Histochemical, physiological and ultrastructural changes in the maize embryo during drying

A critical decision that hybrid maize seed producers confront each year is how to properly dry large volumes of seed and still maintain a high quality product suitable for planting. In many production areas, harvest may begin quite early when the seed is at high moisture content (45-50%) in an effort to avoid damage by early frost or to escape the action of insects and diseases. In this scenario, varying rates of moisture removal and/or high drying temperatures (\u3e45°C) may jeopardize seed quality. Previous studies (Herter and Burris, 1989) have shown that initial drying at lower temperatures (20°-35°C) before subsequent high temperature drying resulted in improved seed quality. However, during this period seed moisture content may remain high thus increasing the risk of seed deterioration. Here evidence is reported of increased amylolytic activity and degradation of starch grains in seeds that were preconditioned at 35°C and high humidity (90% RH). Higher respiration rates were observed in those seeds held at 35°C, compared to 20°C. Although overall respiration during preconditioning was low, as compared to a germinating seed, it may still represent a source of deterioration. Seeds preconditioned at a lower temperature (20°C) and lower relative humidity (35%) did not show signs of such deterioration. Cells in the radicle meristem exhibited a distinct migration of the lipid bodies toward the cell walls in response to desiccation. In addition, a relationship between lipid alignment and leakage during imbibition is described. Protein body formation was also evident in these cells and this accumulation began early during preconditioning. Only in seeds that experienced the highest level of desiccation was this process nearly complete. No apparent deterioration was observed in the mitochondria. They appeared abundant, swollen, well differentiated, and remained intact throughout the entire period. The highest seed quality was obtained in seeds preconditioned at 35°C/35% RH. These conditions have a positive effect on the metabolic and/or morphologic changes that confer high temperature desiccation tolerance, while minimizing the negative impact of the catabolic events described

Clinical value of soluble interleukin-2 receptor in infectious complications.

In this study, we investigated serum-soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2r) and neopterin (NPT) levels in five patients with severe postoperative infections. A total of 25 synchronous determinations of sIL-2r and NPT were performed. A marked increase in sIL-2r and NPT levels was observed, and the increase in sIL-2r was significantly correlated to that of NPT which is a marker of macrophage activity. These results suggest that macrophages are involved in the stimulation of sIL-2r release, representing a potentially negative biological effect. The results indicate that sIL-2r may be a useful indicator of the efficacy of antibiotics and of prognosis.</p

Effect of low dose cyclophosphamide on the synthesis of acute phase protein and its significance for cancer chemotherapy.

Patients with far advanced colorectal cancers received chemotherapy consisting of low-dose cyclophosphamide (LDCY) 333 mg/m2 every four weeks intravenously and by oral administration of 5'-DFUR (a masked compound of 5-Fluorouracil). Serum levels of immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP), an acute phase protein, were measured every four weeks for a total of thirty-one LDCY trials of ten patients. LDCY chemotherapy significantly decreased the IAP levels in cancer patients with high IAP levels. These results suggested that LDCY chemotherapy could counteract host responses against tumors and could have decreased immunosuppressive responses in cancer patients.&#60;/P&#62;</p

The importance of family study in the patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a well-known autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the formation of multiple adenomatous polyps of the colon. Gardner's syndrome is a variant of familial polyposis coli, and both can be associated with colonic or extracolonic benign and/or malignant tumors. It has been widely recognized that an adenocarcinoma of the colon develops in virtually all cases, usually at an earlier age, if polyps are left untreated. Families of four individuals diagnosed of FAP were surveyed and 56 relatives of the families were examined. Of these 56, 21 had multiple colon polyps, 3 of whom had early-stage adenocarcinomas. We consider that familial survey of FAP individuals can be of considerable benefit for this high-risk population due to the autosomal nature of the disease, allowing diagnosis of an associated cancer at an earlier stage.</p

Air pollution Analysis with a PFCM Clustering Algorithm Applied in a Real Database of Salamanca (Mexico)

Over the last ten years, Salamanca has been considered among the most polluted cities in México. Nowadays, there is an Automatic Environmental Monitoring Network (AEMN) which measures air pollutants (Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Particular Matter (PM10), Ozone (O3), etc.), as well as environmental variables (wind speed, wind direction, temperature, and relative humidity), and it takes a sample of the variables every minute. The AEM Network is mainly based on three monitoring stations located at Cruz Roja, DIF, and Nativitas. In this work, we use the PFCM (Possibilistic Fuzzy c Means) clustering algorithm as a mean to get a combined measure, from the three stations, looking to provide a tool for better management of contingencies in the city, such that local or general action can be taken in the city according to the pollution level given by each station and the combined measure. Besides, we also performed an analysis of correlation between pollution and environmental variables. The results show a significative correlation between pollutant concentrations and some environmental variables. So, the combined measure and the correlations can be used for the establishment of general contingency thresholds

Surgical treatment for Crohn's disease.

The medical records of 16 consecutive patients with Crohn's disease surgically treated in our department from 1978 to 1993 were retrospectively reviewed. The indication for surgery was obstructive symptoms due to Crohn's strictures that were unresponsive to conservative therapy. The types of operations performed were classified into five categories. Nine patients (56.3%) had small bowel resection only, 4 (25.0%) underwent an ileocolonic resection, 1 (6.3%) had a total colectomy, 1 (6.3%) had Mile's operation and 1 (6.3%) had subtotal gastrectomy with gastrojejunostomy and antral mucosectomy. Of these 16 patients, 13 (81.3%) had resection with a single anastomosis and strictureplasty was concomitantly performed in only 2 cases (12.5%). Crohn's disease recurred in 3 patients (18.8%), 1 of whom required a second operation.</p

Endoscopical Segmental Piecemeal Tumorectomy for Nodular Elevation of Colorectal Tumor: Applicability and Patient's Quality of Life

Endoscopical segmental piecemeal tumorectomy (ESPT) for nodular elevation of colorectal tumor is advantageous in terms of minimizing both surgical invasion and postoperative burden to the patients. Nodular elevation of colorectal tumors is said to occur when the body of the tumor is adenomatous and the surface of the focal cancer grows more horizontally into the lumen than vertically. We report here four cases of nodular elevation of colorectal tumors which were each treated by different surgical procedures.</p

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake