Treatment variability and its relationships to outcomes among patients with Wernicke's encephalopathy: A multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Despite guidelines and recommendations, Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) treatment lacks evidence, leading to clinical practice variability. AIMS: Given the overall lack of information on thiamine use for WE treatment, we analyzed data from a large, well-characterized multicenter sample of patients with WE, examining thiamine dosages; factors associated with the use of different doses, frequencies, and routes; and the influence of differences in thiamine treatment on the outcome. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted with data from 443 patients from 21 centers obtained from a nationwide registry of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (from 2000 to 2012). Discharge codes and Caine criteria were applied for WE diagnosis, and treatment-related (thiamine dosage, frequency, and route of administration) demographic, clinical, and outcome variables were analyzed. RESULTS: We found marked variability in WE treatment and a low rate of high-dose intravenous thiamine administration. Seventy-eight patients out of 373 (20.9%) received > 300mg/day of thiamine as initial dose. Patients fulfilling the Caine criteria or presenting with the classic WE triad more frequently received parenteral treatment. Delayed diagnosis (after 24h hospitalization), the fulfillment of more than two Caine criteria at diagnosis, mental status alterations, and folic acid deficiency were associated significantly with the lack of complete recovery. Malnutrition, reduced consciousness, folic acid deficiency, and the lack of timely thiamine treatment were risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our results clearly show extreme variability in thiamine dosages and routes used in the management of WE. Measures should be implemented to ensure adherence to current guidelines and to correct potential nutritional deficits in patients with alcohol use disorders or other risk factors for WE.

Alcoholic Liver Disease Among Patients with Wernicke Encephalopathy: A Multicenter Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: data regarding the association between Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) and alcoholic liver disease (ALD) are scarce in spite of alcohol consumption being the main risk factor for WE. AIMS: to describe the frequency of ALD in a cohort of patients diagnosed with WE and alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and to compare the characteristics of WE patients with and without ALD. METHODS: we conducted an observational study in 21 centers through a nationwide registry of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine. WE Caine criteria were applied and demographic, clinical, and outcome variables were analyzed. RESULTS: 434 patients were included in the study, of which 372 were men (85.7%), and the mean age was 55 ± 11.8 years. ALD was present in 162 (37.3%) patients and we found a higher percentage of cases with tremor, flapping and hallucinations in the ALD group. A total of 22 patients (5.0%) died during admission (7.4% with ALD vs 3.7% without ALD; P = 0.087). Among the ALD patients, a relationship between mortality and the presence of anemia (Odds ratio [OR]=4.6 Confidence interval [CI]95% 1.1-18.8; P = 0.034), low level of consciousness (OR=4.9 CI95% 1.1-21.2; P = 0.031) and previous diagnosis of cancer (OR=10.3 CI95% 1.8-59.5; P = 0.009) was detected. Complete recovery was achieved by 27 patients with ALD (17.8%) and 71 (27.8%) without ALD (P = 0.030). CONCLUSION: the association of WE and ALD in patients with AUDs is frequent and potentially linked to differences in clinical presentation and to poorer prognosis, as compared to alcoholic patients with WE without ALD.

Development of chia seed (Salvia hispanica) mucilage films plasticized with polyol mixtures: Mechanical and barrier properties.

Food packaging is one of the main contributors to the high rates of environmental contamination; therefore, interest has emerged on the use of biopolymers as alternative materials to replace conventional food packaging. Chia seed (Salvia hispanica) is recognized by having a high content of a polysaccharide called mucilage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility using of chia seed mucilage (CSM) and a polyol mixture containing glycerol and sorbitol for the development of films. CSM films with higher sorbitol content showed superior tensile strength (3.23 N/mm2) and lower water vapor permeability (1.3*10-9 g/m*s*Pa), but had poor flexibility compared to other treatments. Conversely, high glycerol content showed high elongation at break (67.55%) and solubility (22.75%), but poor water vapor permeability and tensile strength. Film formulations were optimized implementing a factorial design according to response surface methodology. Raman spectra analysis showed shifts from 854 to 872 cm-1 and 1061 to 1076 cm-1, ß (CCO) modes, indicating an increase in hydrogen bonding, responsible for the high tensile strength and decreased water vapor permeability observed in this study. The optimum conditions of polyol concentration were 1.3 g of glycerol and 2.0 g of sorbitol per g of CSM. Based on these results, chia seed mucilage can successfully be used to develop biofilms with potential to be used in drug delivery and edible food coating applications.

Microwave pasteurization of apple juice: Modeling the inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium at 80-90 °C.

Although due to their acidity some fruit juices are considered safe, several outbreaks have been reported. For processing fruit juices, microwave heating offers advantages such as shorter come-up time, faster and uniform heating, and energy efficiency. Thus, it could be a beneficial alternative to conventional pasteurization. The objective of this study was to study the inactivation kinetics of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium under microwave pasteurization at temperatures between 80 and 90 °C, i.e., at conditions that are employed in conventional pasteurization. Inoculated juices were treated at different power levels (600 W, 720 W) and treatment times (5s, 10s, 15s, 20s, 25s). Time-temperature profiles were obtained by fiber-optic sensors in contact with the samples allowing continuous data collection. The log-logistic and Arrhenius equations were used to account for the influence of the temperature history; thus, resulting in two different modeling approaches that were compared in terms of their prediction abilities. Survival kinetics including non-isothermal conditions were described by a non-linear ordinary differential equation that was numerically solved by the Runge-Kutta method (ode45 in MATLAB ®). The lsqcurvefit function (MATLAB®) was employed to estimate the corresponding survival parameters, which were obtained from freshly made apple juice, whereas the prediction ability of these parameters was evaluated on commercial apple juices. Results indicated that inactivation increased with power level, temperature, and treatment time reaching a microbial reduction up to 7 Log10 cycles. The study is relevant to the food industry because it provides a quantitative tool to predict survival characteristics of pathogens at other non-isothermal processing conditions.

The effects of microstructure, Nb content and secondary Ruddlesden-Popper phase on thermoelectric properties in perovskite CaMn1-x Nb x O3 (x = 0-0.10) thin films.

CaMn1-x Nb x O3 (x = 0, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 and 0.10) thin films have been grown by a two-step sputtering/annealing method. First, rock-salt-structured (Ca,Mn1-x ,Nb x )O thin films were deposited on 11̄00 sapphire using reactive RF magnetron co-sputtering from elemental targets of Ca, Mn and Nb. The CaMn1-x Nb x O3 films were then obtained by thermally induced phase transformation from rock-salt-structured (Ca,Mn1-x Nb x )O to orthorhombic during post-deposition annealing at 700 °C for 3 h in oxygen flow. The X-ray diffraction patterns of pure CaMnO3 showed mixed orientation, while Nb-containing films were epitaxially grown in [101] out of-plane-direction. Scanning transmission electron microscopy showed a Ruddlesden-Popper (R-P) secondary phase in the films, which results in reduction of the electrical and thermal conductivity of CaMn1-x Nb x O3. The electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient of the pure CaMnO3 film were measured to 2.7 Ω cm and -270 µV K-1 at room temperature, respectively. The electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient were reduced by alloying with Nb and was measured to 0.09 Ω cm and -145 µV K-1 for x = 0.05. Yielding a power factor of 21.5 µW K-2 m-1 near room temperature, nearly eight times higher than for pure CaMnO3 (2.8 µW K-2 m-1). The power factors for alloyed samples are low compared to other studies on phase-pure material. This is due to high electrical resistivity originating from the secondary R-P phase. The thermal conductivity of the CaMn1-x Nb x O3 films is low for all samples and is the lowest for x = 0.07 and 0.10, determined to 1.6 W m-1 K-1. The low thermal conductivity is attributed to grain boundary scattering and the secondary R-P phase.

Early outcome of a 31-gene expression profile test in 86 AJCC stage IB-II melanoma patients. A prospective multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The clinical and pathological features of primary melanoma are not sufficiently sensitive to accurately predict which patients are at a greater risk of relapse. Recently, a 31-gene expression profile (DecisionDx-Melanoma) test has shown promising results. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the early prognostic performance of a genetic signature in a multicentre prospectively evaluated cohort. METHODS: Inclusion of patients with AJCC stages IB and II conducted between April 2015 and December 2016. All patients were followed up prospectively to assess their risk of relapse. Prognostic performance of this test was evaluated individually and later combined with the AJCC staging system. Prognostic accuracy of disease-free survival was determined using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. Results of the gene expression profile test were designated as Class 1 (low risk) and Class 2 (high risk). RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 26 months (IQR 22-30). The gene expression profile test was performed with 86 patients; seven had developed metastasis (8.1%) and all of them were in the Class 2 group, representing 21.2% of this group. Gene expression profile was an independent prognostic factor for relapse as indicated by multivariate Cox regression analysis, adjusted for AJCC stages and age. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective multicentre cohort study, performed in a Spanish Caucasian cohort, shows that this 31-gene expression profile test could correctly identify patients at early AJCC stages who are at greater risk of relapse. We believe that gene expression profile in combination with the AJCC staging system could well improve the detection of patients who need intensive surveillance and optimize follow-up strategies.

Handgrip strength and lean mass are independently related to brain atrophy among alcoholics.

BACKGROUND: In neurodegenerative disorders or in normal aging humans a relationship between muscle mass and/or performance and brain volume was observed, that is not dependent on age or other confounding factors. The aim of the present study is to analyse the relationship between lean mass and handgrip strength in alcoholics, who frequently show brain and muscle atrophy. METHODS: It was included 101 male patients aged 58.35 ± 11.59 years, and 44 controls, all of them workers of our hospital, drinkers of less than 20 g ethanol/day, of similar age. Patients and controls underwent dominant handgrip assessment with a Collins' dynamometer, whole body composition analysis by densitometry, and brain computed tomography (CT) examination, with further calculation of several indices indicative of brain atrophy. MAIN RESULTS: 1) Brain atrophy is a very common finding among alcoholics, both among cirrhotics and non-cirrhotics. 2) Alcoholics show a marked reduction in handgrip strength, and also in lean mass, especially at the arms and legs -but not in the trunk, even if patients with ascites were excluded.3) There is a relationship between reduced lean mass and brain atrophy, and a close correlation between handgrip strength and brain atrophy, that is independent of age and liver function. 4) Total fat amount is not different among alcoholics and controls, but there are marked differences in fat distribution: alcoholics show less fat in arms, but more fat in trunk, so that if we calculate the peripheral fat/trunk fat index, marked differences were observed among alcoholics and controls. Neither total fat nor fat distribution were related to brain atrophy. CONCLUSION: among alcoholics, as in other neurodegenerative conditions, there is a relationship between reduced lean mass and brain atrophy, and a close correlation between handgrip strength and brain atrophy, that is independent of age, duration of ethanol consumption and liver function.

Enhanced thermoelectric properties of lightly Nb doped SrTiO3 thin films.

Novel thermoelectric materials developed for operation at room temperature must have similar or better performance along with being as ecofriendly as those commercially used, e.g., Bi2Te3, in terms of their toxicity and cost. In this work, we present an in-depth study of the thermoelectric properties of epitaxial Nb-doped strontium titanate (SrTi1-x Nb x O3) thin films as a function of (i) doping concentration, (ii) film thickness and (iii) substrate type. The excellent crystal quality was confirmed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The thermoelectric properties were measured by the three-omega method (thermal conductivity) and van der Pauw method (electrical resistivity), complemented by Seebeck coefficient measurements. A maximum power factor of 8.9 × 10-3 W m-1 K-2 and a thermoelectric figure of merit of 0.49 were measured at room temperature in 50 nm-thick films grown on lanthanum strontium aluminate. The mechanisms behind this high figure of merit are discussed in terms of a possible two-dimensional electron gas, increase of the effective mass of the electrons, electron filtering and change in strain due to different substrates. The overall enhancement of the thermoelectric properties suggests that SrTi1-x Nb x O3 is a very promising n-type candidate for room- to high-temperature applications.

Soluble Klotho and Brain Atrophy in Alcoholism.

AIM: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF-23) and α-Klotho (Klotho) levels may be altered in inflammatory conditions, possibly as compensatory mechanisms. Klotho exerts a protective effect on neurodegeneration and improves learning and cognition. No data exist about the association of Klotho and FGF-23 levels with brain atrophy observed in alcoholics. The aim of this study is to explore these relationships. SHORT SUMMARY: FGF-23 and Klotho levels are altered in inflammation, possibly as compensatory mechanisms. Klotho enhances learning, but its role in ethanol-mediated brain atrophy is unknown. We found higher FGF-23 and lower Klotho levels in 131 alcoholics compared with 41 controls. Among cirrhotics, Klotho was higher and inversely related to brain atrophy. METHODS: The study was performed on 131 alcoholic patients (54 cirrhotics) and 41 age- and sex-matched controls, in whom a brain computed tomography (CT) was performed and several indices were calculated. RESULTS: Marked brain atrophy was observed among patients when compared with controls. Patients also showed higher FGF-23 and lower Klotho values. However, among cirrhotics, Klotho values were higher. Klotho was inversely related to brain atrophy (for instance, ventricular index (ρ = -0.23, P = 0.008)), especially in cirrhotics. Klotho was also directly related to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha (ρ = 0.22; P = 0.026) and inversely to transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß (ρ = -0.34; P = 0.002), but not to C-reactive protein (CRP) or malondialdehyde levels. FGF-23 was also higher among cirrhotics but showed no association with CT indices. CONCLUSIONS: Klotho showed higher values among cirrhotics, and was inversely related to brain atrophy. FGF-23, although high among patients, especially cirrhotics, did not show any association with brain atrophy. Some inflammatory markers or cytokines, such as CRP or TGF-ß were related to brain atrophy.

Differences Between Alcoholic and Nonalcoholic Patients With Wernicke Encephalopathy: A Multicenter Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the differences in characteristics and prognosis between alcoholic and nonalcoholic patients with Wernicke encephalopathy (WE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort of 468 patients diagnosed with WE with at least 2 Caine criteria was selected from all patients discharged with a diagnosis of WE from 21 medical centers in Spain from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2012. Demographic, clinical, and outcome variables were described. RESULTS: Among the 468 patients, the most common risk factor was alcoholism (n=434 [92.7%]). More than one-third of patients (n=181 [38.7%]) had the classic WE triad of symptoms (ocular signs, cerebellar dysfunction, and confusion). Among 252 patients for whom magnetic resonance imaging data were available, 135 (53.6%) had WE-related lesions and 42 (16.7%) had cerebellar lesions. Of the 468 patients, 25 (5.3%) died during hospitalization. Alcoholic patients presented more frequently than nonalcoholic patients with cerebellar signs (P=.01) but less frequently with ocular signs (P=.02). Alcoholic patients had a significantly higher frequency of hyponatremia (P=.04) and decreased platelet count (P=.005) compared with nonalcoholics. Alcoholic patients were diagnosed earlier than nonalcoholics (median time to diagnosis, 1 vs 4 days; P=.001) and had shorter hospitalizations (13 vs 23 days; P=.002). CONCLUSION: Compared with nonalcoholic patients, alcoholic patients with WE are more likely to present with cerebellar signs and less likely to have ocular signs. Diagnosis may be delayed in nonalcoholic patients. Mortality in the present series was lower than described previously.

Epidemiological and sociodemographic factors associated with complicated alcohol withdrawal syndrome. / Factores epidemiológicos y sociodemográficos asociados al síndrome de abstinencia alcohólica complicado.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the influence of epidemiological and sociodemographic factors in complicated alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicentre, observational prospective study was conducted on consecutively added patients with AWS hospitalised in internal medicine departments. We recorded sociodemographic, epidemiological, clinical and progression data. Complicated AWS was defined as that which progressed with seizures or delirium tremens. RESULTS: We studied 228 episodes of AWS in 219 patients. The mean age was 54.5 years (SD, 11.5), and 90.8% were men. AWS was the cause for hospitalisation in 39.9% of the patients. Some 27.1% of the cases presented seizures, and 32.4% presented delirium tremens. The daily quantity of alcohol ingested was 17.8 standard drink units (SD, 21.4), with 16.6 years of dependence (SD, 11.3). The pattern of alcohol abuse was regular in 82.8% of the patients. Some 38.4% of the patients were married or had a partner, and 45.6% had children. Some 72.7% of the patients were unemployed or retired. Some 68.5% had only completed primary studies. Some 4.8% consumed cannabis, 5.2% consumed cocaine and 3% consumed opioids. The independent variables related to complicated AWS were consumption of a drug other than alcohol (OR, 5.3; 95% CI 1.5-18.7), low education level (OR, 3.4; 95% CI 1.6-7.3) and hospitalisation for AWS (OR, 2.9; 95% CI 1.5-5.6). The model's receiver operating characteristic area was 0.718 (95% CI 0.643-0.793). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant drug abuse and a low educational level could help identify patients at risk of complicated AWS.

Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk in diabetic population of El Hierro, Canary Islands / Síndrome metabólico y riesgo cardiovascular en la población diabética de El Hierro, Islas Canarias

Introduction: In the Canary Islands there is a high prevalence of vascular risk factors. Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of 300 patients with type 2 diabetes in El Hierro, in the Canary Islands. Methods: Patients were assessed at the Internal Medicine Unit of the hospital from 1982 to 2010, and followed up until December 2014 or until death. The sample is composed of 154 women and 156 men (52%). Results: mean age was 66.40 ± 11.60 years, with an average follow-up time of 11.04 ± 4.93 years, and 80.3% were diagnosed of metabolic syndrome, signifi cantly more frequent among women (86.43% vs74.67%, χ2 = 5.62, p = 0.018). During the follow-up period, 51 patients died and a signifi cant proportion developed new cardiovascular complications, such as heart failure (6.7%), ischemic heart disease (17.3%), atrial fi brillation (14.3%), stroke 7%), or peripheral arterial disease (6.9%). Cox regression analysis showed that, although advanced age was the major factor involved in the development of all these complications and in mortality, low cholesterol levels were related to the development of ischemic heart disease and mortality, results that were not dependent on the consumption of statins (as in other examples of inverse epidemiology). Ethanol consumption was related to the incidence of peripheral arterial disease. Conclusions: Old age was the main factor involved in the development of complications and mortality. In addition, low cholesterol levels were related to the development of ischemic heart disease and mortality.

Introducción: en Canarias existe una elevada prevalencia de factores de riesgo vascular, superior a la del resto de España.Objetivo: analizar las características clínicas de 300 adultos diabéticos tipo II de El Hierro, en el Archipiélago Canario. Métodos: los pacientes fueron valorados en la Unidad de Medicina Interna del hospital entre 1982 a 2010, y seguidos hasta diciembre de 2014 o hasta su fallecimiento. La muestra se compone de 154 mujeres y 156 hombres (52%). Resultados: la edad media fue de 66.40 ± 11,60 años, con un tiempo medio de seguimiento de 11,04 ± 4,93 años, y el 80,3% fue diagnosticados de síndrome metabólico, significativamente más frecuente entre las mujeres (86,43% vs.74,67%; χ2 = 5,62, p = 0,018). Durante el periodo de seguimiento 51 pacientes murieron, y una proporción significativa desarrolló nuevas complicaciones cardiovasculares, como insuficiencia cardiaca (6,7%), cardiopatía isquémica (17,3%), fibrilación auricular (14,3%), ictus (4,7%), o enfermedad arterial periférica (6,9%). Mediante análisis de regresión de Cox observamos que, aunque la edad avanzada fue el factor principal implicado en el desarrollo de todas estas complicaciones y en la mortalidad, los niveles bajos de colesterol se relacionaron con el desarrollo de cardiopatía isquémica y de mortalidad, resultados que no eran dependientes del consumo de estatinas (como en otros ejemplos de epidemiología inversa). El consumo de etanol se relacionó con la incidencia de la enfermedad arterial periférica. Conclusiones: la edad avanzada fue el factor principal implicado en el desarrollo de complicaciones y mortalidad. Además, los niveles bajos de colesterol se relacionaron con el desarrollo de cardiopatía isquémica y mortalidad.

Thermal conductivity of Bi2Te3 nanowires: how size affects phonon scattering.

This work provides an in-depth study of how the thermal conductivity of stoichiometric [110] Bi2Te3 nanowires becomes affected when reducing its diameter from an experimental and theoretical point of view. The thermal conductivity was observed to decrease more than 70% (from 1.78 ± 0.46 W K-1 m-1 to 0.52 ± 0.35 W K-1 m-1) when the diameter of the nanowire was reduced one order of magnitude (from 300 nm to 25 nm). The Kinetic-Collective model was used to understand such a reduction, which can be explained by the impact that surface scattering has in acoustic phonons. The smaller the diameter of the nanowires is, the larger the alteration in the mean free path of the low-frequency phonons is. The model agrees well with the experimental data, and the reduction in the thermal conductivity of the nanowires can be explained in terms of an increment of phonon scattering.

Vitamina D, riesgo vascular y mortalidad en pacientes alcohólicos / Vitamin D, vascular risk, and mortality in alcoholic patients

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Vitamin D, vascular calcification and mortality among alcoholics.

AIMS: To analyze the relationship between low vitamin D levels and mortality among alcoholics. METHODS: One hundred twenty-eight alcoholic patients admitted to our hospital were followed up as outpatients. Nutritional status was evaluated measuring percentages of fat and lean mass in different body compartments. RESULTS: Lower vitamin D levels were observed in patients with worse liver function. Vitamin D was lower in patients with lower total lean mass (Z = 2.8, P = 0.005), but it was not related to fat mass. There was a significant trend to higher long-term mortality among non-cirrhotics with vitamin D levels below 30 ng/ml, although Cox's regression model revealed that only Child score and age were independently related to mortality. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is common among alcoholic patients and is associated with low lean mass and liver dysfunction. Among non-cirrhotics, serum vitamin D levels below 30 ng/ml are associated with a greater long-term mortality.

Palm tree mulch as substrate for primary treatment wetlands processing high strength urban wastewater.

The life span of subsurface flow treatment wetlands is determined by the clogging of the substrate. Thus, the influent should undergo primary treatment to reduce loadings of suspended solids and dissolved organic matter. An-organic based substrate should be less prone to clogging because of its remarkably higher porosity and plasticity. Mulch obtained from branches of the Canarian palm tree (Phoenix canariensis) has been tested as substrate for mixed flow, intermittently fed treatment wetland mesocosms processing high strength urban wastewater. The effect of the presence of plants (Phragmites and Cyperus), influent pressure and hydraulic loading rate was studied. The best removals (SS: 89%, COD: 77%, turbidity: 82%) have been obtained with planted reactors treating highly concentrated influents at the lower hydraulic loading rates tested. The palm tree mulch units achieved similar removals of SS, COD and turbidity to one having gravel as substrate and planted with common reed. Mulch obtained from stems of giant reed (Arundo donax) provided similar removals of SS and turbidity but that of COD was lower. The combination of organic-based TWs with gravel-based ones provided high removals (SS: 95%, COD: 78%, turbidity: 95%) while the risk of clogging was strongly reduced.

Effect of cross-linking of interfacial sodium caseinate by natural processing on the oxidative stability of oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions.

This study investigated how enzymatic cross-linking of interfacial sodium caseinate and emulsification, via high-pressure homogenization, influenced the intrinsic oxidative stability of 4% (w/v) menhaden oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by 1% (w/v) caseinate at pH 7. Oil oxidation was monitored by the ferric thiocyanate perioxide value assay. Higher homogenization pressure resulted in improved intrinsic emulsion oxidative stability, which is attributed to increased interfacial cross-linking as indicated by higher weighted average sedimentation coefficients of interfacial protein species (from 11.2 S for 0 kpsi/0.1 MPa to 18 S for 20 kpsi/137.9 MPa). Moderate dosage of transglutaminase at 0.5-1.0 U/mL emulsion enhanced intrinsic emulsion oxidative stability further, despite a contradictory reduction in the antioxidant property of cross-linked caseinate as tested by the 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay. This implied the prominent role of cross-linked interfacial caseinate as a physical barrier for oxygen transfer, hence its efficacy in retarding oil oxidation.

Vein thrombosis in a patient with agenesis of inferior vena cava

We report a 29-year-old woman with bilateral deep vein thrombosis. CT-scan was performed and an agenesia of inferior vena cava was found. With regard to the case report, we provide a brief review of the embryogenesis of the inferior vena cava, and of anomalies in the genesis of this vessel. In young patients with idiopathic deep venous thrombosis the existence of an abnormality in the inferior vena cava should be considered

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Antioxidant vitamins and brain dysfunction in alcoholics.

AIMS: Alcohol induces cytokine secretion by Kupffer cells, which may exert also deleterious effects on distant organs, mediated in part by cytokine-derived increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is therefore important to assess antioxidant levels. The objective of this study is to analyse the relation of antioxidant vitamins with brain atrophy and cognitive dysfunction. METHODS: In 77 alcoholic patients admitted for withdrawal syndrome, subjected to brain computed tomography (CT), and 19 controls, we determined antioxidant vitamin levels and analysed their relationships with data of brain atrophy and dysfunction. Searching for causes of altered vitamin levels, we also assessed liver function, nutritional status, eating habits, alcohol intake, proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8) levels and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. RESULTS: Both retinol (vitamin A) and tocopherol (vitamin E) levels were decreased in alcoholics, the former in relation with liver failure, and the latter in relation with triglyceride levels and fat mass. Both were related to data of brain atrophy and cerebellar shrinkage (to which also IL-6 was significantly related). CONCLUSION: Among alcoholics, liver function impairment leads to altered serum vitamin A levels, which are related to brain alterations. Vitamin E levels are also decreased, but although in relation with liver function impairment, its decrease seems to be more dependent on nutritional status and irregular eating habits. Both vitamins are lower in patients with cerebellar atrophy and other features related to brain atrophy.