Acute TNFα levels predict cognitive impairment 6-9 months after COVID-19 infection.

BACKGROUND: A neurocognitive phenotype of post-COVID-19 infection has recently been described that is characterized by a lack of awareness of memory impairment (i.e., anosognosia), altered functional connectivity in the brain's default mode and limbic networks, and an elevated monocyte count. However, the relationship between these cognitive and brain functional connectivity alterations in the chronic phase with the level of cytokines during the acute phase has yet to be identified. AIM: Determine whether acute cytokine type and levels is associated with anosognosia and functional patterns of brain connectivity 6-9 months after infection. METHODS: We analyzed the predictive value of the concentration of acute cytokines (IL-1RA, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IFNγ, G-CSF, GM-CSF) (cytokine panel by multiplex immunoassay) in the plasma of 39 patients (mean age 59 yrs, 38-78) in relation to their anosognosia scores for memory deficits via stepwise linear regression. Then, associations between the different cytokines and brain functional connectivity patterns were analyzed by MRI and multivariate partial least squares correlations for the whole group. RESULTS: Stepwise regression modeling allowed us to show that acute TNFα levels predicted (R2 = 0.145; ß = -0.38; p = .017) and were associated (r = -0.587; p < .001) with scores of anosognosia for memory deficits observed 6-9 months post-infection. Finally, high TNFα levels were associated with hippocampal, temporal pole, accumbens nucleus, amygdala, and cerebellum connectivity. CONCLUSION: Increased plasma TNFα levels in the acute phase of COVID-19 predict the presence of long-term anosognosia scores and changes in limbic system functional connectivity.

Diatom assemblages from different environments of the Acoculco Caldera associated to hydrothermal and anthropogenic activity.

The use of diatoms as indicators of water quality has been studied worldwide; however, the use of diatoms as indicators of thermic anomalies has received less attention. The objective of this study is not only to provide a record on algal communities, but also to investigate the relationship between the diversity in diatom species and the physicochemical conditions of water. Evaluating its temporal variability in a caldera with low permeability and cold acid hydrothermal anomalies. Diatom assemblages were identified at 11 sites. Species composition was compared between seasons (dry and wet) in different environments, as streams, ponds and pools within the caldera. The physicochemical and environmental differences are very specific, which allowed the diatom identification from geothermal and anthropogenic sources without finding mixtures. The results show that the main diatom flora of the Acoculco caldera consists of 15 dominant species. Sulphite-rich acidic hydrothermal waters are characterized by the presence of Eunotia exigua, Eunotia bilunaris, and Pinnularia brauniana. In non-hydrothermal streams, Planothidium, Achnanthidium, and Humidophila species are the most common taxa. Other diatoms from acidic environments were Frustulia saxonica, Surirella, and Stenopterobia. The assemblages are clearly different from those of alkaline environments. Epithemia, Planothidium, and Ulnaria are present in the streams and are not associated with thermalism. Ordination of diatom assemblages showed that pH, conductivity, and nutrient concentrations, some of which are influenced by anthropogenic activities, were the main factors influencing the distribution of diatom composition.

Frequency of Abnormally Low Neuropsychological Scores in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: the Geneva COVID-COG Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have reported poor long-term neuropsychological performances in patients following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, but none has yet considered the effect of administering multiple intercorrelated neuropsychological tests and assessed the frequency of cognitive deficits in a normative population. Our aim was therefore to assess the presence of cumulative neuropsychological deficits in an actual post-coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) comparison group versus one simulated using Monte-Carlo methods. METHOD: Validated neuropsychological Monte-Carlo simulation methods were applied to scores from a battery of neuropsychological tests (memory, executive, attentional, perceptual, logical reasoning, language, and ideomotor praxis) administered to 121 patients who had had mild, moderate, or severe COVID-19 (mean age: 56.70 years; 32% women), 222 ± 43 days post-infection. The cumulative percentages of the three severity subgroups were compared with the results of a false discovery rate-corrected probability analysis based on normative data. RESULTS: The cumulative percentages of deficits in memory and executive functions among the severe and moderate patients were significantly higher than those estimated for the normative population. Moderate patients also had significantly more deficits in perception and logical reasoning. In contrast, the mild group did not have significantly more cumulative deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate and severe forms of COVID-19 cause greater long-term neuropsychological deficits than those that would be found in a normative population, reinforcing the hypothesis of long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 on cognitive function, independent of the severity of the initial infection.

Monocytosis in the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection predicts the presence of anosognosia for cognitive deficits in the chronic phase.

Reduced awareness of neuropsychological disorders (i.e., anosognosia) is a striking symptom of post-COVID-19 condition. Some leukocyte markers in the acute phase may predict the presence of anosognosia in the chronic phase, but they have not yet been identified. This study aimed to determine whether patients with anosognosia for their memory deficits in the chronic phase presented specific leukocyte distribution in the acute phase, and if so, whether these leukocyte levels might be predictive of anosognosia. First, we compared the acute immunological data (i.e., white blood cell differentiation count) of 20 patients who displayed anosognosia 6-9 months after being infected with SARS-CoV-2 (230.25 ± 46.65 days) versus 41 patients infected with SARS-Cov-2 who did not develop anosognosia. Second, we performed an ROC analysis to evaluate the predictive value of the leukocyte markers that emerged from this comparison. Blood circulating monocytes (%) in the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection were associated with long-term post-COVID-19 anosognosia. A monocyte percentage of 7.35% of the total number of leukocytes at admission seemed to predict the presence of chronic anosognosia 6-9 months after infection.

A reply to "Relevant factors in the eutrophication of the Uruguay River and the Río Negro".

A recent paper by Beretta-Blanco and Carrasco-Letelier (2021) claims that agricultural eutrophication is not one of the main causes for cyanobacterial blooms in rivers and artificial reservoirs. By combining rivers of markedly different hydrological characteristics e.g., presence/absence and number of dams, river discharge and geological setting, the study speculates about the role of nutrients for modulating phytoplankton chlorophyll-a. Here, we identified serious flaws, from erratic and inaccurate data manipulation. The study did not define how erroneous original dataset values were treated, how the variables below the detection/quantification limit were numerically introduced, lack of mandatory variables for river studies such as flow and rainfall, arbitrary removal of pH > 7.5 values (which were not outliers), and finally how extreme values of other environmental variables were included. In addition, we identified conceptual and procedural mistakes such as biased construction/evaluation of model prediction capability. The study trained the model using pooled data from a short restricted lotic section of the (large) Uruguay River and from both lotic and reservoir domains of the Negro River, but then tested predictability within the (small) Cuareim River. Besides these methodological considerations, the article shows misinterpretations of the statistical correlation of cause and effect neglecting basic limnological knowledge of the ecology of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and international research on land use effects on freshwater quality. The argument that pH is a predictor variable for HABs neglects overwhelming basic paradigms of carbon fluxes and change in pH because of primary productivity. As a result, the article introduces the notion that HABs formation are not related to agricultural land use and water residence time and generate a great risk for the management of surface waterbodies. This reply also emphasizes the need for good practices of open data management, especially for public databases in view of external reproducibility.

Improved biovolume estimation of Microcystis aeruginosa colonies: A statistical approach.

The Microcystis aeruginosa complex (MAC) clusters many of the most common freshwater and brackish bloom-forming cyanobacteria. In monitoring protocols, biovolume estimation is a common approach to determine MAC colonies biomass and useful for prediction purposes. Biovolume (µm3 mL-1) is calculated multiplying organism abundance (orgL-1) by colonial volume (µm3org-1). Colonial volume is estimated based on geometric shapes and requires accurate measurements of dimensions using optical microscopy. A trade-off between easy-to-measure but low-accuracy simple shapes (e.g. sphere) and time costly but high-accuracy complex shapes (e.g. ellipsoid) volume estimation is posed. Overestimations effects in ecological studies and management decisions associated to harmful blooms are significant due to the large sizes of MAC colonies. In this work, we aimed to increase the precision of MAC biovolume estimations by developing a statistical model based on two easy-to-measure dimensions. We analyzed field data from a wide environmental gradient (800 km) spanning freshwater to estuarine and seawater. We measured length, width and depth from ca. 5700 colonies under an inverted microscope and estimated colonial volume using three different recommended geometrical shapes (sphere, prolate spheroid and ellipsoid). Because of the non-spherical shape of MAC the ellipsoid resulted in the most accurate approximation, whereas the sphere overestimated colonial volume (3-80) especially for large colonies (MLD higher than 300 µm). Ellipsoid requires measuring three dimensions and is time-consuming. Therefore, we constructed different statistical models to predict organisms depth based on length and width. Splitting the data into training (2/3) and test (1/3) sets, all models resulted in low training (1.41-1.44%) and testing average error (1.3-2.0%). The models were also evaluated using three other independent datasets. The multiple linear model was finally selected to calculate MAC volume as an ellipsoid based on length and width. This work contributes to achieve a better estimation of MAC volume applicable to monitoring programs as well as to ecological research.

Infección tardía por estreptococo grupo B en gemelos nacidos mediante cesárea / Late-onset group B streptococcus disease in twins delivered by caesarean section

El estreptococo del grupo B (EGB) es un germen comensal de la microflora intestinal, bien conocido por producir infección invasiva precoz y tardía en el recién nacido. La transmisión de la infección precoz por EGB se produce de forma vertical, y la introducción de la profilaxis antibiótica intraparto en las últimas décadas ha supuesto una reducción drástica en la incidencia. Los avances en la prevención y conocimiento de los factores de riesgo de la infección tardía se encuentran estáticos desde hace varias décadas. La continua modificación y mejora de las guías sobre profilaxis, factores de riesgo y prevención de la infección precoz por EGB siguen sin abarcar la infección tardía por dicho patógeno. Los casos clínicos presentados ilustran la presencia de zonas grises en las recomendaciones clínicas actuales y en el conocimiento de la etiopatiogenia de la enfermedad tardía

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a commensal pathogen of the gut microflora with a well-established role in the aetiology of early and late onset GBS infections in the newborn. The incidence of early onset infections by vertical transmission has been drastically reducedin recent decades with the use of intravenous intrapartum prophylaxis. Progress in risk factor detection and prophylaxis of late-onset infection has however remained static. The ongoing modifications and improvements of the guidelines regarding prophylaxis, risk factors and prevention of the early-onset GBS disease have not addressed late-onset GBS infection in detail. The following cases illustrate the presence of grey areas in current guidelines and in the knowledge of the pathogenesis of late-onset disease

[Late-onset Group B Streptococcus disease in twins delivered by caesarean section]. / Infección tardía por estreptococo grupo B en gemelos nacidos mediante cesárea.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a commensal pathogen of the gut microflora with a well-established role in the aetiology of early and late onset GBS infections in the newborn. The incidence of early onset infections by vertical transmission has been drastically reduced in recent decades with the use of intravenous intrapartum prophylaxis. Progress in risk factor detection and prophylaxis of late-onset infection has however remained static. The ongoing modifications and improvements of the guidelines regarding prophylaxis, risk factors and prevention of the early-onset GBS disease have not addressed late-onset GBS infection in detail. The following cases illustrate the presence of grey areas in current guidelines and in the knowledge of the pathogenesis of late-onset disease.

Quality and stability of oral extemporaneous formulations developed from commercial tablets containing spironolactone / Desenvolvimento e estudo de estabilidade de formulações extemporâneas de uso oral a partir de comprimidos comerciais contendo espironolactona

The purpose of this study was to develop extemporaneous liquid pharmaceutical formulations from commercial tablets containing spironolactone and to assess their stability for use in children or adults with difficulty in swallowing. The content and stability of spironolactone in the tablets, as well as in water, 1.5% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or simple syrup dispersions were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis on a C18 silica column (250 mm ? 4.6 mm ? 5 ?m), with a mobile phase of methanol:water (75:25 v/v), flowing at 1 mL/min, and UV detection at 240 nm. The extemporaneous formulations were tested over a 35-day period at 8, 27, and 40 ºC. Drug content in the aqueous dispersion was far lower than expected, with significant fluctuations at all temperatures, owing to rapid sedimentation. The content proved adequate in aqueous 1.5% CMC dispersion at 27 ºC, with undesirable variations at the other temperatures. The syrup-based dispersion remained stable at all three temperatures, with suitable drug content and no significant variability. No degradation products were observed in any of the formulations. The syrup-based dispersion is easy to prepare, self-preserving, stable, palatable, offering satisfactory drug content per dose, and can therefore be recommended as an extemporaneous formulation for enhancing treatment adherence and effectiveness...

O objetivo desse trabalho foi desenvolver e avaliar a estabilidade de formas farmacêuticas líquidas extemporâneas, a partir de amostras comerciais (comprimidos), contendo espironolactona, para que possam ser empregadas em pacientes pediátricos ou adultos com dificuldade de deglutição. A metodologia empregada para a análise do teor e da estabilidade do fármaco espironolactona nos comprimidos e nas dispersões utilizando água, carboximetilcelulose (CMC) 1,5% e xarope simples foi a Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE), utilizando coluna de sílica C18 (250 mm x 4,6 mm x 5 μm), fluxo de 1 mL/min, comprimento de onda 240 nm e fase móvel metanol:água (75:25 v/v). As formulações extemporâneas foram analisadas durante 35 dias nas temperaturas de 8, 27 e 40 ºC. A dispersão aquosa apresentou teor muito abaixo do esperado, com variações significativas em todas as temperaturas, devido à rápida sedimentação. A dispersão aquosa de CMC 1,5% apresentou teor adequado na temperatura de 27 ºC com variações indesejadas nas demais temperaturas. A dispersão de xarope simples apresentou-se estável nas três temperaturas, com teor adequado e sem variações significativas. Não foi observado produto de degradação em nenhuma das formulações propostas. Por ser de fácil preparação, autoconservante, estável e de sabor agradável, a dispersão de xarope simples é a formulação extemporânea recomendada, pois garante teor satisfatório por dose e, portanto, favorece aumento à adesão e à eficácia do tratamento...

Exactitud del test de procalcitonina en el diagnóstico de bacteriemia oculta en pediatría: revisión sistemática y metanálisis / Accuracy of the procalcitonin test in the diagnosis of occult bacteremia in paediatrics: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objetivos: Evaluar la exactitud diagnóstica del test de procalcitonina (PCT) sérica para detectar la infección bacteriana grave (IBG) en pacientes pediátricos ambulatorios que consultan en urgencias por fiebre sin foco (FSF). Material y métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda de artículos recogidos en los repertorios MEDLINE, OVID y EMBASE (hasta enero 2010). Se incluyeron aquellos artículos que valoraban la exactitud diagnóstica de la determinación de la PCT sérica para detectar IBG en niños que, estando previamente sanos, consultaron en urgencias por fiebre sin foco. Se evaluó su calidad metodológica mediante criterios de validez predefinidos (QUADAS, CASPE) y se incluyeron para el análisis solo los de la máxima calidad. El metanálisis estadístico se realizó mediante el programa Meta-DiSc versión 1.1.1 bajo un entorno Windows. Resultados: La búsqueda identificó 115 publicaciones. Solo 6 estudios (observacionales analíticos de cohortes prospectivas) cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, acumulando una muestra de 1.139 pacientes. La prevalencia de IBG, osciló entre un 12,8–29% con una media ponderada de 18%. La Sensibilidad global fue del 0,771 (IC 95%=0,707–0,826), la especificidad global fue del 0,804 (IC95%=0,777–0,830), la razón de verosimilitudes para resultados positivos (RVpos) global fue 3,610 (IC95%=2,481–5,253) y la razón de verosimilitudes para resultados negativos (RVneg) global fue 0,218 (IC95%=0,106–0,446). La odds ratio diagnóstica (ORD) fue 18,922 (IC95%=10,076–35,534), la curva ROC resumen (SROC) presentó un área bajo la curva (AUC)=0,8801 (IC95%=0,821–0,939), y el punto de umbral diagnóstico óptimo fue Q*=0,8106 (IC95%=0,7512–0,8699). Conclusiones: Los resultados de nuestro trabajo sugieren que, de entre los niños con fiebre sin foco no hospitalizados, la prueba de PCT identifica con exactitud a los que presentan IBG. Estos resultados no pueden extrapolarse a un espectro diferente de pacientes pediátricos (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of serum procalcitonin (PCT) to detect severe bacterial infection (SBI) in ambulatory children attended in the emergency room (ER) for fever without source (FWS). Material and methods: A search was made in MEDLINE, OVID and EMBASE (to January 2010). We searched for papers that evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of serum PCT to detect SBI in children that, being previously well, were seen in the ER for FWS. We rated the methodological quality of each paper using objective validity criteria (QUADAS, CASPE) and included only those with the maximum quality in the analysis. The statistical meta-analysis was performed using the software, Meta-DiSc 1.1.1 for Windows. Results: The search identified 115 papers. Only 6 studies (prospective observational and analytic cohorts) fitted the inclusion criteria, with a sample size of 1139 patients. The prevalence of SBI was between 12.8% and 29% with a weighted mean of 18%. The overall senstivity was 0.771 (95% CI=0.707–0.826), the overall specificity was 0.804 (95% CI=0.777–0.830), the overall positive likelihood ratio was 3.610 (95% CI=2.481–5.253) and the overall negative likelihood ratio was 0.218 (95% CI=0.106–0.446). The diagnostic OR was 18.922 (95% CI=10.076–35.534), the Area under the SROC curve was 0.8801 (95% CI=0.821–0.939), and the optimal diagnostic cut-off value was Q*=0.8106 (95% CI=0.7512–0.8699). Conclusions: On the basis of our analysis, in children with FWS seen in the ER, the serum PCT test accurately identifies those that have a SBI. We cannot extrapolate these results to other types of patients (AU)

[Accuracy of the procalcitonin test in the diagnosis of occult bacteremia in paediatrics: a systematic review and meta-analysis]. / Exactitud del test de procalcitonina en el diagnóstico de bacteriemia oculta en pediatría: revisión sistemática y metanálisis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of serum procalcitonin (PCT) to detect severe bacterial infection (SBI) in ambulatory children attended in the emergency room (ER) for fever without source (FWS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A search was made in MEDLINE, OVID and EMBASE (to January 2010). We searched for papers that evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of serum PCT to detect SBI in children that, being previously well, were seen in the ER for FWS. We rated the methodological quality of each paper using objective validity criteria (QUADAS, CASPE) and included only those with the maximum quality in the analysis. The statistical meta-analysis was performed using the software, Meta-DiSc 1.1.1 for Windows. RESULTS: The search identified 115 papers. Only 6 studies (prospective observational and analytic cohorts) fitted the inclusion criteria, with a sample size of 1139 patients. The prevalence of SBI was between 12.8% and 29% with a weighted mean of 18%. The overall senstivity was 0.771 (95% CI=0.707-0.826), the overall specificity was 0.804 (95% CI=0.777-0.830), the overall positive likelihood ratio was 3.610 (95% CI=2.481-5.253) and the overall negative likelihood ratio was 0.218 (95% CI=0.106-0.446). The diagnostic OR was 18.922 (95% CI=10.076-35.534), the Area under the SROC curve was 0.8801 (95% CI=0.821-0.939), and the optimal diagnostic cut-off value was Q*=0.8106 (95% CI=0.7512-0.8699). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our analysis, in children with FWS seen in the ER, the serum PCT test accurately identifies those that have a SBI. We cannot extrapolate these results to other types of patients.

[Ultrasonographic and power Doppler appearance of locoregional metastases from cutaneous melanoma]. / Aspecto ecográfico y en power doppler de las metástasis macroscópicas locorregionales del melanoma cutáneo.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the morphological and vascular ultrasound findings of cutaneous melanoma locoregional metastasis, both in lymph nodes and in superficial soft tissues. To see if detection of these findings allows a sure diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The morphological aspects of melanoma metastasis were evaluated with high-resolution ultrasound, and vascularisation by power color, by means the malignancy criteria previously described. RESULTS: 71 loco-regional metastasis were found, in 32 patients: 15 lymph node metastases (21.2%) and 56 soft tissues metastases (78.8%). All of them were histologic confirmation. In 19 cases metastasis were not detected by clinical evaluation. The lymph node metastasis had: low echogenicity (100%) with heterogeneous texture (66.7%); absence of echogenic hilus (93.3%); a ratio between longitudinal and transverse diameters<2 in most cases (86.2%); and peripheral or mixed vascularisation (86.6%). A statistic signification (p=0.049) was proved between L/T ratio and vascularisation type. Soft tissues metastases presented: a maximal diameter between 3-27 mm (mean: 6.91); oval or round shape, sometimes lobulate; well-defined margins (100%); low echogenicity (100%); heterogeneous texture (64.3%); and they showed vascularisation even in the smallest lesions (<5 mm). A statistic signification (p=0.006) was proved between the size and the vascularisation degree. CONCLUSION: US findings allow a suspicion diagnosis of melanoma locoregional metastasis even when metastasis was not detected in physical exam.

Aspecto ecográfico y en power doppler de las metástasis macroscópicas locorregionales del melanoma cutáneo / Ultrasonographic and power Doppler appearance of locoregional metastases from cutaneous melanoma

Objetivo. Describir las características ecográficas morfológicas y vasculares de las metástasis locorregionales del melanoma cutáneo, tanto ganglionares como en tejidos superficiales; observar si el reconocimiento ecográfico de estas lesiones permite el diagnóstico con alto grado de certeza. Material y métodos. Se valoró el aspecto morfológico en ecografía de alta resolución y la vascularización mediante power color, de las metástasis locorregionales de melanoma, aplicando los criterios de malignidad propios de estas lesiones, descritos en la literatura. Resultados. Se encontraron 71 metástasis locorregionales en 32 pacientes, 15 metástasis ganglionares (21,2%) y 56 metástasis de partes blandas (78,8%), que se confirmaron anatomopatológicamente. En 19 casos no fueron sospechadas clínicamente. Las metástasis ganglionares presentaron ecogenicidad baja (100%) con textura heterogénea (66,7%), ausencia de hilio ecogénico (93,3%), una relación entre el diámetro longitudinal y transverso < 2 (86,6%) y vascularización periférica o mixta (86,6%). Se demostró una relación estadística significativa (p = 0,049) entre el L/T ratio y el tipo de vascularización. Las metástasis de partes blandas presentaron un diámetro máximo entre 3-27 mm (media: 6,91), forma ovalada o redondeada, a veces lobulada, márgenes bien definidos (100%), ecogenicidad baja (100%), textura heterogénea (64,3%) y presencia de vascularización (100%), incluso en las lesiones más pequeñas (< 5 mm). Se demostró una relación estadística significativa (p = 0,006) entre el tamaño y el grado de vascularización. Conclusión. Las características ecográficas permiten el diagnóstico de sospecha de las metástasis locorregionales del melanoma cutáneo, incluso en aquéllas que no pueden ser sospechadas clínicamente

Objetive. To describe the morphological and vascular ultrasound findings of cutaneous melanoma locoregional metastasis, both in lymph nodes and in superficial soft tissues. To see if detection of these findings allows a sure diagnosis. Materials and methods. The morphological aspects of melanoma metastasis were evaluated with high-resolution ultrasound, and vascularisation by power color, by means the malignancy criteria previously described. Results. 71 loco-regional metastasis were found, in 32 patients: 15 lymph node metastases (21,2%) and 56 soft tissues metastases (78,8%). All of them were histologyc confirmation. In 19 cases metastasis were not detected by clinical evaluation. The lymph node metastasis had: low echogenicity (100%) with heterogeneous texture (66,7%); absence of echogenic hilus (93,3%); a ratio between longitudinal andtransverse diameters < 2 in most cases (86,2%); and peripheral or mixed vascularisation (86,6%). A statistic signification (p = 0,049) was proved between L/T ratio and vascularisation type. Soft tissues metastases presented: a maximal diameter between 3-27 mm (mean: 6,91); oval or round shape, sometimes lobulate; well-defined margins (100%); low echogenicity(100%); heterogeneous texture (64,3%); and they showedvascularisation even in the smallest lesions (< 5 mm). A statisticsignification (p = 0,006) was proved between the sizeand the vascularisation degree.Conclusion. US findings allow a suspicion diagnosis ofmelanoma locoregional metastasis even when metastasiswas not detected in physical exam (AU)

Determination of Cu, Ni, and Zn in fuel ethanol by FAAS after enrichment in column packed with 2-aminothiazole-modified silica gel.

This work describes the synthesis and characterization of 2-aminothiazole-modified silica gel (SiAT), as well as its application for preconcentration (in batch and column technique) of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) in ethanol medium. The adsorption capacities of SiAT determined for each metal ion were (mmol g(-1)): Cu(II)=1.20, Ni(II)=1.10 and Zn(II)=0.90. In addition, results obtained in flow experiments, showed a recovery of ca. 100% of the metal ions adsorbed in a column packed with 500 mg of SiAT. The eluent was 2.0 mol L(-1) HCl. The sorption-desorption of the studied metal ions made possible the development of a preconcentration method for metal ions at trace level in fuel ethanol using flame AAS for their quantification.

[Telling a beautiful story: the trajectory of the Brazilian Nurses Association-Bahia]. / Contando uma bela história: a trajetória da ABEn-Bahia.

This study presents the story of the Brazilian Association of Nursing in Bahia federal state. It parallels the trajectory of this association to the history of the National Brazilian Association of Nursing, pointing out the most important events in its fifty-three years of work. It is clear that the history of the Brazilian Association of Trained Nurses (ABED)/ABEn-Bahia begins with the foundation of the Nursing School of the Federal University of Bahia. Teachers at this university, who were nurses in their home states, and had participated in other associations previously, were motivated to create a new branch of ABEn in Bahia. The branch of ABEn in the city of Feira de Santana-Bahia, had a similar trajectory, since it was also founded after the creation of the State University of Feira de Santana. The branch of ABEn in Bahia is considered a democratic association, which is attentive to the claims of the nursing professionals, the health of the Brazilian population and also to the strengthening of the organization.

Prevalence and risk of cysticercosis and taeniasis in an urban population of soldiers and their relatives.

To determine markers of Taenia solium transmission and risk factors in an urban community, we studied 1,000 soldiers from a military camp in Mexico City and their relatives. Serum samples were used to detect antigens and antibodies and fecal specimens were examined for Taenia coproantigens and helminth eggs. Prevalences of 12.2% and 5.8% for cysticercosis were found among soldiers and their relatives, respectively. Taeniasis was found in 0.5% and none of the groups, respectively. Relatives of soldiers positive for cysticercosis and taeniasis markers ate more pork from street stores than restaurants or markets compared with relatives of soldiers without these indicators of infection. Also, 12.0% of the relatives of positive soldiers had a history of expelling tapeworm proglottids in the feces in contrast to 3.7% of the family members of the control group. Prevalence values and risk factors in this urban population are similar to those of previous studies performed in rural populations.

[Evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of WHR-1142A in the treatment of non-specific acute diarrhea]. / Valoración de la seguridad y eficacia del WHR-1142A en el tratamiento de la diarrea aguda inespecífica.

A randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial of the safety and efficacy of lidamidine hydrochloride (WHR-1142A) in thirty patients with acute nonspecific diarrhea was conducted. During their 29-hour hospital treatment period, the average number of bowel movements for each ten patient treatment group was: placebo, 5.1: lidamidine hydrochloride (10 mg), 2.4; lidamidine hydrochloride (18 mg), 2.5. The average weight of the feces of the patients in each treatment group was: placebo, 576 grams; lidamidine hydrochloride (10 mg), 364 grams; lidamidine hydrochloride (18 mg), 435 grams. Time intervals between each of the first two doses were greater for those patients in the active treatment groups (lidamidine hydrochloride) when compared to the placebo group. Overall evaluation of therapy was rated by physician and patient at end of study: placebo, 10 of 10, not effective; lidamidine hydrochloride (10 mg), 10 of 10 (100%) effective; lidamidine hydrochloride (18 mg), 10 of 10 (100%) effective. Vital signs and laboratory values remained within normal ranges throughout the duration of study, and no clinically significant adverse effects were reported.