[Mesenteric panniculitis: experience in our center]. / Paniculitis mesentérica: experiencia en nuestro centro.

Although several etiological factors have been associated with mesenteric panniculitis, the exact etiology in some cases remains unknown. Herein, we present a retrospective analysis of 8 patients affected with this disorder performed between May 2000 and December 2006. In our series the mean age at which patients presented was 63 years. The majority of the patients were male (with a male: female ratio of 3:1). The most common clinical manifestations were abdominal pain (n = 4) and asthenia (n = 4). Three cases presented with obstructive symptoms and three had a history of abdominal surgery. Notably, seven had a background of tobacco use (five smokers and two ex-smokers) and one patient developed follicular lymphoma. A literature research was carried out to analyze our results and formulate a new hypothesis. In our opinion, we believe that the study of causal factors such as tobacco and its components is required due to the strong association found in this study.

Pseudoartrosis del húmero / Nonunions of the humerus

Objetivo: Evaluación del manejo y resultados de los casos de pseudoartrosis de diáfisis húmeral tratados quirúrgicamente entre febrero de 1992 y diciembre de 2001. Pacientes y Métodos: Estudio restrospectivo de 18 casos, 15 hombres (83,3 por ciento) y 3 mujeres (16,7 por ciento), con una edad promedio de 39,6 años y un seguimiento promedio de 68,3 meses. Siete casos presentaron una pseudoartrosis atrófica (38,9 por ciento) y en 6 casos fue hipertrófica (33,3 por ciento) y en 5 casos hipotrófica (27,8 por ciento). Todos los casos fueron tratados quirúrgicamente, empleando fijación interna con placa en 12 casos (66,7 por ciento) y enclavado endomedular en 6 casos (33,3 por ciento). En 12 casos se efectuó aporte de injerto óseo (66,7 por ciento). Resultados: La consolidación se obtuvo en promedio a las 12,7 semanas luego del tratamiento quirúrgico de la pseudoartrosis, con un rango entre 8 y 24 semanas. La valoración funcional fue buena en pseudoartrosis, con una rango entre 8 y 24 semanas. La valoración funcional fue buena en 17 casos (94,4 por ciento) y defieciente en 1 caso (5,6 por ciento). Hubo dos complicaciones que fueron 1 caso de hematoma de herida operatoria y 1 caso de infección superficial en la cresta ilíaca donante (11,1 por ciento). Conclusión: La pseudoartrosis de la diáfisis humeral requiere habitualmente de tratamiento quirúrgico, siendo la fijación más aporte de injerto óseo el método de elección para las lesiones atróficas e hipotróficas y la correcta estabilización en el tratamiento de las lesiones hipertróficas.

Delocalized TCNQ stacks in nickel and copper tetraazamacrocyclic systems.

New derivatives of formula [M(dieneN4)](TCNQ)3, M = Ni or Cu and dieneN4 = cis- or trans-hexamethyltetraazacyclotetradecadiene, have been obtained. The TCNQ units show electronic delocalization and formation of 1D stacks, with no direct interactions with the metal cations. The stack is not uniform and can be seen as formed by trimeric dianions (TCNQ)3(2-). The electronic delocalization favors the conductivity in these materials, which behave as good semiconductors. The crystal structures of the trans derivatives have been solved: [Ni(transdieneN4)](TCNQ)3, triclinic, P-1, a = 8.809(2) A, b = 10.896(2) A, c = 13.727(2) A, alpha = 103.04(1) degrees, beta = 101.23(2) degrees, gamma = 109.37(2) degrees, Z = 1; [Cu(trans-dieneN4)](TCNQ)3: triclinic, P-1, a = 7.872(1) A, b = 9.840(1) A, c = 14.819(1) A, alpha = 92.32(1) degrees, beta = 95.05(1) degrees, gamma = 95.66(1) degrees, Z = 1.

Stability study of fotemustine in PVC infusion bags and sets under various conditions using a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic assay.

The stability and compatibility of fotemustine, a nitrosourea anticancer agent, in 5% dextrose solution with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containers and administration sets were studied under different conditions of temperature and light. The drug was diluted to 0.8 and 2 mg ml(-1) in 100 or 250 ml 5% dextrose injection solutions for 1-h simulated infusions using PVC bags and administration sets with protection from light. After preparation in the PVC bags containing 5% dextrose, fotemustine was also prepared at the same concentrations and stored at 4 degrees C for 48 h and at room temperature (22 degrees C) or at sunray exposure ( > 30 degrees C) over 8 h with or without protection from light. The solution samples were removed immediately at various time points of simulated infusions and storage, and stored at -20 degrees C until analysis. The physical compatibility with PVC and chemical stability in solution of fotemustine were assessed by visual examination and by measuring the concentration of the drug in duplicate using a stability-indicating high-performance chromatographic assay. When admixed with a 5% dextrose solution, fotemustine 2 and 0.8 mg ml(-1) was compatible and stable over 1-h of simulated infusion using PVC bags through PVC administration sets with protection from light. On the other hand, in the same diluent, fotemustine was compatible and stable with PVC bags for at least 8 h at 22 degrees C with protection from light and for at least 48 h at 4 degrees C with protection from light. There were no pH variation, no visual change, no color change, no visible precipitation and no loss of the drug. Conversely, when the solutions were exposed to light (ambient or solar), the drug concentration decreased rapidly, leading to the production of a degradation product as shown by mass spectral analysis and a discoloration of the solutions. Finally, in all cases, no DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate) was detected in the injection solution.

Dearomatization of Antioxidant Rosemary Extracts by Treatment with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide.

Treatment with supercritical CO(2) is proposed for deodorizing antioxidant rosemary extracts obtained by steam distillation and Soxhlet extraction. The process conditions have been optimized by applying a Taguchi experimental design with the aim of obtaining, at minimum cost, a product with acceptable antioxidant activity as well as minimum rosemary aroma. Variables were selected for their effects on the selective extraction of the compounds responsible for the residual aroma of the rosemary extract. The optimized method allowed 90% dearomatization; no detrimental effects in antioxidant activity or color of the extracts have been observed after supercritical fluid processing.

[The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a rural population from the north of Catalonia (Spain): La Cerdana]. / Prevalencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular en una población rural del norte de Cataluña: La Cerdaña.

BACKGROUND: Coronary atherosclerosis is the first cause of death in the developed countries. This is a cross-sectional study of prevalence about cardiovascular risk factors in a rural population in La Cerdaña (Catalonia). METHODS: With the aim of studying the cardiovascular risk factors among the Cerdanya population older than 18 years a representative sample of 425 individuals was studied with participation of 72% being obtained. RESULTS: The prevalences obtained were the following: male smoking habit 46%; female smoking habit 15%; obesity (Quetelet index > 30) male 13%, females 17%; arterial hypertension (systolic > 140 mmHg and/or diastolic > 90 mmHg) in males 9.8%, females 23%; hypercholesterolemia (cholesterol > 250 mg/dl) in males 16.4%, in females 18.7%; cholesterol-HDL lower than 35 mg/dl in males 12.1%, in females 4.9%; hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides > 200 mg/dl) in males 7.8%, in females 7.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The smoking frequency and the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in La Cerdaña are lower than in the rest of Catalonia, but the obesity prevalence is higher. It is important to know the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in aim to evaluate the intervention program.

[Prevalence of respiratory diseases in a rural population in the north of Catalonia: La Cerdanya]. / Prevalencia de enfermedades respiratorias en una población rural del norte de Cataluña: La Cerdanya.

BACKGROUND: There are few epidemiological studies on health respiration in the population of Catalonia (Spain). This is a cross-sectional study of prevalence about respiratory diseases in a rural population in La Cerdanya (Catalonia). METHODS: The sample was obtained by a simple random method among the Cerdanya population older than 6 years. The questionnaire used was from the American Thoracic Society for the Division of Lung Disease with an annex attached for extrinsec allergic alveolitis which was worked out. RESULTS: The smoking prevalence was 24.2%, among the farmers (17.1%) was lower than the general population, and it was higher in the men (36.0%). The bronchitis chronic symptoms prevalence was 9.2%, higher in the men (11.3%). The bronchial asthma symptoms prevalence was 4.8% and the farmer's lung symptoms was 0.2% in the general population and 1.0% among the farmers. CONCLUSIONS: The smoking frequency La Cerdanya is lower than in the rest of Catalonia, probably because the farmers have a lower prevalence of smoking. The smoking habit and chronic bronchitis is higher in males. The chronic bronchitis prevalence in farmers with moderated or severe contact with organic dust is higher than in the farmers with lighter contact.

[The association of asthma and gastroesophageal reflux: strategy of paraclinical studies]. / Association asthme et reflux gastro-oesophagien: stratégie des explorations paracliniques.

This study was carried out on 104 patients of whom 94 were asthmatic and 10 patients presented with a spasmodic intractable cough; all presented with symptoms evocative of an associated gastro-oesophageal reflux (RGO). The clinical symptoms revealed a nocturnal cough (67%), cough preceeding asthma (46%) and heartburn in 60%. The asthma was severe (type III and IV in 89% of cases), or dependent on corticosteroids (37% of cases). pH monitoring of the oesophagus is the most sensitive examination (88% with positive results) slightly ahead of manometry and scintigraphy (both 81%), these examinations were clearly superior to radiographic examination (49%) and oesophageal fibroscopy (36%). The combination of pH monitoring and of scintigraphy enabled 98% of RGO cases to be identified by their clinical data. Medical treatment with Tagamet, Gaviscon and Primperan (alone or in combination) produced an improvement in the respiratory symptoms in 50% of the cases. Of the 14 surgically treated, 7 obtained an improvement in their respiratory symptoms. Seven of the ten patients with spasmodic cough were improved by medical treatment. Our study shows the frequency of oesophageal reflux in patients with severe asthma. In half of them RGO intervened as an aggravating factor and the medical treatment of RGO led to a clear improvement in the respiratory symptoms.