The influence of yeast on chemical composition and sensory properties of dry white wines.

This study evaluates the impact on two varietal white wines from 'Chardonnay' and 'Verdejo' cultivars of different fermentative strategies: inoculation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (CT), sequential inoculation (Torulaspora delbrueckii/Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (SI), and spontaneous fermentation (SP). The wines' chemical composition was characterized by oenological parameters, organic acids, metals, major volatile compounds, ester compounds and sensory analyses. The fermentative strategy (CT, SI and SP) was found to be a key factor for assessing different styles of white wines. SI wines showed enhanced 'mature fruit' nuances and a chemical profile characterized by higher content of ethyl propanoate, ethyl isobutyrate and ethyl dihydrocinnamate. Meanwhile, the SP wines presented enhanced "stone fruit" nuances possible related to the higher contents of 2-phenyl acetate and isobutyl acetate. After a chemometric approach the above esters were identified as the markers of each fermentative strategy, independently of the variety.

[Should a cystography be performed on all breastfeeding infants with mild to moderate dilatation of the urinary tract? Renal function tests can help to answer this question]. / ¿Debe realizarse una cistografía a todos los lactantes con dilatación leve y moderada de las vías urinarias? Las pruebas de función renal pueden ayudar a responder a esta pregunta.

INTRODUCTION: Pyelectasis can be defined as mild to moderate dilatation of the urinary tract and is diagnosed by means of an ultrasound scan (0.5-2cm transverse diameter in the initial ultrasound performed after birth). There is some disagreement about whether cystography should be indicated as standard practice. The aim of this study was to establish if renal function tests are useful in determining which cases of mild to moderate dilatation of the urinary tract do not require an initial cystography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 79 infants (57 males, 22 females) with pyelectasis. Seventy-three were diagnosed in utero and 6 after birth. All infants underwent at least one cystography and one desmopressin urine concentration test before one year of age. RESULTS: Compared to infants without vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) (n=68), infants with VUR (n=11; two with Grade I, three with Grade II, five with Grade III, two with Grade IV) showed a significantly lower (P=.006) maximum urine osmolality and a significantly higher microalbumin/creatinine ratio (P<.001) and NAG/creatinine ratio (P=.003). The negative predictive value of the first two tests was 93%. Sensitivity of the maximum urine osmolality to detect VUR was 72.7% (specificity 63.2%). Sensitivity of the microalbumin/creatinine ratio to detect VUR was 62.5% (specificity 75%). The positive probability ratio (PR) was 1.29 for the NAG/creatinine ratio, 2.03 for the maximum urine osmolality and 2.5 for the microalbumin/creatinine ratio. The negative PR was 0.95 for the NAG/creatinine ratio, 0.43 for the maximum urine osmolality and 0.5 for the microalbumin/creatinine ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Pyelectasis is a benign condition. Only 2 patients required pharmacological intervention (prophylactic treatment for VUR Grade IV patients). Initially at least, cystography should not be indicated in cases of microalbuminuria and/or normal urine concentrations.

Factors associated with metabolic syndrome in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from Puerto Rico.

The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with metabolic syndrome in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from Puerto Rico. A total of 204 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (per the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria) were evaluated. Metabolic syndrome was assessed using the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute classification. Socioeconomic-demographic parameters, health-related behaviours, clinical manifestations, autoantibodies, pharmacological treatments, disease activity (per the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure--Revised), and damage accrual (per the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index) were determined at study visit. Factors associated with metabolic syndrome were examined by univariable analyses and multivariable logistic regression models. A total of 196 (96.2%) were women. The mean age at study visit was 43.6 +/- 13.0 years, and the mean disease duration was 8.7 +/- 7.7 years. Seventy-eight patients (38.2%) had metabolic syndrome. In the multivariable analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.09), government health insurance (OR = 2.06; 95% CI 1.07-4.22), exercise (OR = 0.33; 95% CI 0.14-0.92), thrombocytopenia (OR = 4.19; 95% CI 1.54-11.37), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (OR = 1.64; 95% CI 1.03-2.63), disease activity (OR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.00-1.30), and prednisone >10 mg/day (OR = 3.69; 95% CI 1.22-11.11) were associated with metabolic syndrome. In conclusion, older age, low socioeconomic status, lack of exercise, thrombocytopenia, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate , higher disease activity, and prednisone >10 mg/day were independently associated with metabolic syndrome in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from Puerto Rico.

Clinical manifestations and vascular events in patients with lupus erythematosus anticardiolipin antibodies and raynaud's phenomenon

BACKGROUND: Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and anticardiolipin antibodies (ACL) are two common clinical manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). RP may lead to digital or limb loss. ACL are associated to thrombotic episodes. It is not yet clear if there is an association between RP and the presence of ACL in patients with SLE. OBJECTIVES: To study if the presence of both RP and ACL in patients with SLE may be associated with certain clinical manifestations or thrombotic events compared to SLE patients without RP or ACL. METHODS: SLE patients from two lupus clinics were recruited. The patients were divided into 4 groups. Patients with RP and positive ACL (RP+ ACL+), patients with RP but negative ACL (RP+ ACL-), patients with negative RP and positive ACL (RP- ACL+), and patients that were negative for RP and ACL (RP- ACL-) used as the control group. Demographic data, diagnostic criteria, clinical manifestations, history of arterial thrombosis, venous thrombosis and abortions were recorded. A physical examination was done. Anticardiolipin antibodies IgG and IgM were done in the rheumatology laboratory at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. Descriptive statistics as well as analysis of variances (ANOVA), and polytomous logistic regression were used. RESULTS: 236 patients with SLE were studied. There was a tendency toward an increase in arterial thrombosis (p-value = 0.094) and venous thrombosis (p-value = 0.067) in the group that were positive for RP and ACL (RP+ ACL+). Although it was not statistical significant, when polytomous logistic regression was used, both arterial and venous thrombosis had an increase in relative risk 3.21 for arterial and 3.11 for venous thrombosis. Abortions were not increased in any of the four groups. Clinical manifestations from SLE did not differ among the four groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with both RP and ACL seem to be at an increase risk for both arterial and venous thrombotic events; these patients may benefit from an antiplatelet medication to prevent these events to occur.

[Study of the renal acidification capacity in children diagnosed of idiopathic hypercalciuria]. / Estudio de la capacidad de acidificación renal en niños diagnosticados de hipercalciuria idiopática.

OBJECTIVE: To study the capacity of renal acidification in a group of children diagnosed of idiopathic hypercalciuria. PATIENT AND METHODS: 36 children were studied, to those that were determined the pCO2 (UpCO2) maximum urinary with two different stimuli, acetazolamide and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). At 33 of them, was performed an acidification test with frusemide stimulus. We studied a control group of 13 healthy children so much for the first one as the second tests and other 14 healthy children for the acidification test with frusemide. RESULTS: In the tests performed with NaHCO3 and acetazolamide stimulus, they were not proven differences in the values of UpCO2 neither in the urinary concentration of HCO3- (UHCO3-) than control children. Nevertheless, the UpCO2 and the concentration of UHCO3- in the patients were significantly lower with acetazolamide with regard to the NaHCO3 stimulus. In the acidification test with frusemide, significantly lower values of titratable acid and ammonium were obtained than control children. CONCLUSIONS: In children with idiopathic hypercalciuria, the capacity of secretion of H+ is normal, what is evidenced, especially, when studying the maximum UpCO2 after stimulus with NaHCO3. When diuretics are used as stimuli, exists more negative results that can be due to a certain partial resistance to the action of the same ones or to that are less potent to induce the secretion of H+.

Estudio de la capacidad de acidificación renal en niños diagnosticados de hipercalciuria idiopática / Study of renal acidification capacity in children diagnosed of idiopathic hypercalciuria

Objetivo: Estudiar la capacidad de acidificación renal en un grupo de niños diagnosticados de hipercalciuria idiopática. Pacientes y Métodos: Se estudiaron 36 niños, a los que se les determinó la pCO2 (UpCO2) urinaria máxima con dos estímulos diferentes, acetazolamida y bicarbonato sódico (CO3HNa). A 33 de ellos, se les realizó una prueba de acidificación con estímulo de furosemida. Se estudiaron 13 controles tanto para la primera como la segunda pruebas y otros 14 para la prueba de acidificación con furosemida. Resultados: En la pruebas realizadas tanto con CO3HNa como con acetazolamida, no se comprobaron diferencias en los valores de UpCO2 ni en la concentración urinaria de CO3H- (UCO3H-) con respecto al grupo control. No obstante, la UpCO2 y la concentración de UCO3H- en los pacientes fueron significativamente inferiores con acetazolamida con respecto al estímulo de CO3HNa. En la prueba de acidificación con furosemida, se alcanzaron valores significativamente inferiores de acidez titulable y de amonio en relación al grupo control. Conclusiones: En niños diagnosticados de hipercalciuria idiopática, la capacidad de secreción de H+ es normal lo que se evidencia, especialmente, al estudiar la UpCO2 máxima con estímulo de CO3HNa. Cuando se utilizan diuréticos como estímulos, existen más resultados negativos, que pueden deberse a una cierta resistencia parcial a la acción de los mismos o a que son menos potentes para inducir la secreción de H+

Objective: To study the capacity of renal acidification in a group of children diagnosed of idiopathic hypercalciuria. Patient and Methods: 36 children were studied, to those that were determined the pCO2 (UpCO2) maximum urinary with two different stimuli, acetazolamide and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). At 33 of them, was performed an acidification test with frusemide stimulus. We studied a control group of 13 healthy children so much for the first one as the second tests and other 14 healthy children for the acidification test with frusemide. Results: In the tests performed with NaHCO3 and acetazolamide stimulus, they were not proven differences in the values of UpCO2 neither in the urinary concentration of HCO3 - (UHCO3 -) than control children. Nevertheless, the UpCO2 and the concentration of UHCO3 - in the patients were significantly lower with acetazolamide with regard to the NaHCO3 stimulus. In the acidification test with frusemide, significantly lower values of titratable acid and ammonium were obtained than control children. Conclusions: In children with idiopathic hypercalciuria, the capacity of secretion of H+ is normal, what is evidenced, especially, when studying the maximum UpCO2 after stimulus with NaHCO3. When diuretics are used as stimuli, exists more negative results that can be due to a certain partial resistance to the action of the same ones or to that are less potent to induce the secretion of H+

Tratornos del metabolismo óseo en las enfermedades renales de la infancia / Bone metabolism disorders in renal diseases in childhood

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Inhibition of hematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation by ethanol in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 tat-expressing transgenic mice.

BACKGROUND: A number of hematological abnormalities are associated with both human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and alcohol abuse. There is little information on how alcohol abuse might further influence the survival and growth of hematopoietic progenitors in HIV-infected individuals in the presence of immune system abnormalities and anti-HIV drugs. Because there is evidence that viral transactivator Tat itself can induce hematopoietic suppression, in this study we examined the role of ethanol as a cofactor in transgenic mice that expressed HIV-1 Tat protein. METHODS: Tat transgenic mice and nontransgenic littermates were given ethanol (20% v/v) and the anti-HIV drug 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT; 1 mg/ml) in drinking water. Immunosuppression in mice was induced by weekly intraperitoneal injections of anti-CD4 antibody. Hematopoiesis was examined by erythroid colony forming unit (CFU-E) and granulocyte/macrophage colony-forming unit (CFU-GM) assays of the bone marrow progenitor cells. RESULTS: Administration of ethanol for 7 weeks resulted in a 50% decrease in the proliferative capacity of CFU-E- and CFU-GM-derived progenitors from transgenic mice compared with that of ethanol-treated nontransgenic controls. Similar decreases also were observed in transgenic mice treated with AZT or a combination of AZT and ethanol. Furthermore, ethanol and AZT were significantly more toxic to the granulopoietic progenitors (40-50% inhibition) than to the erythropoietic progenitors (10-20% inhibition) in Tat transgenic mice. Although a 10 day exposure of Tat transgenic and nontransgenic mice to a combination of ethanol and AZT had no suppressive effect on the erythropoietic and granulopoietic progenitor cells, there was a marked decrease (40-60%) in CFU-GM in mice made immunodeficient by CD4+ T-lymphocyte depletion. The ethanol-treated Tat transgenic mice but not the nontransgenic litter-mates also showed a significant decrease (25%) in CFU-GM. CONCLUSION: Our in vivo study strongly suggests that ethanol ingestion in HIV-1-infected individuals, particularly those on antiretroviral drugs, might increase bone marrow toxicity and contribute to HIV-1-associated hematopoietic impairment.

Mortality study in Puerto Ricans with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the most common causes of death among Puerto Ricans with systemic lupus erythematosus. METHODS: Chart and record review of all deaths related to SLE complications from 1960 to 1994 at the University of Puerto Rico Hospital. RESULTS: Out of 662 patients diagnosed with SLE 161 (24%) died. There were 151 (94%) females and 10 (6%) males. Mean duration of disease was 11.5 years. Mean age at death was 37 years. The primary causes of death were infection in 44 (27%), uremia in 42 (26%), cardiovascular complications in 33 (20%), central nervous system complications in 18 (11%), and pulmonary complications (other than infectious pneumonia) in 12 (7%). CONCLUSIONS: The most common causes of death in SLE were infections and renal disease.