Attitudes toward Regulations of Reproductive Care in the European Union: A Comparison between Travellers for Cross-Border Reproductive Care and Citizens of the Local Country.

This paper compares two populations with respect to attitudes toward the regulation of reproductive care by the European Union. The two populations are 252 individuals who crossed a national border to receive treatment at an independent clinic in Spain and 45 Spanish citizens who received treatment in their home country. Online surveys were sent to former patients (from many different countries) of a private Spanish clinic. By comparing those who engaged in cross-border reproductive care (CBRC) with those who did not, we examined attitudes toward whether or not the EU should extend to all clients in all countries the type of services the clinic provided. These services included access to anonymous donors and conception via egg or embryo donation. We found that those who travelled abroad were less in favor of EU expanding regulation for the type of services they received than were those in Spain. This study is unusual in focusing on political attitudes rather than the nature of the experience and consequences of cross-border reproductive care. We suggest that individuals who engage in CBRC might be reluctant to see the EU extend reproductive care broadly because debates within both the EU and their home countries could result in the elimination of options that are now available through travel. We suggest that individuals from countries that are popular destinations for CBRC like Spain might want to extend EU reproductive care more broadly so as to reduce the pressure on the medical services in their own country. We suggest directions for further research.

Crystal structure, vibrational studies and optical properties of a new organic-inorganic hybrid compound (C10H28N4)CuCl5Cl⋠4H2O.

A new organic-inorganic hybrid material, 1,4-bis(3-ammoniumpropyl) piperazinium pentachloridocuprate(II) chloride tetrahydrate [(C10H28N4)CuCl5Cl⋅4H2O], has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-visible absorption, Infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and Pnma space group with a=8.18 (3)Å, b=10.96 (5)Å, c=21.26 (9)Å, V=2254.3 (15)Å(3). In this structure, the Cu(2+) ion, surrounded by five chlorides, adopts the square pyramidal coordination geometry. The structure of this compound consists of tetraprotonated 1,4-bis(3-ammoniumpropyl) piperazinium cations and the anionic sublattice is built up of isolated, square pyramid [CuCl5](3)(-) units, chloride ion Cl(-) and water molecules connected with each other by hydrogen bonds. Organic and inorganic entities are interconnected by means of hydrogen bonding contacts [NH⋯O(Cl), O(W)H⋯Cl and O(W)H⋯O]. Furthermore, the room temperature IR and Raman spectra of the title compound were recorded and analyzed on the basis of literature data. The optical study was also investigated by UV-Vis absorption. In fact, the organic-inorganic hybrid crystal thin film can be easily prepared by spin-coating method from the ethanol solution of the (C10H28N4)CuCl5Cl⋅4H2O hybrid compound and it showed absorptions characteristics of CuCl based layered compounds centered at 275 and 374 nm.

Structural characterization of nanostructured Fe-8P powder mixture.

Nanostructured Fe-8P (wt%) powder mixture was prepared by high energy ball milling in a planetary ball mill (Fritsch P7) under argon atmosphere. The morphology of the particles, the phase identification and the alloying evolution process as a function of milling time are studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and 57Fe Mössbauer spectrometry (MS), respectively. Refinement based on Rietveld method of the XRD patterns and the Mössbauer spectra analysis show that the Fe(x)P (1 < x < 2) and Fe2P phosphide phases are the main product after 3 h of milling (approximately 10%). From the XRD Rietveld refinement, it is observed that the Fe2P phase disappears completely after 12 h of milling, while the Fe3P nanophase appears after 9 h and remains for larger milling duration. The lattice structure distortion is evidenced by the lattice parameter changes of the milled products. A two structure state of the alpha-Fe(P) solid solution: alpha-Fe1 and alpha-Fe2 is confirmed by both the XRD and MS measurements. After milling for 21 h, a mixture of a disordered two phase alpha-Fe(P) solid solution, Fe3P nanophase and a small amount of a paramagnetic FeP phosphide phase (approximately 2%) is obtained.

Microwave heating of cooked pork patties as a function of fat content.

In this study, the parameters heating rate, dielectric factors, and specific heat capacity, which determine the heating profiles and the dissipation of energy during microwave heating, were obtained for precooked pork patties. The pork patties studied were lean meat, pure back fat, and several lean meat/back fat mixtures. Microwave heating at 798 W power was not sufficient to accelerate the heating rates in 100% lean meat compared to 415 W. However, samples were able to heat up faster and dissipate more energy at 798 W power as fat content increased and moisture content decreased. The recorded differences in the specific heat capacity of the studied materials as a function of temperature seemed not to be the key factor to explain the observed temperature rises. Temperature rise seemed to have more to do with the interactions of fat with the electromagnetic field, and with viscosity changes during phase transitions. Trends found for the dielectric properties over microwave heating of meat products agree with data from other authors, but the influence of parameters related to the sample composition and structure should be taken into account. The dissipation factors (epsilon''/epsilon') provided a good approximation to the capacity of the samples containing lean meat and the lean meat/fat mixtures to transform the electromagnetic energy into heat. Neither the dielectric constant nor the loss or dissipation factors were able to clarify the high amount of energy transformed into heat in 100% back fat. Penetration depth and reflected power indicated that back fat allowed microwave energy to be repeatedly redirected to the material.

Bloqueo auriculoventricular familiar. Presentación de un caso clínico / Familial atrioventricular heart block. A case report

Se presenta una familia con antecedentes de síncope y trastornos de conducción. Dos de sus miembros, de 18 años varón y 20 años mujer padecieron cuadros sincopales. Tenían examen físico, electrocardiograma, radiografía de tórax, ecocardiograma transtorácico y laboratorio normales. En ambos, sendos registros Holter pusieron en evidencias episodio de bloqueo auriculoventricular paroxístico de alto grado en un caso y Mobitz II en otro, sin trastornos de conducción en las ramas del haz de His. G.S. recibió el implante de un marcapasos hace 18 meses, luego continuó asintomático. R.S. padeció síncope hace 5 años pero luego continuó asintomática. Se revisa la literatura

Bloqueo auriculoventricular familiar. Presentación de un caso clínico / Familial atrioventricular heart block. A case report

Se presenta una familia con antecedentes de síncope y trastornos de conducción. Dos de sus miembros, de 18 años varón y 20 años mujer padecieron cuadros sincopales. Tenían examen físico, electrocardiograma, radiografía de tórax, ecocardiograma transtorácico y laboratorio normales. En ambos, sendos registros Holter pusieron en evidencias episodio de bloqueo auriculoventricular paroxístico de alto grado en un caso y Mobitz II en otro, sin trastornos de conducción en las ramas del haz de His. G.S. recibió el implante de un marcapasos hace 18 meses, luego continuó asintomático. R.S. padeció síncope hace 5 años pero luego continuó asintomática. Se revisa la literatura (AU)

Upper digestive tract dyspepsia and early gastric cancer.

AIM: The study of the frequency and evolution of upper digestive tract dyspepsia in a group of patients operated for early gastric cancer (EGC) and to perform a strategy of diagnosis for the patients with long term upper digestive tract dyspepsia. METHODS: Clinical data of 35 patients operated for EGC were retrospectively evaluated. The frequency, characteristics and evolution time of upper digestive tract dyspepsia, main when it began more than 6 months before surgery, were analyzed. Radiologic and endoscopic exams carried out for diagnosis were also evaluated. Histological diagnosis of surgical specimens were considered, looking for the presence of chronic atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and peptic gastric ulcer. RESULTS: Long-term upper digestive tract dyspepsia was present in 27 patients (mean evolution time of 43.4 months). Clinical changes of previous symptoms that suggested gastric carcinoma were not found in 15 patients. Concurrent peptic gastric carcinoma were not found in 15 patients. Concurrent peptic gastric ulcer along with EGC was diagnosed by histology in 11 patients, and chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia were both present in the non-tumoral gastric mucosa in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Unspecific upper digestive tract dyspepsia is frequently found in patients with EGC. 2) Endoscopy should be the first exam performed in patients with upper digestive tract dyspepsia. 3) The patients with gastric ulcer, chronic atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia must be submitted to sequential endoscopic follow-up.

[Changes in the cellular proliferation of the healthy mucosa in patients with colorectal cancer]. / Alteraciones de la proliferación celular de la mucosa sana en pacientes con cáncer colorrectal.

AIM: To analyze differences in the proliferative pattern of normal mucosa between patients with colorectal cancer and healthy subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: By using flow cytometry we examined the proliferative pattern (Proliferative Index and S-Phase) in samples of normal mucosa from 34 patients operated on for colorectal cancer at our hospital and from 14 healthy subjects as a control group. RESULTS: All examined samples were diploid. The Proliferative Index and S-Phase in the Cancer Group were significantly higher than in the Control Group (16.7 +/- 5.9 vs 11.4 +/- 4, p < 0.003, and 11.9 +/- 3.9 us 6.6 +/- 3 p < 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide evidence for an altered proliferative pattern in the healthy colonic mucosa of patients with colorectal cancer.

[Cholelithiasis after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer]. / Colelitiasis tras gastrectomía total por cáncer gástrico.

AIM: To examine the incidence of cholelithiasis in patients after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients operated for gastric cancer at our hospital were retrospectively studied. Criteria to be included in the study were: 1) Follow-up of more than 3 years, 2) Cholelithiasis excluded preoperatively by ultrasonography, 3) Ultrasonographic postoperative control once a year. RESULTS: Ten patients met the established criteria. Six of them developed biliary lithiasis, and four of them needed surgical treatment for biliary symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of cholelithiasis after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer is high, and surgical treatment is often necessary. However our data does not support prophylactic cholecystectomy in the course of total gastrectomy.

[DNA as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. A retrospective analysis of 34 patients]. / Estudio del DNA como factor pronóstico en cáncer colo-rectal. Análisis retrospectivo de 34 pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: We study the tumoral DNA as a prognostic factor in patients operated for colo-rectal cancer. DESIGN: Retrospective. We analyze by flow cytometry the DNA content of tumoral tissue: Ploidy, DNA Index, Proliferative Index, S Phase. PATIENTS: 34 operated patients, for colo-rectal cancer, with a minimum 3 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Ploidy doesn't show any relation with other prognostic factors. Only Dukes C aneuploid patients had more positive nodes than diploid. Ploidy was not related to better evolution or survival. Neither DNA Index, Proliferative Index and S Phase were related to the evolution of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The DNA study by flow cytometry has no better prognostic value then other classical factors.

Multicentre study of a continent colostomy plug.

A multicentre clinical study was carried out to assess the performance of a new disposable device, the Conseal 1-Piece, for colostomy control and continence. Forty-three patients were studied; none had any complication at the stoma. The time elapsed since surgery and the condition of the stoma and surrounding skin were recorded. The new product was compared with the patients' usual colostomy bag, studying the following parameters: ease of application, reliability, leakage, confidence, ease of removal, adhesion and comfort. Thirty-seven patients completed the study. No complications arose, and complete faecal continence was obtained with 71.1 per cent of applications. The plug was kept in position for a mean of 11.5 h and a normal stoma bag was used for the remainder of the day. Of the 37 patients who completed the trial, 26 preferred the Conseal 1-Piece to a colostomy bag. In this preliminary study the device was easy to apply, involved no major complications and provided a high degree of continence. This product deserves further study because of its simplicity of use. However, research to improve the level of continence should continue.

[A cellular proliferation study in patients with colorectal cancer, solitary, synchronous and with polyps]. / Estudio de la proliferación celular en pacientes con cáncer colorrectal solitario, sincrónico y con pólipos.

Colonic carcinogenesis is probably related to a disturbance in cell proliferation of the colonic mucosa. The present study was designed to determine whether patients with adenomatous polyps of the colon, which have a tendency to develop synchronous malignancies of the colon, have any disturbance in mucosal cell proliferation. Using flow cytometry the proliferative index, and the S and G2M phases of normal mucosa and tumoral tissue of patients with colorectal cancer (synchronous, alone, or associated with adenomatous polyps) were studied. No differences were found between the there groups of study at the level of proliferation pattern of normal mucosa. Our findings do not support the development of synchronous or metachronous colon cancer in patients with polyps on the basis of different patterns of cell proliferation.

[Intra-conjugal immunotherapy and the pathology of reproduction. Experiences at the Center for the Treatment of Sterility, Montpellier-Nîmes]. / Immunothérapie intraconjugale et pathologie de la reproduction. Expérience du Centre de Traitement de la Stérilité Montpellier-Nîmes.

81 patients who had consulted for infertility, of whom 26 had recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA), 28 unexplained infertility (UI), and 27 with difficulties for implantation following in vitro fertilization (IVF) were tested by a cross-match for the presence of the partner's lymphocyte antibodies. When the result was negative, leucocyte transfusions were carried out (200 million of the partner's lymphocytes in 3 successive injections at intervals of one month). Positive antipaternal cytotoxic antibodies were found in 81% of cases. There was, however, no benefit in groups of unexplained infertility or implantation difficulties. In the RSA group there was a 50% recurrence of spontaneous abortions.

[Dissociation of maternal and fetal platelet levels in maternal idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Diagnosis of fetal thrombocytopenia by cord ultrasound-guided puncture]. / Dissociation des taux plaquettaires maternel et foetal au cours d'un purpura thrombopénique idiopathique maternel. Diagnostic de la thrombopénie foetale par ponction échoguidée du cordon.

Severe foetal thrombocytopenia (24,000 platelets per cubic mm) was diagnosed in a 37-week pregnant woman. The primigravida, primipara mother had been affected with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura at the age of 6 years, in remission since the age of 8 years (after splenectomy). The prenatal diagnosis was made by foetal blood sampling performed when the mother's platelet count was normal. The expected haemorrhagic complications of vaginal delivery were avoided by a caesarean section.

Valoración del tratamiento quirúrgico en la neoplasia primitiva de vesícula biliar (NPVB): estudio de 41 casos / Valuation of the surgical treatment of primary gallblader neoplasms (NPVB): study 41 cases

Se presenta un estudio retrospectivo de 41 pacietnes afectos de neoplasia primitiva de vesícula biliar (NPVB) tratados en el Servicio de Cirurgía General y Digestiva III del Hosptial Clínico y Provincial de Barcelona desde 1977 hasta 1984. Se analisa su incidencia, los factores que favorecen su aparición, su asociación a la patología biliar litiásica y las dificultades para establecer el diagnóstico preoperatoriamente. Para valorar la evolución se utilizó la Clasificación de Nevin. Se valoran las distintas opciones técnicas empleadas, los resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico y la supervivencia de estos pacientes, comparando estos datos con los obtenidos por otros autores

Valoración del tratamiento quirurgico en la neoplasia primitiva de vesicula biliar(NPVB)Estudio de 41 casos / Valuation of surgical treatment on the gallbladder primary neoplasms (NPVB): 41 study

Se presenta un estudio retrospectivo de 41 pacientes afectos de neoplasia primitiva de vesicula biliar(NPVB)tratados en el servicio de cirugia general y digestiva III del hospital clinico y provincial de barcelona desde 1977 hasta 1984. Se analiza su incidencia los factores que favorecen su aparicion, su asociacion a la patologia biliar litiásica y las deficultades para establecer el diagnostico preoperatoriamente. para valorar la evolución se utilizo la clasificacion de nevin. se valoran las distintas opciones tecnicas empleadas, los resultados del tratamiento quirurgico y la supervivencia de estos pacientes,comparando estos datos con los obtenidos por otros autores.

Neoplasias sincrónicas colorrectales: revisión de 241 casos de neoplasia colorrectal / Colorectal synchronous neoplasias: review of 241 cases of colorectal neoplasias

Se presenta una revisión de 241 casos de neoplasias colorrectales, entre los cuales se hallaron 11 casos de neoplasias sincrónicas; correspondientes al 4,5

Neoplasias sincrónicas colorrectales: revisión de 241 casos de neoplasia colorrectal / Colorectal synchronous neoplasias: review of 241 cases of colorectal neoplasias

Se presenta una revisión de 241 casos de neoplasias colorrectales, entre los cuales se hallaron 11 casos de neoplasias sincrónicas; correspondientes al 4,5