ABSTRACT
An evaluation of natural zeolite as a microorganism carrier in nitrifying reactors operated in batch mode was carried out. Specifically, the influence of zeolite particle sizes of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mm in diameter on microorganism adherence to zeolite, ammonium adsorption capacity and the identification of microbial populations were assessed. The greatest amount of total biomass adhered was observed for a zeolite particle size of 1 mm (0.289 g) which was achieved on the 12th day of operation. The highest ammonium adsorption capacity was observed for a zeolite particle size of 0.5 mm, which was 64% and 31% higher than that observed for particle sizes of 1.0 and 2.0 mm, respectively. The maximum de-sorption values were also found for a zeolite particle size of 0.5 mm, although when equilibrium was reached the ammonium concentrations were similar to those observed for a zeolite particle size of 1.0 mm. It was also found that the experimental data on ammonium adsorption fitted very well to the Freundlich isotherm for the three particle sizes studied. Finally, the nitrifying reactors showed similar microbial populations independently of the particle size used as microorganism carrier. The dominant bacterial community was Gammaproteobacteria making up 80% of the total population found. Betaproteobacteria were also identified and made up 12% approx. of the total population. Ammonium Oxidant Betaproteobacteria and Nitrobacter were also detected.
Subject(s)
Bacteria/isolation & purification , Quaternary Ammonium Compounds/chemistry , Zeolites/chemistry , Adsorption , Bacteria/classification , Bacterial Load , Bioreactors , Particle Size , SewageABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis caused by dematiaceous fungi. METHODS: We described epidemiological data, clinical presentation, and treatment of 18 cases of CBM diagnosed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Diagnosis was obtained by mycological, histopathological findings demonstrating typical muriform cells with confirmation of isolated by DNA sequencing of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer. RESULTS: The majority of patients were male (72.2%) ranging from 39 to 83 years old, farm laborers and construction workers. The duration of disease varied from four months to 32 years. The most common presentations were verrucous form in ten (55.6%) patients, followed by tumoral in three (16.7%) patients, primarily of moderate (55.6%) and severe (38.9%) intensity. Lower (44.4%) and upper limbs (33.3%) were the most affected sites. Fonsecaea pedrosoi isolated from 14 (77.8%), and Cladophialophora carrionii isolated from one case (5.6%). Fifteen patients (83.3%) were treated. Six patients (40%) received oral itraconazole 200-400 mg/day, five patients (33.3%) received oral itraconazole 200-400 mg/day combined with fluconazole 200 mg/day, and four (26.7%) patients were submitted to surgery. The duration of therapy varied from 12 to 48 months. Cure rate was 80% (12/15). No relapse was observed after two years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Success was due to attending a center with specialized clinical care, laboratory support, and pharmaceutical care.
Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Ascomycota/isolation & purification , Chromoblastomycosis/drug therapy , Chromoblastomycosis/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antigens, Fungal/genetics , Ascomycota/genetics , Brazil/epidemiology , Chromoblastomycosis/pathology , DNA, Ribosomal Spacer , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
A 73 year-old male farm laborer from a rural area presented a 15 year history of extensive tumoral lesions over his left leg. Histological studies of skin biopsy showed pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia and granulomatous chronic inflammatory process with muriform cells, confirming chromoblastomycosis (CBM). Cladophialophora carrionii was isolated in culture. Treatment with itraconazole 400 mg/day for 12 months resulted in complete remission of lesions. As far we aware, this is the first case report of CBM caused by Cladophialophora carrionii in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.
Subject(s)
Ascomycota/isolation & purification , Chromoblastomycosis/epidemiology , Aged , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Brazil/epidemiology , Chromoblastomycosis/diagnosis , Chromoblastomycosis/drug therapy , Humans , Itraconazole/therapeutic use , MaleABSTRACT
A 73 year-old male farm laborer from a rural area presented a 15 year history of extensive tumoral lesions over his left leg. Histological studies of skin biopsy showed pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia and granulomatous chronic inflammatory process with muriform cells, confirming chromoblastomycosis (CBM). Cladophialophora carrionii was isolated in culture. Treatment with itraconazole 400 mg/day for 12 months resulted in complete remission of lesions. As far we aware, this is the first case report of CBM caused by Cladophialophora carrionii in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.
Lavrador, com 73 anos, residente em área rural apresentava há 15 anos lesões tumorais disseminadas na perna esquerda. Exame histopatológico de biópsia de pele mostrou hiperplasia pseudo-epiteliomatosa e processo inflamatório crônico granulomatoso com células muriformes, confirmando o diagnóstico de cromoblastomicose (CBM). Cladophialophora carrionii foi isolado na cultura. Tratamento com itraconazol 400 mg/dia durante 12 meses resultou na completa remissão das lesões. Este é o primeiro relato de CBM causado por C. carrionii no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Male , Ascomycota/isolation & purification , Chromoblastomycosis/epidemiology , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Brazil/epidemiology , Chromoblastomycosis/diagnosis , Chromoblastomycosis/drug therapy , Itraconazole/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Background: Dementia is one of the main problems in public health, affecting 5 to 10 percent of the eider population. The cost-effectiveness analysis of the ancillary tests is controversial. The object of this research is to make a review of the recent studies related to neuroimaging and dementia. Method and Results: English and Spanish studies published in the last ten years were searched in Medline, using evidence-based techniques. 13 systematic reviews were found and analysed. Conclusion: While reversible cases of dementia are rare once detected, most of the experts recommend the routine use of computerized tomography scanning. If the access to this test were restricted, there are some rules to select patients. Magnetic resonance imaging is better for the diagnosis of some subtypes of dementia like Creutzfeldt-Jakob, Huntington or CADASIL. Volumetric spectrometry PET and SPECT would be reserved to investigation protocols or special cases of diagnostic doubt.
Introducción: Las demencias constituyen uno de los principales problemas de salud pública, afectando al 5-10 por ciento de la población mayor de 65 años. Existe controversia respecto al costo-beneficio de los exámenes complementarios destinados a esclarecer el subtipo de demencia y la presencia de factores potencialmente reversibles. El objetivo de este estudio es revisar la literatura actualmente disponible respecto a las neuroimágenes y el diagnóstico de demencia. Métodos y Resultados: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en Medline, en inglés y español, restringida a los últimos 10 años. Se encontró y analizó 13 revisiones atingentes al tema. Conclusiones: Aunque los casos de demencia reversible son muy escasos, la mayoría de los expertos recomienda el uso rutinario de la tomografía computarizada. Si el acceso a este examen fuera restringido, se sugiere pautas de selección de pacientes. La resonancia magnética es de mayor ayuda ante la sospecha de patologías específicas como Creutzfeldt-]akob, Huntington o CADASIL. La volumetría, espectrometría, PET y SPECT deberían reservarse por el momento a protocolos de investigación o casos puntuales de duda diagnóstica.
Subject(s)
Humans , Dementia/diagnosis , Diagnostic Imaging/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Cerebrum/pathologyABSTRACT
Background: Stroke is the second cause of mortality and the first cause of morbidity in Chile and worldwide. Nowadays there is a major interest in introducing new therapies applying evidence based medicine for these patients. Aim: To describe the clinical profile of patients attended after a stroke, to determine stroke subtypes and their risk factors. Material and methods: Retrospective review of clinical records of 459 patients (mean age 65±48 years, 238 female) that were admitted to our unit during a period of 37 months. Results: Sixty three percent of patients had an ischemic stroke, 14% had an hemorrhagic stroke, 15% had a transient ischemic attack, 2% had a cerebral venous thrombosis and 6% a subarachnoidal hemorrhage. The global mortality was 1%. Seventy percent of patients had a history of high blood pressure. Conclusions: The most common type of stroke is ischemic and high blood pressure is the main risk factor.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Stroke/epidemiology , Hospital Units/statistics & numerical data , Age Distribution , Stroke/classification , Stroke/etiology , Chi-Square Distribution , Chile/epidemiology , Diabetes Complications , Hypertension/complications , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Sex DistributionABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Stroke is the second cause of mortality and the first cause of morbidity in Chile and worldwide. Nowadays there is a major interest in introducing new therapies applying evidence based medicine for these patients. AIM: To describe the clinical profile of patients attended after a stroke, to determine stroke subtypes and their risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of clinical records of 459 patients (mean age 65+/-48 years, 238 female) that were admitted to our unit during a period of 37 months. RESULTS: Sixty three percent of patients had an ischemic stroke, 14% had an hemorrhagic stroke, 15% had a transient ischemic attack, 2% had a cerebral venous thrombosis and 6% a subarachnoidal hemorrhage. The global mortality was 1%. Seventy percent of patients had a history of high blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The most common type of stroke is ischemic and high blood pressure is the main risk factor.
Subject(s)
Hospital Units/statistics & numerical data , Stroke/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Chi-Square Distribution , Chile/epidemiology , Diabetes Complications , Female , Humans , Hypertension/complications , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Sex Distribution , Stroke/classification , Stroke/etiologyABSTRACT
The temporal crescent syndrome or half-moon syndrome is a rare mono ocular retrochiasmatic visual field defect that can be correlated to a lesion along the contralateral parieto-occipital sulcus. This field defect may be missed in automated perimetry. We report a 45 years old man, consulting for sudden loss of the peripheral temporal field in his right eye. The magnetic resonance imaging and the spectroscopy studies confirmed an ischemic lesion on the left anterior occipital cortex. Control imaging studies six months later did not show changes in the lesion.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Cerebral Infarction/complications , Hemianopsia/etiology , Visual Cortex , Visual Fields , Visual Field Tests , Hemianopsia/diagnosis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Syndrome , Vision, MonocularABSTRACT
El síndrome de regresión espectacular de la isquemia encefálica (spectacular shrinking deficit) corresponde a la isquemia hemisférica encefálica que se resuelve en forma espontánea y deja un déficit neurológico residual mínimo o nulo. Reportamos el caso de una mujer de 86 años con un síndrome de isquemia hemisférica izquierda súbito y resolución clínica espontánea completa en pocas horas. El estudio con resonancia magnética de encéfalo y angiorresonancia mostró múltiples infartos pequeños en el territorio de la arteria cerebral media izquierda y oclusión completa de la arteria carótida interna izquierda.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Intracranial Embolism/etiology , Brain Ischemia/diagnosis , Brain Ischemia/etiology , Diagnostic Imaging/methods , Neurologic Examination , Remission, SpontaneousABSTRACT
El síndrome del "hombre en el barril" se refiere al cuadro clínico de paresia braquial proximal bilateral, que es habitualmente secundaria a una hipotensión arterial sistémica con hipoperfusión encefálica, resultando en una isquemia de zonas limítrofes. Reportamos el caso de un hombre de 57 años, con paresia braquial proximal bilateral después de una cirugía biliar debido a una colangitis. La difusión en resonancia magnética mostró lesiones hiperintensas en la zona correspondiente al límite entre los territorios de las arterias cerebrales media y anterior derechas.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Cholangitis/surgery , Ischemia/complications , Paraparesis/etiology , Paresis/etiology , CholecystectomyABSTRACT
Levonorgestrel-only emergency contraception was introduced onto the market in France in May 1999 on the heels of a large-scale clinical trial demonstrating its enhanced efficacy and tolerance over the combined estrogen-progestin reference method. To evaluate the product's real-world tolerance and efficacy in the more than 20 months that it has been on the market, a retrospective study was performed among large-scale prescribers in France. One hundred physicians were asked to complete a written questionnaire outlining their practices with regards to their prescription of the product as well as their knowledge and evaluation of the product's tolerance and efficacy. Results from 82 respondents representing over 2,000 administrations demonstrate that physicians judge levonorgestrel-only emergency contraception to be very well tolerated and without unexpected side effects. Further, respondents report a pregnancy rate similar to that chronicled in the large-scale clinical trial (less than 3%), thus substantiating conclusions regarding the product's considerable efficacy and its potential for reducing the rate of unintended pregnancies.
Subject(s)
Contraceptives, Postcoital, Synthetic/therapeutic use , Levonorgestrel/therapeutic use , Contraception , Emergency Treatment , Female , Humans , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The value of sequential thoracic metastasectomies is unknown. We evaluate repeat metastasectomy for limited recurrences within the thorax. METHODS: From July 1988 to September 1998, 54 patients underwent 2 to 6 separate sequential procedures to excise metastases after recurrence isolated to the thorax. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox modeling determined prognostic variables. RESULTS: Thirty-three men and 21 women, 22 to 76 years underwent 2 (100%, n = 54), 3 (50%), 4 (22%), or 5 to 6 (11%) metastasectomies. Fifty-four percent of patients had carcinoma, 35% sarcoma, 9% germ cell, and 2% melanoma. There were no operative deaths; all late deaths occurred from cancer. Median follow-up was 48 months. Cumulative 5-year survival from the second procedure was 57%. After the second, third, fourth, and fifth procedures, respectively, permanent control was achieved in 15 (27%) of 54 patients, 5 (19%) of 27, 1 (8%) of 12, and 0 of 7. Recurrence amenable to additional surgery occurred in 27 (50%) of 54, 12 (44%) of 27, 6 (50%) of 12, and 1 (17%) of 6. Mean hazard for the development of unresectable recurrence increased from 0.21 after the second procedure to 0.91 after the fifth procedure. The 5-year survival for the 27 patients undergoing only 2 metastasectomies was 60% (median not yet reached), 33% for the 15 patients undergoing only 3 metastasectomies (median 34.7 months), and 38% for the 12 patients undergoing 4 or more (median 45.6 months). From the time a recurrence was declared unresectable, patients had a 19% 2-year survival (median 8 months). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple attempts to re-establish intrathoracic control of metastatic disease is justified in carefully selected patients, but the magnitude of benefit decays with each subsequent attempt.
Subject(s)
Thoracic Neoplasms/mortality , Thoracic Neoplasms/secondary , Thoracic Surgical Procedures , Adult , Aged , Carcinoma/mortality , Carcinoma/secondary , Carcinoma/surgery , Female , Humans , Male , Melanoma/mortality , Melanoma/secondary , Melanoma/surgery , Middle Aged , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/mortality , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/secondary , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/surgery , Prognosis , Reoperation , Sarcoma/mortality , Sarcoma/secondary , Sarcoma/surgery , Survival Rate/trends , Thoracic Neoplasms/surgeryABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pancreatic insufficiency may appear secondary to several intestinal disorders. It may contribute to malabsorption in tropical sprue (TS). METHODS: The exocrine pancreatic function was evaluated with the indirect pancreolauryl test (PT) in 56 patients with TS. The PT results were analyzed and correlated with serum albumin levels, degree of intestinal atrophy, and steatorrhea. RESULTS: Abnormally low values were found in 36 (64.2%) cases. A significant relationship was not observed between PT and hypoalbuminemia. Patients with more severe damage by intestinal biopsy tended to have lower PT values. No relationship was found between pancreatic insufficiency and steatorrhea (expressed as g/24 h), but patients with pancreatic insufficiency had increased stool fat concentrations (expressed as percentage of wet stool weight). All patients responded favorably to treatment with folic acid and tetracycline. Fifteen patients with abnormal initial PT values underwent a repeat PT after a 6-week therapy; all of them showed normalization of PT values. CONCLUSIONS: The abnormal exocrine pancreatic function found with an indirect test in patients with TS is probably secondary to a low pancreatic hormonal stimulation due to intestinal damage, as occurs in celiac sprue. These abnormalities are reversible after specific treatment for TS.
Subject(s)
Pancreas/physiology , Pancreatic Diseases/etiology , Sprue, Tropical/complications , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Albumins/analysis , Atrophy , Biopsy , Celiac Disease/etiology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pancreas/pathology , Pancreatic Diseases/physiopathology , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: CA 19-9 is used for diagnosis of gastrointestinal neoplasia, mainly pancreatic and biliary cancer. False positive results have been described in cholestasis. OBJECTIVE: To establish the clinical value of CA 19-9 in the diagnosis of pancreatic and biliary cancer in patients with and without cholestasis. METHODS: Five hundred forty-eight medical records of patients with serum CA 19-9 determination performed from May-1996 to June-1998 were reviewed. Cases were grouped by final diagnosis; malignancy was established by histology or clinical and radiological characteristics. ROC curves were used to calculate ideal cut-off values (ICV) for the test. Cholestasis was defined as bilirrubinemia above 3 mg/dL. RESULTS: Thirty percent of serum determinations were done in patients with non-pancreatic and non-hepatobiliary benign diseases (only 1.3% with values > or = 100 U/mL). CA 19-9 levels were higher in pancreatic and hepatobiliary malignancy compared to benign diseases of the same origin, as well as in pancreatic cancer when compared with hepatobiliary cancer. ICV for differentiation of malignant hepatobiliary diseases was set around 100 U/mL, with increased specificity when compared with the usual cut-off value (37 U/mL). Cholestasis increased the values of the antigen in malignant and benign diseases and modified the efficacy of the test by increasing sensitivity while decreasing specificity. The ICV for determining resectability in pancreatic tumors was 224 U/mL. CONCLUSIONS: CA 19-9 is a valuable test for diagnosis of malignant pancreato-hepatobiliary disease. Given that cholestasis modifies the operational characteristics of the test, a cut-off value has to be tailored for each patient depending on the clinical setting, so to maintain the usefulness of the marker.
Subject(s)
Bile Duct Neoplasms/complications , Bile Duct Neoplasms/diagnosis , Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis , CA-19-9 Antigen/analysis , Cholestasis/complications , Pancreatic Neoplasms/complications , Pancreatic Neoplasms/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedSubject(s)
Appendectomy , Colitis, Ulcerative/prevention & control , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Male , MexicoSubject(s)
Graft Occlusion, Vascular/complications , Myasthenia Gravis/complications , Saphenous Vein , Thymoma/complications , Thymus Neoplasms/complications , Combined Modality Therapy , Coronary Angiography , Coronary Artery Bypass , Coronary Disease/diagnostic imaging , Coronary Disease/surgery , Edrophonium , Follow-Up Studies , Graft Occlusion, Vascular/diagnosis , Graft Occlusion, Vascular/immunology , Graft Occlusion, Vascular/surgery , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Myasthenia Gravis/diagnosis , Myasthenia Gravis/drug therapy , Myasthenia Gravis/immunology , Parasympathomimetics/therapeutic use , Pyridostigmine Bromide/therapeutic use , Radiography, Thoracic , Receptors, Cholinergic/immunology , Reoperation , Saphenous Vein/transplantation , Thymoma/diagnosis , Thymoma/therapy , Thymus Neoplasms/diagnosis , Thymus Neoplasms/therapyABSTRACT
Adults Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with porous hydroxyapatite (Interpore 200), following a procedure different from that of Kawaguchi et al (1992). Instead of implanting hydroxyapatite (Ha) in periodontal osseus defects, we introduced Ha-implants in the hypodermis of rats. Animals were sacrificed on days 30, 90 and 150 (six in each stage). The interface between the Ha and connective tissue was studied by transmission electron microscopy, with the aim of understanding the biocompatibility and mechanisms of union of both parts. The connective tissue reaction to the Ha implant was characterized by fibrovascular proliferation, with abundant fibroblasts, macrophages, multinucleated giant cells, and by the formation of a capsule surrounding the implant. The multinucleated giant cells were observed in the interface along all stages and exhibited: (a) a progressive increase in mitochondria, ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum and vesicles containing particles of Ha; and b) an electronlucent material of variable aspect in vesicles contained in their cytoplasmic expansions. The prominent cytologic aspects of the multinucleated giant cells in the juxta-Ha zone may indicate that both, the biocompatibility and the intimate union between connective tissue and Ha, are strongly dependent on the presence of these cells.
Subject(s)
Connective Tissue/ultrastructure , Durapatite , Prostheses and Implants , Animals , Biocompatible Materials , Giant Cells/ultrastructure , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Skin , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Adults Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with porous hydroxyapatite (Interpore 200), following a procedure different from that of Kawaguchi et al (1992). Instead of implanting hydroxyapatite (Ha) in periodontal osseus defects, we introduced Ha-implants in the hypodermis of rats. Animals were sacrificed on days 30, 90 and 150 (six in each stage). The interface between the Ha and connective tissue was studied by transmission electron microscopy, with the aim of understanding the biocompatibility and mechanisms of union of both parts. The connective tissue reaction to the Ha implant was characterized by fibrovascular proliferation, with abundant fibroblasts, macrophages, multinucleated giant cells, and by the formation of a capsule surrounding the implant. The multinucleated giant cells were observed in the interface along all stages and exhibited: (a) a progressive increase in mitochondria, ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum and vesicles containing particles of Ha; and b) an electronlucent material of variable aspect in vesicles contained in their cytoplasmic expansions. The prominent cytologic aspects of the multinucleated giant cells in the juxta-Ha zone may indicate that both, the biocompatibility and the intimate union between connective tissue and Ha, are strongly dependent on the presence of these cells
