Uretero-iliac fistula

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of uretero-iliac fistula, an extremely rare condition that is not easily diagnosed. METHODS/RESULTS: Herein we describe a 76-year-old female who had undergone repeated pelvic surgery for adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid. She had a right ureteral fistula that had been managed conservatively by insertion of a ureteral catheter. Diagnosis was made by selective arteriography of the iliac arteries. The patient was submitted to surgery; primary closure of the arterial fistula and nephroureterectomy were performed. CONCLUSIONS: Uretero-iliac fistula should be suspected in patients with a history of repeated pelvic surgery and ureteral catheter placement that present with massive hematuria.     

Spectral fuzzy classification: an application

Geographical information (including remotely sensed data) is usually imprecise, meaning that the boundaries between different phenomena are fuzzy. In fact, many classes in nature show internal gradual differences in species, health, age, moisture, as well other factors. If our classification model does not acknowledge that those classes are heterogeneous, and crisp classes are artificially imposed, a final careful analysis should always search for the consequences of such an unrealistic assumption. We consider the unsupervised algorithm presented by A. del Amo et al. (2000), and its application to a real image in Sevilla province (south Spain). Results are compared with those obtained from the ERDAS ISO-DATA classification program on the same image, showing the accuracy of our fuzzy approach. As a conclusion, it is pointed out that whenever real classes are natural fuzzy classes, with gradual transition between classes, then its fuzzy representation will be more easily understood, and therefore accepted by users     

Lymphocele after renal transplantation: therapeutic controversies in the age of laparoscopy

We present 11 lymphoceles in 180 consecutive kidney transplants (6%). We study the potential etiologic factors, symptoms, diagnostic evaluation and treatment, stressing the role of laparoscopy in management of bulky and loculated symptomatic lymphoceles. This technique allows to reduce morbidity, increasing efficacy and shortening hospitalization.     

High-build soluble matrix antifouling paints based on vinyl resin

The aim of this work was to formulate and evaluate high-build, soluble matrix antifouling paints showing reduced solvent retention in the film and sufficient bioactivity to protect structures submerged in sea water for long immersion periods.

The variables analyzed were binder composition, pigment content, toxicant type and thixotropic agent content.

Binder dissolution in sea water was achieved by employing WW rosin or calcium resinate; the control of the binder dissolution rate was achieved by using a vinyl resin as a cobinder. The paints were formulated with pigment volume concentrations of 40 and 45%; red cuprous oxide and triphenyl tin fluoride were used as the main toxicants. The rheological additive employed was hydrogenated castor oil at levels of 2.0 and 2.5 wt.% in the paint.

The bioactivity of the antifouling paints was determined in the natural environment (30 month immersion in sea water).     

Olive pollen allergy: searching for immunodominant T-cell epitopes on the Ole e 1 molecule

BACKGROUND: The amino-acid and nucleotide sequence of Ole e 1 (the major antigen of olive pollen) has been described and the IgE antibody response to this major allergen was associated with DR7/DQ2 antigens. With this previous data we try to define the T-cell epitopes implicated in Ole e 1 reactivity. OBJECTIVES: To study the recognition of T cells (derived from allergic and non-allergic Ole e 1 patients) to Ole e 1 synthetic peptides in order to define immunodominant T-cell epitopes. METHODS: We have compared the proliferative response of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Ole e 1 sensitized patients vs. non-sensitized controls, induced by 14 Ole e 1 synthetic peptides. Thirty subjects were classified in two groups: group 1 (non-responders against Ole e 1, n=16) and group 2 (Ole e 1 responders, n=14), according to their clinical parameters and the presence or not in their sera of the significant Ole e 1 IgE antibody levels. RESULTS: Our results shown that it is possible to find T cells reactive to Ole e 1 peptides in patients with and without significant levels of Ole e 1 IgE antibodies. However, the percentage of response was higher in patients with IgE antibodies 71.4% vs 25%), and the recognition profile was different: the control group showed a broad reactivity pattern, in contrast, the response by the 'Ole e 1 responders' group was mainly directed against three peptides of the carboxi-terminal region, peptides 10 (91-102), 12 (109-120) and 13 (119-130), with a response frequency of 35.7, 28.5 and 28.5%, respectively. By direct and inhibition test no antibody response was found against the synthetic peptides. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the regions between 91 and 102 and 109-130 aminoacids on the Ole e 1 molecule are immunodominant T-cell epitopes. These epitopes are not recognized by IgE antibodies.     

Morbidity of and tolerance to ultrasonography-guided transrectal biopsy of the prostate

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to evaluate the infectious complications of the ultrasound-guided prostate transrectal biopsy using two different antibiotic prophylactic regimes. Also, patient tolerance to ultrasound-guided transrectal biopsy is assessed. METHODS: Prospective study in 100 patients randomized to antibiotic prophylaxis with Pefloxacin (800 mg as single dose) versus Ciprofloxacin (250 mg/8 h/72 h). Tolerance data collection was done through completion of a questionnaire immediately after biopsy. RESULTS: Out of the 92 patients eligible for the study, 44 (48%) were assigned to Pefloxacin and 28 (52%) to Ciprofloxacin. In-house validation indicated both groups were matched. 90% patients showed good tolerance to the ultrasound technique and 81.5% patients to the transrectal biopsy. 31.5% patients presented no post-biopsy events; among the remaining only one patient (1%) required medical care and hospitalization. No patient had infectious complications. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate transrectal ultrasound and transrectal prostate biopsy was an approach well tolerated by most (81.5%) patients studied. Percentage of major complications was very small (1%), while post-biopsy events (haematuria, rectorrhage, etc) which do not require medical care should be considered not as complications but as effects intrinsic to the approach itself. Antibiotic prophylaxis whether with Pefloxacin or Ciprofloxacine was highly effective, although Pefloxacin is preferred due to its single dose administration and lower cost.     

Allelopathic potential ofAmbrosia cumanensis H.B.K. (Compositae) in a tropical zone of Mexico

Several experiments were carried out to confirm the allelopathic potential ofAmbrosia cumanensis H.B.K. (Compositae) in a tropical zone of Mexico. The aqueous extracts of leaves and roots inhibited growth of several species used in bioassays. The wash-water of the leaves inhibited some species and stimulated others. The aqueous solutions of soil, in reference to those collected in July, were significant in their general inhibitory action. Decomposition of leaves and roots, in pots where several species were growing, was highly inhibitory to some of the seedlings; microorganisms have a major role in this process.