Preparation of single cell detritus from Laminaria saccharina as a hatchery diet for bivalve mollusks.

A high-yield technique is described for the elaboration of single cell detritus (SCD) from Laminaria saccharina, based on the sequential action of C1H, enzymes (endoglucanases and cellulases) and 2 bacteria showing a high degree of cellobiotic, proteolytic, and alginolytic activity (CECT 5255 and CECT 5256). Over 85% of dried particles of L. saccharina were transformed into a suspension of free cell and bacterial and detrital particles after 24 hours of bacterial activity with this technique. These particles were less than 20 mum in diameter, constituting a suitable diet for bivalve mollusks. After 72 hours 99% of the total particulate volume consisted of particles less than 20 mum in diameter. Tests of hatchery diets for the seed of clam Ruditapes decussatus revealed increases of 54% and 68% for live weight and length, respectively, when SCD from L. saccharina was used as the sole dietary component compared with a live phytoplankton diet. However, SCD from L. saccharina is not a suitable food for the larvae of R. decussatus.

Traumatic hip luxation associated with ipsilateral and contralateral femoral fracture in a child.

In children, the association of traumatic luxation of the hip with homo- and heterolateral fracture of the upper extremity of both femurs, is extremely rare. In the case reported here, that association is present. Hip luxation can easily pass unrecognized. Orthopedic reduction is always recommended. Regarding the fracture of the upper portion of the femur in children under 10 years, when alignment of the fragments is not well achieved, surgical treatment should be considered. In this case, valgus osteotomy had to be performed in order to correct a post-traumatic coxa vara. After 4 1/2 years of follow up, the only sequel was a 1 cm leg-length discrepancy.

Urodynamic findings in Parkinson's disease.

Neurological evaluation was performed in 24 men and 5 women with Parkinson's disease who had persistent bladder symptoms. Detrusor hyperreflexia was found in 26 (90 per cent) of the patients. Sporadic involuntary electromyography activity of the external sphincter during involuntary detrusor contractions was encountered in 61 per cent but in none did this cause obstruction. Coordinated striated sphincter relaxation during voluntary detrusor contraction was found in 13 patients (45 per cent). Among 22 men who were in the prostatic disease age group only 4 (18 per cent) had definite prostatic obstruction. Moreover, none of 8 men with persistent symptoms after prostatectomy had evidence of bladder outlet obstruction.

Urological evaluation in the Shy Drager syndrome.

Nine patients with the Shy-Drager syndrome underwent complete urological and neurological investigation of bladder symptoms. Urodynamic studies revealed detrusor areflexia in 6 patients (67 per cent), detrusor hyperreflexia in 3 (33 per cent), a lower motor neuron lesion involving the periurethral striated muscle in 9 (100 per cent) and an open vesical neck at rest in all 5 patients in whom cystography was performed. These findings support the current view that parasympathetic, pudendal and sympathetic involvement is part of the pathophysiology of the Shy-Drager syndrome.