Phase transfer of monosaccharides through noncovalent interactions: selective extraction of glucose by a lipophilic cage receptor

We have previously shown that macrotricyclic host 1a is a powerful receptor for glucopyranosyl units in the nonpolar medium of chloroform. However, the solubility properties of 1a did not permit studies of the extraction of carbohydrates from aqueous solution. This paper describes the synthesis of the new variant 1b, furnished with a highly lipophilic exterior array of 12 benzyloxy substituents. In homogeneous solution, 1b behaves much as 1a, binding n-octyl beta-d-glucoside with K(a) = 720 M(-1) in CD(3)OH/CDCl(3) (8:92). In two-phase experiments, the improved solubility of 1b allows carbohydrate extraction to be observed. Three hexoses (glucose, galactose, and mannose), two pentoses (ribose and xylose), and the two methyl glucosides are all extracted substantially into chloroform from 1 M aqueous solutions. Among the hexoses, 1b shows notable affinity and selectivity for glucose, extracting detectable amounts even from 0.1 M aqueous solutions.     

Effect of renutrition on natural and cell-mediated immune response in infants with severe malnutrition

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a 4-week nutritional recovery period with a starting infant formula and 3.35 kJ/mL energy density would favorably affect the natural and cell-mediated immune response in infants with severe and primary protein-energy malnutrition. METHODOLOGY: The study included 12 severely malnourished infants, 3 to 18 months of age. For 2 weeks, infants were fed a starting infant formula, with energy density increased to 0.8 kcal/mL, through a nasogastric tube. Infants were fed "ad libitum" for 2 more weeks. On the fifth day, 837 kJ/kg and 4 g/kg protein were given daily. At the beginning and at the end of the 4-week period, weight, length, phagocytosis, microbicidal activity, chemotaxis, and cell proliferation indices were measured. Null hypothesis was rejected with a paired t test and a P value less than 0.05. RESULTS: After the 4-week period of nutritional recovery, the weight and length indicators and the four immunologic assays showed significant increase (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that a 4-week nutritional recovery period with a starting infant formula and 0.8 kcal/mL energy density favorably affected the natural and cell-mediated immune response in infants with severe protein-energy malnutrition.     

Point Mutation of an EYA1-gene Splice Site in a Patient with Oto-facio-cervical Syndrome

Mutations of the EYA1 gene (8q13.3) are the most common known cause of the branchio‐oto‐renal dysplasia (BOR), an autosomal dominant disease that includes developmental defects of branchial arch structures, middle and/or inner ear and kidney. The distinction between BOR and other dysplasias, such as oto‐facio‐cervical syndrome (OFC), is challenged by frequent association of the former to other diverse malformations, and by variable expressivity even within the same family. OFC is characterized by trophic alterations of the facies and shoulder girdle in addition to the malformations seen in BOR. Recent characterization of one OFC patient shed some light on the controversy over whether OFC and BOR are the same disease, and led to the hypothesis that OFC is caused by contiguous deletions of EYA1 and adjacent genes. By contrast, we show here that an OFC patient bears a single‐nucleotide substitution in a splice site of EYA1. Our results indicate that not only major rearrangements, but also point mutations altering the EYA1 reading frame, can be found in patients with OFC syndrome.     

Laryngo-tracheal estenosis in adults. A restrospective study of 21 cases and literature review

We are reporting a retrospective study of 21 adults diagnosed of laryngo-tracheal stenosis and admitted to our Department between 1990 and 2001. In 9 cases (42.85%) it was due to prolonged orotracheal intubation; other 10 were secondary to tracheostomy (47.62%) and the rest, to coniotomy. We have studied and analysed these variables: Age, gender, personal history, level of stenosis, its grade according to Cotton's clasification, treatment and clinical evolution with an average follow-up of 12 months. Our main goal was to get people to know on experience with this pathology and to carry out a literature review in order to compare our data and results with other published series.     

Controversies and criticisms on designs for experimental autoimmune labyrinthitis

Although immune-mediated inner ear disease was reported around 25 years ago, numerous attempts to identify the inner ear antigens have been performed. Experimental animal models have been used to study the immune mechanisms involved in hearing loss and to develop new therapies. Because animal models of autoimmune labyrinthitis have been developed by means of different antigens, we cannot yet show a valid immunopathologic explanation. A critical analysis of the more relevant experimental models employed has been performed in order to validate the methodology. Comparison between these models and animals with spontaneous systemic autoimmune disease has raised more questions concerning the pathophysiology of autoimmune hearing loss. A new pathogenetic theory is suggested, involving the supporting cells of the organ of Corti.     

Second hemithyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma. Our experience

Carcinomas as casual findings can be found in thyroid surgery. After the definitive AP result of malignant pathology, if a partial technique was performed, we can face problem of completing or not to a total thyroidectomy. We are reporting our 12 years experience about reinterventions because a diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma (hemithyroidectomies on previous one) was made after an anatomopathologic (AP) study on a sample from the first surgery for a supossed benign pathology. 18 patients have been studied, all of them were women, 45 year-old average and we have analysed the initial symptoms, results of basical complementary tests, diagnosis AP for first surgery and final result for second one. The incidence of malignancy showed in our series after the second intervention was 40% so we feel that a total thyroidectomy must be performed after a casual finding of thyroid carcinoma, because this allows oncological safety and a better control of the patient.     

Association among hypocalcemia, AP result and surgical technique in hyperparathyroidism. A statistical study

The main goal of this article was to know if there was any relations statistically significant among the post-operative hypocalcemia, type of surgery for hyperparathyroidism in our series and its anatomopathological result (AP). 122 patients affected of such illness (30 men and 92 women) were studied and operated and we obtained 30 hypocalcemias (27 transitory and 3 permanent ones). The subtotal and total parathyroidectomies compared with adenomas removal have showed us a percentage for that complication significantly higher (p<0.001). Besides we have found a clear association between parathyroid hyperplasia and hypocalcemia (p<0.05).