Paper-based chromatic toxicity bioassay by analysis of bacterial ferricyanide reduction.

Water quality assessment requires a continuous and strict analysis of samples to guarantee compliance with established standards. Nowadays, the increasing number of pollutants and their synergistic effects lead to the development general toxicity bioassays capable to analyse water pollution as a whole. Current general toxicity methods, e.g. Microtox(®), rely on long operation protocols, the use of complex and expensive instrumentation and sample pre-treatment, which should be transported to the laboratory for analysis. These requirements delay sample analysis and hence, the response to avoid an environmental catastrophe. In an attempt to solve it, a fast (15 min) and low-cost toxicity bioassay based on the chromatic changes associated to bacterial ferricyanide reduction is here presented. E. coli cells (used as model bacteria) were stably trapped on low-cost paper matrices (cellulose-based paper discs, PDs) and remained viable for long times (1 month at -20 °C). Apart from bacterial carrier, paper matrices also acted as a fluidic element, allowing fluid management without the need of external pumps. Bioassay evaluation was performed using copper as model toxic agent. Chromatic changes associated to bacterial ferricyanide reduction were determined by three different transduction methods, i.e. (i) optical reflectometry (as reference method), (ii) image analysis and (iii) visual inspection. In all cases, bioassay results (in terms of half maximal effective concentrations, EC50) were in agreement with already reported data, confirming the good performance of the bioassay. The validation of the bioassay was performed by analysis of real samples from natural sources, which were analysed and compared with a reference method (i.e. Microtox). Obtained results showed agreement for about 70% of toxic samples and 80% of non-toxic samples, which may validate the use of this simple and quick protocol in the determination of general toxicity. The minimum instrumentation requirements and the simplicity of the bioassay open the possibility of in-situ water toxicity assessment with a fast and low-cost protocol.

[Esophageal involvement in progressive systemic sclerosis]. / Compromiso esofágico en la esclerosis sistémica progresiva.

Systemic sclerosis is a collagen disease with high frequency of oesophageal affection, specially if we use manometry as an evaluation method that has a high rate of clinic complication in high rate of patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of the oesophageal affection through the clinical, radiological, endoscopical and manometrical studies and to compare the results with other authors. Between January 1978 and February 1993, we evaluated 101 patients with different clinical types of scleroderma 89 females and 12 males with ages between 16-83 (mean: 49, 19 years). In order to determine systemic sclerosis diagnosis following Masi Rodman criterion's we found from 101 cases 83 had dysphagia (82.2%) motor 66 (65%) organic 17 (34.7%) GER was seem in 41 cases (40.5%). According to Heitz's radiological classification: I: 26 patients (25%) II: 58 patients (52.4%) III: 19 patients (18.8%) IV: 17 patients (16.9%). In reference to Neschis manometric classification we found II 88 (76%) III 77 (76%) In accordance with endoscopical classification we found I: 16 (15.8%); II: 49 (48.5%); III: 19 (18.8%); IV: 17 (16.9%); Although this motor and organic oesophageal alterations have an evident diagnostic value, they have also been referred in another metabolic and collagen diseases but with lesser frequency than was found in the systemic sclerosis by us.

[The maxillary challenge in oral implantology]. / Le défi du maxillaire en implantologie orale.

The implant recipient site may at times be inadequate or absent due to the presence of an oro-antral fistula, and procedures have to be implemented to remove the fistula, debride, and bone graft the implant site. This presentation and paper address several innovative procedures and their indications. Four sinus augmentation modalities and a "T.L.C. Window Approach" are described and illustrated. The first three modalities are classified as Sinus Augmentation No. 6. The debridement procedure is outlined in 4 steps: Deepithelialization of the soft tissue aspect of the oro-antral fistula; a circumferential incision; debridement and suture of the fistulous tract; and augmentation of the sinus. The extent of the osseous oro-antral fistulae involvement is classified as Types S, M, and L (small, medium, and large), and the measurements are indicated. The fourth modality is titled Sinus Augmentation No. 7, and it is concerned with the treatment of large sinus, further underlined by a severely lingualized "available bone" trajectory. To correct this type of case, the author suggests the Sinus Augmentation No. 7 modality, which, by definition, is the extemporaneous correction of the aforementioned deficiency, using a sinus augmentation (SA.4 modality) coupled to an autogenous inlay-onlay bone graft (endchondral or membranous), bearing root form implants and osteosynthesized to the palatal osseous wall of the S.4 type sinus. The "T.L.C. Window Approach" is used when a foreign body is present in the antral area and has to be removed to avoid the possibility of infection or impaired osteal drainage at the same time a sinus augmentation is performed.

Compromiso esofagico en la esclerosis sistemica progresiva / Esophageal involvement in the progressive systemic sclerosis

La esclerosis sistémica progresiva, es una colagenopatia con alta frecuencia de compromiso esofágico, especialmente si se utiliza la manometría como método de evaluación y que asume elevadas complicaciones clínicas en un alto porcentaje de pacientes. El objetivo fue evaluar la prevalencia del compromiso esofágico a través de la clínica, radiológia, endoscopia, manometría, y comparar los resultados con los de otros autores. Entre enero de 1978 y febrero de 1993, se evaluaron 101 pacientes con distintas formas clínicas de esclerodermia, 89 mujeres y 12 varones de edades entre 16 y 83 años, con X de 49,19 años. Para establecer el diagnóstico de esclerosis sistémica se tomaron en cuenta los criterios establecidos por Masi, Rodnan (1978). De los 101 casos, 83 tuvieron disfagia (82,2 por ciento), motora 66 (65 por cento) orgánica 17(34,7 por ciento). Reflujo gastroesofágico se observó en 41 casos (40,5 por ciento). Según la clasificación radiológica de Heitz: estadio I, 26 pacientes (25 por ciento), estadio II, 58 pacientes (57,4 por ciento), estadio III, 17 pacientes (16,9 por ciento). Endoscópicamente según Gibbs se encontraron: estadío I, 16 pacients (15,8 por ciento), estadío II 49 pacientes (48,5 por ciento), estadío III, 19 pacients (18,8 por ciento) y estadío IV, 17 pacientes (16,9 por ciento). Manometria, según Neschis, observamos 77 pacientes (76//) en estadío II y III. Si bien estas anormalidades motoras y orgánicas esofágicas tienen un valor diagnóstico evidente también han sido referidas en otras colagenopatías y enfermedades metabólicas, que aunque con frecuencia significativamente menor a la hallada por los autores en la esclerosis sistémica progresiva

Compromiso esofágico en la esclerosis sistémica progresiva. / [Esophageal involvement in progressive systemic sclerosis]

Systemic sclerosis is a collagen disease with high frequency of oesophageal affection, specially if we use manometry as an evaluation method that has a high rate of clinic complication in high rate of patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of the oesophageal affection through the clinical, radiological, endoscopical and manometrical studies and to compare the results with other authors. Between January 1978 and February 1993, we evaluated 101 patients with different clinical types of scleroderma 89 females and 12 males with ages between 16-83 (mean: 49, 19 years). In order to determine systemic sclerosis diagnosis following Masi Rodman criterions we found from 101 cases 83 had dysphagia (82.2

) motor 66 (65

) organic 17 (34.7

) GER was seem in 41 cases (40.5

). According to Heitzs radiological classification: I: 26 patients (25

) II: 58 patients (52.4

) III: 19 patients (18.8

) IV: 17 patients (16.9

). In reference to Neschis manometric classification we found II 88 (76

) III 77 (76

) In accordance with endoscopical classification we found I: 16 (15.8

); II: 49 (48.5

); III: 19 (18.8

); IV: 17 (16.9

); Although this motor and organic oesophageal alterations have an evident diagnostic value, they have also been referred in another metabolic and collagen diseases but with lesser frequency than was found in the systemic sclerosis by us.

Compromiso esofagico en la esclerosis sistemica progresiva / Esophageal involvement in the progressive systemic sclerosis

La esclerosis sistémica progresiva, es una colagenopatia con alta frecuencia de compromiso esofágico, especialmente si se utiliza la manometría como método de evaluación y que asume elevadas complicaciones clínicas en un alto porcentaje de pacientes. El objetivo fue evaluar la prevalencia del compromiso esofágico a través de la clínica, radiológia, endoscopia, manometría, y comparar los resultados con los de otros autores. Entre enero de 1978 y febrero de 1993, se evaluaron 101 pacientes con distintas formas clínicas de esclerodermia, 89 mujeres y 12 varones de edades entre 16 y 83 años, con X de 49,19 años. Para establecer el diagnóstico de esclerosis sistémica se tomaron en cuenta los criterios establecidos por Masi, Rodnan (1978). De los 101 casos, 83 tuvieron disfagia (82,2 por ciento), motora 66 (65 por cento) orgánica 17(34,7 por ciento). Reflujo gastroesofágico se observó en 41 casos (40,5 por ciento). Según la clasificación radiológica de Heitz: estadio I, 26 pacientes (25 por ciento), estadio II, 58 pacientes (57,4 por ciento), estadio III, 17 pacientes (16,9 por ciento). Endoscópicamente según Gibbs se encontraron: estadío I, 16 pacients (15,8 por ciento), estadío II 49 pacientes (48,5 por ciento), estadío III, 19 pacients (18,8 por ciento) y estadío IV, 17 pacientes (16,9 por ciento). Manometria, según Neschis, observamos 77 pacientes (76//) en estadío II y III. Si bien estas anormalidades motoras y orgánicas esofágicas tienen un valor diagnóstico evidente también han sido referidas en otras colagenopatías y enfermedades metabólicas, que aunque con frecuencia significativamente menor a la hallada por los autores en la esclerosis sistémica progresiva (AU)

Fosfomycin in infantile acute gastroenteritis.

A clinical test was carried out on 83 children suffering from infectious diarrhoeal processes who were treated with fosfomycin with the oral and paranteral route. Coproculture was carried out in all the children before the beginning of treatment and in 51 of them it was repeated at the end of treatment. Antibiograms were made on the isolated germs and their MIC to fosfomycin studied. Tolerance and secondary effects of the medicament were also studied. The study was considered insufficient in 13 patients so that the evaluation was based on 70, making 4 failures and 60 clinical cures. Administration of fosfomycin causes the eradication of serotypeable E. coli and is followed by an increase in the number of Proteus sp. and Klebsiella/Enterobacter. The sensitivity of the faecal flora to fosfomycin has been very high, except for the strains of Proteus sp. and Klebsiella/Enterobacter. The accumulative percentage of the MIC to fosfomycin of all the strains isolated shows that more than 75% of them are inhibited at concentrations under 32 mug/ml. Tolerance was good and no secondary effects were observed except for the sporadic rise in the SGPT of the children.