Polyamide nanofiltration membranes to remove aniline in aqueous solutions.

Aniline is commonly used in a number of industrial processes. It is known to be a harmful and persistent pollutant and its presence in wastewater requires treatment before disposal. In this paper, the effectiveness of nanofiltration (NF) to remove aniline from aqueous solutions is studied in a flat membrane test module using two thin-layer composite membranes of polyamide (NF97 and NF99HF). The influence of different operational variables (applied pressure, feed concentration and pH) on the removal of aniline from synthetic aqueous solutions was analysed. The experimental NF results are compared with results previously obtained by reverse osmosis. Based on this comparative study, the effective order for aniline rejection is: HR98PP > NF97 > DESAL3B > SEPA-MS05 > NF99HF.

Detection of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in patients with morbid obesity before bariatric surgery: preliminary evaluation with acoustic radiation force impulse imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the utility of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging, with the determination of shear wave velocity (SWV), to differentiate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in patients with morbid obesity before bariatric surgery. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with morbid obesity were evaluated with ARFI and conventional ultrasound before bariatric surgery. The ARFI and ultrasound results were compared with liver biopsy findings, which is the reference standard. The patients were classed according to their histological findings into three groups: group A, simple steatosis; group B, inflammation; and group C, fibrosis. RESULTS: The median SWV was 1.57 ± 0.79 m/s. Hepatic alterations were observed in the histopathological findings for all the patients in the study (100 %), with the results of the laboratory tests proving normal. Differences in SWV were also observed between groups A, B and C: 1.34 ± 0.90 m/s, 1.55 ± 0.79 m/s and 1.86 ± 0.75 m/s (P < 0.001), respectively. The Az for differentiating NAFLD from NASH or fibrosis was 0.899 (optimal cut-off value 1.3 m/s; sensitivity 85 %; specificity 83.3 %). CONCLUSION: The ARFI technique is a useful diagnostic tool for differentiating NAFLD from NASH in asymptomatic patients with morbid obesity. KEY POINTS : • Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging provides ultrasonic shear wave velocity measurements. • SWV measurements were higher in patients with inflammation or fibrosis than NAFLD. • ARFI differentiates NAFLD from NASH in patients with morbid obesity. • Results suggest that ARFI can detect NASH in asymptomatic morbidly obese patients.

[Portal-splenic-mesenteric venous thrombosis secondary to a mutation of the prothrombin gene]. / Trombosis venosa portoesplenomesaraica secundaria a mutación del gen de la protrombina.

Thrombosis of the portal-mesenteric axis is an infrequent cause of intestinal ischemia or infarction. In addition to the multiple acquired factors that contribute to the development of this entity, hereditary risk factors, especially the factor V Leiden mutation and the G20210A mutation of the prothrombin gene, have been implicated. The G20210A mutation of the prothrombin gene is found in up to 40% of patients with splenic-portal-mesenteric thrombosis. The present case illustrates the unusual and nonspecific presentation of this mutation in the form of diarrhea and images of thrombosis of the superior mesenteric-portal vein and cavernous transformation of the portal vein. Delayed diagnosis is highly frequent since the clinical signs, laboratory investigations and radiological tests do not suggest the diagnosis. The patient received anticoagulant treatment and showed clinical improvement with complete portal-mesenteric recanalization. Currently the diagnostic technique of choice is magnetic resonance angiography or computerized tomography angiography and treatment consists of indefinite anticoagulation. This case illustrates that an unusual or atypical localization of venous thrombosis may be a manifestation of thrombophilia, emphasizing the importance of genetic screening in these cases.

Trombosis venosa portoesplenomesaraica secundaria a mutación del gen de la protrombina / Portal-Splenic-Mesenteric venous thrombosis secondary to a mutation of the prothrombin gene

La trombosis del eje portomesaraico es una causa infrecuente de isquemia o infarto intestinal. Además de múltiples factores adquiridos que contribuyen al desarrollo de este cuadro, recientemente se han implicado factores de riesgo hereditario, especialmente la mutación del factor V de Leiden y la mutación G20210A del gen de la protrombina. La mutación G20210A del gen de la protrombina se encuentra hasta en el 40% de los pacientes con trombosis portoesplenomesaraica. El presente caso ilustra la presentación inusual e inespecífica de dicha mutación, en forma de diarreas e imágenes de trombosis de la vena mesentérica superior y porta y cavernomatosis portal. Es muy frecuente el retraso en el diagnóstico ya que los signos clínicos, analíticos y la radiología no apuntan el diagnóstico. El paciente recibió tratamiento anticoagulante y mejoró clínicamente, con una repermeabilización completa portomesaraica. En la actualidad la técnica diagnóstica de elección es la angiorresonancia magnética o la angiotomografía computarizada, y el tratamiento, la anticoagulación de manera indefinida. Nuestro caso ilustra que una localización inusual o atípica de trombosis venosa puede ser la manifestación de una trombofilia, lo que recalca la importancia del cribado genético en estos casos

Thrombosis of the portal-mesenteric axis is an infrequent cause of intestinal ischemia or infarction. In addition to the multiple acquired factors that contribute to the development of this entity, hereditary risk factors, especially the factor V Leiden mutation and the G20210A mutation of the prothrombin gene, have been implicated. The G20210A mutation of the prothrombin gene is found in up to 40% of patients with splenic-portal-mesenteric thrombosis. The present case illustrates the unusual and nonspecific presentation of this mutation in the form of diarrhea and images of thrombosis of the superior mesenteric-portal vein and cavernous transformation of the portal vein. Delayed diagnosis is highly frequent since the clinical signs, laboratory investigations and radiological tests do not suggest the diagnosis. The patient received anticoagulant treatment and showed clinical improvement with complete portal-mesenteric recanalization. Currently the diagnostic technique of choice is magnetic resonance angiography or computerized tomography angiography and treatment consists of indefinite anticoagulation. This case illustrates that an unusual or atypical localization of venous thrombosis may be a manifestation of thrombophilia, emphasizing the importance of genetic screening in these cases

[Hematologic values and iron levels in a rural student population]. / Valores hematológicos y niveles férricos en una población escolar rural.

PURPOSE: To assess the haematological values of a rural population of school children in the province of Cádiz and to estimate the incidence of iron deficiency amongst them. METHODS: The study was performed on 250 children of both sexes aged between 5 and 16 years. Informed consent was obtained from their parents in every case. White cell count, red cell count, haemoglobin, MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW were assessed with a Coulter S Plus Jr automatic cell counter; serum iron was measured with a Ferrochem II analyser; turbidimetric measure of transferrin was performed with turbitimer, and ferritin was measured by microparticle enzymoimmunoassay. The normality criteria for children given by WHO were used as a reference. RESULTS: Of the 250 samples, 245 were evaluable, corresponding to 138 boys (56.3%) and 107 girls (43.7%) and the findings were stratified according to age. The mean values attained in each group were similar to those reported in other Mediterranean countries, and their age distribution was parallel in both sexes until age 11, when haemoglobin and haematocrit increase in boys due to the erythropoietic stimulus exerted by androgens. Iron deficiency was found in 35 children (14.2%); of them, 17 (6.9%) had hypo-ferritinaemia, 13 (5.3%) had hyposideraemia and 5 (2%) had a combination of the two. Iron-lack anaemia was present in 2 cases (0.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The group under study is a sample of the normal school-age population of the area. The detection of iron deficiency in children is important due to the influence of this precursor in the physical and intellectual development.

Immunological features of tuberculosis.

Some aspects of cell-mediated immunity were explored in a population of 51 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis in comparison with 30 apparently healthy volunteers randomly taken from the Mexican general population. Evaluation included DNCB sensitization, PPD skin test, determination of LIF, E and EAC-rosette formation and the ability of lymphocytes to survive in culture through periods of up to 48 hours. The results for the in vivo assays showed significant differences between the compared populations since the frequency of a positive PPD skin test was higher in the patients (p = 0.0000004) but only 60.8% of them responded to DNBC (p = 0.006). It was expected that there would be some impairment in the production of LIF and in the number of E-rosettes, however, this did not occur. Survival of lymphocytes in culture demonstrated an altered population of cells, probably weak even before blood samples were taken, in the tuberculosis group (p = 0.05). Furthermore, cell mortality was very notable in patients with cavitated and infiltrative lesions, after 48 hours culture (p = 0.015 and 0.02 respectively) suggesting the presence of a population of cells unable to function optimally.