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Se evaluó el efecto de los polietilenos negros y bicapa sobre el comportamiento del cultivo de alcaucil en la zona de Rosario. Se utilizó el híbrido Madrigal y se evaluaron las variables Número de capítulos por planta, Peso de primer capítulo, Peso promedio de capítulos secundarios, Rendimiento total y por planta, Diámetro de primer capítulo y promedio de secundarios y Días a cosecha. No se encontraron diferencias signifi cativas entre los tratamientos. Ninguno de los acolchados demostró adelanto en la producción. El uso de coberturas plásticas en épocas de altas temperaturas en la zona evaluada, se recomienda utilizar no con el objetivo de obtener primicias sino para facilitar el control de malezas y dado que la cobertura con plástico negro genera desventajas, en el caso de ser necesaria por alta presencia de malezas, sería recomendable la utilización de polietileno bicapa.

Antecedentes: Las resecciones hepáticas constituyen el tratamiento de elección en las neoplasias hepáticas primarias yen algunos casos de tumores metastáticos, pero conllevan tasas significativas de morbilidad y mortalidad. Objetivo: Presentar nuestra experiencia en cirugías hepáticas. Material y Método: Se incluyeron 40 pacientes sometidos a hepatectomías en nuestra Institución desde diciembre de 1991 a diciembre de 2004. Los datos fueron recolectados en forma retrospectiva y analizados mediante método estadístico descriptivo. Resultados: Los diagnósticos Incluyeron enfermedades hepáticas primarias benignas (n = 9, 22.5%) y malignas (n = 7, 17.5%) y enfermedades hepáticas metastásicas (n = 24, 60%). Dentro de las metástasis, la más frecuente fue el adenocarcinoma de colon (n = 17, 42%). El índice de complicaciones quirúrgicas inmediatas fue del 55% (n =22). Hubo 4 muertes peri-operatorias (10%) y la tasa promedio de estadía hospitalaria fue de 10,8 días. Conclusiones: Nuestros hallazgos demostraron que la Indicación más frecuentes de resección hepática en nuestra experiencia es la metástasis de adenocarcinoma de colon y que los resultados observados en nuestra serie son comparables a los obtenidos por otras Instituciones a nivel mundial con similar flujo de pacientes.

Given the greater varietal supply of the globe artichoke and evaluating its use for human consumption, it is important to carry out market positioning work, including the recognition of the newly available cultivars. Sensory analysis comes up as an important instrument to assess the potential of insertion of artichoke into the market. Within this perspective, the aim of the present study was to determine the sensorial quality characteristics of three globe artichoke cultivars produced in the Rosario´s Horticultural Belt and associated with the preference of consumers. The cultivars were Opal, Madrigal and Romanesco. For sensory evaluation, the method called CATA (Check All That Apply) was used. The results of the CATA test were analyzed using multivariate statistics, applying the Correspondence Analysis. The most distinguishing elements between artichokes were the color and aroma. When associating these results with which was the artichoke that consumers liked the most, it was observed that the Romanesco obtained the best rating. Consumers preferred sweet and tender artichokes. This information could guide the production strategies of the horticulturists to offer cultivars that meet these characteristics.

Las hortalizas de hoja presentan pérdidas elevadas desde la producción primaria hasta el consumidor. El objetivo fue evaluar las pérdidas poscosecha en acelga, cebolla de verdeo, puerro, rúcula, radicheta y espinaca. Se evaluó diariamente el efecto del ambiente de almacenamiento (con o sin cámara frigorífica) la hidratación (con o sin inmersión en agua clorinada) y material de sujeción de los manojos (cinta o Stipa, sp), durante la distribución minorista, en época estival (19 al 26 de febrero de 2013). Variables medidas: pérdida de peso por descarte, pérdida o ganancia de peso por agua y pérdidas totales, en porcentaje. La unidad experimental fue el manojo, con cuatro repeticiones por tratamiento. Se aplicó un modelo de medidas repetidas en el tiempo con procedimiento MIXED de SAS. En cámara frigorífica, disminuyeron las pérdidas poscosecha, debido al menor descarte y pérdida de agua, para todas las especies evaluadas, incrementando significativamente el período de almacenamiento. En los tratamientos con y sin hidratación en el ambiente refrigerado el descarte fue similar en todas las especies evaluadas; mientras que en el no refrigerado aumentó las pérdidas en acelga y cebolla de verdeo. Las pérdidas de peso por agua se redujeron en acelga, radicheta y rúcula en ambiente no refrigerado; y en puerro y cebolla de verdeo en ambos ambientes. La sujeción de los manojos con cinta redujo la pérdida de peso por agua en rúcula almacenada en cámara y en radicheta y puerro en el no refrigerado. EEA Oliveros Fil: Ortiz Mackinson, Mauricio. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Cátedra de Sistemas de Cultivos Intensivos; Argentina Fil: Rotondo, Rosana. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Cátedra de Sistemas de Cultivos Intensivos; Argentina Fil: Grasso, Rodolfo. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Cátedra de Sistemas de Cultivos Intensivos; Argentina Fil: Calani, Paula Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Cátedra de Sistemas de Cultivos Intensivos; Argentina Fil: Mondino, Maria Cristina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Arroyo Seco; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Cátedra de Sistemas de Cultivos Intensivos; Argentina Fil: Firpo, Inés Teresa. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Cátedra de Sistemas de Cultivos Intensivos; Argentina Fil: Cosolito, Patricia Viviana. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Cátedra de Estadística; Argentina

To qualitatively validate radioimmunoassays for 8-isoprostane and prostaglandin (PG) E(2) in exhaled breath condensate.Twenty-two subjects with different lung diseases attended the outpatient clinic on one occasion for exhaled breath condensate collection.Samples were pooled together and purified by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The eluted fractions were assayed for 8-isoprostane-like immunoreactivity and PGE(2)-like immunoreactivity by radioimmunoassays. In addition, simultaneous measurements of exhaled breath condensate unextracted samples with two anti-8-isoprostane and anti-PGE(2) sera with different cross-reactivity were performed.A single peak of 8-isoprostane-like immunoreactivity and PGE(2)-like immunoreactivity co-eluting with 8-isoprostane (retention time: 13 min) and PGE(2) (retention time: 21 min) standards, respectively, was identified by radioimmunoassays. Testing with two different antisera showed similar results for both 8-isoprostane-like immunoreactivity (limits of agreement = 4.5 pg/ml and - 4.1 pg/ml, n = 12) and PGE(2)-like immunoreactivity (limits of agreement = 6.1 pg/ ml and - 6.1 pg/ml, n = 12).This study provides evidence for the specificity of the radioimmunoassays for 8-isoprostane and PGE(2) in exhaled breath condensate. This is critical for proposing these markers as a non-invasive way for monitoring airway inflammation.

Objective: To qualitatively validate an enzyme immunoassay to measure leukotriene B4 in exhaled breath condensate. Exhaled breath condensate is a new non-invasive method to monitor airway inflammation.¶Subjects: Twenty-two subjects with different lung diseases attended the outpatient clinic on one occasion for exhaled breath condensate collection.¶Methods: Samples were pooled together and purified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The fractions eluted were assayed for leukotriene B4 by enzyme immunoassay.¶Results: A single peak of leukotriene B4-like immunoreactivity co-eluting with leukotriene B4 standard (retention time: 24 min) was identified by enzyme immunoassay. Reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography peak of leukotriene B4 was clearly separated from those of 6-trans- leukotriene B4 (retention time: 14 min) and leukotriene B5 (retention time: 18 min) for which the antiserum used in the enzyme immunoassay had the highest cross-reactivity. Leukotriene B4 recovery was 64%.¶Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the presence of leukotriene B4 in the exhaled breath condensate and the specificity of the enzyme immunoassay used.

β-Lactams are the antibiotics which most frequently provoke adverse reactions mediated by specific immunological mechanisms. These reactions, classifiable as immediate or non-immediate, can be produced by the four classes of β-lactams (penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems and monobactams) currently available, which share a common β-lactam ring structure. Immediate reactions occur within the first hour after drug administration and are characterized by urticaria, angioedema, rhinitis, bronchospasm, and anaphylactic shock. Immediate reading skin tests are the quickest and most reliable method for demonstrating the presence of β-lactam specific IgE antibodies. It is crucial to use in diagnosis the suspected β-lactams themselves, particularly cephalosporins, in addition to penicillin determinants. Serum specific IgE assays can be used as complementary tests. Negative test results should be interpreted in light of the time elapsed from the last exposure to the responsible β-lactam. In fact, both in vivo and in vitro test sensitivity is known to decrease over time. In some diagnostic work-ups, patients with a positive history and negative skin and in vitro tests with classic reagents undergo a controlled administration of the suspected β-lactam. The management of immediate allergic reactions should take into consideration their severity and type. Adrenaline is the drug of choice in the treatment of anaphylactic shock. In addition to adrenaline, corticosteroids and antihistamines should be administered. Histamine H1 receptor antagonists are the mainstay of the treatment of immediate allergic reactions such as urticaria, rhinitis and conjunctivitis.

Neuromodulation field, induced by Direct Current Stimulation, has been largely investigated in the last years in relation to promising results in neurological diseases.

Blood cells, especially platelets and lymphocytes, are used in neuropsychiatric research as tools for investigating systemic derangements in neuropsychiatric disorders, and as peripheral models for studying central nervous system biochemistry. In the present work, we determined T lymphocyte peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding: a significant reduction of Bmax values was observed in demented patients as compared with healthy controls, whereas Kd values were similar in the two subjects' groups. A significant negative correlation was found between Bmax values and illness severity. These data, which seem to be related to an impairment of immune response and cell energy metabolism in demented patients, may represent a state-dependent marker in monitoring disease course and treatment efficacy.

Human peripheral blood cells, especially lymphocytes and platelets, are being studied increasingly in neuropsychiatric research both as tools for investigating systemic disturbances in neuropsychiatric disorders, and as peripheral models for getting information on central nervous system biochemistry. In this study, we determined T lymphocyte peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding in parkinsonians and controls: significantly reduced B max values were found in patients compared with healthy controls, whereas K d values were similar. These data argue for an immune response disturbance and a cell energy metabolism impairment in parkinsonian patients, since cell surface peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors are related with the immune function, and mitochondrial binding sites with energy metabolic pathways.

Background: Nasal congestion is the predominant symptom in perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), and it seems to be mainly related to the late-phase inflammatory events. The present pilot study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect exerted by fexofenadine in patients with PAR due to mite allergy. Methods: This study was a parallel, double-blind, randomized, three-arm (1:1:1), placebo-controlled study. Thirty-one subjects with PAR were enrolled and received double-blind medication: fexofenadine 120 or 180 mg, or placebo, once a day for 28 days. Results: The total symptom score was reduced by fexofenadine (both dosages) at V2 (P=0.007), whereas placebo did not modify it. Nasal congestion decreased after 1 week of treatment with fexofenadine 120 (P=0.027) and 180 (P=0.01), but not with placebo (P=NS). At V3, fexofenadine (both dosages) significantly reduced nasal congestion (P=0.011 and P=0.007, respectively), by placebo did not show any significant effect. Conclusions: This pilot study represents the first evidence of the efficacy of fexofenadine in PAR, and also the control of the nasal congestion. We suggest performing larger trials to confirm these preliminary findings.

Liver resection constitutes the treatment of choice in the liver primary neoplasms and some cases of metastatic tumors, but entail significant morbidity and mortality rates.To present our experience in hepatic surgery.We included 40 patients who underwent hepatectomies in our Institution from December 1991 through December 2004. The information was collected retrospectively and was analized descriptive and statistically.40 patients underwent 40 hepatectomies. The diagnosis included primary benign hepatic disease (n= 9, 22.5%), primary hepatic malignancy (n= 7, 17.5%) and metastatic hepatic disease (n= 24, 60%). In the metastatic group, the most frecuent pathology was colonic adenocarcinoma (n= 17, 42%). There were 4 perioperatory deaths (10%) and the average hospitaly stay was 10.8 days.our data shows that the most frequent indication of hepatic resection in our experience was metastatic colonic adenocarcinoma as compared to the other Institutions with similar experience.

Background Some microvascular abnormalities typical of systemic sclerosis (SSc), that are usually visualized using nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC), may appear as skin telangiectases (TAs). Objectives To assess the progression of the SSc microvascular damage, correlating the microangiopathy evolution score (MES), given by NVC, with dermoscope (DC) profiles of TAs in patients with SSc. Methods Thirty-three patients (28 women and 5 men, mean age 64 years) affected by limited and diffused SSc (30 and 3 patients respectively), showing the presence of the TAs on face, hands, forearms, neck, decollete, were enrolled during routinary analysis and after informed consent. All patients were evaluated by NVC (200x magnification, Videocap DS MediGroup,Milan,Italy) to classify and to score the severity of microangiopathy. The appropriate qualitative NCV pattern was assigned to the SSc patients (“early”, “active”, “late”) and the MES was calculated (1,2,3). Three capillaroscopic parameters, namely the loss of capillaries, the disorganisation of the microvascular array and the capillary ramifications, were longitudinally evaluated by the semiquantitative scale (score 0–3 for every parameter) (4). The scores of these parameters were added together, in order to globally assess the variation of the SSc microangiopathy during the time (“microangiopathy evolution score”: score 0–9). The expression of these three nailfold capillary abnormalities was already found increased during the progression of SSc (4,5). DC (25x/40x magnifications, DS MediGroup, Milan, Italy) was employed to examine skin TAs patterns: a “spot” pattern (uniform rounded patch looking-like) and a `9reticular” pattern (network-like) (6). Results A “late” NVC pattern was associated with a higher total number of TAs (p=0.005) and the “spot” and “reticular” TAs patterns (DC), were found equally associated (p=0.024, in both cases). 82% of patients with the “late” NVC pattern had a MES ≥6 (p=0.001). A MES ≥6 (corresponding to the “late” NVC SSc pattern) was also associated with a higher total number of TAs (p=0.003) and specifically with the “reticular” (p=0.003), but not with the “spot”, DC pattern. Conclusions NVC of SSc patients evaluated by MES scoring, allows to appreciate the detailed progression of microvascular abnormalities, whereas TAs, that are evaluable by DC, detect specific changes on different skin areas of the body. A significant relationship exists between the MES (score ≥6), the qualitative “late” NVC SSc pattern, and the “reticular” DC pattern. References Sulli A et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2012;64:821-5. Sulli A et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2008;67:885-7. Smith V et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2010;69:1092-6. Cutolo M et al. Rheumatology 2004;43:719–26. Cutolo M et al. J Rheumatol 2000;27:155–60. Giampetruzzi AR et al. J Rheumatol 2013;40:1630-2. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Mite allergy is characterized by a continuous allergen exposure. Persistent inflammation is therefore always detectable; and during symptomless periods as well. It has been reported that mite allergic patients also present a nonspecific hyperreactivity to different stimuli, including hyperosmolar solution. Since azelastine was previously demonstrated to be able to reduce allergic inflammation, the aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the drug on nonspecific conjunctival hyperreactivity in mite-allergic patients. Twenty children with mite allergy were studied. A hyperosmolar conjunctival challenge was performed before and after azelastine eye drops or placebo treatment for a period of 2 weeks. It was found that patients treated with azelastine eye drops showed a significant reduction in nonspecific conjunctival hyperreactivity compared to the placebo group (p = 0.018). It was concluded that azelastine eye drops are able to reduce the nonspecific hyperreactivity present in subjects with mite allergy.

Human peripheral blood cells, especially lymphocytes and thrombocytes, are extensively studied in neuropsychiatric research both as tools for investigating systemic derangements in neuropsychiatric disorders, and as peripheral models for getting information on central nervous system biochemistry. Specific interferon (IFN)-gamma receptors have been found on both human lymphocytes and neural cells. The aim of the present study has been to evaluate IFN-gamma binding on peripheral blood T lymphocytes from parkinsonian patients, as compared with that on blood T cells from healthy subjects. We have found that T lymphocytes from parkinsonian patients bear a significantly smaller amount of IFN-gamma receptors than those from controls. Such IFN-gamma binding sites are of the same type in patients and healthy subjects (Kd (mean +/- SEM): 1.4 +/- 0.07 vs. 1.2 +/- 0.06, respectively). These findings, which are not specific for Parkinson's disease, are discussed in terms of its immunopathogenesis, since it has been reported that activated T lymphocytes have decreased amounts of IFN-gamma receptors.

Peripheral blood cells, such as platelets or lymphocytes, have been studied in the investigation of systemic derangements and central nervous system biochemical changes occurring in several neuropsychiatric disorders. In the present work, assaying platelet and lymphocyte peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and healthy controls, we found a significantly reduced number of cell receptors in patients' platelets and lymphocytes. These results are discussed with reference to central nervous system biochemical abnormalities in AD. Moreover, the lymphocyte binding data may represent an impairment of the immune response in AD, since lymphocyte surface peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors seem to be related to immune function.

Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by progressive microvascular abnormalities that lately may appear as skin telangiectasias (TA). Microangiopathy associated with SSc is typically visualized using nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC). Objectives To describe skin SSc TA distribution through the investigation of altered capillaries using skin dermoscopy (DC) and search possible correlations with NVC SSc patterns (“early”, “active” and “late”) and clinical status. Methods Thirty-one female SSc patients (mean age 53.5±29.5 yrs, disease duration 19±18 yrs), diagnosed according to the LeRoy criteria and showing at DC analysis cutaneous-mucous TA, were recruited after informed consent and Ethical Committee approval. Patients were grouped according to diffuse (dSSc) and limited (lSSc) subtypes. We used DC (at 25x and 40x magnifications) to evaluate TA on the face, decollete, shoulders, back of hands and palms. Qualitative SSc NVC patterns (“early”, “active”, “late” at 200x magnifications) and specific autoantibodies (Scl70 and ACA) were searched. Patients were classified into subgroups (lSSC/dSSC, Scl70/ACA) and analysed according to modified ROC analysis, scoring 0 or 1 to indicate absence or presence of a feature. Analysis was done using Prism 5 for Windows (graphPad Software, Inc, LA Jolla, CA), with statistical significance set at p≤0.03. Results Seven-teen SSc patients were found lSSc (17/31, 54.83%; mean disease duration 8.70 yrs) the remaining four-teen were found dSSc (14/31, 45.1% mean disease duration 11.14 yrs). The predominant DC TA patterns observed were “spot” (violet and suffused pink sometimes associated to punctiform vessels) on the hands and “reticular” (alveolar and branched vessels) on the other sites (mainly face). “Spot” DC TA pattern (prevalent in the hands) was found mainly associated with “early”/“active” NVC patterns in lSSc patients (91% vs. 9% “early”/“active” vs “late” NVC pattern, respectively), whereas “reticular” DC TA pattern was found mainly associated with “active”/“late” NVC patterns in dSSc patients, (92% vs 8% “active”/“late” vs “early” NVC pattern, respectively). In addition, TA on the palms appeared as “spot” DC pattern in 15 of 31 patients, including 13in the ACA positive patients (13/20; ROC area 0.7, p=0.03). A DC TA pattern consisting of suffused pink was observed on the palms of 13 patients, including 10 of 11 patients in the anti-Scl-70-positive group (ROC area 0.8, p=0.009). Conclusions Both DC and NVC are confirmed sensitive techniques describing the progressive skin microvascular changes in SSc patients. DC detects better than NVC, the alterations of horizontal plexus (``reticular” DC pattern) that are mainly evident in advanced SSc disease and due to angiogenesis (``late” NVC pattern). On the contrary, NVC allows the crucial early detection of the skin papillary microvascular damage (SSc NVC “early” pattern: giant capillaries and micro-haemorrhages) that DC may only partially distinguish (especially on the hands). References Cutolo M al. J Rheumatol. 2000; 27:155–60 LeRoy EC et al. J Rheumatol. 1988;15:202-5. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Platelet monoamine oxidase activity levels have been evaluated in several neuropsychiatric disorders, to identify biochemical markers for pathological brain functioning. In the present work, we assayed both total and molecular monoamine oxidase activity in platelets of parkinsonian and demented patients: both showed significantly higher enzyme activity values than healthy controls. Thus, high platelet monoamine oxidase activity levels seem to be related to an increased intrinsic activity of single enzyme molecules. A significant positive correlation was found between platelet monoamine oxidase activity and severity of illness in both disorders: monoamine oxidase activity, therefore, may be considered as a state-dependent marker for neuro-degeneration. Such findings are discussed with reference to central nervous system biochemical abnormalities in parkinsonian and demented subjects; it might be that in both Parkinson's Disease and in dementia of Alzheimer type some central biochemical changes are reflected in certain peripheral tissues (thrombocytes, for instance), or that a systemic derangement accompanies the cerebral involvement.

The frequency of synchronous colorectal cancers ranges from 1.7 to 9.3% according to the series. The incidence of these cancers has been appreciated in various ways, according to variable diagnostic criteria, especially because some authors have included in situ carcinomas developing on degenerated polyps. A retrospective study of the synchronous cancers operated in our department from January, 1980 to August, 1990 allowed us to assess their frequency and location and to discuss the therapeutic choices. Two hundred and forty-nine patients with cancers of the colon or of the rectum have been operated during that period. Twelve (4.8%) presented with more than one colorectal cancer, all discovered simultaneously. The average age of the patients operated for synchronous cancer was higher that that of those operated of isolate cancer (68.8 years versus 63.3). Two thirds of the synchronous cancers were located in the sigmoid loop or the colon and, in one third of all cases, on non-adjacent segments of the colon. The frequent association of colic adenomatous polyps and of synchronous cancers--in one half of the patients in our series--must raise a discussion on the merits of systematic subtotal, or even total, colectomy in the treatment of synchronous colorectal cancers. This is also true for tumoral sites in 2 different segments of the colon. Segmental colectomy may be advocated in the other cases: cancers located on one segment, polyps located only on the resected segment of the colon, or polyps that can be resected via endoscopy.

International audience; Several tons of chemicals are released every year into the environment and it is essential to assess the risk of adverse effects on human health and ecosystems. Risk assessment is expensive and time-consuming and only partial information is available for many compounds. A consolidated approach to overcome this limitation is the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) for assessment of the potential health impact and, more recently, eco-TTCs for the ecological aspect. The aim is to allow a safe assessment of substances with poor toxicological characterization. Only limited attempts have been made to integrate the human and ecological risk assessment procedures in a “One Health” perspective. We are proposing a strategy to define the Human-Biota TTCs (HB-TTCs) as concentrations of organic chemicals in freshwater preserving both humans and ecological receptors at the same time. Two sets of thresholds were derived: general HB-TTCs as preliminary screening levels for compounds with no eco- and toxicological information, and compound-specific HB-TTCs for chemicals with known hazard assessment, in terms of Predicted No effect Concentration (PNEC) values for freshwater ecosystems and acceptable doses for human health. The proposed strategy is based on freely available public data and tools to characterize and group chemicals according to their toxicological profiles. Five generic HB-TTCs were defined, based on the ecotoxicological profiles reflected by the Verhaar classes, and compound-specific thresholds for more than 400 organic chemicals with complete eco- and toxicological profiles. To complete the strategy, the use of in silico models is proposed to predict the required toxicological properties and suitable models already available on the VEGAHUB platform are listed.