An integrated system to remote monitor and control anaerobic wastewater treatment plants through the internet

The TELEMAC project brings new methodologies from the Information and Science Technologies field to the world of water treatment. TELEMAC offers an advanced remote management system which adapts to most of the anaerobic wastewater treatment plants that do not benefit from a local expert in wastewater treatment. The TELEMAC system takes advantage of new sensors to better monitor the process dynamics and to run automatic controllers that stabilise the treatment plant, meet the depollution requirements and provide a biogas quality suitable for cogeneration. If the automatic system detects a failure which cannot be solved automatically or locally by a technician, then an expert from the TELEMAC Control Centre is contacted via the internet and manages the problem.

Generation and phenotypic characterization of a galanin overexpressing mouse

In most parts of the peripheral nervous system galanin is expressed at very low levels. To further understand the functional role of galanin, a mouse overexpressing galanin under the platelet-derived growth factor-B was generated, and high levels of galanin expression were observed in several peripheral tissues and spinal cord. Thus, a large proportion of neurons in autonomic and sensory ganglia were galanin-positive, as were most spinal motor neurons. Strong galanin-like immunoreactivity was also seen in nerve terminals in the corresponding target tissues, including skin, blood vessels, sweat and salivary glands, motor end-plates and the gray matter of the spinal cord. In transgenic superior cervical ganglia around half of all neuron profiles expressed galanin mRNA but axotomy did not cause a further increase, even if mRNA levels were increased in individual neurons. In transgenic dorsal root ganglia galanin mRNA was detected in around two thirds of all neuron profiles, including large ones, and after axotomy the percentage of galanin neuron profiles was similar in overexpressing and wild type mice. Axotomy reduced the total number of DRG neurons less in overexpressing than in wild type mice, indicating a modest rescue effect. Aging by itself increased galanin expression in the superior cervical ganglion in wild type and transgenic mice, and in the latter also in preganglionic cholinergic neurons projecting to the superior cervical ganglion. Galanin overexpressing mice showed an attenuated plasma extravasation, an increased pain response in the formalin test, and changes in muscle physiology, but did not differ from wild type mice in sudomotor function. These findings suggest that overexpressed galanin in some tissues of these mice can be released and via a receptor-mediated action influence pathophysiological processes.

Autologous stem-cell transplantation in diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma not achieving complete response after induction chemotherapy: the GEL/TAMO experience

BACKGROUND

Here we evaluate the results of high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation (HDC/ASCT) in 114 patients included in the GEL/TAMO registry between January 1990 and December 1999 with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who failed to achieve complete remission (CR) with front-line conventional chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-eight per cent had a partial response (PR) and 32% failed to respond to front-line therapy. At transplant, 35% were chemoresistant and 29% had two to three adjusted International Prognostic Index (a-IPI) risk factors.

RESULTS

After HDC/ASCT, 57 (54%) of 105 patients evaluable for response achieved a CR, 16 (15%) a PR and 32 (30%) failed. Nine patients were not assessed for response because of early death due to toxicity. With a median follow-up of 29 months for alive patients, the survival at 5 years is 43%, with a disease-free survival for complete responders of 63%. The lethal toxicity was 8%. Multivariate analysis revealed a-IPI and chemoresistance to be predicting factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that one-third of patients who do not obtain a CR to front-line chemotherapy may be cured of their disease with HDC/ASCT. However, most chemoresistant patients pretransplant failed this therapy. For this population, as well as for those who presented with adverse factors of the a-IPI, pretransplant novel therapeutic modalities need to be tested.

[Functional recovery and return to work in the young patient after a stroke]

INTRODUCTION

There are few works that study the functional recovery of young patients after suffering cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and even fewer works that study work reincorporation. Our aim is to evaluate these two aspects in the middle term in the young adults who have suffered a stroke and also to establish the factors that can influence a better prognosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Our work is a cross-sectional descriptive study of 111 patients aged between 15 and 55 years who have been discharged from our Hospital with a CVD diagnosis during the years 1999-2000. We have collected the following data from the clinical records: age, gender, type, location and reason for the CVD, vascular risk factors, complications in the process, with or without rehabilitation treatment and treatment description. By means of telephone interview, we obtained functional recovery with the Barthel Index (BI) and Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) as well as study level, marital status and pre and poststroke labor situation, loss of friends, loss of recreational activities and finally, sequels after the discharge.

RESULTS

Functional recovery for daily activities (IB >or= 90) was good in 78 % of the patients, this being 72.1 % if we assess their global handicap (MRS <or= 2). Almost 80 % of the patients were working before the stroke, however, this decreased to only 50.2 % after the stroke. We have observed better functional recovery and return to work in ischemic stroke and in patients without vascular risk factors, in both cases without statistical significance (SS). We discovered an inverse relationship between age and functional recovery, measured by IB and a direct relationship with MRS, both of them with SS. We have also found SS between IB and the MRS and in those patients who returned to work compared to those who remained in an invalid situation. A total of 22.5 % of the patients reported loss of friends after the stroke, and there was SS in those who presented worst functional recovery. Finally, 57 % left previous recreational activities, there being no change in the marital status in most of the cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Three quarter of cases achieved good functional recovery with reincorporation to work in half of the patients. Sociofamiliar integration was acceptable. As predictors of a good prognosis, we found subarachnoid hemorrhage, absence of vascular risk factors and low age when the stroke occurred.

Degradation of recalcitrant compounds by catechol-driven Fenton reaction

Dihydroxybenzenes are able to reduce Fe(III) and promote the Fenton reaction in the presence of H2O2. The catechol/Fe(III)/H2O2 system has been successfully used to degrade different compounds, being more efficient than the Fe(II)-Fenton reaction. In this paper the possibilities for using the catechol-driven Fenton reaction to degrade recalcitrant compounds such as the Fe(III)-EDTA complex and veratryl alcohol are reviewed.

[(18)F]-FDG PET and localized fibrous mesothelioma

The aim of this article is to present our experience with positron emission tomography (PET) and localized fibrous mesothelioma and to review the literature on this issue. During the past five years we found three patients with a complete clinical history who underwent a CT scan of the thorax and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([(18)F]-FDG-PET) and were diagnosed with localized fibrous mesothelioma. Two of the patients were asymptomatic men and the third was a woman with chest pain. The standardized uptake value was 2.1 in one case, and in the other two an absence of FDG uptake was seen. All three had complete resection of the tumor, and in one case the presurgery diagnosis was adenocarcinoma. In one patient the tumor relapsed twice, and the other two patients are alive without any evidence of disease. The value of FDG-PET in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary and pleural abnormalities has gained ground during the last few years. As in most benign tumors, the FDG uptake is usually low (< 2.5) in the localized fibrous mesothelioma. However, more studies are necessary to define the role of FDG-PET in assessing this tumor.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for systemic sclerosis with rapid improvement in skin scores: is neoangiogenesis occurring?

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is presumed to be an immune-mediated vasculopathy of unknown etiology. SSc is unresponsive to most immune-modulating therapies except for intravenous cyclophosphamide, which is reported to demonstrate some benefit. We, therefore, dose-escalated cyclophosphamide to 200 mg/kg and added rabbit ATG 7.5 mg/kg along with infusion of unselected hematopoietic stem cells to minimize the cytopenic interval. Engraftment occurred rapidly (day 8) with minimal unexpected toxicity, no infections, and unexpectedly rapid improvement in the modified Rodnan Skin Score.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology and immunocytochemistry in the diagnosis of 24 gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a quick, reliable diagnostic method

The diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is generally established on histopathologic examination of surgical specimens. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA), performed under the guidance of ultrasound or computed tomography, is being used with increasing frequency in an attempt to diagnose primary and/or metastatic GISTs before surgery. The present study was undertaken to characterize the cytological appearance of these tumors and to assess the role of cytology, together with immunocytochemistry (ICC), in the diagnosis of GISTs. Twenty-four GISTs diagnosed by FNA cytology at our institution have been reviewed. Immunocytochemical studies with c-kit and CD34 were performed in all cases on current or archival Papanicolaou-stained smears. All cases stained with c-kit, and 19 reacted with CD34. Cytomorphology and immunocytochemical characteristics are discussed. Our results confirm the utility of FNA together with ICC in the diagnosis of primary and/or metastatic GISTs.

Itraconazole or allopurinol in the treatment of chronic American trypanosomiasis: the regression and prevention of electrocardiographic abnormalities during 9 years of follow-up

Several drugs are now known to have useful activity against Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of human American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease). However, the long-term effects of chemotherapy on the electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities associated with this disease have only been assessed for benznidiazole. In the present study, the ECG changes in 299 cases of chronic Chagas disease were followed for 9 years after treatment with itraconazole (N = 136) or allopurinol (N = 163). Among the 97 cases who were found to have ECG abnormalities immediately prior to their treatment, the two drugs appeared equally effective, such abnormalities being corrected in 23 (50%) of the 46 cardiopathy cases given itraconazole and 25 (49%) of the 51 given allopurinol (P > 0.05). Both of these 'cure rates' are much higher than the 8.1% frequency of abnormal-normal conversion observed among 198 'historical controls' (i.e. cases of chronic Chagas disease who had been left untreated; P < 0.05). Itraconazole appeared better than allopurinol at preventing the development of cardiopathy in the cases who appeared electrocardiographically normal at baseline. Among 202 such cases, only two (2.2%) of the 90 treated with itraconazole but 28 (25.0%) of the 112 given allopurinol were found to have developed ECG abnormalities during follow-up (P < 0.05). Therefore, although itraconazole and allopurinol are equally effective at reversing ECG alterations, itraconazole offers better protection against the development of new ECG abnormalities among those with chronic Chagas disease.

Air reduction of intussusception

AIM

To show that intussusception in children is reducible in most cases, using air.

METHODS

Initially we used a barium enema to treat paediatric intussusception. Now we use an air enema. We consider the latter reduction technique to be the method of choice in the treatment of intussusception in childhood.

RESULTS

Over a period of 21 years, we have treated 151 patients presenting with intussusception. In a group of 130 children treated with barium enema we managed to reduce the intussusception in 110 cases (84.6 %). We used air pressure to treat a second group of 21 children; the success rate in this group was 100 %.

CONCLUSIONS

In order to avoid a surgical operation this technique must become more generally known. We are of the opinion that if the method is applied correctly, it is almost always possible to correct intussusception using air.

Comparison of unidimensional and bidimensional measurements in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

Tumour response evaluation after chemotherapy has become crucial in the development of many drugs. In contrast to the standard bidimensional WHO criteria, the recently described Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors are based on unidimensional measurements. The aim of the present study was to compare both methods in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. One hundred and sixty-four patients treated with two cisplatin-paclitaxel-based chemotherapy schedules between June 1994 and December 2000 were analysed. The measurements were reviewed by an independent panel of radiologists. Patient characteristics were: median age of 55 years (range 24-77 years) and a male to female ratio of 129 : 35. Adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma were the most common histologies. Vinorelbine was the third drug used in 77 patients and gemcitabine in 87. The ratio unidimensional/bidimensional was as follows: response 85 : 85; stable disease 32 : 32; progression 47 : 42 and not assessable 0 : 5. Kappa for agreement between responders was 0.951 (95% CI: 0.795-1.0) (P<0.001). Both WHO criteria and Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors give similar results in assessing tumour response in patients with non-small cell lung cancer after chemotherapy. The unidimensional measurement could replace the more complex bidimensional one.