Psychosocial predictors of affect in adult patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.

In this paper we propose to study the role of psychosocial variables in affect in adult patients undergoing orthodontic treatment, considering that affect is a key variable in treatment adherence. Seventy-four patients (average age 33,24 ± 10,56) with metal multibracket-fixed orthodontic treatment were included. Patients were assessed twice. The first stage, at the beginning of treatment, included assessment of dental impact (Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire), trait anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), self-esteem (Rosenberg's self-esteem scale), and self-efficacy (General Self-efficacy Scale). In the second stage, 6 months later, positive and negative affect towards treatment was assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Scale. Dental social impact differentiates between patients with high and low negative affect, while self-efficacy differentiates between patients with high and low positive affect. Trait anxiety and self-esteem differentiate between both types of affect (positive and negative). Trait anxiety and self-esteem (when trait anxiety weight is controlled) are significant predictor variables of affective balance. These results have important practical implications, because it seems essential to adopt a bio-psychosocial model incorporating assessment methods focusing on day-to-day changes in mood and well-being.

Miocarditis inducida por Clozapina: Revisión y protocolo de Screening

Clozapina, el gold standard en esquizofrenia refractaria, presenta algunos efectos adversos que ocasionalmente pueden ser graves. Entre ellos, la miocarditis precoz es un efecto cardiovascular severo poco frecuente que puede aparecer en las primeras 4-6 semanas. Las cifras de incidencia oscilan entre el 0,015-0.188% en el mundo, siendo más altas en Australia. La etiología es desconocida, postulándose hipersensibilidad mediada por Ig E; hipereosinofilia y hiperadrenergia. Múltiples investigaciones avalan a la ecocardiografía como una de las técnicas más útiles para el diagnóstico. La biopsia endomiocárdica es definitoria pero no viable. Existen, asimismo, criterios de RNM indicativos de inflamación miocárdica. Para facilitar el diagnóstico, se han propuesto criterios clínicos y analíticos de screening (hemograma, ECG, CK, PCR, troponinas). En caso de sospecha de miocarditis, el cese de clozapina y el tratamiento de soporte es la actitud a seguir, habitualmente con buenos resultados.

Although Clozapine is the gold standard treatment in resistant-schizophrenia, severe or even life-threatening adverse effects must be taked into account. Early myocarditis, a severe but unusual cardiovascular effect, can appear in the first 4-6 weeks of initiation. Incidence rates of myocarditis are about 0,015-0,188% around the world, being more elevated in Australia. Aethiology is unknown, suggesting Ig E mediated hipersensibility, hiperaeosinophilia and hiperadrenergy. Echocardiography seems to be one of the most helpful tools for diagnosing myocarditis. Endomyocardial biopsy is definitive, but not usually available. A role for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) also has been proposed (findings of inflammation). In order to make an early diagnosis, several screening-criteria, considering clinical and laboratory ones, have been proposed: aeosinophylia, creatininkinase, C Reactive Proteine, troponin, and EKG. If we suspected clozapine-induced myocarditis, the drug must be removed and support medical treatment must be indicated.

Laboratory-acquired brucellosis: a Spanish national survey.

A retrospective postal survey was carried out among 1240 clinical microbiology laboratory workers in Spain. Overall, 75 (43 microbiologists and 32 technicians) had suffered from laboratory-acquired brucellosis (LAB). Considering the total number of replies (N=628), the rate of LAB was 11.9%. The risk of suffering from LAB was clearly related to the number of isolates of Brucella spp. per year. A major break in biosafety measures was recognized in 60 cases (80%). In nine cases, processing was considered to be secure, and in six cases, the source of infection was unknown. Diagnosis was based on serology in all cases. In 51 cases (68%), blood cultures confirmed diagnosis. A variety of regimens were used to treat the 75 LAB cases. The combination of tetracycline and streptomycin was the most commonly used regimen (in 35 patients), followed by the combination of tetracycline and rifampicin (in 19 cases). Only 10 patients (13.3%) suffered from complications. No differences in resolution were observed according to the antimicrobial regimen. Microbiological laboratory workers are still at risk of developing LAB. Improvements in safety seem to be the best means of

[Methodological issues in the measurement of alcohol consumption: the importance of drinking patterns]. / Aspectos metodológicos en la medición del consumo de alcohol: la importancia de los patrones de consumo.

Measurement of alcohol consumption is essential for proper investigation of its effects on health. However, its estimation is extremely complex, because of the diversity of forms of alcohol consumption and their highly heterogeneous classification. Moreover, each form may have different effects on health; therefore, not considering the most important drinking patterns when estimating alcohol intake could mask the important role of consumption patterns in these effects. All these issues make it very difficult to compare the results of different studies and to establish consistent associations for understanding the true effects of alcohol consumption, both overall and specific to each drinking pattern. This article reviews the main methods and sources of information available in Spain for estimating the most important aspects of alcohol consumption, as well as the most frequent methodological problems encountered in the measurement and classification of drinking patterns.

[Alcohol drinking patterns in Spain: a country in transition]. / Patrones de consumo de alcohol en España: un país en transición.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol consumption in Mediterranean countries is in a transition period. The objective is to describe in the Spanish adult population the pattern of alcohol consumption by major sociodemographic variables. METHODS: A cross-sectional study among 20,608 individuals aged ≥ 15 years who participated in the Spanish Health Interview Survey (ENS) 2011-2012. According to average intake, people were classified as heavy drinkers if they drank ≥ 40 g/day of alcohol (men) or ≥ 24 g/day (women). Binge drinking was defined as the consumption of ≥ 6 standard drinks (men) and ≥ 5 (women) at any drinking occasion (4-6 hours) in the last year. The beverage preference and the trend for 1987-2012 (ENS of these years) were estimated. The relationship of the distribution of drinking patterns with sociodemographic variables was analyzed using adjusted logistic regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence of heavy drinkers was 1.3% (2% in men and 0.7% in women). In men, heavy drinking was more frequent among 45 to 64 year olds (odds ratio (OR)=2.92 compared to men of 15-29 years; CI 95%: 1.59-5.38) and those born in Spain (OR=3.45; CI 95%: 1.59-7.69). In women, the only differences observed were those regarding education level, with heavy drinking increasing as the level of education increases (p linear trend <0.001). The prevalence of binge drinking during the last year was 19.6% in men and 7.1% in women. In both genders, the risk of binge drinking decreased with age and increased with higher education level (p linear trend <0.001). The standardized prevalence of heavy drinkers has declined from 18.8% in 1987 to 1.3% in 2012. CONCLUSION: Alcohol consumption in Spain is consistent with the model for countries in transition, where binge drinking is the most common pattern of excessive use of alcohol. A strong decline in heavy drinkers was observed and wine has been displaced by beer in beverage preference.

Diagnostic efficiency and quality indexes of several markers of renal function for detecting the loss of parenchyma in paediatric patients.

INTRODUCTION: We analysed a large sample of children diagnosed with urinary tract malformations and/or infections and calculated diagnostic efficiency and quality indexes for five different functional markers, with the goal of testing which is the most sensitive for detecting a loss of renal parenchyma. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Ours was a cross-sectional retrospective study in which the clinical histories of 179 paediatric patients (91 male and 88 female) were evaluated. In 102 of these patients (57%), a scintigraphy revealed loss of parenchyma. The most commonly observed morphological type of damage was renal scarring. All patients had undergone at least one desmopressin urine concentration test. We also analysed albumin/creatinine and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG)/creatinine ratios, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and urine volume. RESULTS: By distributing patients according to normal/abnormal scintigraphy, we observed statistically significant differences between the two groups in maximum urine osmolality and GFR. Urine volume was elevated in 31.3% of cases (sensitivity: 37.9%; specificity: 81.8%) and 24% had a defect in renal concentrating ability (sensitivity: 30.4%; specificity: 84.8%). Urinary albumin excretion was high in 12.2% of patients, and 7.2% had a high NAG/creatinine ratio. GFR was low in only 5.7% of patients. These last two markers were the least sensitive but most specific for detecting a loss of renal parenchyma (100%). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the most sensitive functional tests for detecting the loss of renal parenchyma were the two that take into account the ability of the kidney to manage water, i.e. urine volume and maximum urine osmolality. These two tests had specificity >80%. However, the maximum specificity was obtained by the NAG/creatinine ratio and GFR, which were, conversely, the least sensitive tests. A normal GFR does not necessarily show normal renal function.

Diagnóstico prenatal de trombohematoma subcoriónico masivo (mola de Breus) / Prenatal diagnosis of massive subchorionic thrombohematoma (Breus mole)

El trombohematoma subcoriónico masivo o Mola de Breus, por ser éste el autor que lo describió por primera vez en abortos, es un hematoma subcorial de al menos 1 cm de grosor que ocupa al menos, el 50% de la superficie fetal. Suele asociar una alta morbimortalidad fetal y perinatal, en forma de abortos, retraso del crecimiento intrauterino, muerte intrauterina, desprendimiento de placenta normalmente inserta y recién nacidos de bajo peso, generalmente pretérminos. Esta entidad debe diferenciarse de otros procesos que pueden asentar bajo la placa corial, hacia la superficie fetal como: corioangioma, depósitos de fibrina y trombosis del espacio intervelloso. Se han intentado postular mecanismos que pudieran causar dicha circunstancia, sin que por el momento podamos definir factores de riesgo médicos que claramente predispongan a padecer esta entidad. El objetivo de describir estos dos casos clínicos diagnosticados en 2013 es resaltar que, gracias a la sospecha ecográfica de un trombohematoma subcoriónico masivo, podemos estudiar la pieza de placenta y membranas tras la finalización de la gestación, con lo que obtendríamos así la confirmación anátomo-patológica, de otra manera esta información podría perderse.

The massive subchorionictrombo hematoma or Breus's Mola, this was the author who first described it in miscarriages, is a subchorionic hematoma at least 1 cm in thickness which occupies at least 50% of the fetal surface. Usually associated with high fetal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, as miscarriages, intrau-terine growth retardation, stillbirth, placental abruption and low birth weight, preterm generally. This entity should be distinguished from other processes that can seat under the chorionic plate to the fetal surface as chorioangioma, fibrin deposition and thrombosis intervillous space. They have tried to apply mechanisms that could cause such a circumstance, but for now we don't define medical risk factors that predispose clearly suffer from this entity. In order to describe these two cases diagnosed in 2013 is to emphasize that thanks to the sonographic suspicion of a massive subchorionic trombohematoma, can study the piece of placenta and membranes after the end of pregnancy, so it would provide pathologic confirmation, otherwise this information could be lost.

Banda suburetral libre de tensión transobturadora versus single-incision sling para el tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo: seguimiento a 2 años / Transobturator tape versus single-incision sling for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence

Objetivos: Determinar la tasa de curación objetiva/subjetiva y complicaciones del tratamiento de incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo con banda suburetral transobutadora y single-incision sling. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes operadas de incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo (hipermovilidad uretral) con banda suburetral transobturadora (n: 37) y single-incision sling (n: 44) entre enero-2012 y enero-2015. Si se asociaba corrección de prolapso de órganos pélvicos, se colocaba banda transobturadora (TVT-O/ TOT) con internación. Si no precisaba corregir prolapso, se insertaba single-incision sling ambulatoriamente. Las evaluaciones fueron al mes, 6 meses y 1 año. El contacto a 2 años fue telefónico. De 37 bandas transobturadoras completaron seguimiento 35 a 1 año y 26 a 2 años. De 44 single-incision sling, completaron seguimiento 42 a 1 año y 19 a 2 años. Resultados: La edad media para transobturadoras fue superior: 65±9,7 vs 58,2±11,3 (p=0,005). Transobturadoras demostraron más prolapso asociado: 87,8% vs 63,3% (p=0,042) y mayor tiempo quirúrgico (minutos): 81,07±31,27 vs 36,79±11,09 (p=0,000). Hubo mayor morbilidad en transobturadoras, sin diferencias significativas. La continencia al año fue: 80% transobturadoras vs 83% single-incision sling (p=0,706) y a 2 años: 84% vs 79% (p=0,623). Se encontraban satisfechas al año: 80% transobutradoras vs 85,7% single-incision sling (p=0,586) y a 2 años: 88,5% vs 78,9% (p=0,512). Conclusiones: Single-incision sling presentan tasas de éxito y satisfacción similares a bandas transobturadoras, con menor morbilidad, coste y tiempo operatorio, pudiendo ser de primera elección cuando no exista prolapso sintomático asociado.

Objectives: To determine objective and subjective cure rate and complications of stress urinary incontinence treatment with transobturator tape and single-incision sling. Methods: We performed a retrospective study including patients diagnosed of stress urinary incontinence, treated surgically either with transobturator tape (n: 37) or with single-incision sling (n: 44), between January 2012 and January 2015. If pelvic organ prolapse was associated, transobturator route was preferred requiring patient hospitalization. If this correction was not needed, we performed single-incision sling, as an ambulatory procedure. Follow up visits were scheduled at 1, 6, 12 months after surgery and a telephone interview at 24 months. Results: Mean age was higher in transobturator group: 65±9.7 vs 58.2±11.3 (p=0.005). A statistically significant difference between the two groups was found in operating time (minutes): 81.07±31.27 vs 36.79±1.09 (p=0.000) and pelvic prolapse associated: 87.8% vs 63.3% (p=0.042). Morbidity rate was higher in the transobturator group, but without significance. After 1 year follow-up, there were no significant differences between the transobturator and the single-incision groups regarding continence (80% vs 83%; p=0.706) and satisfaction (80% vs 85.7%; p=0.586). We found similar results at 24 months telephonic interview. Conclusions: Single-incision slings are comparable to transobturator tapes in 12 and 24 months success rates and satisfaction, with significantly less morbidity, costs and operating time, becoming first line option when no pelvic prolapse is associated.

Aspectos metodológicos en la medición del consumo de alcohol: La importancia de los patrones de consumo / Methodological issues in the measurement of alcohol consumption: the importance of drinking patterns

Medir correctamente el consumo de alcohol es fundamental para investigar de forma fiable sus efectos en salud. Sin embargo, esta estimación resulta enormemente compleja, tanto por la diversidad de formas de consumo de alcohol existente como por la gran heterogeneidad en su clasificación. Además, cada patrón de consumo de alcohol puede asociarse a efectos muy diferentes sobre la salud, por lo que no tenerlos en consideración cuando estimamos la ingesta de alcohol puede ocultar o confundir su importancia en estos efectos. Todo ello dificulta las comparaciones entre estudios y el establecimiento de asociaciones consistentes que permitan comprender los verdaderos efectos del consumo de alcohol, tanto globales como específicos de cada patrón de bebida. Este trabajo revisa los principales métodos y fuentes de información disponibles en España para estimar los aspectos mas relevantes del consumo de alcohol, así como las dificultades y problemas metodológicos más frecuentes en la medición y clasificación de cada uno de estos indicadores (AU)

Measurement of alcohol consumption is essential for proper investigation of its effects on health. However, its estimation is extremely complex, because of the diversity of forms of alcohol consumption and their highly heterogeneous classification. Moreover, each form may have different effects on health; therefore, not considering the most important drinking patterns when estimating alcohol intake could mask the important role of consumption patterns in these effects. All these issues make it very difficult to compare the results of different studies and to establish consistent associations for understanding the true effects of alcohol consumption, both overall and specific to each drinking pattern. This article reviews the main methods and sources of information available in Spain for estimating the most important aspects of alcohol consumption, as well as the most frequent methodological problems encountered in the measurement and classification of drinking patterns (AU)

Patrones de consumo de alcohol en España: una país en transición / Alcohol drinking patterns in Spain: a country in transition

Fundamentos: El modo en el que se consume alcohol en los países mediterráneos se encuentra en proceso de transición. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir los patrones de consumo en la población adulta española según las principales características sociodemográficas. Métodos: Estudio transversal con participantes de 15 años y más utlizando como fuente de información la Encuesta Nacional de Salud (ENS) 2011-2012 (n=20.608). Según la ingesta promedio de alcohol, se clasificó como de alto riesgo el consumo ≥40 g/día de alcohol en hombres o ≥24 g/día en mujeres. Se definió binge drinking el consumo de ≥6 bebidas estándar de alcohol (hombres) y ≥5 (mujeres) en 4-6 horas durante los últimos 12 meses. Se estimó la preferencia de bebida y la tendencia 1987- 2012 (ENS respectivas). Se analizó su distribución con variables sociodemográficas mediante modelos ajustados de regresión logística. Resultados: El 1,3% de los sujetos encuestados fueron bebedores promedio de alto riesgo (2% de hombres y 0,7% de mujeres). En hombres fue más frecuente entre los 45-64 años (odds ratio (OR)=2,92 respecto a 15-29 años; IC 95%:1,59-5,38) y en los sujetos nacidos en España (OR=3,45; IC 95%: 1,59-7,69). En mujeres se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas según el nivel educativo, incrementándose a medida que aumentaba éste (p tendencia lineal <0,001). El 19,6% de hombres y 7,1% y de mujeres realizaron binge drinking en el último año. Este patrón disminuyó con la edad y se incrementó con el nivel de estudios en ambos sexos (p tendencia lineal <0,001). La prevalencia estandarizada de bebedores promedio de alto riesgo descendió desde un 18,8% en 1987 hasta el 1,3% en 2012. Conclusiones: El consumo de alcohol en España es compatible con el modelo de países en transición, donde el binge drinking es el que más contribuye al riesgo global. Se observa un importante descenso del consumo promedio de alto riesgo. La cerveza desplaza al vino como bebida preferente (AU)

Background:Alcohol consumption inMediterranean countries is in a transition period. The objective is to describe in the Spanish adult population the pattern of alcohol consumption by major sociodemographic variables. Methods:Across-sectional study among 20,608 individuals aged ≥15 years who participated in the Spanish Health Interview Survey (ENS) 2011-2012. According to average intake, people were classified as heavy drinkers if they drank ≥40 g/day of alcohol (men) or ≥24 g/day (women). Binge drinking was defined as the consumption of ≥6 standard drinks (men) and ≥5 (women) at any drinking occasion (4-6 hours) in the last year. The beverage preference and the trend for 1987-2012 (ENS of these years) were estimated. The relationship of the distribution of drinking patterns with sociodemographic variables was analyzed using adjusted logistic regression models. Results: The prevalence of heavy drinkers was 1.3% (2% in men and 0.7% in women). In men, heavy drinking was more frequent among 45 to 64 year olds (odds ratio (OR)=2.92 compared to men of 15-29 years; CI 95%: 1.59-5.38) and those born in Spain (OR=3.45; CI 95%: 1.59-7.69). In women, the only differences observed were those regarding education level, with heavy drinking increasing as the level of education increases (p linear trend <0.001). The prevalence of binge drinking during the last year was 19.6% in men and 7.1% in women. In both genders, the risk of binge drinking decreased with age and increased with higher education level (p linear trend <0.001). The standardized prevalence of heavy drinkers hasdeclined from 18.8% in 1987 to 1.3% in 2012. Conclusion: Alcohol consumption in Spain is consistent with the model for countries in transition, where binge drinking is the most common pattern of excessive use of alcohol. Astrong decline in heavy drinkers was observed and wine has been displaced by beer in beverage preference (AU)

Nuevas perspectivas de la diálisis peritoneal: ultrafiltración a un paciente con insuficiencia cardiaca refractaria a diuréticos / New prospects for peritoneal dialysis: ultrafiltration of a patient with diuretic-refractory heart

No disponible

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence testing in a bullous pemphigoid and pemphigoid gestationis.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is an excellent tool for detection of circulating antibodies against the NC16A portion of BP180 antigen. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of a commercially available BP180-NC16a domain ELISA with that of an indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) testing in the evaluation of bullous pemphigoid (BP) and pemphigoid gestationis (PG), and analyzed the relationship between ELISA results and the presence of IgG deposition, in an epidermal or combined pattern, on direct immunofluorescence (DIF) testing of salt-split skin. ELISA was performed on serum from 28 patients (24 BP, 4 PG) and 50 controls. IIF testing was performed on serum from 27 patients and 98 controls. For the group of 28 patients with BP or PG, ELISA had a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 96% (P < 0.001), while sensitivity was 74% and specificity 96% (P < 0.001) for IIF testing. In these patients, ELISA has a higher sensitivity than IIF testing, but similar specificity. Evaluation of controls who had IgG deposition on the dermal side of salt-split skin on DIF testing showed specificity for the ELISA of 100% (all four cases negative) and 80% for IIF testing (one of five positive). Positive ELISA correlated with a diagnosis of BP or PG only in patients who had IgG at the basement membrane zone (BMZ) by DIF testing. Overall, ELISA appears to have greater sensitivity and specificity for BP or PG than does IIF testing.

Índices de calidad y eficiencia diagnóstica de varios marcadores de función renal para detectar la pérdida de parénquima en la edad pediátrica / Diagnostic efficiency and quality indexes of several markers of renal function for detecting the loss of parenchyma in paediatric patients

Introducción: En una muestra amplia de niños diagnosticados de malformaciones del tracto urinario y/o infección urinaria, hemos calculado los índices de calidad y eficiencia diagnóstica de cinco marcadores funcionales con la intención de comprobar cuáles son los más sensibles para detectar la existencia de una pérdida de parénquima renal. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo transversal en el que se han evaluado las historias clínicas de 179 pacientes en edad pediátrica (91 varones, 88 mujeres). En 102 de ellos (57%), la gammagrafía demostró pérdida de parénquima. Las lesiones morfológicas más frecuentes fueron las cicatrices renales. A todos se les había practicado, al menos, una prueba de concentración realizada con estímulo de desmopresina. Además, se recogieron los resultados de los cocientes albúmina/creatinina y N-acetilglucosaminidasa (NAG)/creatinina, el filtrado glomerular renal (FGR) y el volumen urinario. Resultados: Distribuidos los pacientes según la normalidad o anormalidad de la gammagrafía, se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos (..) (AU)

Introduction: We analysed a large sample of children diagnosed with urinary tract malformations and/or infections and calculated diagnostic efficiency and quality indexes for five different functional markers, with the goal of testing which is the most sensitive for detecting a loss of renal parenchyma. Patients and method: Ours was a cross-sectional retrospective study in which the clinical histories of 179 paediatric patients (91 male and 88 female) were evaluated. In 102 of these patients (57%), a scintigraphy revealed loss of parenchyma. The most commonly observed morphological type of damage was renal scarring. All patients had undergone at least one desmopressin urine concentration test. We also analysed albumin/creatinine and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG)/creatinine ratios, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and urine volume. Results: By distributing patients according to normal/abnormal scintigraphy, we observed statistically significant differences between the two groups in maximum urine osmolality and GFR. Urine volume was elevated in 31.3% of cases (sensitivity: 37.9%; specificity: 81.8%) and 24% had a defect in renal concentrating ability (sensitivity: 30.4%; specificity: 84.8%). Urinary albumin excretion was high in 12.2% of patients, and 7.2% had a high NAG/creatinine ratio. GFR was low in only 5.7% of patients. These last two markers were the least sensitive but most specific for detecting a loss of renal parenchyma (100%). Conclusions: In our study, the most sensitive functional tests for detecting the loss of renal parenchyma were the two that take into account the ability of the kidney to manage water, i.e. urine volume and maximum urine osmolality. These two tests had specificity >80%. However, the maximum specificity was obtained by the NAG/creatinine ratio and GFR, which were, conversely, the least sensitive tests. A normal GFR does not necessarily show normal renal function (AU)

Feasibility of gas chromatography--ion trap tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in food.

The different parameters affecting the ionisation and fragmentation of selected polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in an IT detector working in the MS/MS mode, ITD(MS/MS), have been optimised for maximum selectivity and sensibility. The low LODs (in the range 0.03-0.3 microg/L), the satisfactory repeatability (RSDs in general below 11%) and reproducibility (RSDs below 17%) obtained when analysing standard solutions ensured proper determination of the PCBs studied at the concentrations typically found in food samples. Foodstuffs naturally contaminated with varying levels of PCBs have been analysed using the optimised GC-ITD(MS/MS) method. The results obtained compared favourably with those found using more conventional detectors, such as (micro-)electron capture detection (for ortho-PCBs) and high-resolution MS (for non-ortho-PCBs), as well as with the consensus PCB levels established for these particular samples via an international interlaboratory exercise. The relative merits of these three detectors have been discussed.

Miniaturised sample preparation of fatty foodstuffs for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls.

A miniaturised analytical method allowing the exhaustive extraction of environmentally relevant polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from fatty foodstuffs and the purification of the extracts in a single step has been developed. After dispersion of the freeze dried sample on silica modified with 44% (w/w) of sulphuric acid, the mixture was packed in a glass column on top of a multilayer silica column used for removal of the lipids and biogenic co-extracted material. Using this arrangement, a complete sample preparation can be accomplished by two successive 10 min static extractions with hexane followed by a brief dynamic step to ensure purging of the sample and sorbents. The analytical method showed a satisfactory performance, with recoveries of the endogenous PCBs studied in the 81-134% range of those found using a more conventional off-line procedure, even though as small an amount of sample as 0.1 g was used. Detection limits by gas chromatography with micro-electron capture detection (GC-ECD) were in all cases lower than 0.3 ng/g sample (freeze dried basis) and the repeatability of the complete analytical procedure better than 14% (except for PCB 167). When combined with GC and ion trap detection in the tandem mass spectrometry mode, the miniaturised method has been proved to be a valuable alternative to the more expensive high resolution mass spectrometry for fast screening of PCBs 77, 126, and 169, even if these congeners were not isolated from the bulk of PCBs.

Development of a solid phase extraction method for simultaneous determination of corticoids and tranquilizers in serum samples.

A simple and fast solid phase extraction (SPE) method allowing the preconcentration, clean-up, and subsequent separate elution of phenothiazines (chlorpromazine hydrochloride, acetopromazine, and propionylpromazine hydrochloride) and glucocorticoids (dexamethasone, betamethasone acetate, and phenylbutazone) from serum samples has been developed. Both fractions were separately collected and analyzed without any additional treatment by high performance liquid chromatography with UV-Vis. The performance of the complete procedure was satisfactory irrespective of the spiking level with recoveries in the range 64-85% for all analytes investigated but for phenylbutazone (20%). Repeatability, evaluated as the relative standard deviation, was globally better than 12%. LC-MS was used for final confirmation of the results.

Procedimiento de estética inmediata en región anterior inferior. Presentación de un caso clínico / Immediate aesthetic procedure in the anterior inferior region. Presentation of a clinical case

Introducción: En la actualidad los pacientes demandan no sólo resultados funcionales, sino que también requieren resultados estéticos y una disminución del tiempo transcurrido desde la extracción dentaria hasta su rehabilitación protética sobreimplantes. Esta mayor demanda de resultados estéticos y disminución de los tiempos de tratamiento ha contribuido en la aparición un procedimiento denominado "reposición inmediata" que combina la colocación de implantes postextracción y estética inmediata. Objetivo: Presentar como alternativa terapéutica el procedimiento de reposición inmediata en el sector anteroinferior, describiendo la técnica y sus resultados estéticos. Caso clínico: Paciente mujer de 53 años que acude a nuestra consulta por movilidad en incisivos inferiores, en la exploración clínica se observó movilidad tipo 2-3 y ausencia de signos de infección, mientras que la exploración radiológica evidenció una extensa pérdida ósea horizontal alrededor de los incisivos inferiores. Ante esta situación clínica se decidió la extracción de los mismos y su rehabilitación mediante procedimiento de "reposición inmediata". Conclusiones: un buen diagnóstico, una cuidadosa técnica quirúrgica y un correcto tratamiento protético favorecen un pronóstico favorable en este procedimiento terapéutico denominado reposición inmediata, si bien la evolución y mantenimiento de los resultados depende de la higiene oralque mantenga el paciente y que acuda con regularidad a los controles clínicos (AU)

Introduction: At present, patients demand not only functional results, but they also require aesthetic results and a decrease of the time transpiring from the dental extraction until their prosthetic rehabilitation with implants. This greater demand of aesthetic results and decrease in the treatment time has contributed to the appearance of a procedure called "immediate replacement" which combines the placement of post extraction implants and immediate aesthetics. Objective: To present as a therapeutic alternative the procedure of immediate replacement in the anterior inferior sector, describing the technique and the aesthetic results. Clinical case: Female patient of 53 years of age comes to the office for mobility in inferior incisors; in the clinical examination type 2-3mobility and absence of signs of infection were observed, while the radiological examination showed extensive horizontal bone loss around the lower incisors. In view of this clinical situation it was decided to extract them and perform their rehabilitation by means of the "immediate replacement" procedure. Conclusions: a good diagnosis, a careful surgical technique and correct prosthetic treatment support a favourable prognosis in this therapeutic procedure called immediate replacement, although the evolution and the maintenance of the results depend on the oral hygiene that the patient maintains and that she comes regularly to the clinical checks (AU)

Meta-analytic study on the frequency and treatmentof oral antral communications

Objective: To determine the optimum surgical treatment for oral antral communications (OAC) and to understandthe main post-operative complications.Study Design: Meta-analytical, observational and retrospective study of 1,072 cases of OAC obtained from aliterature review of 15 articles.Results: OAC occur slightly more often in men and during the fourth decade of life. Its primary etiological factoris dental extraction, most often affecting the third molar. The most common treatment has been the use of Bichat’sfat pad grafts, whereas the technique with the highest percentage of complications has been the use of the palatalrotation flap. The most frequent complication has been the fistulization of the OAC.Conclusions: Early diagnosis of OAC and its treatment within 48 hours of evolution are fundamental in order toproperly resolve this pathology. The use of Bichat’s fat pad grafts is a simple technique that offers excellent vascularizationand results (AU)