Fundamental Understanding of Cellular Water Transport Process in Bio-Food Material during Drying.

Bio-food materials are heterogeneous in structure with cellular diversity, where the majority of the water is located in the intracellular spaces. Understanding of the nature of the microscopic behaviour of water transport is crucial to enhance the energy efficiency in food processing and obtain the better quality of processed food. In this research, apoplastic and symplastic transport of cellular water in the bio-food material during drying was investigated using 1H-NMR-T2 relaxometry. We found that intracellular water (ICW) migrates from intracellular spaces to the intercellular spaces by progressive rupturing the cell membranes while drying at a higher temperatures (60 °C-70 °C). In this case, apoplastic process dominates the transport process. However, at lower temperature (45 °C), cell membranes do not rupture and therefore ICW migrates from cell to the neighbouring cell through micro-capillaries, where the symplastic process dominates the mass transfer at different stages of drying.

A statistical model for intervertebral disc degeneration: determination of the optimal T2 cut-off values.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of quantitative classification in intervertebral disc degeneration using spin-spin relaxation time (T2) cut-off values with regard to morphological classifications. METHODS: Lumbar magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed on 21 subjects (a total of 104 lumbar disks). The T2 relaxation time was measured in the nucleus pulposus using a sagittal multi-echo spin-echo sequence. The morphological classification of disc degeneration was assessed independently by three experienced neuroradiologists according to the Pfirrmann and Schneiderman classifications. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed among grades to determine T2 cut-off values in each classification. Intra- and interobserver differences were calculated using kappa statistics. RESULTS: Moderate overall interobserver agreement was found between observers in both the Pfirrmann and Schneiderman classification schemes (kappa 0.46 and 0.51), while intraobserver reliability was substantial to almost perfect. The interobserver reliability was only fair in Pfirrmann grades III and IV (kappa 0.33 and 0.36), but the T2 cut-off values still indicated a significant difference between grades (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver agreement of MR evaluation in patients with intervertebral disc degeneration was only fair to moderate on the classification of more severe disc degeneration in the Pfirrmann and Schneiderman schemes. Based on our results, quantitative T2 cut-off values seem to be a more reliable method to define the degree of disc degeneration, which may help staging intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) even if the interobserver reliability is low.

[Experience with the surgical management of Vater's ampulla tumors]. / Vater-papilla tumorok sebészi kezelésével szerzett tapasztalataink.

The article reviews our experience about tumours of the papilla of Vater. 30 patients were operated on between 1996-1999. The mean age was 58 years, the leading symptom (73%) was jaundice. In 23 patients preoperative ERCP was successful and was completed in 15 cases with EST, in 8 cases with biliary drainage. In 3 patients--despite benign endoscopic histology--intraoperative frozen section, and in one patient final histology confirmed malignancy. Altogether in 27 patients was malignant transformation of the papilla observed. In 15 cases pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD), in 2 cases local excision (LE), while in 10 patients palliative procedures were performed. Resection rate (PPPD + LE) was 63%, while radical resection (PPPD) was performed in 55.5% of all cases. During 26 months mean follow-up survival rate was altogether 74%, and 80% in radically resected patients. We review the literature, describe the difficulty of histological and describe our experience and practice in the treatment of this rare tumour.

[Cardiac tamponade caused by intrathoracic pancreatic pseudocyst]. / Intrathoracalis pancreas pseudocysta okozta szívtamponád.

Authors report on a clinical case of a 41 year old chronic alcoholic male patient who was hospitalized due to dominantly chest complaints and mild abdominal discomfort. Bilateral pleural and pericardial effusions were detected by performed examinations. A large multilocular pancreatic pseudocyst expanded into the thoracic cavity was verified in the background of his symptoms. To resolve cardiac tamponade developed repeatedly successful operation was performed and the patient healed. Authors give a brief summary for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac tamponade with pancreatic origin.

[Long-term follow-up results of surgery for chronic pancreatitis]. / Krónikus pancreatitis miatt végzett mútéteink hosszú távú eredményei.

Authors evaluate the late results of 51 operated patients by decompression or resection procedure for chronic pancreatitis between 1990-94, based on a follow-up period of 86 months. Only 34% of the 47 investigated patients could be classified as "good" results group--it is the half part of the good results of their former study based on 20 months follow-up period. The incidence of late deaths was very high--27.6%. Eighty-five percent of all the lost patients (11 pts) died after the seventh postoperative year. The most threatened group seems to be the alcoholic and insulin-dependent diabetic patients. This combination was the cause of death in third part of the cases. IDDM developed altogether in 9 patients, on average 3.7 years after the operation, namely it was the consequence of the irreversible progressive natural history of disease. The rate of disability is 44%, and it is significantly higher in the resected group than after decompression, just like the late mortality rat. Based on their results authors emphasise that in chronic pancreatitis the short-term (20-36 months) follow-up results may be deceptive, real outcome of the surgical treatment could be expected only after 5 years postoperatively.