Determinación de humedad en harina precocida de maíz blanco utilizando un horno de microondas doméstico / Determination of moisture in flour precooked white corn using a domestic microwave oven

El contenido de humedad es un parámetro de principal interés entre los índices que regulan la calidad de granos, cereales y sus derivados. Los métodos oficiales para determinar la humedad (AOAC 32.1.03, ISO 6540:1980, NTC 2227:86 y COVENIN 2135:96) tienen la desventaja de consumir mucho tiempo en la determinación porque  requieren la desecación de la muestra en estufa. En este trabajo se compara el método propuesto de secado de la muestra de maíz blanco en un horno doméstico de microondas contra el método rápido convencional de termobalanza infrarrojo y los métodos de referencia oficiales AOAC (32.1.03) y COVENIN (2135:96). Se determinaron las condiciones de análisis: tamaño de muestra, tipo de recipiente, distribución de la muestra, condiciones de operación usando un microondas doméstico de 700 W de potencia, así como el secado en uno o varios pasos. Entre el método propuesto y el método de referencia no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas a p<0,05; el tiempo de secado se redujo de varias horas a pocos minutos: 4 min con 90% de potencia. Como se puede  concluir que es factible la determinación de humedad por volatilización en una matriz de harina precocida de maíz blanco usando un horno de microondas doméstico.

The moisture content is a primary parameter between indices governing the quality of grains, cereals and cereal products. The official methods for determining moisture (AOAC 32.1.03, ISO 6540: 1980, NTC 2227: 86 COVENIN 2135: 96) have the disadvantage of to be time consuming that require drying oven method. The aim in this paper was compare the proposed method of drying sample of white corn with domestic microwave oven against conventional rapid method of infrared thermobalance and official reference methods AOAC 32.1.03 method and COVENIN 2135:96. Sample size, vessel kind, sample container distribution,   operations conditions using domestic 700 W microwave and also analysis employed to one or more drying steps were determined. Between the proposed and the reference method not statistically significant differences were found at P <0.05; drying time was reduced from several hours to a few minutes: 4 min at 90% power. It can be concluded that the determination of moisture by volatilization in a matrix of precooked white corn flour using a domestic microwave oven is feasible.

Are hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance programs effective at improving the therapeutic options.

AIM: to evaluate whether the current surveillance programs (ultrasonography and alpha-fetoprotein testing every six months) are successful in detecting patients in the early stages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: the health records of all patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma in Donostia Hospital between 2003 and 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. Eighty-five patients (11 women and 74 men) were included in the study and demographic data, risk factors and clinical data were obtained. Patients were split into two groups according to whether or not they had been included in a surveillance program. RESULTS: seventy per cent of patients of the surveillance group is diagnosed in early stage opposite to 26.7% of patients in no surveillance group (p < 0.05). Thirteen patients cannot receive curative treatment in spite of the diagnosis in early stage (9 in the surveillance group and 4 in the no surveillance group. The global sensibility of the surveillance program in our series is 95%. CONCLUSIONS: current hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance programs, which comprise six-monthly ultrasonography and alpha-fetoprotein tests, are highly sensitive and effective. These programs result in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in its early-stages, when potentially curative treatment may be offered.

Pyogenic versus amoebic liver abscesses. A comparative clinical study in a series of 58 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) and with amebic liver abscess (AHA) in order to determine the potential factors that may help improve diagnosis and treatment for this disease. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study of clinical histories of 45 patients with PLA and 13 with ALA, diagnosed between 1985 and 2005 in Donostia Hospital in San Sebastián. RESULTS: Among the 45 patients with PLA (30 men and 15 women, with a mean age of 61 years and 11 months), more than a half were cholangitic (13 cases) or were of unknown origin (15 cases). In 10 patients, diabetes was considered to be a predisposing condition. Increased ESR (> 30), leukocytosis (> 12,000), fever and abdominal pain were observed in 95.5%, 86.7%, 82.8% and 68.9%, respectively. Twenty-five patients had single abscesses. Abscess and blood cultures were positive in 77.1% and 50% of cases, respectively (44.4% with polymicrobial infection). E. coli and S. milleri were the most commonly found germs. A percutaneous drainage was performed on 22 patients. Mean hospital stay was 27 days, and overall mortality, including that related to concomitant conditions, was 7 of 45 cases.Of the 13 cases of ALA (7 men and 6 women, with mean age of 42,9 years), 2 were locally acquired. Increased AF and GGTP (> 2N), fever, leukocytosis and ESR (> 30) were observed in 92.3, 77, 70 and 61.5% of cases, respectively. There were single abscesses in 10 patients and all except one were located in the right lobe. The serological test for E. histolytica (IFF > or = 1/256) was positive in 100% of cases. A percutaneous drainage was carried out on 6 patients. Mean hospital stay was 18 days and two patients died. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, the clinical parameters suggesting pyogenic origin were: age 50 or older, male gender, diabetes, moderately elevated bilirubin and transaminases. In amoebic cases the associated features were being aged 45 or younger, diarrhoea, and presence of a single abscess in the right lobe. Parasitism by E. histolytica must be considered in the differential diagnosis of liver abscesses, even with no epidemiological clinical history of travel and/or immigration.

Regression of infancy hemangiomas with recombinant IFN-alpha 2b.

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) has antitumor and antiangiogenic effects. The purpose of this work was to evaluate its efficacy and safety in the treatment of infancy hemangioma and to monitor the appearance of anti-IFN antibodies in these patients. Thirty-nine children (29 girls) aged 1.5-158 months, with 19 younger than 1 year and 9 older than 5, were treated with 3 x 10(6) IU/m(2) IFN-alpha 2b, subcutaneously (s.c.) daily. Inclusion criteria were life-threatening or life-limiting hemangioma and parents' informed consent. Regression was considered if tumor size diminished by 50% or more. Of the 38 patients who completed 6 months of treatment, 27 (71.1%) had regression and 11 (28.9%) had stable disease. No patient experienced progression. Regression was more frequent (100%) among patients between 1 and 5 years old, but it was particularly important (68%) among those under 1 year old, when spontaneous regression is rare. The main side effects were the IFN-related flulike syndrome (79%), increase in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (28%), anorexia (19%), and mild inflammation at the injection site (19%). There was no effect on psychomotor or physical development. On the contrary, 1 patient with neurologic symptoms improved remarkably, including seizure disappearance. Eight patients developed anti-IFN-alpha 2 neutralizing antibodies, and 7 of them responded to IFN treatment. IFN-alpha 2b is a safe and efficacious treatment of infancy hemangioma. Further work should look for other treatment schedules and ways of administration and carefully monitor anti-IFN neutralizing antibodies, which does not seem to interfere with response.

[Seminal vesicle cyst with renal agenesis]. / Quiste de vesículas seminales con agenesia renal.

OBJECTIVES: To describe 8 additional cases of seminal vesicle cyst associated with renal agenesis, an uncommon condition arising from anomalies occurring during embryonal development of the genitourinary system, and to analyze the utility of the different diagnostic imaging techniques. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 8 patients to determine the diagnostic possibilities of US (abdominal/transrectal), CT, MRI, urography, cystourethrography and cystoscopy. Transvesical percutaneous punction and deferentography, which permit diagnosis of blind-ending ureter, were utilized in two patients. RESULTS: 75% were left-sided and the age at presentation was generally between 25 to 45 years. The clinical features were related with irritative voiding symptoms, perineal discomfort and ejaculatory disorders. Treatment was based on the clinical features; 3 patients underwent resection via the abdominal retrovesical approach and 5 patients were treated conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital seminal vesicle cyst may not be as uncommon as it is presumed to be and should be suspected in patients with solitary kidney and voiding disorders. The findings on pelvioabdominal US may suffice to suspect this condition. Although many diagnostic imaging techniques are available, blind-ending ureter can only be diagnosed by transvesical or transrectal percutaneous punction and deferentography. Treatment of symptomatic cases is by surgery, although conservative treatment is utilized more frequently.

[Chronic obstructive lung disease in the general population. An epidemiologic study performed in Guipúzcoa]. / Enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en la población general. Estudio epidemiológico realizado en Guipúzcoa.

To perform a cross-sectional descriptive study of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the general population. We studied 600 men aged between 40 and 60 from a random sample (69.9% of the total, 76.6% eligible subjects). Each subject answered a questionnaire, underwent spirometric testing and measurement of CO in expired air. Smokers accounted for 50.8% of the sample, although only 24.8% of the population had CO levels in expired air greater than 10 ppm. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 9.2%. Forty subjects (6.8%), only 25% of whom had previously undergone spirometry, met the criteria for air flow limitation. Air flow limitation was associated with chronic bronchitis and smoking, which were also mutually associated. Our data underline the need to combat smoking, given its relation with chronic bronchitis and airflow limitation, as well as to perform spirometry more routinely, mainly in smokers or patients with symptoms of chronic bronchitis.

[Pulmonary cavitation lesions in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus: an analysis of a series of 78 cases]. / Lesiones pulmonares cavitadas en los pacientes infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana: análisis de una serie de 78 casos.

BACKGROUND: To assess the clinical, radiologic and microbiological features of lung cavitation and HIV infection. Evaluation of the differences related to this disease in the last years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients with lung cavitation and HIV infection admitted at our hospital from January 1989 until December 1994 and prospective study of all patients with the same characteristics during 1995 and 1996. Lung cavitation was defined as any parenchymal lesion, with air content, visible in a simple X-ray and greater than 1 cm of diameter. Criteria for confirmed, probable or possible diagnosis were defined. RESULTS: 78 cases of lung cavitation have been identified in 73 patients. The radiologic patterns included unilobar and multilobular involvement in 31 and 47 cases, respectively. Cavities were multiple and single in 40 and 38 cases respectively. Findings with fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) were diagnostic in 11 out of 14 cases. A clinical diagnosis was performed in all 78 cases, with microbiological results in 69 cases (88.5%): Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 20, Pneumocystis carinii in nine, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in nine, Staphylococcus aureus in eight (5 endocarditis with cavitary septic emboli), Rhodococcus equi in six, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus in three, Salmonella enteritidis in three, Cryptococcus neoformans in two, Aspergillus fumigatus in two and others in 7 cases. Confirmed, probable and possible diagnosis was considered in 54, 15 and 9 cases, respectively. Thirteen episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax were found. CONCLUSIONS: The lung cavitation rate is low, compared with the number of admissions related to HIV infection; nevertheless, many of them are in close relationship with HIV infection, and most of them are caused by treatable infections. It is important to know the clinical and radiological characteristics, in order to establish an early diagnosis and an appropriate therapy. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is becoming an important cause of lung cavitation. In our series, spontaneous pneumo-thorax was not related to Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in 61.5% of cases.

[Incidence and clinical features of splenic abscesses, with special reference to tuberculous etiology in a general hospital]. / Incidencia y características clínicas de los abscesos esplénicos, con especial referencia a los de etiología tuberculosa, en un hospital general.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this revision is to know the incidence of splenic abscess (SA) in our hospital, its etiology, with special reference to tuberculosis, and clinical characteristics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Abdominal CT-scan performed during the period 1987-1997, with the diagnosis of splenic abscess were reviewed. Etiologic diagnosis standed on blood or sputum cultures, PAAF and/or histologic study of lymph nodes. RESULTS: Seventeen cases of SA were obtained, 12 males and 5 females. Limits of age: 13 and 77 years. The causal microorganisms were: M. tuberculosis (7), Mycobacterium aviumintracellulare (1), S. aureus (2), S. anginosus (1), S. milleri (1), E. coli (1), C. albicans (1), T. biguelle (1) and polymicrobian flora (1). One case was of unknown etiology. Underlying illnesses were: AIDS (7), malignant neoplasms (3), diabetes (2), endocarditis (2), Sjögren syndrome (1) and complications of abdominal surgery (2). Clinical presentation in nontuberculous splenic abscess was fever and upper-left abdominal pain. Predominant symptoms in tuberculous splenic abscess were fever and weight loss. Blood cultures were positive in 80% of non tuberculous splenic abscess. Specific treatment for tuberculosis improved all patients with tuberculous splenic abscess, without needing surgery or corticosteroids. CONCLUSIONS: From the total of splenic abscess, 41.1% were tuberculous, six with AIDS and one with Sjögren syndrome. Diabetes and malignant neoplasms were the commonest underlying illnesses in the non-tuberculous. In these, clinical presentation consisted in fever and upper-left abdominal pain. In patients with tuberculous splenic abscess, the main complaint was weight loss. A prompt treatment is generally succesful.

[Prognosis of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma. Review of literature and a case report]. / Pronóstico de los rabdomiosarcomas infantiles. Revisión de la literatura al respecto. Presentación de un caso.

Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are responsible for 5% to 10% of childhood cancers. In children, they are the most common sarcoma of the head and neck, urogenital tract, and limbs. We report a case of botryoid type rhinopharyngeal RMS in a 14-year-old girl which had a favorable outcome. The prognostic factors of RMS were reviewed.

[Angiocentric immunoproliferative lesions: the terminology and the clinical picture]. / Lesiones angiocéntricas inmunoproliferativas: terminología y cuadros clínicos.

Two diagnosed clinical cases of T-cell angiocentric lymphoma are presented, different in their clinical aspects, evolution and treatment. Both represent different spectrums within the entity of angiocentric immunoproliferative lesions. The medical literature is reviewed and emphasis is placed on the different illness which include a wide range from less to more highly malignant within the same entity.

[Smoking among maritime workers in the province of Guipúzcoa. An epidemiological study]. / El hábito del tabaco en los trabajadores de la mar de la provincia de Guipúzcoa. Estudio epidemiológico.

Smoking is the principal environmental cause of human disease and seafarers are often heavy smokers as a consequence of difficult working conditions. The object of this study was to determine the prevalence of smoking among seafarers and possible associated factors. Cross-sectional descriptive study. Interviewers administered questionnaires to 834 seafarers between 40 and 60 years of age who were registered members of the marine health and social services authority of Guipúzcoa, whether they were active (working) or passive (unemployed or retired). Expiratory concentrations of CO were also measured. Smokers accounted for 47.5%. Average consumption was 33.9 packs/year (p/y); CO in expired air was 26.1 ppm. Ex-smokers accounted for 23.7% (28.2 p/y; 6.0 ppm). The percentage of smokers was higher among fishermen of the high seas than among coastal fishermen (59.5% versus 38.0%; p < 0.001); consumption of cigarettes of both smokers and ex-smokers (35.9-27.2 p/y; p < 0.001) and mean CO concentration in expired air (18.8-12.4 ppm; p < 0.001) were also found to be higher in this group. Those who had consumed more cigarettes over the course of a lifetime were active seafarers (41.1-30.5 p/y; p < 0.001), but among them were also more ex-smokers (30.8-22.2%; p = 0.04) and fewer current smokers (35.6-50.0%; p = 0.002). Fishing the high seas was the only variable associated with cigarette consumption; being unemployed or retired was the only factor associated with quitting.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Respiratory disorders among fishermen]. / Alteraciones respiratorias de los trabajadores de la mar.

BACKGROUND: Information concerning to the habits and diseases of sea fishermen is scarce. The respiratory disorders and the risk groups in fishermen from the province of Guipúzcoa, Spain were evaluated in this study. METHODS: A descriptive transversal study (questionnaire and spirometry) and retrospective review of the data on laboral disability and mortality were carried out. RESULTS: The prevalences of chronic bronchitis, asthma and smokers were found to be 18.3%, 9.8% and 47.5% respectively; with a history of pneumonia being 8.9%, tuberculosis 7.3%, pleural disease 5.5%, rib fracture 10.6%, and obstructive disorder 8.9%. Smoking, followed by the presence of previous infectious, were the factors most associated to the presence of respiratory disease. The most prevalent smoking habit observed among the high sea fishermen did not completely explain the greater prevalence of chronic bronchitis found among these subjects. The number of years working at sea was not related to any disorder. Tumors represented the first cause of mortality (34.9%) with those of the trachea, bronchials and lung heading the list (13.3%). Laboral disability due to respiratory causes occupied the third place in the global population (13.0%) and the first place in high sea fishermen (22.2%). In relation with coastal fishermen, the high sea fishermen presented a lower Tiffeneau index and a greater prevalence of smoking, chronic bronchitis, history of tuberculosis and laboral disability, number of medical consultations and admissions due to respiratory problems. CONCLUSIONS: Sea fishermen present a high prevalence of respiratory disease. Differences were observed between high sea and coastal fishermen with the former demonstrating a lower Tiffeneau index and a greater frequency of smoking, chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis history and laboral disabilities, number of medical consultations and admissions for respiratory causes.