Home treatment of deep vein thrombosis: a two-years experience of a single institution

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and to report the concentration of floride in soft drinks and juices consumed in San Luis Potosi, S.L.P., Mexico, and its implications as a risk factor for developing dental fluorosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The contents of some products from 2 main national companies and 2 other local companies were studied. The samples were collected from 10 different batches in the case of the soft drinks, and from 5 batches in the case of the juices, with 3 samples per batch, during 3 months. The ion selective electrode method was used to determine the concentration of fluoride. RESULTS: Soft drinks from 2 main national companies showed high fluoride concentrations that were statistically significant between groups (p < 0.05). Fluoride levels of products from local and national companies also showed differences that were statistically significant between groups (p < 0.05). All natural juices tested showed high fluoride concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Most soft drinks and juices consumed in SLP had high fluoride levels above Mexican regulations (0.7 ppm) and could be a substantial risk factor for developing dental fluorosis.     

HLA class II genes in soybean epidemic asthma patients

From 1981 to 1987, 26 outbreaks of asthma caused by the inhalation of soybean dust, affecting a total of 688 individuals, were detected in Barcelona, Spain. Because only a small proportion of asthmatic individuals living in Barcelona expressed the epidemic phenotype, it is hypothesized that a genetically determined human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class II factor could have played a role in the susceptible individuals. Accordingly, we studied the distribution of both HLA-DR and HLA-DQ in soybean epidemic asthmatic patients. An analysis of the HLA-DR and HLA-DQ genes for genetic polymorphisms of the beta 1 chain was done with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 78 soybean epidemic asthma patients, and the findings were compared with those for 67 nonepidemic asthmatic individuals and 168 individuals from the general population. An allelic disequilibrium could be established; the risk of epidemic asthma was particularly associated with the DRB1*13 gene (p value corrected for multiple comparisons < 0.02). The association observed for the DRB1*13 gene was stronger in individuals in the lowest tertile for total IgE, with an estimated risk with a 95% confidence interval (CI), of 14.5 (1.6 to 130.8). The combination of two genes from among the DRB1*05-05, DRB1*05-06, and DRB1*06-06 genes was present in epidemic asthmatic subjects only. No association with an HLA-DQB1 allele could be observed. Genetic predisposition could contribute to the response of some asthmatic patients to exposure to soybean dust, having led to their being affected during the epidemics of asthma in Barcelona.     

丝纤维及其织物的起皱机理

丝纤维及其织物的起皱程度与溶剂极性和生成氢键能力密切相关,且受溶剂分子的体积和粘度的影响,其中丝纤维在50%乙醇溶液中的起皱现象最为严重。     

MUC6 expression in breast tissues and cultured cells: abnormal expression in tumors and regulation by steroid hormones

DIG-labelled sense and antisense cRNA probes were synthesized from cDNA clones of CymMV and ORSV for virus detection in infected plants. A slot-blot hybridization assay was developed using either crude leaf extracts or total RNA from infected leaves. The assay could detect 50 and 250 pg of purified CymMV and ORSV RNA, respectively. As little as 30 mg of Nicotiana benthamiana infected leaves was sufficient to provide positive detection. CymMV and ORSV were detected at 3125 and 625 times dilution of leaf extracts, respectively. The DIG-labelled cRNA probes are stable for more than a year. This method is sensitive, reliable and suitable for large-scale routine testing of plant viruses. By using the two DIG-labelled cRNA probes in situ, CymMV and ORSV were localized in systemically infected leaves and stems of N. benthamiana and orchids.     

A CMOS rectifier-integrator for amplitude detection in hard diskservo loops

In this paper a CMOS alternative amplitude detection system is presented. It is designed as an alternative for the, bipolar, amplitude detection in hard disk servo systems. The amplitude is detected by converting the input voltage to a current, rectifying the current, and integrating it on a capacitor. For this a new OTA topology and a rectifier cell are designed. This circuitry is expanded with a very linear current mirror and an automatic offset compensation system to cope with technology spread. The measured accuracy of the amplitude detector is 0.2% (9 b). This makes the circuit suitable for implementation in state-of-the art hard disk systems with very high track densities and very short access times. Because the circuit is realized in standard CMOS it is a further step toward CMOS only hard disk electronics. Because the circuit operates from a single 3 V power supply and has limited power consumption it can be used in battery powered systems     

Gallic acid degradation in aqueous solutions by UV/H2O2 treatment, Fenton's reagent and the photo-Fenton system

Gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) is a major pollutant present in the wastewater generated in the boiling cork process, as well as in other wastewaters from food manufacturing industries. Its decay in aqueous solutions has been studied by the action of several oxidation systems: monochromatic UV radiation alone and combined with hydrogen peroxide, Fenton's reagent and the combination Fenton's reagent with UV radiation (photo-Fenton system). The influence of the pH is discussed and the quantum yields are determined in the UV radiation system. Also, the influence of operating variables (initial concentrations of H2O2 and Fe(II), and pH) is established in the Fenton's reaction. The apparent pseudo-first-order rate constants are evaluated in all the experiments conducted in order to compare the efficiency of each one of the processes. Increases in the degradation levels of gallic acid are obtained in the combined processes in relation to the single UV radiation system, due to reactions of the very reactive OH*. These improvements are determined in every process by calculating the partial contribution to the overall decomposition rate of the radical pathways. For the oxidant concentrations applied, the most effective process in removing gallic acid was found to be the photo-Fenton system. The rate constant for the reaction of gallic acid with OH was also determined by means of a competition kinetics model, being its value 11.0+/-0.1 x 10(9)l mol(-1)s(-1).     

The effect of sampling design on extensive bryomonitoring surveys of air pollution

In this study, we investigated if the different sampling designs normally used in extensive bryomonitoring surveys of air pollution allow compliance with the objectives proposed in the 'Heavy Metals in European Moss' project. For this, we have used data on concentrations of As, Cu, Se and Zn from five moss sampling surveys carried out in Galicia (NW Spain), using three types of sampling design: regular grid, sampling sites inside squares and the strategy recommended in the guidelines for European surveys. To study the effect of the interaction between the sampling design and the spatial pattern of the presence of contaminants, we have used a simulated and a real pattern onto which we superimposed the three sampling designs considered. We found that only random sampling and grid sampling allow compliance with the proposed objectives, and we discuss the advantages of the latter over the former. The data corresponding to studies using different sampling designs are not comparable, and in future large-scale surveys, the same design must be used if the results are to be compared and if valid conclusions are to be reached. The scale of the grid determines the scale to which the objectives are complied with, so that for correct standardization of the technique, and taking into account the most commonly used grid sizes, we recommend a grid size of 30 x 30 or 32 x 32 km. When additional samplings are required, the size of the grid size should be 30/2(n) or 32/2(n) km.     

The effect of lens wear on refractive index of conventional hydrogel and silicone-hydrogel contact lenses: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the ability of four silicone-hydrogel contact lenses (galyfilcon A, balafilcon A, lotrafilcon A and lotrafilcon B) to retain their equilibrium water content before and after wear, through measurements of refractive index and compare with that of a conventional disposable hydrogel contact lens (etafilcon A). METHODS: The refractive indices of 115 contact lenses were measured using an automated refractometer (CLR 12-70, Index Instruments, Cambridge, U.K.) before and after a schedule of daily wear by 58 patients for 30 days in the case of silicone-hydrogel lenses and 15 days for the conventional contact lenses. RESULTS: In the silicone-hydrogel contact lenses the changes on the refractive indices were not statistically significant, however after being worn the refractive index of the conventional etalfilcon A hydrogel contact lens increased significantly (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results presented here show that after being worn the silicone-hydrogel contact lens, show more capacity to retain or to reach their initial equilibrium water content than conventional hydrogel contact lenses. This suggests that the silicone-hydrogel contact lenses are less susceptible to spoilation over time maintaining its biocompatibility and contributing to the clinical success of lens performance.     

General behaviour and effect of rigid and non-rigid end post in stainless steel plate girders loaded in shear. Part I: Experimental study

To better understand the response of stainless steel plate girders loaded in shear, an experimental campaign was carried out at UPC as a part of extensive research on shear behaviour of stainless steel girders.A total of 8 stainless steel plate girders were tested. The primary design variables were, apart from the aspect ratio and slenderness of the web panel, the rigid or non-rigid condition of the end post. In parallel, a numerical model was developed in code ABAQUS [Hibbit, Karlsson and Sorensen Inc., ABAQUS/Standard, Version 6.3. User’s manual. Rhode Island (USA); 2002]. The tests results served as a basis for calibration of numerical models and furthermore for the development and verification of a new approach to structural stainless steel design.Different responses and modes of failure in shear were observed and special attention was taken of the effect of the rigidity of the end post during the analysis of results. The comparative analysis of the experimental results with current codes’ approaches clearly shows that shear design procedures included in Eurocode 3 Part 1.4 [European Committee for Standardisation. ENV 1993-1-4. Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures. Part 1.4: General rules—supplementary rules for stainless steel. Brussels; 1996], which specifically deals with stainless steel structures, are overly conservative.