Dietary non-extractable condensed tannins as indigestible compounds: Effects on faecal weight,and protein and fat excretion

The possible degradation of non-extractable condensed tannins (NECT) within the intestinal tract and their effect on faecal weight and composition was studied. Two groups of male Wistar rats were fed either a NECT-free control diet, or a diet containing 100 g carob pod concentrate kg^?1 (53 g NECT kg^?1 dry matter) for 5 weeks. A slight effect of NECT on growth rate was observed in the fifth week. The NECT diet did not affect food intake. Significant increases of total faecal output as well as water, nitrogen and fat excretion were observed. NECT were not degraded in the intestinal tract, since they were quantitatively recovered in faeces (98 ± 1%). Since the usual spectrophotometric methods gave contradictory results on NECT levels in the diet and faeces, an alternative method based on Klason lignin residues was used.     

Computed tomography with craniopharyngiomas: a review

A retrospective study of the computerized tomographic (CT) examinations of 20 children and 13 adults with craniopharyngiomas was undertaken, with special attention paid to the densitometric characteristics of the tumors (contrast enhancement and presence of cysts and calcifications). The aim was to quantify these characteristics and to assess their diagnostic reliability, both alone and together. In suprasellar tumors al three characteristics were present in 75% of the cases, with a diagnostic accuracy of 100%; two were present in 20.6%, with a diagnostic accuracy of 85%; and one was present in 3.4%, with a diagnostic accuracy of 50%. The unusual densitometric presentations of intrasellar tumors are discussed.     

Combining studies using effect sizes and quality scores: application to bone loss in postmenopausal women

This article presents a random effects model that uses effect sizes (ES) and quality scores to integrate results from investigations. An empirical example is given with data obtained from a meta-analysis on the effectiveness of physical activity in the prevention of bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women. A Medline search was performed to locate relevant studies published in French or English between January 1966 and May 1996. Three independent reviewers extracted data from studies. Effect sizes were calculated according to the method of Hedges and Olkin. A modified version of Chalmers' scale was utilized to calculate quality scores. DerSimonian and Laird's method with incorporation of the quality scores was used to estimate the overall effect size. Quality scores and the inverse of the variances were included as weights when combining studies. The overall estimate and standard error (SE) of the effect of physical activity on spinal bone mineral density loss in healthy postmenopausal women was ESoverall = 0.4263 (1.1361). When compared to other meta-analysis methods such as the fixed effects model and the model of DerSimonian and Laird without the quality score (DL), the new model generated comparable estimators (fixed effects model's ESoverall (SE) = 1.2724 (0.0139), DLs ESoverall (SE) = 0.3958 (1.2370)). Due to the heterogeneity that existed between studies, a random effects model was more appropriate then a fixed effects model. However, it resulted in wider confidence intervals, as expected. It was shown empirically that the model using quality scores generated narrower confidence intervals than the model of DL alone. The inclusion of covariates such as quality scores in meta-analyses permits the quantification of the variation between studies.     

Bacterial urovirulence factors and their association with functional and anatomical abnormalities and recurrence of urinary tract infections in children

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections in children are associated with functional and anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract, they tend to recur and can cause permanent kidney damage. AIM: To study in children with urinary tract infections, microbiological factors associated to recurrence, functional and anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective sample of children was incorporated into a follow-up protocol after their first episode of bacteriologically-demonstrated urinary tract infection. In all patients an abdominal ultrasound examination and a mictional urethrocystography were done and the presence of fimbriae was studied in isolated strains of Escherichia coli. RESULTS: Two hundred fifteen cases bad an adequate adherence to the study protocol, 190 caused by E coli. Fimbriated E coli strains were isolated with greater frequency from children with pyelonephritis than from those with a low urinary tract infection (50 and 28% respectively). The absence of fimbriae in E coli strains was associated with a higher risk of recurrent infections (odds ratio = 3, confidence intervals = 2-9.2) and an abnormal urethrocystography (odds ratio = 3, confidence intervals = 1.1-10.2). CONCLUSIONS: These data are consistent with foreign reports and support the need to study adhesins in E coli strains isolated from children with urinary tract infections.     

Production of a yogurt-like product from plant foodstuffs and whey. Substrate preparation and fermentation

A mixed substrate composed of soya milk, oat flour and dried cheese whey (82, 11 and 7% respectively) had a content of lactose and protein similar to that of milk used for yogurt manufacture. Heat treatment for 20 min at 80°C resulted in a viscosity similar to that of yogurt whilst removing coliform and mesophilic aerobic bacteria, moulds and yeasts. Fermentation with traditional yogurt bacteria did not increase viscosity further, and the final product had similar acidity and texture to yogurt. Acid development, carbohydrate consumption, proteolysis and starters counts were followed during fermentation. The fermentation profile of the mixed substrate was very similar to that of milk.     

Assessment of cell damage in high-pressure-shift frozen broccoli: comparison with market samples

Pressure-shift freezing (PSF) is one of the most promising methods for obtaining high-quality frozen products. The aim of this work was to analyse the differences between broccoli that was frozen using two different PSF processes. In one of the processes, all the freezing was done inside the high-pressure vessel tempered at −20.5 °C. In the other process, the sample was taken out of the vessel after expansion, and freezing was completed using liquid N₂. Colour, texture, electrical conductivity, microstructure and drip losses after centrifugation were analysed and a sensory test was performed. The results were compared with those for conventionally frozen broccoli purchased at the market. PSF broccoli presented less cell damage, lower drip losses and better texture than the market samples. The two different PSF processes assayed produced no significant differences in the final quality of the samples.     

Pick's disease: clinical or anatomopathological entity?

The Pick's disease categorization as a entity founded in its clinical presentation is a polemical matter of discussion between continental european and anglosaxon groups. We present a clinical case which support a characteristic pathochrony, anatomical localization and initial symptomatology of Pick's disease, which possibility its clinical differentiation with other dementias.     

Long-term cultures of human fetal liver cells: a three-dimensional experimental model for monitoring liver tissue development

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The present study describes an embryonic-fetal liver culture system which allows morphogenetic interactions consistent with the development of the hepatocellular function. METHODS: Intact livers from 8-12-week embryos were soaked in an extracellular matrix at 4 degrees C and gently dissociated without any enzymatic treatment. The resulting spherical hepatic units were cultured in a chemically defined serum-free medium and seeded into an extracellular matrix layer. Adherent three-dimensional tissue specimens were examined at various times by light and electron microscopy to evaluate the maintenance of hepatocyte morphology. RESULTS: The liver cells were viable for over 4 months; erythropoietic burst colonies were detected for longer than 6 weeks. Parallel detection of bile salt production in the medium by high performance liquid chromatography proved liver tissue functionality. Bile salt composition revealed predominance of taurine-conjugates rather than glycine. Maximum bile salt concentration (approximately 3 months) coincided with structural and ultrastructural observations indicating a marked decline in hematopoiesis, well-defined biliary canaliculi and formation of an organ-like structure. CONCLUSIONS: This three-dimensional culture system recapitulates fetal liver development with: (i) initial proliferation of both fetal erythropoietic and hepatic cells and (ii) subsequent shut-off of erythropoiesis and a shift to a more advanced stage of hepatocyte function, such as bile salt secretion.