Meat quality in relation to swine well-being after transport and during lairage at the slaughterhouse.

Cortisol and corticosterone in saliva were evaluated as pig stress biomarkers, using pig genotype (Duroc, L62 or Pietrain) and lairage time in the slaughterhouse (0, 2.0, 4.0 or 6.0 h) as controlled variables. Although some pigs were found to be carriers of stress susceptibility, all were healthy heterozygous individuals. Pre-slaughter transport increased cortisol levels in saliva above 3.0 µg/L (medium stress), and 4.0 h of lairage in the slaughterhouse raised them above 6.0 µg/L, whereas corticosterone concentrations exceeded 4 µg/L, which are suggestive of high stress. The highest cortisol levels were detected in the Duroc genotype. Other factors such as food deprivation, background noise, the presence of a large number of animals waiting to be slaughtered, mixing with unfamiliar animals or recent mixing of genders may also influence stress. Corticosterone proved a reliable indicator of high stress only. Meat quality from the pig breeds studied was not affected by lairage in the slaughterhouse for up to 6.0 h.

A Critical Review about Human Exposure to Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins (PCDDs), Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) through Foods.

Dioxins include polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and part of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Only the compounds that are chlorinated at the 2,3,7, and 8 positions have characteristic dioxin toxicity. PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs accumulate in the food chain due to their high lipophilicity, high stability, and low vapor pressure. They are not metabolized easily; however their hydroxylated metabolites are detected in feces. They cause a wide range of endocrine disrupting effects in experimental animals, wildlife, and humans. Endocrine related effects of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs on thyroid hormones, neurodevelopment and reproductive development were referenced. In addition, some studies of contamination of foods, bioaccumulation, dietary exposure assessment, as well as challenges of scientific research in these compounds were reviewed.

Resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico del síndrome del estrecho torácico / Results of surgical treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome

INTRODUCCIÓN: El síndrome del estrecho torácico (SET) se caracteriza por una clínica principalmente neurológica que puede ser invalidante. Afecta a jóvenes, mayoritariamente a mujeres, y su tratamiento quirúrgico es complejo por la anatomía de la zona y por las múltiples variantes clínicas. OBJETIVO: Evaluar los resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico del SET comparando escalenectomía anterior (EA) con resección transaxilar de primera costilla (RTPC). MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Estudio de los pacientes operados de un SET entre 1990 y 2007, comparando EA con RTPC. El diagnóstico se hizo mediante exploración con maniobras de provocación y realización de diversas pruebas complementarias. Se indicó cirugía en pacientes con clínica neurológica invalidante, lesiones arteriales y/o trombosis venosa profunda (TVP) subclavioaxilar, tras tratamiento con fibrinolíticos. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron 22 intervenciones en 19 pacientes: 10 EA y 12 RTPC. Edad media, 34 años. Los resultados fueron similares en ambos grupos: excelentes (70 vs 72,7%), buenos (20 vs 18,2%) y malos (10 vs 9,1%), y como complicaciones inmediatas tuvimos 2 pequeños neumotórax, 2 neuropatías cubitales, un hematoma axilar y una hipoestesia del brazo. Como complicaciones tardías, un edema de mano y una escápula alada. CONCLUSIONES: Debe realizarse cirugía en el SET cuando existe clínica invalidante que no mejora con rehabilitación o si existen complicaciones arteriales o TVP. La resección transaxilar de primera costilla es el tratamiento de elección, quedando la vía supraclavicular para pacientes con complicaciones arteriales, malformaciones óseas o cuando el SET es por compresión limitada al escaleno anterior

INTRODUCTION: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is characterized by neurogenic symptoms involving the upper limbs, which in some cases could be potentially disabling. It occurs in relatively young individuals, mostly women. The surgical approach for these patients may be challenging due to anatomical variations. Objetive: To assess the differences in outcome after anterior scalenectomy (AE) or transaxillary first rib resection (TFRR) in patients with TOS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with TOS, who underwent AE or TFRR between 1990 and 2007, were reviewed. The diagnosis of TOS was established in patients with positive provocative clinical tests and other imaging studies. Patients with disabling neurogenic symptoms, arterial and/or subclavian deep vein thrombosis despite fibrinolysis were included. RESULTS: Twenty two procedures were performed in nineteen patients: 12 AE and 10 TFRR. The mean age was 34 years. The severity of the symptoms was comparable in both groups. Patients reported as clinically excellent (70 vs 72.7%), good (20 vs 18.2%), and poor (10vs 9.1%) outcomes, respectively. Post-operative pneumothorax, as well as ulnar nerve palsy was found in two cases; axillary hematoma and arm hypoesthesia was observed in one case. Late complications, winged scapula and hand oedema, were observed in two patients. CONCLUSION: Surgical procedures must be indicated in patients with TOS and disabling neurovascular symptoms despite physical therapy. We advise performing TFRR as a first-line treatment in these patients, except for those with subclavian artery/vein lesions due to scalene muscle compression

Decontamination solutions for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in raw fish oils from environmentally contaminated sea fishes.

Fish oil has been identified as one of the most important contributors to the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food and feed products. In this study, PCB adsorption from fish oil onto activated carbon (AC), other sustainable adsorbents (mussel shell and wood waste ashes) and organic solvent such as ethanol were compared and optimized. Regarding to adsorbents, PCBs were extracted from fish oil by a 2.0% adsorbent material dose, during 6.0 h at 25 °C. Solvent extraction was carried out using 2 × 5.0 mL ethanol by manually stirring for 3.0 min, and then by Ultrasound-Assisted Solvent Extraction (UASE) for 5.0 min. The results showed that removal rates obtained by using adsorbent materials ranged from 0.0 to 10% for marker PCBs, from 0.0 to 37% for mono-ortho-PCBs, from 0.0 to 74% for PCB11 and from 0.0 to 95% for non-ortho-PCBs. Regarding to solvent extraction, ethanol was used by manually stirring and then by Ultrasound-Assisted Solvent Extraction (UASE). The samples were then centrifuged (2000 rpm/10 min) and the alcoholic phase was removed. With this method, removal efficiencies were much better (85-116%); nevertheless, high eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) removal rates (70-78 and 71-79%, respectively) were detected. We can conclude that adsorption with adsorbents depends on the geometry of PCB congeners, as well as both type of adsorption material and their origin, and that several sorption cycles are needed. Adsorption with ethanol could be the most effective methodology but nutritional quality was impaired, what makes necessary to look for other not so polar removal solvents.

In vivo anti-herpes simplex virus activity of a sulfated derivative of Agaricus brasiliensis mycelial polysaccharide.

Agaricus brasiliensis (syn. A. subrufescens), a basidiomycete fungus native to the Atlantic forest in Brazil, contains cell walls rich in glucomannan polysaccharides. The ß-(1 → 2)-gluco-ß-(1 → 3)-mannan was isolated from A. brasiliensis mycelium, chemically modified by sulfation, and named MI-S. MI-S has multiple mechanisms of action, including inhibition of herpes simplex virus (HSV) attachment, entry, and cell-to-cell spread (F. T. G. S. Cardozo, C. M. Camelini, A. Mascarello, M. J. Rossi, R. J. Nunes, C. R. Barardi, M. M. de Mendonça, and C. M. O. Simões, Antiviral Res. 92:108-114, 2011). The antiherpetic efficacy of MI-S was assessed in murine ocular, cutaneous, and genital infection models of HSV. Groups of 10 mice were infected with HSV-1 (strain KOS) or HSV-2 (strain 333). MI-S was given either topically or by oral gavage under various pre- and posttreatment regimens, and the severity of disease and viral titers in ocular and vaginal samples were determined. No toxicity was observed in the uninfected groups treated with MI-S. The topical and oral treatments with MI-S were not effective in reducing ocular disease. Topical application of MI-S on skin lesions was also not effective, but cutaneously infected mice treated orally with MI-S had significantly reduced disease scores (P < 0.05) after day 9, suggesting that healing was accelerated. Vaginal administration of MI-S 20 min before viral challenge reduced the mean disease scores on days 5 to 9 (P < 0.05), viral titers on day 1 (P < 0.05), and mortality (P < 0.0001) in comparison to the control groups (untreated and vehicle treated). These results show that MI-S may be useful as an oral agent to reduce the severity of HSV cutaneous and mucosal lesions and, more importantly, as a microbicide to block sexual transmission of HSV-2 genital infections.

Impacto del virus de la gripe A (H1N1) 2009 en un servicio de urgencias de un hospital de tercer nivel / Impact of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus pandemic on the emergency department of a tertiary hospital

Introducción: La pandemia por el virus de la gripe A (H1N1) 2009 ha supuesto un gran reto para el sistema sanitario a nivel mundial. Material y métodos: Se analizaron prospectivamente los pacientes con sospecha clínica de gripe A (H1N1) 2009 que cumplían criterios de estudio microbiológico de julio a diciembre de 2009 atendidos en un servicio de urgencias pediátricas. La confirmación microbiológica se realizó mediante reacción de la cadena de polimerasa en transcripción reversa. Se analizaron el número de consultas e ingresos desde urgencias. Se compararon los casos confirmados de gripe A (H1N1) 2009 con los negativos. Resultados: Se atendió a 1.144 pacientes con criterios de estudio microbiológico. Ingresaron 513 (44,8%) pacientes, 12 de ellos (1%) en UCIP y 3 fallecieron (0,3%). En 824 pacientes (72%) se detectaron factores de riesgo para complicaciones. 412 (36%) pacientes fueron positivos para gripe A (H1N1) 2009 y 732 (64%) fueron negativos. Al comparar ambos grupos, los pacientes positivos fueron de mayor edad (edad media: 7,4 vs 4,1 años, p < 0,001), tuvieron más factores de riesgo (OR: 2,21 [1,65-2,96]), menos neumonía (OR: 0,33 [0,23-0,49]) e ingresaron menos (OR: 0,19 [0,14-0,24]). Hubo un incremento del 12% de urgencias y del 5,7% de ingresos respecto al año 2008. Conclusiones: El virus de la gripe A (H1N1) 2009 ha presentado una elevada morbilidad con baja incidencia de casos graves y baja mortalidad incluso en población con factores de riesgo (AU)

Background: The 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus infection pandemic was an important challenge for public health systems worldwide. Material and methods: A prospective study including all patients with an influenza-like illness, with microbiological criteria for 2009 H1N1 virus, from July to December 2009 seen in the paediatric emergency department. Viral testing was performed using multiplex real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We analysed the number of visits to, and hospital admissions from, our emergency department. We compared patients with laboratoryconfirmed2009 H1N1 virus with non-confirmed ones. Results: A total of 1144 patients with microbiological criteria were identified. Of these, 513 (44.8%) were admitted to hospital, 12 of them (1%) to the PICU and 3 (0.3%) died. The majority of the patients (824; 72%) had some underlying medical condition. Of the 1144 patients, 412 (36%) had RT-PCR confirmed 2009 H1N1 infection, and 732 (64%) were not confirmed. The mean age of patients with 2009 H1N1 infection was higher than those not infected (median age: 7.4vs 4.1 years; p < .001). Laboratory-confirmed 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza patients had more underlying high-risk conditions (OR: 2.21 [1.65-2.96]), suffered from pneumonia in less cases (OR: 0.33 [0.23-0.49]) and were admitted to hospital in less cases (OR: 0.19 [0.14-0.24]). In our emergency department, we identified an important increase in the number of visits (12%) and admissions (5.7%) compared to the previous year, 2008. Conclusions: The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza caused significant morbidity but the mortality was not significant. The majority of children with laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 virus had uncomplicated illnesses despite the increased presence of high-risk conditions (AU)

[Impact of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus pandemic on the emergency department of a tertiary hospital]. / Impacto del virus de la gripe A (H1N1) 2009 en un servicio de urgencias de un hospital de tercer nivel.

BACKGROUND: The 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus infection pandemic was an important challenge for public health systems worldwide. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study including all patients with an influenza-like illness, with microbiological criteria for 2009 H1N1 virus, from July to December 2009 seen in the paediatric emergency department. Viral testing was performed using multiplex real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We analysed the number of visits to, and hospital admissions from, our emergency department. We compared patients with laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 virus with non-confirmed ones. RESULTS: A total of 1144 patients with microbiological criteria were identified. Of these, 513 (44.8%) were admitted to hospital, 12 of them (1%) to the PICU and 3 (0.3%) died. The majority of the patients (824; 72%) had some underlying medical condition. Of the 1144 patients, 412 (36%) had RT-PCR confirmed 2009 H1N1 infection, and 732 (64%) were not confirmed. The mean age of patients with 2009 H1N1 infection was higher than those not infected (median age: 7.4 vs 4.1 years; p<.001). Laboratory-confirmed 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza patients had more underlying high-risk conditions (OR: 2.21 [1.65-2.96]), suffered from pneumonia in less cases (OR: 0.33 [0.23-0.49]) and were admitted to hospital in less cases (OR: 0.19 [0.14-0.24]). In our emergency department, we identified an important increase in the number of visits (12%) and admissions (5.7%) compared to the previous year, 2008. CONCLUSIONS: The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza caused significant morbidity but the mortality was not significant. The majority of children with laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 virus had uncomplicated illnesses despite the increased presence of high-risk conditions.

Xeesal: la despigmentación cosmética en África subsahariana / Xeesal: Cosmetics kinwhitening in subsaharan Africa

No disponible

No disponible

Removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from organic solvents by ashes wastes.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be formed during the refinery processes of crude petroleum. Their removal is of great importance. The same happens with other organic solvents used for the extraction of PAHs (hexane, acetonitrile...), which can be polluted with PAHs. Kinetic and equilibrium batch sorption tests were used to investigate the effect of wood ashes wastes as compared to activated carbon on the sorption of three representative PAHs from n-hexane and acetonitrile. Mussel shell ashes were discarded for batch sorption experiments because they were the only ashes containing PAHs. The equilibrium time was reached at 16 h. Physical sorption caused by the aromatic nature of the compounds was the main mechanism that governed the PAHs removal process. Our investigation revealed that wood ashes obtained at lower temperature (300 degrees C) did not show any PAHs sorption, while ashes obtained at higher temperature (>500 degrees C) have adsorbent sites readily available for the PAH molecules. An increase in the molecular weight of PAHs has a strong effect on sorption wood ashes wastes. As low the wood ashes particle size as high the sorption of PAHs, as a result of differences in adsorbent sites. The performance of wood ash wastes vs. activated carbon to remove 10 PAHs from organic solvents is competitive in price, and a good way for waste disposal.

Miofibroblastoma mixoide mamario / No disponible

El miofibroblastoma es un tumor muy poco frecuente,perteneciente a la familia de tumores benignos de células fusiformesdel estroma mamario. El miofibroblastoma mixoiderepresenta una rara variante histológica compuesta predominantementepor estroma mixoide, que puede plantearnosdificultades diagnósticas con otros tipos de lesiones mixoides.Presentamos un caso de un tumor en una mujer joven enque las características clínicas y de imagen sugerían un tumorbenigno y finalmente la histología y la inmunohistoquímicaconfirmaron el diagnóstico de miofibroblastoma mixoide mamario(AU)

Myofibroblastoma is an unusual tumor that belongs to thefamily of benign spindle cell tumor of the mamary stroma. Myxoidmyofibroblastoma is a rare histological variant composedpredominantly of a myxoid stroma, this can pose diagnosticproblems with other types of myxoid lesions.We report a case in a young woman which suggested by clinicaland radiological a benign tumor. Finally the histology andimmunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnostic of myxoidmyofibroblastoma of the breast(AU)

Quaternary herbicides retention by the amendment of acid soils with a bentonite-based waste from wineries.

The agronomic utility of a solid waste, waste bentonite (WB), from wine companies was assessed. In this sense, the natural characteristics of the waste were measured, followed by the monitoring of its effects on the adsorption/desorption behaviour of three quaternary herbicides in acid soils after the addition of increasing levels of waste. This was done with the intention of studying the effect of the added organic matter on their adsorption. The high content in C (294 g kg(-1)), N (28 g kg(-1)), P (584 mg kg(-1)) and K (108 g kg(-1)) of WB turned it into an appropriate amendment to increase soil fertility, solving at the same time its disposal. WB also reduced the potential Cu phytotoxicity due to a change in Cu distribution towards less soluble fractions. The adsorption of the herbicides paraquat, diquat and difenzoquat by acid soils amended with different ratios of WB was measured. In all cases, Langmuir equation was fitted to the data. Paraquat (PQ) and diquat (DQ) were adsorbed and retained more strongly than difenzoquat (DFQ) in the acid soil studied. However, the lowest retention of DFQ in an acid soil can be increased by amendment with organic matter through a solid waste from wineries, and it is enough for duplicate retention a dosage rate of 10t/ha. Anyway, detritivores ecology can still be affected. Detritivores are the organisms that consume organic material, and in doing so contribute to decomposition and the recycling of nutrients. The term can also be applied to certain bottom-feeders in wet environments, which play a crucial role in benthic ecosystems, forming essential food chains and participating in the nitrogen cycle.

Highly precise experimental device for determining the heat capacity of liquids under pressure.

An experimental device for making isobaric heat capacity measurements of liquids under pressure is presented. The device is an adaptation of the Setaram micro-DSC II atmospheric-pressure microcalorimeter, including modifications of vessels and a pressure line allowing the pressure in the measurement system to be set, controlled, and stabilized. The high sensitivity of the apparatus combined with a suitable calibration procedure allows very accurate heat capacity measurements under pressure to be made. The relative uncertainty in the isobaric molar heat capacity measurements provided by the new device is estimated to be 0.08% at atmospheric pressure and 0.2% at higher levels. The device was validated from isobaric molar heat capacity measurements for hexane, nonane, decane, undecane, dodecane, and tridecane, all of which were highly consistent with reported data. It also possesses a high sensitivity as reflected in its response to changes in excess isobaric molar heat capacity with pressure, which were examined in this work for the first time by making heat capacity measurements throughout the composition range of the 1-hexanol+n-hexane system. Finally, preliminary measurements at several pressures near the critical conditions for the nitromethane+2-butanol binary system were made that testify to the usefulness of the proposed device for studying critical phenomena in liquids under pressure.

Viscosity anomaly near the critical point in nitrobenzene + alkane binary systems.

The viscosity near the critical point in nitrobenzene+hexane and nitrobenzene+heptane binary systems was studied by examining the viscosity values for critical mixtures at a variable temperature as obtained with a falling-ball viscometer. The regular part of the viscosity of the critical mixtures was calculated by interpolating measurements made at noncritical concentrations. Because viscosity anomaly studies must be conducted at zero shear, a method allowing the estimation of the effective shear for this type of viscometer was developed with a view to introducing the corrections required. This methodology was used to determine the critical exponent for the viscosity anomaly in nitrobenzene+hexane and nitrobenzene+heptane systems, which were found to be 0.0422+/-0.0004 and 0.0432+/-0.0013 , respectively, very consistent with the accepted value: 0.043.

Assessing relationships between health-related quality of life and adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between health-related quality of life (HRQoL), as assessed using the multidimensional quality of life-HIV (MQOL-HIV) questionnaire, and adherence to antiretroviral treatment in HIV-infected subjects. DESIGN: Multicentre cross-sectional study in three institutional tertiary hospitals in northwest Spain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The MQOL-HIV was completed by 235 HIV-infected adults undergoing antiretroviral treatment. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy was assessed by using patient's self-report. Information about sociodemographic characteristics and clinical variables was also collected. RESULTS: Good adherence (> or = 95% of prescribed pills correctly taken) was reported by 131 patients (55.7%). Univariate analyses indicated that the sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with adherence were age, educational level, income, employment, home stability, transmission route, history of previous antiretroviral therapy, and number of prescribed pills/day. Subscales of MQOL-HIV associated with adherence were mental health, cognitive functioning, financial status, medical care, partner intimacy, and (in men only) sexual functioning. Stepwise logistic regression showed that good adherence was more frequent in patients aged > 40 years (odds ratio, OR: 2.50; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.15-5.61) and in patients with high cognitive functioning (OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.19-4.30). Conversely, poor adherence was more frequent in patients without stable home (OR: 2.96; 95% CI: 1.39-6.32), in patients required to take 14 or more pills/day (OR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.18-4.28), in patients with low financial status (OR: 3.42; 95% CI: 1.57-7.45), and in patients reporting low medical care (OR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.07-3.98). CONCLUSIONS: HRQoL dimensions, notably cognitive functioning, financial status and medical care, are closely associated with antiretroviral therapy adherence.

Association of HCV and HBV markers in Spanish HIV-seropositive patients in relation to risk practices.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: HBV, HCV, and HIV have some transmission routes in common. Viral liver disease is a leading cause of mortality in HIV-infected patients. The study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of HBV and HCV markers in subjects with different risk practices for HIV infection. METHODOLOGY: A total of 699 subjects were studied Of these subjects, 517 were intravenous drug users (373 HIV-positive and 144 HIV-negative), 127 had heterosexual risk practice (66 HIV-positive and 61 HIV-negative), 31 had homosexual risk practice (all HIV-positive), 15 had post-transfusional HIV infection, and nine had HIV infection of unknown source. Patients with anti-HBc antibody were considered HBV-positive, and cases with anti-HCV antibodies were considered HCV-positive. RESULTS: Among patients with HIV infection, most intravenous drug users (79%) had markers of both HBV and HCV, compared with 20%, 11%, and 10% of cases infected by transfusional, heterosexual, and homosexual route, respectively (p < 0.001). Absence of both HBV and HCV markers was observed in most HIV-positive heterosexuals (62%) compared with 40% of post-transfusional cases, 32% of homosexuals and 4% of intravenous drug users (p: NS, p = 0.009, and p < 0.001, respectively). Isolated HBV-positivity was the most frequent pattern in HIV-infected homosexuals (58%), compared with 27% of post-transfusional, 21% of heterosexuals and 11% of intravenous drug users (p: NS, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). HIV-negative intravenous drug users had a lower prevalence of HBV/HCV association than HIV-positive cases (p < 0.001). Isolated HCV-positivity was more frequent in HIV-negative than in HIV-positive intravenous drug users (27% vs. 6%, p < 0.001). In heterosexuals, isolated HBV-positivity was more prevalent in HIV-positive than in HIV-negative cases (21% vs. 7%, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: HBV and HCV seroprevalence in HIV infected patients vary depending on the risk practice. This suggests a variable transmissibility depending on the route considered. Within the same risk practice, differences in HCV and HBV seroprevalence between HIV-positive and HIV-negative cases suggest that some factors associated with HIV infection may influence the rate of infection by HCV and HBV.

[Diet therapy in the treatment of neuropediatric disorders]. / Dietas médicas en el tratamiento de las enfermedades neuropediátricas.

OBJECTIVES: This review focuses on the dietary treatment of four neuropediatric disorders: 1) X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD); 2) attention deficit disorders (ADD); 3) refractory epilepsy; and 4) inborn errors of metabolism. DEVELOPMENT: The use of Lorenzo's oil in the treatment of X-ALD has been controversial since no clear efficacy has been demonstrated because of a lack of controlled studies. Although this treatment normalizes the levels of very-long chain fatty acids in children with the cerebral form of X-ALD, the neurological symptoms persist or progress. The dietary treatment of ADD with or without hyperactivity consists of elimination diets such as the Feingold diet and megavitamins. Although the results of several controlled studies are contradictory, there is no scientific evidence that sugar, artificial food colorings or sweeteners are responsible for behavior or learning problems in children. The ketogenic diet has been effective for the control of refractory epilepsy such as infantile spasms and myoclonic seizures. Important side effects include gastrointestinal complaints, metabolic complications, poor growth and nutrition, liver abnormalities and renal calculi. The early identification and treatment of inborn errors of metabolism require prompt diagnosis and correction of metabolic abnormalities. Restriction of protein and fats may be necessary in certain neurometabolic disorders. A variety of special formulas is available to meet the nutritional requirements and avoid offending substances in neurometabolic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary treatment plays an important role in the management of certain neuropediatric disorders, such as the use of special formulas in inborn errors of metabolism and the ketogenic diet in refractory epilepsy. The efficacy of Lorenzo's oil in the cerebral form of X-ALD and of the elimination of artificial food colorings and sweeteners in ADD remain to be proved.

Dietas médicas en el tratamiento de las enfermedades neuropediátricas / Diet therapy in the treatment of neuropediatric disorders

Objetivos. Enfocamos en esta revisión el tratamiento dietético en cuatro trastornos neuropediátricos: 1) la adrenoleucodistrofia ligada al cromosoma X (X-ALD); 2) los trastornos por déficit de atención (TDA); 3) las epilepsias refractarias, y 4) los errores congénitos del metabolismo (ECM). Desarrollo. El uso del aceite de Lorenzo en el tratamiento de la X-ALD ha sido controvertido, ya que no se han emprendido estudios controlados. Aunque el tratamiento normaliza los niveles de los ácidos grasos de cadena muy larga en los niños con la forma cerebral de la X-ALD, las manifestaciones neurológicas no mejoran o progresan. La dietoterapia en los TDA, con o sin hiperactividad, consiste en la aplicación de dietas eliminatorias, como las dietas de Feingold y las megavitaminas. Los resultados de varios estudios controlados se contradicen; sin embargo, no hay evidencia científica de que los azúcares, colorantes y edulcorantes artificiales, como el aspartame y la sacarina causen problemas del comportamiento o del aprendizaje en los niños estudiados. La dieta cetogénica ha sido eficaz en el control de los espasmos infantiles y de las crisis mioclónicas, aunque también han proporcionado beneficios en las crisis parciales. Existen efectos adversos que incluyen los síntomas gastrointestinales, las complicaciones metabólicas, la falta de crecimiento, la malnutrición, la malfunción hepática y los cálculos renales. La identificación y el manejo temprano de los ECM requieren un diagnóstico precoz y la normalización de los desequilibrios metabólicos. También se aplica una gran variedad de fórmulas especiales para llenar los requisitos nutricionales y reducir o eliminar los factores dañinos en los pacientes con problemas neurometabólicos. Conclusiones. La dietoterapia desempeña un papel importante en el tratamiento de ciertos trastornos neuropediátricos, como sucede en los ECM y en las epilepsias refractarias. Los beneficios de las dietas especiales, como el aceite de Lorenzo en la X-ALD y la eliminación de colorantes y edulcorantes artificiales en los TDA, desdichadamente, no se han comprobado (AU)

Objectives. This review focuses on the dietary treatment of four neuropediatric disorders: 1) X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD); 2) attention-deficit disorders (ADD); 3) refractory epilepsy; and 4) inborn errors of metabolism. Development. The use of Lorenzo’s oil in the treatment of X-ALD has been controversial since no clear efficacy has been demonstrated because of a lack of controlled studies. Although this treatment normalizes the levels of very-long chain fatty acids in children with the cerebral form of X-ALD, the neurological symptoms persist or progress. The dietary treatment of ADD with or without hyperactivity consists of elimination diets such as the Feingold diet and megavitamins. Although the results of several controlled studies are contradictory, there is no scientific evidence that sugar, artificial food colorings or sweeteners are responsible for behavior or learning problems in children. The ketogenic diet has been effective for the control of refractory epilepsy such as infantile spasms and myoclonic seizures. Important side effects include gastrointestinal complaints, metabolic complications, poor growth and nutrition, liver abnormalities and renal calculi. The early identification and treatment of inborn errors of metabolism require prompt diagnosis and correction of metabolic abnormalities. Restriction of protein and fats may be necessary in certain neurometabolic disorders. A variety of special formulas is available to meet the nutritional requirements and avoid offending substances in neurometabolic patients. Conclusions. Dietary treatment plays an important role in the management of certain neuropediatric disorders, such as the use of special formulas in inborn errors of metabolism and the ketogenic diet in refractory epilepsy. The efficacy of Lorenzo’s oil in the cerebral form of X-ALD and of the elimination of artificial food colorings and sweeteners in ADD remain to be proved (AU)

Heat capacity and thermal expansion anomalies in the nitromethane-1-butanol mixture near its upper critical point.

The heat capacity per unit volume C(p) and density rho of the nitromethane-1-butanol critical mixture near its upper consolute point are determined in this work. C(p) data are obtained at atmospheric pressure as a function of temperature in the one-phase and two-phase regions, using a differential scanning calorimeter. The suitability of DSC for recording C(p) as a function of T in the critical region is confirmed by measurements of the nitromethane-cyclohexane mixture, the results being quite consistent with reported data. By fitting the C(p) data in the one-phase region, the critical exponent alpha is found to be 0.110+/-0.014-and hence consistent with the universal accepted value-and the critical amplitude A(+)=0.0606+/-0.0006 J K(-1) cm(-3). Rho data were only obtained in the one-phase region, using a vibrating tube densimeter. The amplitude of the density anomaly was found to be C(+)(1)=-0.017+/-0.003 g cm(-3), which is moderately low in spite of the large difference between the densities of the pure liquids. The thermodynamic consistency of the A+ and C+1 values was examined in relation to the previously reported value for the slope of the critical line dT(c)/dp. The results of this analysis were consistent with previous work on this matter.