Spontaneous pneumoperitoneum in the absence of visceral perforation in a patient with systemic sclerosis: a case report.

We present the case of a 44 year old woman with systemic sclerosis who presented with intense abdominal pain without signs of peritonitis. An abdominal computed tomography showed generalized intestinal dilation, intestinal pneumatosis and an extensive pneumoperitoneum. A diagnostic laparoscopy was performed but no perforation nor gastrointestinal leakage were found. Spontaneous pneumoperitoneum in patients with systemic sclerosis without visceral perforation is an extremely rare complication. Physicians must have a low threshold of suspicion for this entity when a patient with systemic sclerosis presents with spontaneous pneumoperitoneum in the absence of peritoneal signs.

Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 44 años con diagnóstico de esclerosis sistémica, quien presentó dolor abdominal intenso sin datos de irritación peritoneal. Una tomografía computarizada de abdomen mostró dilatación generalizada de asas intestinales, neumatosis intestinal y neumoperitoneo extenso, por lo cual se realizó una laparoscopía diagnóstica, sin encontrar sitio de perforación. El neumoperitoneo espontáneo en pacientes con esclerodermia sin evidencia de perforación visceral es una complicación extremadamente rara. El médico deberá mantener un alto índice de sospecha para esta condición ante un paciente con esclerosis sistémica que se presente con un neumoperitoneo espontáneo sin datos de irritación peritoneal.

Intestinal intussusception as a postoperative complication of gastric bypass.

The gold standard for bariatric surgery is the laparoscopic gastric bypass, which consists in forming a small gastric pouch and a Roux-en-Y anastomosis. We present the case of a 41-year-old female who underwent a laparoscopic gastric bypass 8 years prior to her admission to the emergency room, where she arrived complaining of severe and colicky epigastric abdominal pain. The abdominal computed tomography showed a jejuno-jejunal intussusception, for which the patient underwent urgent exploratory laparotomy with intussusception reduction. Intestinal intussusception is a possible postoperative complication of a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

El Método de referencia en la cirugía bariátrica es el bypass gástrico laparoscópico, que consiste en la creación de una bolsa gástrica pequeña, anastomosada al tracto digestivo mediante una Y de Roux. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 41 años con el antecedente de un bypass gástrico laparoscópico realizado 8 años antes, quien ingresó al servicio de urgencias refiriendo dolor abdominal grave. La tomografía computarizada abdominal evidenció una intususcepción a nivel de la anastomosis yeyuno-yeyuno, por lo que se realizó una laparotomía exploradora con reducción de la intususcepción. Se debe considerar la intususcepción intestinal como complicación posoperatoria de bypass gástrico.

Ruptura esplénica después de terapia anticoagulante en un paciente con antecedente de COVID-19: reporte de caso.

We present the case of a 75-year-old man with a history of COVID-19 and splenic infarct treated with enoxaparin, who presented with intense abdominal pain and tomographic findings of free peri-splenic fluid and a hyperdense image in the spleen. An emergency laparotomy was performed, with findings of a splenic rupture at the vascular hilum. Spontaneous splenic rupture is a rare and fatal entity that should be suspected in a patient with history of COVID-19 who presents with acute abdominal pain after the administration of heparin.

Presentamos el caso de un varón de 75 años con antecedente de COVID-19 e infarto esplénico tratado con enoxaparina, quien inició con dolor abdominal intenso y hallazgos tomográficos de líquido libre periesplénico, así como una imagen hiperdensa en el bazo. Fue sometido a laparotomía de urgencia, encontrando una ruptura esplénica a nivel del hilio vascular. La ruptura esplénica espontánea es una condición rara y potencialmente fatal, por lo que se deberá tener un alto índice de sospecha ante un paciente con antecedente de COVID-19 que inicie con dolor abdominal agudo posterior a la administración de heparina.

Engineering an incubation environment that mimics in situ conditions for in vitro coastal microbiome studies.

Coastal environments are dynamic and can vary widely on short- or long-term scales depending on location and weather. Incubation equipment that reflects these changes through programmable gradient light and temperature cycles would permit more precise in vitro coastal microbiome studies. Here we present an open-source incubation environment that mimics in situ conditions for in vitro coastal microbiome studies using a modified shaking water bath that has fully customizable temperature and light gradients that can also mimic real-time field conditions. We compared coastal microbial community profiles incubated in situ and in our build mimicking field conditions over 48 h. Analyses of congruence indicated significant overlap (p > 0.2) between microbial communities incubated in situ and in vitro at each time point.

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soy isoflavone nutraceutical products by gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry.

Thirteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been determined in soy-based nutraceutical products. First, an optimization of extraction procedure was performed, and a solid-liquid extraction assisted by sonication and a dilute and shoot procedure were compared, selecting the dilute and shoot approach for the extraction of target compounds, utilizing a mixture of acetone/n-hexane (1:1 v/v) as extractant solvent. After this, a clean-up step was needed bearing in mind the complexity of these matrices. Dispersive solid-phase extraction, using a mixture of C18 and Zr-Sep+ (25 mg/mL each) was used. The separation was achieved by gas chromatography and detection with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry. For quantification purposes, matrix-matched calibration was used. The validation was applied at three concentration levels (20, 100 and 250 µg/kg), obtaining recoveries between 70 and 120% and precision values equal to or lower than 23%. Limits of detection and quantification were below 8 and 20 µg/kg, respectively. The method was applied in 11 samples, detecting five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at concentrations ranging from 4.1 to 18.5 µg/kg.

Multi-class methodology to determine pesticides and mycotoxins in green tea and royal jelly supplements by liquid chromatography coupled to Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry.

A multi-class methodology was developed to determine pesticides and mycotoxins in food supplements. The extraction was performed using acetonitrile acidified with formic acid (1%, v/v). Different clean-up sorbents were tested, and the best results were obtained using C18 and zirconium oxide for green tea and royal jelly, respectively. The compounds were determined using ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to Exactive-Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The recovery rates obtained were between 70% and 120% for most of the compounds studied with a relative standard deviation <25%, at three different concentration levels. The calculated limits of quantification (LOQ) were <10 µg/kg. The method was applied to green tea (10) and royal jelly (8) samples. Nine (eight of green tea and one of royal jelly) samples were found to be positive for pesticides at concentrations ranging from 10.6 (cinosulfuron) to 47.9 µg/kg (paclobutrazol). The aflatoxin B1 (5.4 µg/kg) was also found in one of the green tea samples.

Preparation and Characterization of Azadirachtin Alginate-Biosorbent Based Formulations: Water Release Kinetics and Photodegradation Study.

The botanical insecticide azadirachtin was incorporated in alginate-based granules to obtain controlled release formulations (CRFs). The basic formulation [sodium alginate (1.47%) - azadirachtin (0.28%) - water] was modified by the addition of biosorbents, obtaining homogeneous hybrid hydrogels with high azadirachtin entrapment efficiency. The effect on azadirachtin release rate caused by the incorporation of biosorbents such as lignin, humic acid, and olive pomace in alginate formulation was studied by immersion of the granules in water under static conditions. The addition of the biosorbents to the basic alginate formulation reduces the rate of release because the lignin-based formulation produces a slower release. Photodegradation experiments showed the potential of the prepared formulations in protecting azadirachtin against simulated sunlight, thus improving its stability. The results showed that formulation prepared with lignin provided extended protection. Therefore, this study provides a new procedure to encapsulate the botanical insecticide azadirachtin, improving its delivery and photostability.

Occurrence of pesticide residues and transformation products in different types of dietary supplements.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of pesticide residues and transformation products in dietary supplement products. Thirty-two samples were analysed to determine 177 pesticides by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and 333 pesticides by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Pesticides were extracted from different kinds of dietary supplements by the use of a modified QuEChERS extraction method. Six samples contained pesticide residues at concentration up to 92.7 µg kg(-1), but only butralin exceeded the maximum residue limits set for raw material. In addition to target compounds, LC-HRMS enables the simultaneous detection of non-target pesticides. In this case, transformation products of pesticides were detected in the analysed samples using HRMS analyser (Exactive-Orbitrap). These compounds were not included in the original method, and they were monitored as post-target compounds, knowing their molecular formula and exact mass. Mass accuracy was always < 2 ppm, corresponding to a maximum mass error. The positive findings endorse the idea that a deeper and continuous investigation of pesticide residues and transformation products in dietary supplement products is necessary in order to guaranty consumer's safety.

Application of QuEChERS based method for the determination of pesticides in nutraceutical products (Camellia sinensis) by liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry.

A QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) based method has been evaluated and validated for the determination and quantification of approximately 100 LC-amenable pesticides in nutraceutical products obtained from green tea (Camellia sinensis). Extraction was performed with acidified acetonitrile (acetic acid 1% (v/v)), and additional clean-up steps were not necessary. Pesticides determination was achieved using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS). Total running time was 11 min. Pesticides were quantified using matrix-matched calibration. Recoveries ranged from 70% to 117% and relative standard deviation (RSD) was lower than 20% at concentration levels of 25, 50 and 100 µg/kg for intra-day precision and equal or lower than 25% for inter-day precision. Limits of quantification (LOQ) were equal or lower than 25 µg/kg. The validated method was applied to commercial nutraceutical products, detecting acetamiprid (56 µg/kg) and carbendazim (13 µg/kg) in two samples.

Multifamily determination of pesticide residues in soya-based nutraceutical products by GC/MS-MS.

An analytical method based on a modified QuEChERS extraction coupled with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was evaluated for the determination of 177 pesticides in soya-based nutraceutical products. The QuEChERS method was optimised and different extraction solvents and clean-up approaches were tested, obtaining the most efficient conditions with a mixture of sorbents (PSA, C18, GBC and Zr-Sep(+)). Recoveries were evaluated at 10, 50 and 100 µg/kg and ranged between 70% and 120%. Precision was expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD), and it was evaluated for more than 160 pesticides as intra and inter-day precision, with values always below 20% and 25%, respectively. Limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.1 to 10 µg/kg, whereas limits of quantification (LOQs) from 0.5 to 20 µg/kg. The applicability of the method was proved by analysing soya-based nutraceuticals. Two pesticides were found in these samples, malathion and pyriproxyfen, at 11.1 and 1.5 µg/kg respectively.

Nanoscale infrared spectroscopy as a non-destructive probe of extraterrestrial samples.

Advances in the spatial resolution of modern analytical techniques have tremendously augmented the scientific insight gained from the analysis of natural samples. Yet, while techniques for the elemental and structural characterization of samples have achieved sub-nanometre spatial resolution, infrared spectral mapping of geochemical samples at vibrational 'fingerprint' wavelengths has remained restricted to spatial scales >10 µm. Nevertheless, infrared spectroscopy remains an invaluable contactless probe of chemical structure, details of which offer clues to the formation history of minerals. Here we report on the successful implementation of infrared near-field imaging, spectroscopy and analysis techniques capable of sub-micron scale mineral identification within natural samples, including a chondrule from the Murchison meteorite and a cometary dust grain (Iris) from NASA's Stardust mission. Complementary to scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy probes, this work evidences a similarity between chondritic and cometary materials, and inaugurates a new era of infrared nano-spectroscopy applied to small and invaluable extraterrestrial samples.

Multiresidue method for the fast determination of pesticides in nutraceutical products (Camellia sinensis) by GC coupled to triple quadrupole MS.

A method based on QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) has been developed and validated for the determination and quantification of more than 140 pesticides in nutraceutical products obtained from green tea (Camellia sinensis). Extraction was performed with acidified acetonitrile (acetic acid 1%, v/v) and a clean-up step using primary secondary amine (50 mg), graphitized black carbon (100 mg) and magnesium sulfate (200 mg) was needed. Pesticide determination was achieved utilizing GC coupled to triple quadrupole MS/MS using the selective-reaction monitoring mode. The total run time was 23 min. Pesticides were quantified using matrix-matched calibration. Recoveries ranged from 70 to 120% and relative SD was lower than 25% at 10, 50, and 100 µg/kg. LOQs were lower than 10 µg/kg. 148 pesticides were validated. The validated method was applied to commercial nutraceutical products, detecting 4,4-dichlorobenzophenone (28 µg/kg), o,p'-dicofol (38 µg/kg) and p,p-dicofol (44 µg/kg) in a few samples.

Ultrafast and nanoscale plasmonic phenomena in exfoliated graphene revealed by infrared pump-probe nanoscopy.

Pump-probe spectroscopy is central for exploring ultrafast dynamics of fundamental excitations, collective modes, and energy transfer processes. Typically carried out using conventional diffraction-limited optics, pump-probe experiments inherently average over local chemical, compositional, and electronic inhomogeneities. Here, we circumvent this deficiency and introduce pump-probe infrared spectroscopy with ∼ 20 nm spatial resolution, far below the diffraction limit, which is accomplished using a scattering scanning near-field optical microscope (s-SNOM). This technique allows us to investigate exfoliated graphene single-layers on SiO2 at technologically significant mid-infrared (MIR) frequencies where the local optical conductivity becomes experimentally accessible through the excitation of surface plasmons via the s-SNOM tip. Optical pumping at near-infrared (NIR) frequencies prompts distinct changes in the plasmonic behavior on 200 fs time scales. The origin of the pump-induced, enhanced plasmonic response is identified as an increase in the effective electron temperature up to several thousand Kelvin, as deduced directly from the Drude weight associated with the plasmonic resonances.

Analytical approaches for the determination of pesticide residues in nutraceutical products and related matrices by chromatographic techniques coupled to mass spectrometry.

A review of sample preparation and analytical techniques currently used to analyze pesticides in nutraceutical products is shown. Different sample treatments are commented, and the QuEChERS method is the most used (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe). For the chromatographic determination, gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC) are evaluated. Different detection modes are discussed, and simple quadrupole mass spectrometry (Q-MS) and triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (QqQ-MS/MS) are the most used. Finally, a review of the occurrence of pesticides (from the revised literature) in real samples is presented, evaluating several matrices, such as nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, medicinal plants, and fish oil. The occurrence of several pesticides was reported: γ-HCH (lindane), endosulfan, procymidone, azoxystrobin, p,p'-DDE, metalaxyl, quintozene, tolclofos-methyl, chlorpyrifos and hexachlorobenzene.

Simultaneous measurement of δ2H, δ17O, and δ18O in H2O using a commercial cavity ringdown spectrometer.

We demonstrate that a commercial instrument that provides measurements of (18)O/(16)O and D/H ratios in water samples can be modified to also provide measurements of (17)O/(16)O. This additional capability and associated precision allows for the discernment between conventional mass-dependent processes, such as isotope exchange and evaporation and mass-independent processes that arise from non-equilibrium chemical and photochemical processes. We demonstrate this resolution by performing a series of experiments including evaporation and reservoir-mixing with (17)O enriched water samples followed by evaporation. The ability to simultaneously measure (16)O, (17)O, and (18)O abundances in water samples using the procedures described here should help to facilitate multi-isotopic studies of water (and other compounds) in astrochemical, geochemical, and biological studies.

The physical chemistry of mass-independent isotope effects and their observation in nature.

Historically, the physical chemistry of isotope effects and precise measurements in samples from nature have provided information on processes that could not have been obtained otherwise. With the discovery of a mass-independent isotopic fractionation during the formation of ozone, a new physical chemical basis for isotope effects required development. Combined theoretical and experimental developments have broadened this understanding and extended the range of chemical systems where these unique effects occur. Simultaneously, the application of mass-independent isotopic measurements to an extensive range of both terrestrial and extraterrestrial systems has furthered the understanding of events such as solar system origin and evolution and planetary atmospheric chemistry, present and past.

Aplicación de la linfadenectomía estándar en el adenocarcinoma gástrico / Application of the standard lymphadenectomy in gastric adenocarinoma

Objetivo: informar los resultados de la aplicación de la linfadenectomía estándar en el adenocarcinoma gástrico en el Hospital Clinicoquirúrgico Universitario Celia Sánchez Manduley, de Manzanillo, Granma. Métodos: se analizó la supervivencia postoperatoria para 5 años de 132 pacientes operados por adenocarcinoma gástrico, a los cuales se les realizó linfadenectomía de los 2 primeros niveles ganglionares. Se determinaron los resultados de parámetros epidemiológicos y se definió la supervivencia por el método de Kaplan-Mier. Resultados: las infecciones respiratorias, la anemia y la sepsis de la herida fueron las complicaciones más frecuentes, pero la oclusión intestinal mecánica tuvo significación con la mortalidad. La supervivencia fue superior a todos los reportes obtenidos en Cuba y mejor que algunos internacionales. Conclusiones: el empleo de la linfadenectomía estándar en el adenocarcinoma gástrico constituye un elemento esencial para establecer y mejorar el pronóstico en estos pacientes(AU)

Objective: to report the results of the application of the standard lymphadenectomy in cases of gastric adenocarcinoma admitted in the Celia Sánchez Manduley Clinical Surgical University Hospital of Manzanillo, Granma province. Methods: the 5-years postoperative survival of 132 patients operated on due to gastric adenocarcinoma that underwent lymphadenectomy of the two first ganglionic levels. The results of the epidemiological parameters were determined and the survival by Kaplan-Meier method was defined. Results: the respiratory infections, anemia and wound sepsis were the more frequent complications, but the mechanical intestinal occlusion had a significance related to mortality. Survival was higher to all reports obtained in Cuba and better than some internationals. Conclusions: the use of standard lymphadenectomy in cases of gastric adenocarcinoma is an essential element to establish and to improve the prognosis in these patients(AU)

Aplicación de la linfadenectomía estándar en el adenocarcinoma gástrico / Application of the standard lymphadenectomy in gastric adenocarinoma

Objetivo: informar los resultados de la aplicación de la linfadenectomía estándar en el adenocarcinoma gástrico en el Hospital Clinicoquirúrgico Universitario Celia Sánchez Manduley, de Manzanillo, Granma. Métodos: se analizó la supervivencia postoperatoria para 5 años de 132 pacientes operados por adenocarcinoma gástrico, a los cuales se les realizó linfadenectomía de los 2 primeros niveles ganglionares. Se determinaron los resultados de parámetros epidemiológicos y se definió la supervivencia por el método de Kaplan-Mier. Resultados: las infecciones respiratorias, la anemia y la sepsis de la herida fueron las complicaciones más frecuentes, pero la oclusión intestinal mecánica tuvo significación con la mortalidad. La supervivencia fue superior a todos los reportes obtenidos en Cuba y mejor que algunos internacionales. Conclusiones: el empleo de la linfadenectomía estándar en el adenocarcinoma gástrico constituye un elemento esencial para establecer y mejorar el pronóstico en estos pacientes(AU)

Objective: to report the results of the application of the standard lymphadenectomy in cases of gastric adenocarcinoma admitted in the Celia Sánchez Manduley Clinical Surgical University Hospital of Manzanillo, Granma province. Methods: the 5-years postoperative survival of 132 patients operated on due to gastric adenocarcinoma that underwent lymphadenectomy of the two first ganglionic levels. The results of the epidemiological parameters were determined and the survival by Kaplan-Meier method was defined. Results: the respiratory infections, anemia and wound sepsis were the more frequent complications, but the mechanical intestinal occlusion had a significance related to mortality. Survival was higher to all reports obtained in Cuba and better than some internationals. Conclusions: the use of standard lymphadenectomy in cases of gastric adenocarcinoma is an essential element to establish and to improve the prognosis in these patients(AU)

Infrared nanoscopy of dirac plasmons at the graphene-SiO2 interface.

We report on infrared (IR) nanoscopy of 2D plasmon excitations of Dirac fermions in graphene. This is achieved by confining mid-IR radiation at the apex of a nanoscale tip: an approach yielding 2 orders of magnitude increase in the value of in-plane component of incident wavevector q compared to free space propagation. At these high wavevectors, the Dirac plasmon is found to dramatically enhance the near-field interaction with mid-IR surface phonons of SiO(2) substrate. Our data augmented by detailed modeling establish graphene as a new medium supporting plasmonic effects that can be controlled by gate voltage.

Evidence of neutron leakage at the Fukushima nuclear plant from measurements of radioactive 35S in California.

A recent earthquake and the subsequent tsunami have extensively damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant, releasing harmful radiation into the environment. Despite the obvious implication for human health and the surrounding ecology, there are no quantitative estimates of the neutron flux leakage during the weeks following the earthquake. Here, using measurements of radioactive (35)S contained in sulfate aerosols and SO(2) gas at a coastal site in La Jolla, California, we show that nearly 4 × 10(11) neutrons per m(2) leaked at the Fukushima nuclear power plant before March 20, 2011. A significantly higher (35)SO(2-)(4) activity as measured on March 28 is in accord with neutrons escaping the reactor core and being absorbed by the coolant seawater (35)Cl to produce (35)S by a (n, p) reaction. Once produced, (35)S oxidizes to (35)SO(2) and (35)SO(2-)(4) and was then transported to Southern California due to the presence of strong prevailing westerly winds at this time. Based on a moving box model, we show that the observed activity enhancement in (35)SO(2-)(4) is compatible with long-range transport of the radiation plume from Fukushima. Our model predicts that (35)SO(2-)(4), the concentration in the marine boundary layer at Fukushima, was approximately 2 × 10(5) atoms per m(3), which is approximately 365 times above expected natural concentrations. These measurements and model calculations imply that approximately 0.7% of the total radioactive sulfate present at the marine boundary layer at Fukushima reached Southern California as a result of the trans-Pacific transport.