Diagnosis of lesions of the acetabular labrum, of the labral-chondral transition zone, and of the cartilage in femoroacetabular impingement: Correlation between direct magnetic resonance arthrography and hip arthroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity and accuracy of direct MR arthrography in the diagnosis of intra-articular lesions associated with femoroacetabular impingement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used direct MR arthrography to study 51 patients with femoroacetabular impingement who underwent arthroscopic hip surgery. Surgery demonstrated 37 labral tears, 44 lesions in the labral-chondral transitional zone, and 40 lesions of the articular cartilage. We correlated the findings at preoperative direct MR arthrography with those of hip arthroscopy and calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and validity index for direct MR arthrography. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of MR arthrography were 94.5% and 100%, respectively, for diagnosing labral tears, 100% and 87.5%, respectively, for diagnosing lesions of the labral-chondral transition zone, and 92.5% and 54.5%, respectively, for diagnosing lesions of the articular cartilage. The negative predictive value of MR arthrography for lesions of the labral-chondral transitional zone was 100%. MR arthrography accurately defined extensive lesions of the cartilage and the secondary osseous changes (the main factor in poor prognosis), although its diagnostic performance was not so good in small chondral lesions. CONCLUSION: In patients with femoroacetabular impingement, direct MR arthrography can adequately detect and characterize lesions of the acetabular labrum and of the labral-chondral transitional zone as well as extensive lesions of the articular cartilage and secondary osseous changes.

Coupling of solid-phase microextraction with micellar desorption and high performance liquid chromatography for the determination of pharmaceutical residues in environmental liquid samples.

A residue analytical method combining solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with external micellar desorption (MD) and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of six pharmaceutical compounds, belonging to various therapeutic categories in water samples. Target compounds include antiinflamatory drugs (ibuprofen, ketoprofen and naproxen), an analgesic (phenazone), a lipid regulator (bezafibrate) and an antiepileptic (carbamazepine). A detailed study of the experimental conditions of extraction and desorption with different surfactants was performed in order to obtain the best results during instrumental analysis. Of the different fibers and surfactants investigated, 65 microm polydimethysiloxane-divinilbenzene (PDMS-DVB) fiber and polyoxyethylene 10 lauryl ether (POLE) and polyoxyethylene 6 lauryl ether (C(12)E(6)) as desorbing agents produced the optimal response to pharmaceutical residues. Recoveries obtained were generally higher than 80% and the variability of the method was below 16% for all compounds in both surfactants. Method detection limits were 0.05-12 ng mL(-1) for POLE and 0.1-5 ng mL(-1) for C(12)E(6). The developed method was compared using external desorption with organic solvent and it was successfully applied to the determination of these pharmaceutical compounds in water samples from different origin. Solid-phase microextraction with micellar desorption (SPME-MD) represents a new approach for the extraction of different pharmaceutical compounds in natural waters because it combines shorter handling time, better efficiency, safety and more environmentally friendly process than the traditional methods.

Methodologies for the extraction of phenolic compounds from environmental samples: new approaches.

Phenolic derivatives are among the most important contaminants present in the environment. These compounds are used in several industrial processes to manufacture chemicals such as pesticides, explosives, drugs and dyes. They also are used in the bleaching process of paper manufacturing. Apart from these sources, phenolic compounds have substantial applications in agriculture as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. However, phenolic compounds are not only generated by human activity, but they are also formed naturally, e.g., during the decomposition of leaves or wood. As a result of these applications, they are found in soils and sediments and this often leads to wastewater and ground water contamination. Owing to their high toxicity and persistence in the environment, both, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Union have included some of them in their lists of priority pollutants. Current standard methods of phenolic compounds analysis in water samples are based on liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) while Soxhlet extraction is the most used technique for isolating phenols from solid matrices. However, these techniques require extensive cleanup procedures that are time-intensive and involve expensive and hazardous organic solvents, which are undesirable for health and disposal reasons. In the last years, the use of news methodologies such as solid-phase extraction (SPE) and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) have increased for the extraction of phenolic compounds from liquid samples. In the case of solid samples, microwave assisted extraction (MAE) is demonstrated to be an efficient technique for the extraction of these compounds. In this work we review the developed methods in the extraction and determination of phenolic derivatives in different types of environmental matrices such as water, sediments and soils. Moreover, we present the new approach in the use of micellar media coupled with SPME process for the extraction of phenolic compounds. The advantages of micellar media over conventional extractants are reduction of organic solvent, low cost, easy handling and shorter time procedures.

Preconcentration of pharmaceuticals residues in sediment samples using microwave assisted micellar extraction coupled with solid phase extraction and their determination by HPLC-UV.

An analytical method combining microwave assisted micellar extraction (MAME) and solid phase extraction (SPE) has been developed to extract and preconcentrate a selected group of eight pharmaceutical compounds in sediment samples prior to their determination using liquid chromatography with an UV-DAD detector. A non-ionic surfactant, Polyoxyethylene 10 lauryl ether (POLE) was used for the MAME extraction and the different parameters for the optimization process were studied. Then, SPE was used to clean-up and preconcentrate the target analytes in the extract, prior to their determination using HPLC-UV. The method was applied to the determination of the selected pharmaceuticals compounds in several kinds of sediment samples with different characteristics. Relative recoveries for spiked sediment samples were over 70% and relative standard deviations (RSDs) were under 11% for all recoveries tested. Detection limits between 4 and 167ngg(-1) were obtained. The method was validated using Soxhlet extraction procedure.

Recent trends in the use of organized molecular systems combined with chromatographic techniques in environmental analysis.

The establishment of new analytical methods which improve quality and sensitivity in the determination of environmental pollutants in liquid and solid samples is demanded. The use of micellar systems have become an advantageous tool for the extraction of pollutant compounds, due to their easy handling, biodegradability, and the one-step procedure, and they are compatible with the hydroalcoholic mobile phases used in HPLC. The focus of this review is to present recently developed methods and the main trends in the use of micellar media combined with solid-phase microextraction and solid-phase extraction in the chromatographic analysis of organic compounds in different types of environmental matrix, including water, sediments, and biological samples. Selected samples illustrate the benefits of these systems in the whole of analytical process. The advantages of micellar media over conventional extractants are reduction of solvent usage, low cost, easy handling, and non-toxic procedure.

Implementation of solid-phase microextraction with micellar desorption method for priority phenolic compound determination in natural waters.

Eleven phenolic compounds considered by the Environmental Protection Agency to be priority pollutants are extracted and determined in different water samples. The method involves the extraction and clean-up step of target compounds by solid-phase microextraction and micellar desorption (SPME-MD) and a second step of determination by liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Different fibers and surfactants are evaluated for the analysis of these target analytes in water samples. In the optimum conditions for the SPME process, recoveries for the target compounds are between 80% and 109%; relative standard deviations are lower than 10%, and detection limits are in the range 0.3-3.5 ng/mL. The main advantages of this method are the combination of time and efficiency, safety, and an environmentally friendly process for sample extraction prior to instrumental determination. This demonstrates that SPME-MD can be used as an alternative to traditional methods for the extraction and determination of priority phenolic compounds in natural waters from different origins.

Development of a solid-phase microextraction method with micellar desorption for the determination of chlorophenols in water samples. Comparison with conventional solid-phase microextraction method.

A novel analytical method is presented for the determination of chlorophenols in water. This method involves pre-concentration by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and an external desorption using a micellar medium as desorbing agent. Final analysis of the selected chlorophenols compounds was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection (DAD). Optimum conditions for desorption, using the non-ionic surfactant polyoxyethylene 10 lauryl ether (POLE), such as surfactant concentration and time were studied. A satisfactory reproducibility for the extraction of target compounds, between 6 and 15%, was obtained, and detection limits were in the range of 1.1-5.9ngmL(-1). The developed method is evaluated and compared with the conventional one using organic solvent as a desorbing agent. The method was successfully applied to the determination of chlorophenols in water samples from different origin. This study has demonstrated that solid-phase microextraction with micellar desorption (SPME-MD) can be used as an alternative to conventional SPME method for the extraction of chlorophenols in water samples.

Incorporation of amino acid analogs during the biosynthesis of Escherichia coli aspartate transcarbamylase.

Amino acid-requiring mutants capable of producing derepressed levels of aspartate transcarbamylase (carbamoylphosphate:L-aspartate carbamoyltransferase, EC 2.1.3.2) were obtained and used for the incorporation in this enzyme of eight different amino acid analogs. These amino acid replacements enabled the biosynthesis of a series of modified aspartate transcarbamylases altered in their catalytic or regulatory properties. The enzyme in which phenylalanine was rereplaced by 2-fluorophenylalanine was purified to homogeneity and appeared to have the same specific activity as normal asparate transcarbamylase but lacking both homotropic and heterotropic interactions.

Ariadne-1: a vital Drosophila gene is required in development and defines a new conserved family of ring-finger proteins.

We report the identification and functional characterization of ariadne-1 (ari-1), a novel and vital Drosophila gene required for the correct differentiation of most cell types in the adult organism. Also, we identify a sequence-related gene, ari-2, and the corresponding mouse and human homologues of both genes. All these sequences define a new protein family by the Acid-rich, RING finger, B-box, RING finger, coiled-coil (ARBRCC) motif string. In Drosophila, ari-1 is expressed throughout development in all tissues. The mutant phenotypes are most noticeable in cells that undergo a large and rapid membrane deposition, such as rewiring neurons during metamorphosis, large tubular muscles during adult myogenesis, and photoreceptors. Occasional survivors of null alleles exhibit reduced life span, motor impairments, and short and thin bristles. Single substitutions at key cysteines in each RING finger cause lethality with no survivors and a drastic reduction of rough endoplasmic reticulum that can be observed in the photoreceptors of mosaic eyes. In yeast two-hybrid assays, the protein ARI-1 interacts with a novel ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, UbcD10, whose sequence is also reported here. The N-terminal RING-finger motif is necessary and sufficient to mediate this interaction. Mouse and fly homologues of both ARI proteins and the Ubc can substitute for each other in the yeast two-hybrid assay, indicating that ARI represents a conserved novel mechanism in development. In addition to ARI homologues, the RBR signature is also found in the Parkinson-disease-related protein Parkin adjacent to an ubiquitin-like domain, suggesting that the study of this mechanism could be relevant for human pathology.

Angiotensinogen-like epitopes are present in the CNS of Aplysia california and co-localize with urotensin I- and urotensin II-like immunoreactivities in the cerebral ganglia.

Immunohistochemistry was used to demonstrate urotensin I (UI), urotensin II (UII), and angiotensinogen (Ao)-like immunoreactivities (ir) in the CNS of Aplysia californica. The fish UI is a 41 amino acid peptide that has 50% identity with mammalian corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). Identity also exists between UI and angiotensinogen in a tetrapeptide at the N-terminus. Ao-ir neurones were found in the F cluster of the Aplysia cerebral ganglia. Beaded Ao-ir fibres were seen in the neuropile and commissure of the cerebral, pleural and pedal ganglia. Ao neurosecretory material was also seen in the perineural region of the proximal supralabial nerve. Previously we have demonstrated UI and UII immunoreactivities were present in the CNS of Aplysia. A comparison of adjacent sections of the cerebral ganglia immunostained sequentially for UI, UII and Ao revealed that all three immunoreactivities co-existed in the same cells of the F cluster of the cerebral ganglia. Liquid-phase immunoabsorption of the Ao antiserum revealed that porcine or human angiotensinogen but not UI or UII were able to quench Ao immunostaining. Conversely UI and UII staining were quenched by white sucker (Catatomus commersoni) UI and goby (Gillichtys mirabilis) UII, respectively, but they were not modified by angiotensinogen. These results suggest that UI-, UII-, and Ao-like peptides might co-exist as separate entities in the cerebral ganglia of Aplysia californica where they can act in an integrated and/or independent modulatory way.

Distribution and coexistence of urotensin I and urotensin II peptides in the cerebral ganglia of Aplysia californica.

Urotensin I (UI) and urotensin II (UII) were demonstrated in the cerebral ganglia of Aplysia californica by applying immunocytochemical and radioimmunoassay procedures. Sequential analysis of adjacent sections of the cerebral ganglia of Aplysia demonstrated that the UI-immunoreactive (UI-IR) neurons of the F cluster of the cerebral ganglia also contained UII immunoreactivity (UII-IR). Both UI-IR and UII-IR were also observed in a cuff-like arrangement of fibers surrounding the proximal portion of the supralabial nerve, as well as in a few fibers in the anterior tentacular nerves. The UI-IR perikarya of the cerebral ganglia appeared to project to the entire CNS of Aplysia, but the UII-IR fibers appeared only in the neuropile and commissure of the cerebral ganglia. The UI-IR staining was abolished by previous immunoabsorption of the UI antiserum with sucker (Catastomus commersoni) UI, but not with ovine corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), rat/human CRF, or goby (Gillichthys mirabilis) UII. Immunostaining with UII antiserum was quenched by goby UII, but not by sucker UII-A, UII-B, UII-A(6-12), or carp (Cyprinus carpio) UII-alpha and UII-gamma. The UII staining was not abolished by UI or somatostatin. The F cluster was not stained when a somatostatin antiserum was applied. Radioimmunoassay of dilutions of cerebral ganglia extract, using UII antiserum, revealed a parallel displacement curve to synthetic goby UII.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Urotensin I-like immunoreactivity in the central nervous system of Aplysia californica.

In the present study the occurrence and localization of urotensin I (UI, a corticotropin releasing factor-like peptide) in the CNS of Aplysia californica were investigated by immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay. The RIA cross-reactivity pattern indicated that the UI antiserum used recognized an epitope in the C-terminal region of the UI, but it did not cross-react with mammalian corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and partially recognized sauvagine (SVG, a frog CRF-like peptide). The use of CRF-specific and sauvagine-specific antisera failed to give positive immunostaining. The application of UI antiserum (which does not cross-react with CRF in RIA) gave a positive staining, which was blocked by synthetic sucker (Catostomus commersoni) UI, but not by rat/human CRF (10 microM). On the basis of immunostaining and RIA parallel to fish UI displacement curves of cerebral ganglia extracts, the unknown UI/CRF-like substance in the Aplysia ganglia is likely to have greater homology with sucker UI than with the known CRF peptides. Urotensin I-immunoreactive (UI-ir) neurons were seen mainly in the F neuron clusters, located in the midline and rostrodorsal portion of the cerebral ganglia. Few UI-ir neurons were also found in the C and D neuron clusters of the cerebral ganglia, as well as in the left pleural and abdominal ganglia. In addition, numerous fine and coarse, and beaded UI-ir fibers were found in the cerebral commissure. UI-ir fibers were also seen in the neuropile of the buccal, pedal and pleural ganglia, and abdominal ganglion. A cuff-like arrangement of UI-ir fibers was seen in the supralabial nerves.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Egg dipping in hydrogen peroxide solution to eliminate Salmonella typhimurium from eggshell membranes.

The effectiveness of egg dipping in a 6% hydrogen peroxide solution to eliminate Salmonella typhimurium from eggshell membranes was evaluated. The first step was to assess the water uptake from broiler hatching eggs dipped in tap water once or twice using a positive-pressure differential method in order to determine the best method to use in the disinfection trials. Double dipping increased water uptake by 86% more than single dipping. Dipping S. typhimurium-contaminated eggs twice in a 6% hydrogen peroxide solution reduced the average number of organisms in eggshell membranes by 95% and the number of S. typhimurium-positive eggs by 55% compared with the infected untreated group. Dipping the eggs in a 6% hydrogen peroxide solution did not adversely affect hatchability.

Salmonella typhimurium penetration through the eggshell of hatching eggs.

This study was undertaken to demonstrate penetration of Salmonella typhimurium through the eggshell of newly laid broiler hatching eggs. Eggs were challenged either by lightly spraying the bacteria over the blunt end of the egg or by contact with contaminated dry nest litter. Exposure time for both groups was 10 minutes; afterward, all eggs were disinfected and incubated 19 days under normal conditions. Chorioallantoic membranes and yolk sacs were cultured in brain-heart infusion broth on day 19 to demonstrate penetration. Isolation of the bacteria from chorioallantoic membranes and yolk sacs, respectively, were as follows: sprayed group: 100% and 83%; contact group: 59% and 29%. These results showed that although water enhanced S. typhimurium penetration, its presence on the eggshell is not essential for penetration to occur.

Salmonella typhimurium outbreak in broiler chicken flocks in Mexico.

A Salmonella typhimurium outbreak in 1-to-2-week-old broiler flocks in Mexico is reported. Clinical signs were growth retardation, blindness, twisted necks, and lameness. Gross lesions consisted of hypopyon, panophthalmitis, hepatomegaly with necrotic foci, enlarged spleen, pericarditis, coagulated and unabsorbed yolks, and purulent arthritis. Mortality and cull rates in different flocks ranged from 1.7% to 10.6% during the first two weeks of age. All internal organs, eyes, and hock joints of diseased chickens that were cultured were Salmonella-positive. The bacteria were also isolated from the breeder source flock. Disease was thought to be transmitted through eggs at hatch.

The Aplysia gill-withdrawal reflex revisited: components of the network.

Attempts to understand how changes at identified synapses contribute to the behavioral changes that constitute learning in the GWR have been complicated by the complexity of gill innervation. In addition to the well-studied circuit between siphon sensory neurons and identified gill motor neurons of the PVG, both PNS and as yet unidentified CNS pathways are also involved in the control of gill movement. In this study we combine an anatomical study of the PNS with physiological and behavioral analyses of the CNS's contribution to the GWR. We tested the possibility that altering the activity of an identified gill motor neuron is sufficient to alter the GWR. The results show that altering activity of GMNs has no demonstrable effect on the GWR in the suppressed behavioral state. Furthermore, activity in identified MNs may vary in response to a uniform stimulus and is not a good predictor of gill behavior. Immunohistochemical staining in gill and siphon showed discrete and well localized serotonin and SCPB-like reactivity. This is the first report of serotonin and SCPB-like immunoreactivity in the PNS of Aplysia siphon.

[Insulin resistance index: measurement and potential in human reproduction]. / Indice de resistencia a la insulina: medición y potencial en reproducción humana.

Insulin resistance (IRI) applies to abnormalities of insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism. Biochemical events related to this phenomenon are difficult to search in the absence of overt diabetes mellitus. A simple method to quantify insulin resistance was assessed through the measurement of glucose and insulin (fasting glucose [mmol/L] x fasting insulin [mU/L]/22.5) in patients (n = 50) attending our clinic of human reproduction, including controls (n = 10) and diabetics either unstable or under control (n = 5). Cases with obesity, polycystic ovarian disease, diabetes mellitus, infertility and hypoglycemia showed higher (p = 0.01-0.05) IRI changes, inversely correlated with a decreasing fasting glucose observed in diabetics under treatment with various degrees of control. We conclude that the IRI method used in this work is a reliable estimate of insulin resistance with potential applications for the study of reproductive biology.

Assessment of the Presence of Pharmaceutical Compounds in Seawater Samples from Coastal Area of Gran Canaria Island (Spain).

This study presents the evaluation of seven pharmaceutical compounds belonging to different commonly used therapeutic classes in seawater samples from coastal areas of Gran Canaria Island. The target compounds include atenolol (antihypertensive), acetaminophen (analgesic), norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin (antibiotics), carbamazepine (antiepileptic) and ketoprofen and diclofenac (anti-inflammatory). Solid phase extraction (SPE) was used for the extraction and preconcentration of the samples, and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used for the determination of the compounds. Under optimal conditions, the recoveries obtained were in the range of 78.3% to 98.2%, and the relative standard deviations were less than 11.8%. The detection and quantification limits of the method were in the ranges of 0.1-2.8 and 0.3-9.3 ng·L(-1), respectively. The developed method was applied to evaluate the presence of these pharmaceutical compounds in seawater from four outfalls in Gran Canaria Island (Spain) during one year. Ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin were found in a large number of samples in a concentration range of 9.0-3551.7 ng·L(-1). Low levels of diclofenac, acetaminophen and ketoprofen were found sporadically.

Indicadores de envejecimiento demográfico del estado carabobo ,venezuela . Periodo 1990-2011 / Indicators demographic aging of carabobo state . venezuela . period 1990-2011

El envejecimiento poblacional ha tenido un repunte en el siglo XXI. Dentro del país se destaca el Estado Carabobo con el cuarto lugar con mayor volumen de adultos de 65 años según el censo poblacional del año 2011. El objetivo general es analizar indicadores demográficos del Estado Carabobo. Se realizó una investigación descriptiva y documental, basada, en los Censos de Población de los años 1990, 2001 y 2011, del Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE); así como de boletines con estimaciones del INE. Para procesar la información se utilizaron técnicas de estadística descriptiva y el Programa Excel de Microsoft 2007. Resultados: El grupo de 65 y más años aumento de 3.40 % a 5.60 %. Predomina el sexo femenino en todos los censos. La razón de dependencia total se redujo de 66,9 a 46,1. El índice de envejecimiento incremento de 9.21 a 21.33 mayores de 64 años por cada 100 menores de 15 años. La edad mediana asciende de 21 años a 27 años entre los censos 1990 - 2011. Conclusiones Los indicadores demográficos del Estado Carabobo, reflejan que viene transitando un proceso de envejecimiento demográfico, encontrándose actualmente en la definición de población madura, ya que los mayores de 64 años están en el 5,66 % de la población total. Se evidencia el fenómeno de feminización de la vejez. Se observa el aumento de las personas en edad de trabajar ubicando en el presente el bono demográfico.

Population aging has had a rebound in the XXI century. Within the country, Carabobo State stands out with the fourth highest volume of adults of 65 years old, according to the population census during 2011. The overall objective is to analyze demographic aging indicators from Carabobo State. Method: A descriptive and documentary research, based on the Population Censuses in 1990, 2001 and 2011, the National Statistics Institute (INE) was performed; as well as bulletins with estimations from the INE. To process the information, techniques of descriptive statistics and Microsoft Excel program 2007 were used. Results: The 65 years old group and over, increased from 3.40% to 5.60%. Females predominate in all censuses. The total dependency ratio was reduced from 66.9 to 46.1. The aging index increased from 9.21 to 21.33 over 64 years for every 100 children under 15 years. The median age rises from 21 years to 27 years between the censuses 1990 - 2011. Conclusions The demographic indicators of Carabobo State reflect that a process of demographic aging is coming journeying, and it is currently in the definition of mature population, since people over 64 years are in the 5.66% of the overall population. The phenomenon of feminization of old age is evident. The increase of people’s working age is observed placing the demographic bonus nowadays.