Impact of interferon-free regimens on the glomerular filtration rate during treatment of chronic hepatitis C in a real-life cohort.

Little data are available on renal toxicity exerted by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in real life. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of direct-acting antivirals against hepatitis C virus infection currently used in Spain and Portugal on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in clinical practise. From an international, prospective multicohort study, patients treated with DAAs for at least 12 weeks and with eGFR ≥30 mL/min per 1.73 m2 at baseline were selected. eGFR was determined using the CKD-EPI formula. A total of 1131 patients were included; 658 (58%) were HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. Among the 901 patients treated for 12 weeks, median (interquartile range) eGFR was 100 (87-107) at baseline vs 97 (85-105) mL/min per 1.73 m2 at week 12 of follow-up (FU12) post-treatment (P < .001). For HIV-coinfected subjects who received tenofovir plus a ritonavir-boosted HIV protease inhibitor (PI/r), baseline vs FU12 eGFR were 104 (86-109) vs 104 (91-110) mL/min per 1.73 m2 (P = .913). Among subjects receiving ombitasvir/paritaprevir with or without dasabuvir, eGFR did not show any significant change. Of 1100 subjects with eGFR >60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 at baseline, 22 (2%) had eGFR <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 at FU12, but none presented with eGFR <30 mL/min per 1.73 m2 . In conclusion, eGFR slightly declines during therapy with all-oral DAAs and this effect persists up to 12 weeks after stopping treatment in subjects with normal to moderately impaired renal function, regardless of HIV status. Concomitant use of tenofovir plus PI/r does not seem to have an impact on eGFR.

Long-term clinical impact of permanent cardiac pacing after transcatheter aortic valve implantation with the CoreValve prosthesis: a single center experience.

Aims: To determine the impact of permanent cardiac pacing after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the CoreValveTM prosthesis in terms of all-cause mortality and morbidity [rehospitalizations for heart failure (HF) or stroke] at the long-term follow-up. Methods and results: The prospective analysis comprised 259 patients (138 women, 53.3%, age 78 ± 6 years) treated by a CoreValveTM prosthesis from April 2008 to December 2015. Forty-two patients were excluded for analysis: 9 with pre-existing permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation, 19 who required a PPM during the follow-up and 14 patients because of hospital mortality during or after the CoreValveTM prosthesis implantation procedure. The remaining 217 patients were divided in two groups: Group-1 included those patients who required a PPM immediately after TAVI, and Group-2 included those patients who did not require permanent cardiac pacing at the long-term follow-up. Patients received follow-up at 1-month, 6-months, 12-months, and yearly thereafter. A total of 39 patients required a PPM immediately after TAVI (15.0%), but 178 patients (68.7%) did not. The mean follow-up was 37 ± 27 months (range 3-99 months) in both groups. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of all-cause mortality (52.6% vs. 56.8%, P = 0.125; HR 1.22 [0.87-1.77, 95% CI]), or stroke (13.3% vs. 15.1% P = 0.842; HR 1.12 [0.37-3.32, 95% CI]). However, patients who underwent PPM implantation developed an increase in readmissions for HF (21.1% vs. 31.9%, P = 0.015; HR 1.82 [1.23-3.92, 95% CI]). Conclusion: Patients requiring a PPM after TAVI did not have an increase in mortality, or an increase in the likelihood of developing a stroke at a long-term follow-up. However, this subgroup of patients showed an increase in rehospitalization due to HF at medium- and long-term follow-up.

Ineffective cough and mechanical mucociliary clearance techniques. / Tos ineficaz y técnicas mecánicas de aclaramiento mucociliar.

Cough is a fundamental defense mechanism for keeping the airway free of foreign elements. Life-threatening situations may arise when cough proves ineffective as a result of muscle weakness or altered mucociliary function. When a patient is unable to cough effectively, techniques are required to either reinforce or replace cough capacity. The use of mechanical systems that facilitate or substitute cough function is increasingly common in Intensive Care Units, where it is relatively frequent to find situations of ineffective cough due to different clinical causes. This review examines the current clinical practice recommendations referred to the indication and use of mechanical cough assist and intrapulmonary percussive ventilation systems.

Experiencia del empleo sistemático de la dieta de muy bajo valor calórico para la optimización en el preoperatorio de cirugía bariátrica / Experience of the systemic use of the very low caloric value diet for the optimization in the preoperatory of bariatric surgery

Resumen Introducción: La cirugía bariátrica no está exenta de complicaciones. Para minimizar dichas complicaciones es importante optimizar al paciente antes de la cirugía. Dicha optimización se basa fundamentalmente en la realización de dieta preoperatoria. Dentro de los múltiples tipos de dietas, la dieta de muy bajo valor calórico (DMBVC) es cada vez más utilizada. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los resultados del empleo de la DMBVC en el preoperatorio de cirugía bariátrica. Método: Estudio observacional de una serie de 100 casos en los que se empleó la DMBVC como optimización preoperatoria. Se analizaron el grado de cumplimiento de la dieta, la opinión de los pacientes, la pérdida de peso preoperatoria y las complicaciones postoperatorias. Resultados: La pérdida de peso preoperatoria media fue de 10,2 kg y la disminución media del IMC fue de 4,8. En cuanto al grado de seguimiento, el 68% refirió que la cumplió estrictamente, el 22% manifestó un buen grado de seguimiento con alguna transgresión ocasional, el 8% reportó un mal seguimiento y el 1% la abandonó precozmente. No se presentaron efectos adversos significativos. En cuanto a la técnica quirúrgica, en ningún caso el volumen hepático dificultó la cirugía, con un 0% de conversiones y un tiempo medio operatorio de 60 min. En el postoperatorio inmediato se registraron un 4% de sangrado y un 1% de reintervención por hemoperitoneo. Conclusiones: Las DMBVC son sencillas de utilizar, con escasos efectos adversos, bien toleradas durante un periodo limitado de tiempo, obteniendo una adecuada pérdida ponderal preoperatoria.

Abstract Introduction: Bariatric surgery may have some complications. To minimize such complications is important to optimize the patient before surgery. Such optimization is based primarily on the performance of preoperative diet. Among the many types of diets, very low caloric diet (VLCD) is increasingly used. The aim of this study is to analyze the results of the use of VLCD preoperative bariatric surgery. Method: Observational study of a series of 100 cases in which the DMBVC was used as a preoperative optimization. The degree of compliance with the diet, the opinion of patients, preoperative weight loss and postoperative complications were analyzed. Results: The mean preoperative weight loss was 10.2 kg and the average BMI decrease of 4.8. As for the degree of compliance, 68% said that the strictly fulfilled, 22% follow up with a good degree occasional transgression, mistracking 8% and 1% abandoned early. No significant adverse effects occurred. Regarding the surgical technique, in any case difficult surgery liver volume, with 0% conversion and an average operating time of 60 min. In the immediate postoperative period 4% cases of reoperation for bleeding and 1% hemoperitoneum were reported. Conclusions: DMBVC are simple to use, with few adverse effects, well tolerated for a limited period of time, obtaining adequate preoperative weight loss.

[LONG-TERM FULMINANT HEPATIC FAILURE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING GASTRIC BYPASS FOR MORBID OBESITY]. / FALLO HEPÁTICO FULMINANTE A LARGO PLAZO EN PACIENTES SOMETIDOS A BYPASS GÁSTRICO POR OBESIDAD MÓRBIDA.

UNLABELLED: Morbid obesity is a risk factor for numerous diseases including liver disease with an incidence of hepatic steatosis from 70 to 80%. Although surgical treatment is effective in reducing weight, its effects on the liver have not been established convincingly. We report 2 cases of patients with bariatric surgery and who had a fulminant hepatic failure resulting in death. METHODS: case N.º 1: a 36-year-obesity intervened in 1995 with VBG with BMI 52.5 to reganancia weight back after revision surgery is performed in 2009 performed distal gastric bypass. Case N.º 2: 42 Woman surgery for obesity in 2009 by distal gastric bypass with a BMI of 51 and placement of prophylactic Composix kugel midline mesh. After 3 years with good weight loss, presents abscess wall and enterocutaneous fistula he was surgically intervene. extracting mesh, identifying themselves two fistulas in alimentary and common intestinals loops that are removed and new anastomosis was performed. RESULTS: case N.º 1: at 2 months of revision surgery, tje patient starts vomiting secondary to stenosis of gastrojejunostomy anastomosis and symptoms of progressive jaundice, ascites and encephalopathy fulminant hepatic failure resulting in death. Case N.º 2: in the immediate postoperative period starts increased drainage of debit and rise of liver enzymes cytolysis and coagulopathy. It reinterviene on suspicion of anastomotic leak and abdominal Sepsis, developing fulminant hepatic failure with coagulopathy and encephalopathy is treated by MARS system, and died within 4 hours of the onset of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: although current surgical techniques of bariatric surgery are considered quite safe, there have been cases of hepatic failure, unclear whether this would relate to the progression of a preexisting steatohepatitis, or may have other predisposing factors related to surgery. Treatments available, the emergency orthotopic liver transplantation is one of the best interventions. For our patients the outcome was fatal triggering the death of both. In both cases presented a septic shock with positive ascitic fluid cultures to multiresistant microorganisms, and both had revision surgery. Unfortunately the factors that can influence that occur after bariatric surgery such complications, and probably will be grounds for future studies are unknown.

La obesidad mórbida es un factor de riesgo para numerosas enfermedades, incluidas las enfermedades hepáticas, siendo la incidencia de esteatosis hepática de un 70 a 80%. Aunque el tratamiento quirúrgico es eficaz en la reducción del peso, sus efectos sobre el hígado no se han establecido convincentemente. Presentamos dos casos de pacientes intervenidas de cirugía bariátrica y que presentaron un fallo hepático fulminante con resultado de muerte. Material y método: caso clínico n.º 1: mujer de 36 años intervenida de obesidad en 1995 con gastroplastia vertical anillada con IMC 52,5 que tras reganancia ponderal posterior se realiza cirugía de revisión en 2009, realizándose by-pass gástrico distal. Caso clínico n.º2: mujer de 42 años intervenida de obesidad en 2009 mediante by-pass gástrico distal con IMC de 51 y colocación de malla profiláctica de composix kugel midline. A los tres años con buena pérdida ponderal presenta absceso de pared por fístula enterocutánea y se interviene quirúrgicamente, extrayendo malla, identificándose dos fístulas en asa alimentaria y común que se extirpan y se realizá nueva anastomosis. Resultados: caso clínico n.º1: a los dos meses de la cirugía de revisión inicia cuadro de vómitos secundarios a estenosis de anastomosis gastroyeyunal que se trata mediante dilatación, y cuadro de ictericia progresiva, ascitis y encefalopatía por fallo hepático fulminante con resultado de muerte. Caso clínico n.º2: en el postoperatorio inmediato inicia incremento del debito del drenaje, así como ascenso de enzimas de citolisis hepática y coagulopatía. Se reinterviene por sospecha de fuga anastomótica y sepsis abdominal, desarrollando fallo hepático fulminante con coagulopatía y encefalopatía que se trata mediante sistema MARS, falleciendo a las cuatro horas de la instauración de la terapia. Conclusiones: si bien las técnicas quirúrgicas actuales de cirugía bariátrica se consideran bastante seguras, se han presentado casos de fallo hepático, sin estar claro si esto se relacionaría con la progresión de una esteatohepatitis preexistente, o bien pudiera haber otros factores favorecedores relacionados con la cirugía. De los tratamientos disponibles, el trasplante hepático ortotópico de emergencia es una de las mejores intervenciones. En el caso de nuestras pacientes la evolución fue fatal, desencadenando la muerte de ambas. Ambos casos presentan un shock séptico con cultivos de líquido ascítico positivo a microorganismos multirresistentes, y ambas presentaron cirugías de revisión. Lamentablemente se desconocen los factores que pueden influir en que tras la cirugía bariátrica ocurran este tipo de complicaciones, y probablemente será motivo de estudios futuros.

Fallo hepático fulminante a largo plazo en pacientes sometidos a bypass gástrico por obesidad mórbida / Long-term fulminant hepatic failure in patients undergoing gastric bypass for morbid obesity

La obesidad mórbida es un factor de riesgo para numerosas enfermedades, incluidas las enfermedades hepáticas, siendo la incidencia de esteatosis hepática de un 70 a 80%. Aunque el tratamiento quirúrgico es eficaz en la reducción del peso, sus efectos sobre el hígado no se han establecido convincentemente. Presentamos dos casos de pacientes intervenidas de cirugía bariátrica y que presentaron un fallo hepático fulminante con resultado de muerte. Material y método: caso clínico n.º 1: mujer de 36 años intervenida de obesidad en 1995 con gastroplastia vertical anillada con IMC 52,5 que tras reganancia ponderal posterior se realiza cirugía de revisión en 2009, realizándose by-pass gástrico distal. Caso clínico n.º2: mujer de 42 años intervenida de obesidad en 2009 mediante by-pass gástrico distal con IMC de 51 y colocación de malla profiláctica de composix kugel midline. A los tres años con buena pérdida ponderal presenta absceso de pared por fístula enterocutánea y se interviene quirúrgicamente, extrayendo malla, identificándose dos fístulas en asa alimentaria y común que se extirpan y se realizá nueva anastomosis. Resultados: caso clínico n.º1: a los dos meses de la cirugía de revisión inicia cuadro de vómitos secundarios a estenosis de anastomosis gastroyeyunal que se trata mediante dilatación, y cuadro de ictericia progresiva, ascitis y encefalopatía por fallo hepático fulminante con resultado de muerte. Caso clínico n.º2: en el postoperatorio inmediato inicia incremento del debito del drenaje, así como ascenso de enzimas de citolisis hepática y coagulopatía. Se reinterviene por sospecha de fuga anastomótica y sepsis abdominal, desarrollando fallo hepático fulminante con coagulopatía y encefalopatía que se trata mediante sistema MARS, falleciendo a las cuatro horas de la instauración de la terapia. Conclusiones: si bien las técnicas quirúrgicas actuales de cirugía bariátrica se consideran bastante seguras, se han presentado casos de fallo hepático, sin estar claro si esto se relacionaría con la progresión de una esteatohepatitis preexistente, o bien pudiera haber otros factores favorecedores relacionados con la cirugía. De los tratamientos disponibles, el trasplante hepático ortotópico de emergencia es una de las mejores intervenciones. En el caso de nuestras pacientes la evolución fue fatal, desencadenando la muerte de ambas. Ambos casos presentan un shock séptico con cultivos de líquido ascítico positivo a microorganismos multirresistentes, y ambas presentaron cirugías de revisión. Lamentablemente se desconocen los factores que pueden influir en que tras la cirugía bariátrica ocurran este tipo de complicaciones, y probablemente será motivo de estudios futuros (AU)

Morbid obesity is a risk factor for numerous diseases including liver disease with an incidence of hepatic steatosis from 70 to 80%. Although surgical treatment is effective in reducing weight, its effects on the liver have not been established convincingly. We report 2 cases of patients with bariatric surgery and who had a fulminant hepatic failure resulting in death. Methods: case N.º 1: a 36-year-obesity intervened in 1995 with VBG with BMI 52.5 to reganancia weight back after revision surgery is performed in 2009 performed distal gastric bypass. Case N.º 2: 42 Woman surgery for obesity in 2009 by distal gastric bypass with a BMI of 51 and placement of prophylactic Composix kugel midline mesh. After 3 years with good weight loss, presents abscess wall and enterocutaneous fistula he was surgically intervene. extracting mesh, identifying themselves two fistulas in alimentary and common intestinals loops that are removed and new anastomosis was performed. Results: case N.º 1: at 2 months of revision surgery, tje patient starts vomiting secondary to stenosis of gastrojejunostomy anastomosis and symptoms of progressive jaundice, ascites and encephalopathy fulminant hepatic failure resulting in death. Case N.º 2: in the immediate postoperative period starts increased drainage of debit and rise of liver enzymes cytolysis and coagulopathy. It reinterviene on suspicion of anastomotic leak and abdominal Sepsis, developing fulminant hepatic failure with coagulopathy and encephalopathy is treated by MARS system, and died within 4 hours of the onset of therapy. Conclusions: although current surgical techniques of bariatric surgery are considered quite safe, there have been cases of hepatic failure, unclear whether this would relate to the progression of a preexisting steatohepatitis, or may have other predisposing factors related to surgery. Treatments available, the emergency orthotopic liver transplantation is one of the best interventions. For our patients the outcome was fatal triggering the death of both. In both cases presented a septic shock with positive ascitic fluid cultures to multiresistant microorganisms, and both had revision surgery. Unfortunately the factors that can influence that occur after bariatric surgery such complications, and probably will be grounds for future studies are unknown (AU)

TLR4 genotype and environmental LPS mediate RSV bronchiolitis through Th2 polarization.

While 30%-70% of RSV-infected infants develop bronchiolitis, 2% require hospitalization. It is not clear why disease severity differs among healthy, full-term infants; however, virus titers, inflammation, and Th2 bias are proposed explanations. While TLR4 is associated with these disease phenotypes, the role of this receptor in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pathogenesis is controversial. Here, we evaluated the interaction between TLR4 and environmental factors in RSV disease and defined the immune mediators associated with severe illness. Two independent populations of infants with RSV bronchiolitis revealed that the severity of RSV infection is determined by the TLR4 genotype of the individual and by environmental exposure to LPS. RSV-infected infants with severe disease exhibited a high GATA3/T-bet ratio, which manifested as a high IL-4/IFN-γ ratio in respiratory secretions. The IL-4/IFN-γ ratio present in infants with severe RSV is indicative of Th2 polarization. Murine models of RSV infection confirmed that LPS exposure, Tlr4 genotype, and Th2 polarization influence disease phenotypes. Together, the results of this study identify environmental and genetic factors that influence RSV pathogenesis and reveal that a high IL-4/IFN-γ ratio is associated with severe disease. Moreover, these molecules should be explored as potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

[Effect of gastric bypass on the cardiovascular risk and quality of life in morbid obese patients]. / Efecto del bypass gástrico sobre el riesgo cardiovascular y la calidad de vida en pacientes con obesidad mórbida.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of major comorbidities of morbidity obese patients and to evaluate the gastric bypass effect on the weight status, cardiovascular risk and quality of life in these patients. METHODS: The evolution of weight, comorbidity, 10- year follow-up of cardiovascular risk (estimated by the Framingham risk score) and quality of life using the test BAROS (Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System) was analyzed in 162 patients with morbid obesity before and 2 years after gastric bypass. RESULTS: Body mass index (BMI) was reduced from 51.12 ± 7.22 to 29.94 ± 4.86 kg/m2 (72.85% loss of excess weight). Hypertension (HT), dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were resolved in 71.93%, 91.38% and 82.93% respectively (p < 0.001). Cardiovascular risk greater than 10% was reduced from 25.91% to 4.32% (p < 0.001). According to BAROS scale, surgery was positive in 95% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric bypass is very effective in weight loss; benefits in comorbidities, cardiovascular risk and quality of life.

Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia de las principales comorbilidades asociadas a la obesidad mórbida y evaluar el efecto del bypass gástrico sobre el estado ponderal, riesgo cardiovascular y calidad de vida en estos pacientes. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo con medidas del cambio intrasujeto (antes-después) en una muestra de 162 pacientes de los resultados del bypass gástrico sobre la evolución ponderal, comorbilidades asociadas, riesgo cardiovascular a 10 años (estimado mediante las tablas de Framingham) y calidad de vida mediante el test BAROS (Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System). Resultados: El índice de masa corporal (IMC) se reduce de 51,12 ± 7,22 kg/m2 a 29,94 ± 4,86 kg/m2 (72,85% de sobrepeso perdido) y se resuelven la hipertensión arterial (HTA), la dislipemia y la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DMT2) en el 71,93%, 91,38% y 82,93% respectivamente (p < 0,001). El riesgo cardiovascular mayor del 10% se reduce del 25,91% al 4,32% (p < 0,001). Según la escala BAROS, el resultado de la cirugía fue favorable en el 95% de los casos. Conclusiones: La cirugía bariátrica mediante bypass gástrico demuestra ser muy efectiva para la reducción ponderal y comorbilidades asociadas, mejorando notablemente la calidad de vida.

[Analysis of informed consent readibility in intensive care]. / Análisis de legibilidad de consentimientos informados en cuidados intensivos.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the readability of informed consent documents (IC) used in an intensive care department and in the Andalusian Healthcare System (AHS). DESIGN: A descriptive study was carried out. SCOPE: The Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary Hospital, and the AHS. INTERVENTIONS: A review and analysis was made of the existing 14 IC models in the Intensive Care Unit and of another 14 IC models offered by the AHS, using the following readability scores: Flesch, Sentence complexity, LEGIN, Fernández-Huerta, Szigriszt and INFLESZ. RESULTS: Twenty-four IC (85.7%) failed to satisfy some of the indexes, while three (10.7%) did not satisfy any of them. Four documents (14.3%) satisfied all the indexes analyzed, and therefore are easy to understand. Flesch score: satisfied by one of the ICU IC (7.1%) and by three of the AHS documents (21.4%). Sentence complexity score: satisfied by 11 of the ICU IC (78.6%) and by 13 of the AHS documents (92.8%). Fernández-Huerta score: satisfied by four of the ICU IC (28.6%) and by 13 of the AHS documents (92.8%). Szigriszt score: satisfied by two of the ICU IC (14.3%) and by 11 of the AHS documents (64.3%). INFLESZ score: satisfied by two of the ICU IC (14.3%) and by 10 of the AHS documents (71.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The documents analyzed are generally difficult to read and understand by most people, and do not satisfy the basic purpose for which they were drafted.

The role and implications of bassanite as a stable precursor phase to gypsum precipitation.

Calcium sulfate minerals such as gypsum play important roles in natural and industrial processes, but their precipitation mechanisms remain largely unexplored. We used time-resolved sample quenching and high-resolution microscopy to demonstrate that gypsum forms via a three-stage process: (i) homogeneous precipitation of nanocrystalline hemihydrate bassanite below its predicted solubility, (ii) self-assembly of bassanite into elongated aggregates co-oriented along their c axis, and (iii) transformation into dihydrate gypsum. These findings indicate that a stable nanocrystalline precursor phase can form below its bulk solubility and that in the CaSO(4) system, the self-assembly of nanoparticles plays a crucial role. Understanding why bassanite forms prior to gypsum can lead to more efficient anti-scaling strategies for water desalination and may help to explain the persistence of CaSO(4) phases in regions of low water activity on Mars.

[The peritoneal kinetic study performed with hypertonic glucose permits better evaluation of UF capacity and determination of sieving of sodium]. / Las cinéticas con glucosa hipertónica permiten identificar mejor el fallo de ultrafiltración. ¿Qué aporta el cribado de sodio?

INTRODUCTION: The use of solutions containing hypertonic glucose (3.86%/4.25%) has been postulated as the method of choice for study the peritoneal function, and permits a better evaluation of the ultrafiltration (UF) capacity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to analyze the UF capacity and its relation with the peritoneal permeability and sieving of sodium, performing the peritoneal kinetic study with hypertonic glucose solutions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed 184 peritoneal kinetic studies with hypertonic glucose solutions in stable patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), with a mean time on PD of 16 +/- 22 months. We measured the mass transfer coefficient of creatinine (CrMTC), dialysate to plasma ratio of creatinine (D/PCr), UF capacity and sieving of sodium at 60 minutes (difNa60). RESULTS: The mean values were: CrMTC: 9.1 +/- 4.5 ml/min, D/PCr: 0.71 +/- 0.09, UF 759 +/- 233 ml/4 h and difNa60: 4.7 +/- 2.3. The best multivariate model that predicts the UF capacity included: difNa60, CrMTC, age and time on PD (r = 0.57; p > 0.0001). In patients with UF lower than 600 ml/4 h (Percentil 25) the correlation between UF and CrMTC was lost, but remains the correlation with difNa60 (r = 0.48). The patients with previous peritonitis (n = 38) showed no differences in UF, CrMTC or D/Pcr, but the had lower difNa60 (3.7 +/- 2.8 vs. 4.9 +/- 2.1; p = 0.002) than the remaining patients. CONCLUSIONS: The peritoneal kinetic study performed with hypertonic glucose allows to standardize the UF capacity and by determination of sieving of sodium, the early detection of water transport alterations, before the UF capacity and small solutes permeability alteration develops.

The effect of the "Prestige" oil spill on the plankton of the N-NW Spanish coast.

Chlorophyll, primary production, zooplankton biomass and the species composition of phytoplankton and zooplankton were studied in 2003, after the Prestige shipwreck. The information obtained was compared to previous data series available for the area affected by the spill. A large data series on plankton variables for the N-NW Spanish coast existed, and therefore a realistic evaluation of the effects by comparison with the range of natural variability could be carried out. We emphasized the evaluation of impact during the spring bloom, the first important biological event after the spill. Some minor changes were observed occasionally, but they did not show any clear pattern and were more related to the natural variability of the ecosystem than to effect of the spill. Plankton community structure did not undergo any changes. Only a few species were more abundant during spring 2003 than in previous years. No significant changes were detected in the planktonic community during productive periods, such as the spring bloom and the summer blooms related to intrusions of East North Atlantic Central Waters. The lack of evidence of the effects of the spill on planktonic communities is discussed in terms of the characteristics of the fuel, the high dynamics of the water masses, the biological mechanisms through which the fuel from the surface waters is transferred to the sea floor and, particularly, the influence of the natural variability by means of large and meso-scale hydrographic processes in the area under study. At the present time it is not possible to determine any minor effects the spill may have had on the plankton owing to the great variability of the planktonic cycles and the short-term impact of the oil from the Prestige on the pelagic system.

Processing of crawfish (Procambarus clarkii) for the preparation of carotenoproteins and chitin.

Crawfish carotenoproteins and chitin are obtained by a combined process based on flotation-sedimentation and in situ lactic acid production. The carotenoprotein PF(1) obtained has a high content in essential amino acids, w-3-fatty acids, and carotene (mainly astaxanthin) and constitutes an excellent nutritional source for patients with malnutrition. The carotenoprotein PF(2) has a lower nutritional quality but with a substantial carotene content can be used as a feed for animals where coloration is required, such as salmon and trout bred under aquaculture. Chemical and spectrometric (FTIR and (13)C NMR) characterization shows the obtained chitin to be of high quality, similar to that available commercially, for medical and nutritional uses.

Hypersensitivity reaction to azathioprine.

Adverse drug reactions can vary from a simple rash to anaphylactic shock. While certain medications including the penicillins are well known to cause such reactions, other drugs are not as commonly recognized. Azathioprine hypersensitivity reactions tend to be benign and self-limiting with cessation of drug ingestion. We report a patient who had a hypersensitivity reaction to azathioprine, which manifested as distributive shock that mimicked sepsis. We also reviewed the English language literature for risk factors for a hypersensitivity reaction to azathioprine and its possible mechanism.

Thoracic actinomycosis and human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Despite the impairments of cellular and humoral immunity that accompany the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, there has not been increased evidence of thoracic actinomycosis. We report on a patient with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who had pulmonary actinomycosis. We review the current ideas regarding this unusual pulmonary pathogen and offer possible explanations for its rare appearance in the HIV population.

Delayed onset of pseudomembranous colitis after rifampin therapy.

Rifampin therapy is an infrequently reported cause of pseudomembranous colitis. A low index of suspicion may account for this lack of recognition. Awareness of this potentially hazardous complication of rifampin therapy is encouraged, especially since increasing numbers of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, who may have diarrhea from other etiologies, require rifampin therapy.

Abnormal pulmonary function and juvenile onset diabetes mellitus.

The metabolic and microcirculatory abnormalities associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus involve most organ systems, including the lung. The adverse effects of diabetes mellitus on the function of the respiratory system are minor compared to the morbidity sustained by the cardiovascular, renal, neural, and ophthalmic systems. Nevertheless, physicians should be aware that some indices of pulmonary function may be abnormal in diabetic patients, independent of the more commonly recognized respiratory risk factors.

Further thermal characterization of an aspartate aminotransferase from a halophilic organism.

Aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT, EC 2.6.1.1) from the halophilic archaebacterium Haloferax mediterranei was purified [Muriana, Alvarez-Ossorio and Relimpio (1991) Biochem. J. 278, 149-154] and further characterization of the effects of temperature on the activity and stability of the halophilic AspAT were carried out. The halophilic transaminase is most active at 65 degrees C and stable at high temperatures, under physiological or nearly physiological conditions (3.5 M KCl, pH 7.8). Thermal inactivation (60-85 degrees C) of the halophilic AspAT followed first-order kinetics, 2-oxoglutarate causing a shift of the thermal inactivation curves to higher temperatures. The salt concentration affected the thermal stability of the halophilic transaminase at 60 degrees C, suggesting that disruption of hydrophobic interactions may play an important role in the decreased thermal stability of the enzyme.

Dissecting aortic aneurysm mimicking massive pulmonary embolism.

The finding of a massive unilateral segmental defect with normal ventilation upon lung scanning does not always secure the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolus. We present a patient whose ventilation-perfusion lung scan suggested a significant embolic phenomenon, but who was subsequently found to have compression of her right pulmonary artery by a dissecting aortic aneurysm. Conditions that present with a unilateral perfusion defect merit further evaluation with pulmonary arteriography.

Cardiac arrhythmias during performance of the flow-volume loop.

The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency of cardiac ectopy during the performance of flow-volume loops. The performance of an adequate flow-volume loop entails significant shifts in intrathoracic pressure and oxyhemoglobin saturation that could heighten myocardial arrhythmogenicity and lead to increased cardiac ectopy. Forty-two male patients referred for performance of flow-volume loops were studied with an ambulatory cardiac monitor and an arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation monitor during the performance of three flow-volume loops before and after administration of an aerosolized, selective beta 2-agonist. For comparison, the 60 min prior to and after completion of the loop testing was monitored with the continuous cardiac monitor. The frequency of cardiac ectopy was determined in four patient populations delineated by the presence or absence of cardiac, pulmonary, or cardiopulmonary disease. Each group was further divided based on the occurrence of arterial oxyhemoglobin desaturation during the performance of the flow-volume loop. We found that, despite the presence or absence of underlying cardiopulmonary disease or the occurrence of oxyhemoglobin desaturation during flow-volume loop performance, the number of cardiac ectopies diminished significantly during loop performance when compared with the 60-min study period prior to testing. This is in contrast to what had been reported previously. We conclude that the flow-volume loop is safe to perform in the general population, including those individuals with an increased risk of arrhythmias such as those with cardiac or pulmonary disease.