Local synthesis of immunoglobulins in neuropathies

It is essential to know how the immune system acts in different neurological diseases, some of them non very well known or of unknown etiology at all. It was applied Reiber and Felgenhauer's formula in 56 patients with different diseases. IgA, IgM, IgG and albumin were quantified in sera and cerebrospinal fluid by simple immunodiffusion. It was observed more frequent IgG local synthesis and IgA in this sample.     

Probabilistic linear models for multiresolution estimation in gray-level images

A multiresolution analysis of digital gray-level images is presented. A gray-level multi-scale framework is determined from two main assumptions: the gray scale is binary at the finest spatial resolution, and the gray levels of composed regions are obtained additively. In order to interrelate the gray-level histograms of the same image at different resolutions, probabilistic linear models are developed, which are then applied for estimation. Linear-optimization theory is used as a way of constructing such models. A general procedure for image processing is sketched, based on gray-level estimation. A versatile algorithm for nonlinear filtering is derived. Some examples of prospective applications are given.This work was partially supported by grant TIC91-646 from the DGYCIT of the Spanish Government.     

NADPH-diaphorase-stained neurons after experimental epilepsy in rats

The aim of this study was to determine the neuronal participation of nitric oxide (NO) in experimental epilepsy. To reach this objective, we established the amount of cells presenting nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and the amygdaline concentrations in the L-arginine-nitric oxide synthesis pathway. A group of fully epileptic rats, induced by the kindling procedure and that had reached at least 10 generalized seizures, was studied. We evaluated behavioral stages, electroencephalographic activities, and histochemical NOS-positive cells and carried out high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) determinations of arginine, citrulline, and glutamic acid. Our results showed that behavioral and electrographic frequency, and duration of epileptic activities, were increased during the kindling process. Image processing system of NOS cells showed two types of intensities in cell stains in hippocampus, caudate-putamen, and amygdala. When we independently counted the two types of NOS stain cells, a selective increase in the number and density of weak-stained cells was observed, while dark-stained cells did not change in the studied structures. Additionally, arginine, citrulline, and glutamic acid concentrations in amygdala increased in kindled animals. The differential and specific increase in the stained cells expressing the nitric oxide synthase, as well as the increase in concentrations of the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway in amygdala, suggested a relationship with the progressive augmentation in the electrophysiological hyperactivity characteristic of generalized epilepsy.     

Effect of sulphate removal on the surface texture and acid-base properties of TiO2 (anatase)

Commercial anatase containing an appreciable amount of sulphur has been treated for sulphur removal by calcination at increasing temperatures or soaking with aqueous NaOH solutions. It has been found that both methods are active for sulphur removal, but the first one also leads to a sharp sintering of the titania particles. On the other hand, treatment with NaOH_aq leads to incorporation of sodium cations. Both treatments lead also to changes in surface acidity, as measured by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) monitoring of pyridine adsorption.     

Influence of Manufacturing and Ripening Conditions on the Survival of Enterobacteriaceae in Manchego Cheese

The effects of cooking temperature, time and temperature of brine-salting, and temperature of ripening on the behavior of Enterobacteriaceae in Manchego cheese were studied. Fifty lots of cheese from raw ewe's milk manufactured and ripened under different conditions were investigated throughout a 60-day ripening period. Differences in pH values due to temperature-dependent whey retention accounted for the effect of cooking temperature on coliform and fecal coliform counts. Temperature of brine-salting had no effect on Enterobacteriaceae counts, but a significant effect of salting time on Enterobacteriaceae and fecal coliform counts was detected. Ripening temperature was the manufacturing variable with greatest influence (P<.01) on Enterobacteriaceae and coliform counts during the whole curing period.     

Spontaneous hematoma of the transverse mesocolon

We describe a patient with aspergillosis of the maxillary antrum, and systemic affectation (anemia, anorexia, fever). Through a Caldwell-Luck approach, the maxillary antrum was opened and an irregular mass removed, postoperatively the patient has done well, disappearing in two months the ORL and systemic symptoms.     

Using artificial intelligence to model heavy plate mill rolling

This research summary discusses the application of neural networks, evolutionary strategies, and other artificial intelligence techniques in the modeling and optimization of the models used for temperature, rolling force, and torque calculation in heavy plate milling.     

Prostate-specific antigen and its complexes with alpha 1-antichymotrypsin in the plasma of patients with prostatic disease

OBJECTIVE: To improve the specificity and sensitivity of the prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) assay for the distinction between prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Two sensitive immunoassays, one that measures free PSA and PSA complexed to alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (alpha 1-ACT) with the same efficiency (PSAag assay) and another that specifically measures the complex between PSA and alpha 1-ACT, have been designed to measure the PSA forms in the plasma of 84 patients with prostate disease and in the seminal plasma from 60 healthy individuals. RESULTS: The proportion of plasma PSA in complex with alpha 1-ACT was significantly higher in the 34 patients with prostate cancer (89 +/- 12%, mean +/- SD; median, 91%) than in the 50 patients with BPH (71 +/- 12%; 73%) and did not correlate with the total amount of PSA. Normal seminal plasma (n = 60) had 2.1 +/- 0.6 mg/ml PSA, 175 +/- 62 microns/ml alpha 1-ACT and 9.6 +/- 3.4 micrograms/ml PSA: alpha 1-ACT complex. CONCLUSION: These results confirm that PSA: alpha 1-ACT may be a good marker for a differential diagnosis of carcinoma of the prostate and BPH.     

Organic geochemistry of heavy/extra heavy oils from sidewall cores, Lower Lagunillas Member, Tia Juana Field, Maracaibo Basin, Venezuela

The study of 22 oils from sidewall cores taken at different depths in the Lower Lagunillas Member, well LSJ-AB, Tia Juana Field, Maracaibo Lake is presented, with the purpose of predicting the intervals that present the best crude oil quality. Differences were detected in the biodegradation levels of the studied samples, which are correlated with the depth at which the sidewall core was taken. The API gravity was considered for the oils from each sidewall core and it was found that toward the top of the sequence, the oils have an API gravity of 10.6-11.2°, while toward the base part of the sequence, the well produces extra heavy oils with an API gravity that varies between 8.2 and 8.7°.