of the patients. QL scores (questionnaire QLQC30; version 3.0) and the HN cancer module QLQ-HN35) showed a worsening in areas related to the treatment e.g. dry mouth, problems stretching the mouth, and sticky saliva. CONCLUSIONS: this combination modality is active, but toxic, in the treatment for LAHNC. Concomitant boost radiotherapy is probably, not the best radiotherapy schema for combining with chemotherapy in LAHNC.     

Análisis de la concentración sérica del ADN tumoral en el cáncer de pulmón no microcítico y avanzado: ¿es útil como factor pronóstico?

INTRODUCTION: Presence of circulating DNA in the serum of patients with cancer makes detection of tumour-specific genetic alterations feasible. OBJECTIVE: To study serum DNA concentration in patients diagnosed as having advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and to evaluate its relationship with age, histology, stage, response, time-to-progression (TTP), and survival. METHODS: Serum DNA from 78 patients was purified and spectrophotometrically quantified. RESULTS: No significant correlations were found between serum DNA concentration and age, histology, response and survival. There was a significant correlation with respect to stage (IIIB = 408.75 ng/ml; IV = 478.74 ng/ml; p = 0.02). When patients were grouped according to DNA concentration, significant correlation with TTP was found; establishing a cut-off point at 500 ng/ml ([DNA] < 500 ng/ml TTP = 7.25 months, 95%CI: 3.5-5.25; [DNA ] > or = 500 ng/ml TTP = 4.25 months, 95%CI: 2-6.5; p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Using the present method, DNA concentration quantification appears to be simple, but with certain deficiencies due to inter-sample variability and low specificity. This is because total DNA concentration is measured without distinguishing as to whether it is tumour-related. We suggest that there is a correlation between DNA concentration and prognosis which enables an analysis of the natural history of the disease.     

Quality of evidence matters: is it well reported and interpreted in infertility journals?

Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics - To evaluate if the authors of published systematic reviews (SRs) reported the level of quality of evidence (QoE) in the top 5 impact factor...     

Spanish Translation and Linguistic Validation of the Glucose Monitoring Experiences Questionnaire (GME-Q) in Continuous Glucose Monitoring Users

Background and Aims:The use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has become standard practice in people with type 1 diabetes. The evaluation of user satisfaction is crucial. The Glucose Monitoring Experiences questionnaire (GME-Q) includes 23 items with a 5-point Likert scale to produce a total satisfaction score and three subscale scores. The study aimed to translate the GME-Q from English into Spanish and to validate its use in Spanish-speaking CGM users with type 1 diabetes.Methods:The linguistic translation and validation process of the GME-Q was established. T1D CGM users were asked to complete the produced Spanish version of the GME-Q and interviewed about difficulties or misunderstandings. Total satisfaction, effectiveness, convenience and intrusiveness subscales and internal consistency reliability were computed.Results:Forward and backward translations and cognitive debriefing produced a final version of the GME-Q in Spanish. Ninety-eight subjects with type 1 diabetes were selected (age: 40 ± 12 years, 63% females, Hb1c: 7.2 ± 0.9% (55 ± 10 mmol/l), pump users: 78%, CGM use: 3.7 ± 2.6 years). The completion rate was 99% and the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.8. The total satisfaction score was 3.9 ± 0.4 (effectiveness: 4.1 ± 0.6, convenience: 3.8 ± 0.6, intrusiveness: 2.2 ± 0.7).Conclusion:The GME-Q was translated into Spanish and validated for Spanish-speaking CGM users with type 1 diabetes.     

A scoring system for AML patients aged 70 years or older,eligible for intensive chemotherapy: a study based on a large European data set using the DATAML,SAL, and PETHEMA registries

In a context of therapeutic revolution in older adults with AML, it is becoming increasingly important to select patients for the various treatment options by taking account of short-term efficacy and toxicity as well as long-term survival. Here, the data from three European registries for 1,199 AML patients aged 70 years or older treated with intensive chemotherapy were used to develop a prognostic scoring system. The median follow-up was 50.8 months. In the training set of 636 patients, age, performance status, secondary AML, leukocytosis, and cytogenetics, as well as NPM1 mutations (without FLT3-ITD), were all significantly associated with overall survival, albeit not to the same degree. These factors were used to develop a score that predicts long-term overall survival. Three risk-groups were identified: a lower, intermediate and higher-risk score with predicted 5-year overall survival (OS) probabilities of ≥12% (n = 283, 51%; median OS = 18 months), 3–12% (n = 226, 41%; median OS = 9 months) and <3% (n = 47, 8%; median OS = 3 months), respectively. This scoring system was also significantly associated with complete remission, early death and relapse-free survival; performed similarly in the external validation cohort (n = 563) and showed a lower false-positive rate than previously published scores. The European Scoring System ≥70, easy for routine calculation, predicts long-term survival in older AML patients considered for intensive chemotherapy.Subject terms: Acute myeloid leukaemia, Risk factors