Analysis of a Fast Control Allocation approach for nonlinear over-actuated systems.

Autonomous Robots with multiple directional thrusters are normally over-actuated systems that require nonlinear control allocation methods to map the forces that drive the robot's dynamics and act as virtual control variables to the actuators. This process demands computational efforts that, sometimes, are not available in small robotic platforms. The present paper introduces a new control allocation approach with fast convergence, high accuracy, and dealing with complex nonlinear problems, especially in embedded systems. The adopted approach divides the desired nonlinear system into coupled linear problems. For that purpose, the Real Actions (RAs) and Virtual Control Variables (VCVs) are broke in two or more sets each. While the RA subsets are designed to linearize the system according to different input subspaces, the VCV is designed to be partially coupled to overlap the output subspaces. This approach generates smaller linear systems with fast and robust convergence used sequentially to solve nonlinear allocation problems. This methodology is assessed in mathematical tutorial cases and over-actuated UAV simulations.

[Delayed recurrence of a phaechromocytoma with metastasis as a cause of severe hypertension in a woman with a surgically intervened retroperitoneal tumour]. / Recidiva tardía de feocromocitoma con metástasis como causa de hipertensión arterial severa en mujer intervenida quirúrgicamente de tumor retroperitoneal.

We present the case of a woman with a previous history of hypertension and retroperitoneal tumour. The histology was reported as a paraganglioma. There was no clinical follow-up. Years later, there was a recurrence of the phaeochromocytoma after presenting with a difficult to control hypertension, along with elevation of urinary catecholamines. The case aims to highlight the importance of performing a clinical follow-up in these patients, due to the risk of recurrence.

Using a Novel Microfabricated Model of the Alveolar-Capillary Barrier to Investigate the Effect of Matrix Structure on Atelectrauma.

The alveolar-capillary barrier is composed of epithelial and endothelial cells interacting across a fibrous extracelluar matrix (ECM). Although remodeling of the ECM occurs during several lung disorders, it is not known how fiber structure and mechanics influences cell injury during cyclic airway reopening as occurs during mechanical ventilation (atelectrauma). We have developed a novel in vitro platform that mimics the micro/nano-scale architecture of the alveolar microenvironment and have used this system to investigate how ECM microstructural properties influence epithelial cell injury during airway reopening. In addition to epithelial-endothelial interactions, our platform accounts for the fibrous topography of the basal membrane and allows for easy modulation of fiber size/diameter, density and stiffness. Results indicate that fiber stiffness and topography significantly influence epithelial/endothelial barrier function where increased fiber stiffness/density resulted in altered cytoskeletal structure, increased tight junction (TJ) formation and reduced barrier permeability. However, cells on rigid/dense fibers were also more susceptible to injury during airway reopening. These results indicate that changes in the mechanics and architecture of the lung microenvironment can significantly alter cell function and injury and demonstrate the importance of implementing in vitro models that more closely resemble the natural conditions of the lung microenvironment.

Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair in an ambulatory surgery-extended recovery centre: a review of 259 consecutive cases.

PURPOSE: The high prevalence of incisional hernias and an average stay of 3-10 days for open procedures have made this pathology both a health problem and an economic issue. A protocol was developed for performing this procedure in an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) with extended recovery. METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2011, data about all laparoscopic incisional hernia repairs were gathered prospectively. The patients' clinical features, hernia type, intraoperative and postoperative complications and reasons for hospital admission are studied. RESULTS: A total of 259 patients have been operated for incisional hernia (185) or recurrent hernioplasty (74) in our ASC. Laparoscopic repair was successful in 254 patients (98.07 %). Conversion to open surgery was necessary in five patients (1.93 %). A total of 50 patients (19.69 %) in whom surgery was completed laparoscopically were discharged the same day of surgery, 179 (70.47 %) at 24 h and 25 (9.84 %) required a stay of over 24 h. Postoperative pain was severe in 10 % of patients, moderate in 40 %, and mild in 50 %. Complications, mostly minor and self-limiting, were observed in 25 patients (9.84 %) during hospital stay. Five major complications that occured were: bile peritonitis, an acute peritonitis, due to an inadvertent intestinal perforation, and one intestinal obstruction by partial detachment of the mesh, an intra-abdominal hematoma and a colo-cutaneous fistula. There were no deaths in the series. The mean follow-up of patients was 29.35 months (range 12-129 months). The recurrence rate was 7.03 % (n = 18). Four trocar-site hernias were detected. CONCLUSIONS: It is essential to create a protocol with selection criteria that take into account the patient, his entourage, the anesthetic-surgical procedure, and a team dedicated to surgical laparoscopic surgery in an ASC with extended recovery to achieve good results in terms of morbidity and patient safety.

Assessing carbon and nitrogen removal in a novel anoxic-aerobic cyanobacterial-bacterial photobioreactor configuration with enhanced biomass sedimentation.

The carbon and nitrogen removal potential of an innovative anoxic-aerobic photobioreactor configuration operated with both internal and external recyclings was evaluated under different cyanobacterial-bacterial sludge residence times (9-31 days) during the treatment of wastewaters with low C/N ratios. Under optimal operating conditions, the two-stage photobioreactor was capable of providing organic carbon and nitrogen removals over 95% and 90%, respectively. The continuous biomass recycling from the settler resulted in the enrichment and predominance of rapidly-settling cyanobacterial-bacterial flocs and effluent suspended solid concentrations lower than 35 mg VSS L(-1). These flocs exhibited sedimentation rates of 0.28-0.42 m h(-1) but sludge volumetric indexes of 333-430 ml/g. The decoupling between the hydraulic retention time and sludge retention time mediated by the external recycling also avoided the washout of nitrifying bacteria and supported process operation at biomass concentrations of 1000-1500 mg VSS L(-1). The addition of additional NaHCO3 to the process overcame the CO2 limitation resulting from the intense competition for inorganic carbon between cyanobacteria and nitrifying bacteria in the photobioreactor, which supported the successful implementation of a nitrification-denitrification process. Unexpectedly, this nitrification-denitrification process occurred both simultaneously in the photobioreactor alone (as a result of the negligible dissolved oxygen concentrations) and sequentially in the two-stage anoxic-aerobic configuration with internal NO3(-)/NO2(-) recycling.

In vitro and numerical support for combinatorial irreversible electroporation and electrochemotherapy glioma treatment.

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) achieves targeted volume non-thermal focal ablation using a series of brief electric pulses to kill cells by disrupting membrane integrity. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) uses lower numbers of sub-lethal electric pulses to disrupt membranes for improved drug uptake. Malignant glioma (MG) brain tumors are difficult to treat due to diffuse peripheral margins into healthy neural tissue. Here, in vitro experimental data and numerical simulations investigate the feasibility for IRE-relevant pulse protocols with adjuvant ECT drugs to enhance MG treatment. Cytotoxicity curves were produced on two glioma cell lines in vitro at multiple pulse strengths and drug doses with Bleomycin or Carboplatin. Pulses alone increased cytotoxicity with higher pulse numbers and strengths, reaching >90% by 800 V/cm with 90 pulses. Chemotherapeutic addition increased cytotoxicity by >50% for 1 ng/mL concentrations of either drug relative to 80 pulses alone with J3T cells at electric fields ≥400 V/cm. In addition to necrosis, transmission electron microscopy visualizes apoptotic morphological changes and Hoescht 33342 staining shows apoptotic cell fractions varying with electric field and drug dose relative to controls. Numerically simulated treatment volumes in a canine brain show IRE combined with ECT expands therapeutic volume by 2.1-3.2 times compared to IRE alone.

Epilepsy surgery trends in the United States, 1990-2008.

OBJECTIVE: To examine national time trends of resective surgery for the treatment of medically refractory epilepsy before and after Class I evidence demonstrating its efficacy and subsequent practice guidelines recommending early surgical evaluation. METHODS: We performed a population-based cohort study with time trends of patients admitted to US hospitals for medically refractory focal epilepsy between 1990 and 2008 who did or did not undergo lobectomy, as reported in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. RESULTS: Weighted data revealed 112,026 hospitalizations for medically refractory focal epilepsy and 6,653 resective surgeries (lobectomies and partial lobectomies) from 1990 to 2008. A trend of increasing hospitalizations over time was not accompanied by an increase in surgeries, producing an overall trend of decreasing surgery rates (F = 13.6, p < 0.01). Factors associated with this trend included a decrease in epilepsy hospitalizations at the highest-volume epilepsy centers, and increased hospitalizations to lower-volume hospitals that were found to be less likely to perform surgery. White patients were more likely to have surgery than racial minorities (relative risk [RR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.17), and privately insured individuals were more likely to receive lobectomy than those with Medicaid or Medicare (RR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.25-1.30). CONCLUSION: Despite Class I evidence and subsequent practice guidelines, the utilization of lobectomy has not increased from 1990 to 2008. Surgery continues to be heavily underutilized as a treatment for epilepsy, with significant disparities by race and insurance coverage. Patients who are medically refractory after failing 2 antiepileptic medications should be referred to a comprehensive epilepsy center for surgical evaluation.

Non-thermal irreversible electroporation (N-TIRE) and adjuvant fractionated radiotherapeutic multimodal therapy for intracranial malignant glioma in a canine patient.

Non-thermal irreversible electroporation (N-TIRE) has shown promise as an ablative therapy for a variety of soft-tissue neoplasms. Here we describe the therapeutic planning aspects and first clinical application of N-TIRE for the treatment of an inoperable, spontaneous malignant intracranial glioma in a canine patient. The N-TIRE ablation was performed safely, effectively reduced the tumor volume and associated intracranial hypertension, and provided sufficient improvement in neurological function of the patient to safely undergo adjunctive fractionated radiotherapy (RT) according to current standards of care. Complete remission was achieved based on serial magnetic resonance imaging examinations of the brain, although progressive radiation encephalopathy resulted in the death of the dog 149 days after N-TIRE therapy. The length of survival of this patient was comparable to dogs with intracranial tumors treated via standard excisional surgery and adjunctive fractionated external beam RT. Our results illustrate the potential benefits of N-TIRE for in vivo ablation of undesirable brain tissue, especially when traditional methods of cytoreductive surgery are not possible or ideal, and highlight the potential radiosensitizing effects of N-TIRE on the brain.

Elaboración de textos científicos desde primer curso del grado: experiencia en la asignatura “Información y Metodología Científica” / Preparation of scientific texts from first year of degree: experience in the subject " Información y Metodología Científica”

La asignatura “Información y Metodología Científica” tiene asignadas en el Grado en Farmacia, entre otras, las competencias genéricas de saber obtener información científica, conocer las partes de un trabajo científico, el lenguaje métrico y la forma de citar la bibliografía, y saber utilizar las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación. Se pretende que el estudiante adquiera una forma de trabajar que vaya poniendo en práctica en otras asignaturas de la titulación y se facilite la elaboración del Trabajo de Fin de Grado. Para trabajar y adquirir estas competencias, en esta asignatura se han diseñado unas actividades cuyo objetivo principal es la elaboración de un trabajo tutelado. Siguiendo unas instrucciones precisas, en la primera fase del trabajo cada pareja de estudiantes realiza dos documentos: un texto científico y una presentación de diapositivas. En una segunda fase, tres parejas de estudiantes con el mismo tema ponen en común su experiencia y realizan un único trabajo final. Cada uno de estos trabajos finales es subido a la plataforma de apoyo a la docencia y valorado por sus compañeros del grupo de seminarios (8 grupos de 6 estudiantes que presentan 8 trabajos finales). A esta valoración, se le suma la calificación otorgada por el profesorado en base al trabajo entregado en ambas fases. El profesorado está muy satisfecho con los objetivos de aprendizaje conseguidos con esta actividad que supone entre el 40 y el 60 % de la evaluación de la asignatura(AU)

The main aims of the subject “Información y Metodología Científica” in the Degree in Pharmacy are, among others, to teach students how to obtain scientific information, to familiarize them with the parts of a scientific paper, the language metric and the literature citation format, and show them how to use information and communication technologies. It is expected to help students acquire a way of working to be implemented in other subjects of the Degree and it facilitates the preparation of the Final Degree Project. To work on these skills, this subject is designed around some activities whose primary objective is the development of a guided piece of work. Following precise instructions in the firstphase of the assignment, each pair of students prepares two documents: a scientific text and a slide presentation. In a second phase, three pairs of students with the same subject pool their experience and they prepare one final document. Each of these final documents is uploaded to a teaching support platform and evaluated by their classmates (eight teams of six students who submit eight projects). The mark given by teachers in previous phases is added to that of this assessment. Teachers are very pleased with the learning objectives achieved with this activity, which constitutes between 40 and 60 % of the assessment of the subject. In the academic year 2009/10, 290 students were enrolled in this subject(AU)

Effect of feed characteristics on the organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus removal in an activated sludge system treating piggery slurry.

Piggery wastewater is characterized by its high content in nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as by a low C/N ratio. This type of wastewater is traditionally spread to croplands (with its subsequent leaching to groundwater) or rarely discharged into natural water bodies, which ultimately cause severe episodes of eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems. In this context, activated sludge systems constitute a robust and efficient treatment option. The performance of an activated sludge process using a pre-denitrification configuration treating both sieved and flocculated swine slurry at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 7.7 days was evaluated. In order to avoid bacterial wash-out, sludge from the settler was recirculated to the anoxic tank to accomplish denitrification. Once the biomass was acclimatized, the reactor was fed with swine slurry containing 19, 2.6, and 0.27 g/L of total chemical oxygen demand (COD), total Kjeldhal nitrogen (TKN), and soluble P, respectively. Nitrogen removal showed a clear dependency on the influent composition. When the influent TKN/total COD and soluble COD/total COD ratios were respectively 0.12-0.15 and 0.7, the reactor exhibited good removal efficiencies (up to 99 and 91 for N-NH(4)(+), TKN, respectively) while PO(4)(3-) was removed up to 65%. However, when the influent TKN/total COD ratio rose to 0.26 and soluble COD/total COD decreased to 0.3, the denitrification process was severely hindered concomitant with and accumulation of nitrite. Nevertheless, organic matter degradation was not affected by influent composition. At the last stage of the experiment, removals of dissolved phosphorus fell to 40% when the redox potential (ORP) profile showed a constant value of -400 mV, likely due to phosphate released from bacterial sludge.

Dolor de espalda en alumnos de primaria y sus causas / Back pain in primary school students and its causes

ObjetivosEste estudio pretende valorar las causas de riesgo que desencadenan dolor de espalda en los niños durante la edad escolar y analizar cuál de las variables tiene mayor incidencia en la presencia de la sintomatología.Se escogió para el estudio un colegio público de primaria situado en un entorno rural, se hizo un cuestionario con preguntas que los alumnos debían responder. Se pesó y midió a cada uno y su mochila, así como al mobiliario escolar: mesas y silla.Material y métodosLa población estudiada fueron 61 escolares, distribuidos entre los cursos de 3.°, 4.° y 5.° de primaria, con edades comprendidas entre los 9 y los 12 años. Un 62,29% había padecido dolor de espalda cuando se realizó el estudio y sólo el 9,8% presentaba una causa que lo justificara.Se ha estudiado respecto al dolor de espalda la relación con el peso de las mochilas, el tipo de mochilas, las horas de deporte, las horas de televisión, el sexo, el mobiliario escolar y la postura en sedestación.ResultadosNo se encuentra una relación significativa entre el peso de la mochila y el dolor de espalda, ni relación con las horas de deporte y de televisión.El mobiliario encontrado es prácticamente homogéneo para los alumnos de los diferentes cursos estudiados y no se adapta al momento evolutivo de los alumnos.ConclusiónDe todas las variables, podríamos pensar que las dos más relacionadas con las dolencias de espalda que presentaba el grupo de escolares estudiado serían el mobiliario y la postura en sedestación(AU)

AimsThis study has aimed to assess the risk causes that precipitate back pain in children during school age and to analyze which variables have the highest incidence in the presence of the symptoms.A primary public school located in a rural environment was chosen for the study. A questionnaire was administered with questions that the students had to respond to. The subjects were weighed and measured as well as their backpacks, school furniture, tables and seats.Material and methodsSixty-one children distributed among the 3rd, 4th and 5th courses of primary school, whose ages ranged from 9 to 12 years, were included in the population studied. Of these, 62.29% had suffered back pain during the study and only 9.8% had a justifying cause.The following were studied in regards to the back pain: its relationship with weight of the backpacks, type of backpacks, hours of sport, hours of television, gender, school furniture and sedestation posture.No significant relationship was found between weight of the backpack and the back pain, or in relationship to hours of sports and television.ResultsThe furniture found is practically homogeneous for the students of the different courses studied and do not presently adapt to the evolutionary moment of the students.ConclusionsFrom all the variables, we would conclude that the two factors most related with the back ailments in the group of school child studied were furniture and sedestation posture(AU)

Assessing the effects of using compost-sludge mixtures to reduce erosion in road embankments.

Recent research shows the benefits derived from applying compost and sludge to road embankments to enhance the cover crop and reduce soil loss due to erosion, particularly in arid environments. Following this line of research, the study described in this paper analyzes and compares the use of sludge and compost for the purposes mentioned. In the first phase of this study, compost or sludge was applied separately to road embankments, and in the second phase both were applied simultaneously. This paper discusses the results obtained in each case. Our study was conducted on a total of 32 plots, located along a road embankment. The 32 plots, each with an area of 20 m(2), were divided into two groups of 16. One group was placed on a 2:1 side slope, and the other was on a 3:2 side slope. Each group received four different compost dosages (0, 40, 60 and 80 t/ha) and four sludge dosages (0, 60, 80 and 100t/ha). Four plant species were selected to be planted in each plot. Our study analyzes the survival rate of the plants, their growth rate and germination, colonization of the plots by other species, cover crop per plot, and soil loss, all in relation to the compost and sludge dosage as well as the side slope type. The results obtained show that when only sludge or compost was applied to the plot, soil loss was reduced by an average of 35%, whereas when a mixture of sludge and compost was applied, soil erosion was reduced by 63% to as much as 90%.

Efficient nutrient removal from swine manure in a tubular biofilm photo-bioreactor using algae-bacteria consortia.

Concentrated animals feeding operations (CAFOs) often pose a negative environmental impact due to the uncontrolled spreading of manure into soils that ends up in the release of organic matter and nutrients into water bodies. Conventional aerobic methods treating CAFOs wastewater require intensive oxygenation, which significantly increases the operational costs. The alternative proposed in this research is the application of micro-algae based systems by taking advantage of the cost-effective in situ oxygenation via photosynthesis. A 4.9 L enclosed tubular biofilm photo-bioreactor was inoculated with an algal-bacterial consortium formed by the micro-algae Chlorella sorokiniana and a mixed bacterial culture from an activated sludge process. C. sorokiniana delivers the O(2) necessary to accomplish both organic matter and ammonium oxidation. The reactor was fed with diluted swine wastewater containing 180, 15 and 2,000 mg/L of NH(4) (+)-N, soluble P and total COD, respectively. The photo-bioreactor exhibited good and sustained nutrient removal efficiencies (up to 99% and 86% for NH(4) (+) and PO(4) (3-), respectively) while total COD was removed up to 75% when the biofilm was properly established. Liquid superficial velocities up to 0.4 m/s (achieved by culture broth recirculation) hindered the formation of a stable biofilm, while operation at velocities lower than 0.1 m/s supported stable process performance. The high shear stress imposed by the centrifugal recirculation pump disintegrated the large aggregates detached from the biofilm, which resulted in a poor settling performance and therefore poor COD removal efficiencies. Enclosed biofilm photo-bioreactors therefore offer a potentially more economical alternative to conventional tertiary treatments process.

Flocculants effect in biomass retention in a UASB reactor treating dairy manure.

The performance and biomass retention of an upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor treating liquid fraction of dairy manure has been investigated at several organic loading rates. Two identical UASB reactors were employed. The biomass of one UASB reactor (FBR) had previously been treated with a cationic polyacrylamide, the other reactor was operated as a control reactor (CR). At 3 and 2 days of HRT both reactors functioned similarly, but at 1.5 days HRT some differences were observed between both effluents. Mean COD(T) removal percentages were 83.4% and 76.5%; COD(VFA) values in effluents were 977 and 2682 mg l(-1) for the FBR and the CR respectively. The VSS initial value in both reactors was 25.66 g VSS, whereas after the experiment the quantities were 31.83 g VSS in the FBR and 23.18 g VSS in the CR reactors. Polymer addition resulted in a higher degree of biomass retention and better performance in the FBR reactor.

Fascitis Plantar. Tratamiento ortopodológico / Plantar fascitis. Orthopodologic treatment

La fascitis plantar es la causa más frecuente de talalgia y consiste en la inflamación del origen de la fascia a nivel de la tuberosidad antero-interna del calcáneo. Produce dolor localizado en la zona antero-interna del talón, que puede irradiarse hacia el borde interno del pie. Tras el proceso inflamatorio, si la patología persiste de forma prolongada, pueden producirse cambios degenerativos. Generalmente los pacientes presentan alteraciones biomecánicas asociadas como causa etiológica de la fascitis. Estas alteraciones biomecánicas pueden ser el exceso de pronación, pie cavo, pie equino, seudoequino o cavo anterior y asimetrías en la longitud de las extremidades inferiores. Todas estas alteraciones son susceptibles de ser tratadas mediante tratamiento ortopodológico con soportes plantares. El uso de los tratamientos ortopodológicos permite la función normal del pie desde su posición neutra evitando compensaciones, que son las que producen el aumento de tensión y por tanto la inflamación de la fascia. Existen estudios que evidencian que el tratamiento ortopodológico personalizado es eficaz en el tratamiento de la fascitis plantar cuando la causa es una alteración biomecánica

Plantar fasciitis is a condition characterized by heel pain. Is the most common cause of heel pain. Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the fascia at its origin on the calcaneus. Is characterized by pain located in the antero-internal area of the calcaneus that can be irradiated toward the internal border of the foot. After the inflammatory process, if the pathology persists in a lingering way, degenerative changes can take place. The subjects generally present associated biomechanical alterations as aetiological cause of the fasciitis. These biomechanical alterations could be pronación excess, pes cavus, equine foot, metatarsal pes cavus, or unequeal leg length. All of this conditions are susceptible of being treated by ortopaedic treatment with foot orthoses. The use of foot orthoses allows the normal function of the foot from its neuter position avoiding compensations, understanding that these compensations produces the increase of tension and therefore the inflammation of the fascia. Some studies evidence that the personalized foot orthoses are effective in the treatment of plantar fasciitis when the cause is a biomechanical desequilibre

Sulfide removal by moderate oxygenation of anaerobic sludge environments.

Introduction of a limited amount of oxygen to anaerobic bioreactors is proposed as a simple technique to lower the level of sulfide in the biogas. This paper presents the results of a bioreactor study and of batch experiments that were performed to obtain better insight into the fate of sulfur compounds and oxygen during micro-aerobic sulfide oxidation. Introduction of a low airflow (0.7-0.9 m(3)m(-3)d(-1), corresponding to an O(2)/S molar ratio of 8-10) to a fluidized bed reactor fed with low-sulfate vinasse was sufficient to reduce the biogas H(2)S-content to an undetectable level. Sulfide was initially oxidized to elemental sulfur, thiosulfate and - most probably - polysulfide. Significant sulfate production did not occur. Bioreactor sludge sampled from the reactor after three weeks' micro-aerobic operation was much faster in oxidizing sulfur than bioreactor sludge sampled during fully anaerobic reactor operation. The reaction proceeded faster with increasing O(2)/sulfide ratios.

Automated equipment for anaerobic sludge parameters determination.

Methanogenic activity, anaerobic biodegradability and toxicity are key parameters in the design and operation of anaerobic bioreactors. A large variety of methods exist for the determination of these parameters but a normalized method has not been established so far. This paper presents the development of an automated manometric system for the determination of these anaerobic sludge parameters. The system is based on monitoring the production of methane by using a pressure transducer that measures the pressure in a gas-collecting chamber of known adjustable volume, which is independent of the space where biogas production takes place. The evolution of pressure generated by the accumulation of methane relates to the conversion of COD. In this way, the methanogenic activity of the sludge can be determined, as well as the biodegradability of solids and liquid, as well as the methanogenic toxicity of compounds. The equipment permits gas sampling, as well as extraction and introduction of liquid, without losing the anaerobic conditions. Various assays have been conducted to test the reliability and reproducibility of the obtained results, showing a high level of both. The methanogenic activities obtained in the assays ranged between 0.1 and 1.8 g COD g(-1) VSS d(-1), and the biodegradability of the organic compounds tested ranged between 20 and 90%.

Limitations of Wada memory asymmetry as a predictor of outcomes after temporal lobectomy.

BACKGROUND: The intracarotid amobarbital (Wada) test can be used to evaluate hemispheric memory capacity before anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL). Most patients demonstrate better memory with injection ipsilateral to planned resection (expected asymmetry [EA]), but a substantial minority show better memory with contralateral injection (unexpected asymmetry [UA]). Both degree and direction of Wada memory asymmetry (WMA) have been associated with worse surgical outcome in small series. Reports also suggest that UA is associated with greater decline in verbal memory after left ATL (L-ATL). METHODS: The relationship between WMA and surgical outcome (at 3 months, 1 year, and last follow-up) was examined in a large group of ATL patients (108 L, 119 R) with both EA and UA. Also, memory in a subgroup (96 L, 108 R) was examined, comparing subscores of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test obtained preoperatively, at 3 months, and at 1 year. RESULTS: Thirty-six percent of L-ATL and 8% of R-ATL patients had UA. UA was associated with worse surgical outcome at 1 year for R-ATL patients but was not associated with worse outcome for L-ATL patients. There was no correlation between WMA and persistent postoperative verbal memory change for patients with L- or R-ATL. CONCLUSIONS: Unexpected asymmetry is uncommon in patients with right anterior temporal lobectomy (R-ATL) and may be a risk marker of poor surgical outcome. This relationship may be obscured by language confounds in patients with L-ATL. The results suggest that Wada asymmetry (using mixed stimuli) does not predict postoperative verbal memory; it is unclear whether this finding is generalizable to centers using only nonverbal stimuli.

Podophyllotoxin: distribution, sources, applications and new cytotoxic derivatives.

Several podophyllotoxin derivatives modified in the A, B, C, D and E rings were prepared from podophyllotoxin and methyl isoxazopodophyllic acid and evaluated for their cytotoxicity on several neoplastic cell lines. Chemical transformations performed on these compounds have yielded derivatives more potent and more selective that the parent compound. Most of the compounds maintained their cytotoxicity at the microM level. Distribution, biosynthesis, production, biotechnology, applications and synthesis have also been reviewed.