Encephalopathy and encephalitis during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Spanish Society of Neurology COVID-19 Registry. / Encefalopatías y encefalitis durante la infección aguda por SARS-CoV2. Registro de la Sociedad Española de Neurología SEN COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Spanish Society of Neurology has run a registry of patients with neurological involvement for the purpose of informing clinical neurologists. Encephalopathy and encephalitis were among the most frequently reported complications. In this study, we analyse the characteristics of these complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive, observational, multicentre study of patients with symptoms compatible with encephalitis or encephalopathy, entered in the Spanish Society of Neurology's COVID-19 Registry from 17 March to 6 June 2020. RESULTS: A total of 232 patients with neurological symptoms were registered, including 51 cases of encephalopathy or encephalitis (21.9%). None of these patients were healthcare professionals. The most frequent syndromes were mild or moderate confusion (33%) and severe encephalopathy or coma (9.8%). The mean time between onset of infection and onset of neurological symptoms was 8.02 days. Lumbar puncture was performed in 60.8% of patients, with positive PCR results for SARS-CoV-2 in only one case. Brain MRI studies were performed in 47% of patients, with alterations detected in 7.8% of these. EEG studies were performed in 41.3% of cases, detecting alterations in 61.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Encephalopathy and encephalitis are among the complications most frequently reported in the registry. More than one-third of patients presented mild or moderate confusional syndrome. The mean time from onset of infection to onset of neurological symptoms was 8 days (up to 24hours earlier in women than in men). EEG was the most sensitive test in these patients, with very few cases presenting alterations in neuroimaging studies. All patients treated with boluses of corticosteroids or immunoglobulins progressed favourably.

Descriptive sensory and instrumental texture profile analysis of woody breast in marinated chicken.

The broiler industry is currently experiencing a muscle anomaly referred to as "woody breast," and the effect of different cooking methods on the marination properties of severe woody breast (SWB) has not yet been reported. This study compared the texture attributes of marinated (injected) normal (NOR) and SWB using a convection oven and a flat-top grill. The objectives were 1) to develop and validate a descriptive texture attribute panel with 6 trained panelists using a 16-point scale and 2) to evaluate the instrumental texture profile analysis (TPA) using a texture analyzer. Sixty-four NOR and SWB were obtained from a commercial facility. Fillet color (L*, a*, b*) and pH were measured before marination. In each of 2 trials, the breast muscles were injected in bulk with 15% brine (0.48 STPP, 0.55% NaCl, final concentration), and marinade retention was determined after 20 minutes. The meat was vacuum packaged, stored at -20°C (7 d sensory; 29 d TPA) and then thawed (4°C, 24 h). Fillets were cooked to 73°C on a flat-top grill (176°C) or in an oven (176°C), and cook loss % was determined. Panelist samples (2 × 2 cm) and TPA samples (4 × 2 cm) were cut into 3 pieces. Color and pH were higher for SWB than NOR fillets (P < 0.05). Marinade retention was 83.21% for NOR meat and 59.23% for SWB meat. The flat-top grill method resulted in higher cook loss than oven (P < 0.05). SWB had higher cook loss when compared to NOR (P < 0.05). Sensory texture descriptors springiness, hardness, denseness, cohesiveness, fracturability, fibrousness, crunchiness, and chewiness were higher for SWB than NOR fillets (P < 0.05). TPA attributes also showed higher values for SWB compared to NOR (P < 0.05). No differences in texture were found between the grill and oven for sensory and TPA attributes. In summary, marinated SWB has significant texture differences when compared to NOR, regardless of cooking method.

Modulation of the electron transfer processes in Au-ZnO nanostructures.

Plasmonic nanostructures comprising Au and ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by the spontaneous reduction of HAuCl4 in ethylene glycol were used to assess the possibility of modulating the direction of the electron transfer processes at the interface. One electron UV reduction and visible oxidation of the reversible couple TEMPOL/TEMPOL-H was confirmed by EPR spectroscopy. The apparent quantum yield for TEMPOL-H conversion under continuous wave visible excitation depends on the irradiation wavelength, being 0.57% and 0.27% at 450 ± 12 and 530 ± 12 nm, respectively. These results indicate that both the surface plasmon resonance and the interband transition from the 5d to the 6s level of Au nanoparticles contribute to the visible activity of the nanostructure. In addition, by detecting free electron conduction band electrons in ZnO, after the visible excitation of Au/ZnO nanostructures, we provide direct evidence of the photoexcited electron transfer from gold nanoparticles to ZnO.

Keriorrhea; a propósito de dos casos / Keriorrhea; two cases report

Se conoce como keriorrhea (orange oily anal leakage) la emisión rectal de una sustancia grasa anaranjada tras el consumo de ciertos peces con alto contenido en grasas. Se presenta el caso de dos niños que manifestaron este cuadro tras consumir un pescado llamado "pez mantequilla". Se trata de una entidad autolimitada y benigna. Es importante su conocimiento para evitar exploraciones complementarias innecesarias y para su notificación y correspondiente investigación epidemiológica (AU)

Known as keriorrhea (orange oily anal leakage), the rectal excretion of a greasy substance after consumption of certain fish with high fat content. The case of two kids that developed these symptoms after intake of butterfish is presented. This entity is self-limited and benign. It is important to have some knowledge about these cases to avoid unnecessary examination, and for its notification and epidemiological investigation (AU)

[Bilateral facial palsy due to Epstein-Barr virus Infection]. / Parálisis facial bilateral secundaria a infección por virus de Epstein-Barr.

Two young patients with bilateral facial palsy are described. They initially presented unilateral facial palsy, followed by contralateral facial nerve involvement a few days later, together with clinical and serologic evidence of acute Epstein-Barr virus infection. The outcome was favourable in one patient but severe sequels persisted in the second. These two cases show that this infrequent complication of Epstein-Barr virus infection may not always have a good outcome. The pathogenic mechanism of bilateral facial palsy is discussed.

[Cocaine-induced brain stem stroke associated to craneal midline destructive lesions]. / Ictus de tronco asociado a lesiones destructivas de línea media craneal inducidas por cocaína.

INTRODUCTION: Abuse of cocaine and other sympathomimetic drugs has been reported as a significant risk factor for stroke. The physiopathologic mechanisms implicated are multifactorial. Chronic cocaine use leads to extensive destruction of osteocartilaginous structures of nose, sinuses and palate. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 56 years-old woman with hypertension and smoke abuse who was admitted with a pontine paramedian infarction. Cranial resonance findings of midline destructive lesions lead to the suspicion of chronic cocaine consumption. The initial outcome was good but she was re-admitted nine months later with an extent pontomesencephalic infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Abuse of cocaine is a risk factor for stroke that should be considered not only in young patients. The pathogenic relationship between stroke and midline cocaine related destructive lesions is discussed.

Ictus de tronco asociado a lesiones destructivas de línea media craneal inducidas por cocaína / Cocaine-induced brain stem stroke associated to craneal midline destructive lesions

Introducción. La asociación entre enfermedad cerebrovascular y consumo de cocaína y otras drogas simpaticomiméticas ha sido ampliamente reflejada en la literatura y son múltiples los mecanismos fisiopatológicos que pueden explicar esta asociación. Por otro lado, el consumo crónico de cocaína produce lesiones destructivas de estructuras osteocartilaginosas de nariz, senos nasales y paladar. Caso clínico. Se describe el caso de una paciente de 56 años, hipertensa y fumadora que ingresa por un infarto pontino paramediano y en la que fue el hallazgo en neuroimagen de lesiones destructivas de línea media craneal lo que hizo sospechar el consumo crónico de cocaína. Tras una evolución inicial satisfactoria, sufrió una recurrencia a los 9 meses en forma de extenso infarto pontomesencefálico. Conclusiones. El consumo de cocaína debe tenerse en cuenta como factor de riesgo de enfermedad cerebrovascular, no sólo entre la población joven. Discutimos la relación fisiopatológica entre las lesiones destructivas de línea media craneal y los infartos de tronco recurrentes

Introduction. Abuse of cocaine and other sympathomimetic drugs has been reported as a significant risk factor for stroke. The physiopathologic mechanisms implicated are multifactorial. Chronic cocaine use leads to extensive destruction of osteocartilaginous structures of nose, sinuses and palate. Case report. We report the case of a 56 years-old woman with hypertension and smoke abuse who was admitted with a pontine paramedian infarction. Cranial resonance findings of midline destructive lesions lead to the suspicion of chronic cocaine consumption. The initial outcome was good but she was re-admitted nine months later with an extent pontomesencephalic infarction. Conclusions. Abuse of cocaine is a risk factor for stroke that should be considered not only in young patients. The pathogenic relationship between stroke and midline cocaine related destructive lesions is discussed

Sunflower hulls degradation by co-composting with different nitrogen sources.

The decomposition of sunflower hull and its mixtures was examined under mesophilic (M) and thermophilic (T) temperatures during 100 days. Thermophilic conditions were used to define the composting process. Vetch, alfalfa and ammonium nitrate were used as nitrogen co-substrates, in 6 treatments: sunflower hulls alone (C), sunflower hulls plus ammonium nitrate (CN), sunflower hulls plus alfalfa (CA), sunflower hulls plus alfalfa and ammonium nitrate (CAV), sunflower hulls plus vetch (CV), sunflower hulls plus vetch and ammonium nitrate (CVN). Total organic carbon (TOC), oxidizable carbon (OC), dry matter, ashes content, total nitrogen (N), cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pH, electrical conductivity and C to N ratio were measured to asses the efficiency of the composting process and to determine the best amendment. Results show that sunflower hulls (Sh) treatment with the organic amendments had a better response than the inorganic ones. This was concluded from the variation in the fiberfractions, the decrease in dry matter and the major decrease in C to N ratio.

Unusual clinical presentation in two cases of multiple sulfatase deficiency.

Multiple sulfatase deficiency (MSD) is an inborn error of metabolism that combines the clinical features of late infantile metachromatic leukodystrophy and mucopolysaccharidosis. The characteristic biochemical abnormality is a reduction in the activities of several sulfatases, with consequent tissue accumulation of sulfatides, sulfated glycosaminoglycans, sphingolipids, and steroid sulfates. In this study we present two unusual cases of MSD with variable enzymatic deficiency of arylsulfatases A, B, and C. Both patients had ichthyosis, broad thumbs and index fingers, an unusually slow progression of the neurologic symptoms, and lacked the hepatosplenomegaly that is typical of MSD. Olivopontocerebellar atrophy was present and one patient had a large retrocerebellar cyst. Mucopolysaccharides were not detected in the urine from either subject. Leukocyte arylsulfatase A activity in patient 1 was 0.46 nmol/mg protein/hr and in patient 2 was 0.0 nmol/mg protein/hr (normal 0.7-5.0 nmol/mg protein/hr). Leukocyte arylsulfatase B activity in patient 1 was 24 nmol/mg protein/hr and in patient 2 was 22 nmol/mg protein/hr (normal 115-226 nmol/mg protein/hr). Leukocyte arylsulfatase C in patient 1 was 0.30 pmol/mg protein/hr and in patient 2 was 0.28 pmol/mg protein/hr (normal 0.84 pmol/mg protein/hr). In conclusion, these two patients with MSD had mild clinical presentations not previously reported and variable enzymatic deficiency of arylsulfatases A, B, and C.

[Study of 3 hypervariable loci in a mixed Chilean population]. / Estudio de tres loci hipervariables en población mixta chilena.

BACKGROUND: Genetic markers are useful to study evolution parameters in populations and to determine kinship. AIM: To characterize three short tandem repeat loci in a sample of Chilean subjects and compare them with Caucasian and Hispanic populations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three hundred ninety three unrelated subjects that were sent for genetic studies from courts of justice, were studied. The loci FESFPS, F13A01 and vWA in blood samples, were typified amplifying DNA by polymerase chain reactions. RESULTS: The three studied loci were highly polymorphic. F13A01 and FESFPS were in Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium. A significant excess of heterozygotes was detected for vWA locus. There were no differences in allele frequencies, according to ethnic origins of last names. Allele frequencies for F13A01 and vWA loci were similar to those of Hispanic populations of Unites States and FESFPS loci was different. CONCLUSIONS: All three loci had a high efficiency for genetic identification tests according to the estimated a priory exclusion probability.

[Chronic hepatitis caused by B virus and glomerulonephritis in children]. / Hepatitis crónica por virus B y glomerulonefritis en niños.

Eight children with chronic HBV hepatitis and glomerular disease were studied. There were seven males and one female, with ages between one and nine years old. Three had CPH and five CAH. All patients with CPH had membranous nephropathy, and those with CAH three had MNG. one membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and one mesangial glomerulonephritis. Only six patients had moderate liver enlargement. In all, the diagnosis of HBV infection was performed by investigation of the etiology of their nephropathy. Liver function test showed signs of moderate necrobiosis with impaired biliary acid metabolism. All were HBsAg (+), antiHBc (+), six were antiHBe (+) and two were HBeAg (+). In one case renal deposit of HBsAg was found. Due to the frequent association of HBsAg and glomerulonephritis (GN) in children, an investigation of liver function is highly recommended in those patients with GN a HBV infection.

Rehidratacion del lactante hospitalizado por diarrea aguda con solucion oral OMS. / Rehydration of neonates hospitalized by acute diarrhea with World Health Organization oral solution

Se estudiaron 74 menores de dos anos hospitalizados por sindrome diarreico agudo con deshidratacion, sometiendolos a reparacion del trastorno hidroelectrolitico con una solucion hidratante oral que corresponde a la mezcla original propuesta por la Organizacion Mundial de la Salud diluida en agua en proporcion dos es a uno. El seguimiento, que comprendio control clinico y humoral, en terminos de electrolitos plasmaticos y equilibrio acido base se efectuo al ingreso, a la manana siguiente y en dos periodos mas de 24 horas cada uno. La edad promedio al ingreso fue 5.6 meses y el 76% tenia estado nutricional normal o desnutricion leve. El 97% mostraba una deshidratacion leve o moderada. Desde un punto de vista clinico los resultados fueron excelentes y desde el punto de vista humoral se observo la conveniencia de una administracion mayor de sodio a traves de un aporte de volumen mas elevado y por tanto de una rehidratacion mas rapida. Se concluye asimismo la necesidad de elevar la concentracion de potasio en la solucion