Chemometric study of Andalusian extra virgin olive oils Raman spectra: Qualitative and quantitative information.

Authentication of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is an important topic for olive oil industry. The fraudulent practices in this sector are a major problem affecting both producers and consumers. This study analyzes the capability of FT-Raman combined with chemometric treatments of prediction of the fatty acid contents (quantitative information), using gas chromatography as the reference technique, and classification of diverse EVOOs as a function of the harvest year, olive variety, geographical origin and Andalusian PDO (qualitative information). The optimal number of PLS components that summarizes the spectral information was introduced progressively. For the estimation of the fatty acid composition, the lowest error (both in fitting and prediction) corresponded to MUFA, followed by SAFA and PUFA though such errors were close to zero in all cases. As regards the qualitative variables, discriminant analysis allowed a correct classification of 94.3%, 84.0%, 89.0% and 86.6% of samples for harvest year, olive variety, geographical origin and PDO, respectively.

Vagus nerve stimulation therapy for treatment-resistant epilepsy: a 15-year experience at a single institution.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment-resistant epilepsy (TRE) occurs in 20-30% of patients. The goal of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in this group of patients, including adult and pediatric populations and several off-label indications. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 59 consecutive patients in whom 60 VNS devices were implanted at a single institution during a 15-year period. Patients were evaluated in the Multidisciplinary Epilepsy Committee and complete presurgical workup was performed. The series included indications not approved by the FDA, such as children under 12 years of age, pregnancy and right-sided VNS. Performing the procedure on an out-patient basis was recently adopted, minimizing hospital length of stay. RESULTS: There were 42 adults and 17 children (14 under 12 years of age) and the mean age at implantation was 26 years. Duration of VNS therapy ranged from 6 months to 9 years. For the entire cohort, the mean percentage seizure reduction was 31.37%. Twenty patients (34.48%) were considered responders (seizure reduction ≥50%); 7 patients (12.06%) had seizure reduction of ≥75% and 2 patients had seizure control of ≥90% (3.4%). The patient in whom right-sided VNS was implanted achieved the same reduction in seizure burden and the patient who became pregnant could reduce antiepileptic drugs dosage, without complications. Side-effects were mild and there were no permanent nerve injuries. One patient died in the follow-up due to psychiatric disorders previously known. CONCLUSIONS: VNS is a safe and effective palliative treatment for TRE patients. There are an increasing number of indications and further randomized trials would potentially expand the number of patients who may benefit from it. A multidisciplinary team is crucial for a complete preoperative evaluation and selection of the optimal candidates for the treatment.

Socio-occupational and employment profile of patients with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Epilepsy has a significant impact on quality of life. Many studies have observed higher unemployment rates among patients with epilepsy. However, unemployment rates vary according to the clinical conditions, country, and group studied. METHODS: Between October 2007 and February 2008, we performed a cross-sectional multicenter epidemiological study to evaluate the socio-occupational and employment profiles of 872 adult patients with epilepsy followed in outpatient epilepsy clinics in Spain. RESULTS: Fifty-eight percent of the patients were employed at the time of the survey, 10.9% of the patients were unemployed, and 12.5% were occupationally incapacitated. CONCLUSION: Patients with epilepsy had employment rates similar to those of the general population, and slightly higher levels of unemployment. The main factors associated with unemployment and incapacity were the presence of refractory epilepsy, the occurrence of a seizure in the last 12 months, level of education, and polytherapy.

[Hypothalamic hamartoma: clinical characteristics. Electroencephalogram and brain magnetic resonance imaging in 10 patients]. / Hamartomas hipotalámicos: características clínicas, electroencefalograma y resonancia magnética cerebral en 10 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: We describe clinical findings and electroencephalogram (EEG) in patients with hypothalamic hamartoma and epilepsy. METHODS: Our group includes 10 patients (eight males) with mean age of 17.8 years (range: 7-39) and hypothalamic hamartoma in the brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We analyzed clinical data, seizure semiology, MRI and EEG findings of the neuropsychological study. RESULTS: Nine patients had gelastic seizures, that initiated at a mean age of 17.1 months (2 days-5 years). Other types of seizure were observed in seven and five had behavior disorders. Intelligence quotient (IQ) was below the mean range in three. Three children had precocious puberty and thyroid dysfunction. One patient did not have epilepsy. MRI showed a hypothalamic lesion suggesting hamartoma associated to a dysplastic lesion in one case. The interictal EEG was normal in 2 cases and revealed epileptiform abnormalities, consisting of spikes or sharp waves, in temporal regions, frontal, fronto-temporal regions and central-parietal in 8. Three patients had paroxysmal discharges of generalized fast activity (> 10 Hz) during non-REM sleep. Forty seizures were recorded, 31 had an ictal EEG pattern while the EEG was normal in 9. CONCLUSIONS: In our group gelastic seizures were an early and constant finding except in one patient. Partial complex seizures, behavior alteration and cognitive decline were frequent. Video-EEG monitoring allows us to identify interictal and ictal patterns that have been described in hypothalamic hamartomas.

Condrosarcoma laríngeo: controversias diagnosticoterapéuticas / Chondrosarcomas of the larynx: diagnostic and therapeutic controversies

Los condrosarcomas laríngeos son neoplasias poco frecuentes que suponen solamente un pequeño porcentaje de todos los tumores primarios de la laringe y que ha sido estimado en menos de un 2%. Con frecuencia, la clínica que presentan es anodina pese a su progresivo crecimiento hasta que la funcionalidad de la laringe se ve severamente comprometida. Esta neoplasia se caracteriza por una agresividad local variable y frecuentes metástasis, que comúnmente se localizan en pulmones y hueso, dependiendo del tipo histológico. Presentamos un caso de un condrosarcoma laríngeo agresivo con enfermedad metastásica exclusivamente cerebral como causa de muerte, hecho extremadamente infrecuente en estos tumores. Aportamos, además, una revisión de la literatura, analizando especialmente las controversias sobre el manejo de esta entidad

Chondrosarcomas of the larynx are rare neoplasms that account only for a very small percentage of all the primary laryngeal neoplasms that has been estimated in less than 2%. They often show initially with indolent symptoms despite their progressive growth until great compromise ofthe laryngeal function is produced. This neoplasm is characterised by a variable local aggressive behaviour and frequent of distant metastasis, that are commonly located in lungs and bone, deppending on the hystologic grade. A case of an aggressive laryngeal chondrosarcoma with exclusive brain metastasic disease as cause of death, a very uncommon event in these neoplasms, is reported. We also provide a review ofthe literature focusing on the controversies about the management of tlIis condition

[Chondrosarcomas of the larynx: diagnostic and therapeutic controversies]. / Condrosarcoma laríngeo: controversias diagnosticoterapéuticas.

Chondrosarcomas of the larynx are rare neoplasms that account only for a very small percentage of all the primary laryngeal neoplasms that has been estimated in less than 2%. They often show initially with indolent symptoms despite their progressive growth until great compromise of the laryngeal function is produced. This neoplasm is characterised by a variable local aggressive behaviour and frequent of distant metastasis, that are commonly located in lungs and bone, deppending on the hystologic grade. A case of an aggressive laryngeal chondrosarcoma with exclusive brain metastasic disease as cause of death, a very uncommon event in these neoplasms, is reported. We also provide a review of the literature focusing on the controversies about the management of this condition.

Sofocos posmenopáusicos y parkinsonismo / Post-menopausal hot flushes and parkinsonism

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