[Risk stratification and prognosis in critical surgical patients using the Acute Physiology, Age and Chronic Health III System (APACHE III)].

Introduction: Outcome prediction in critical surgical patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) has been established using several scoring systems. To evaluate the predictive performance of the Acute Physiology, Age and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE III) scoring system in these patients, we studied a population admitted to a surgical ICU in our University Hospital.

Methods: We collected prospective data on 220 consecutive patients admitted over a period of 12 months.

Complement factor I deficiency in a family with recurrent infections.

Factor I deficiency causes a permanent, uncontrolled activation of the alternative pathway resulting in an increased turnover of C3 and consumption of factor B, factor H and properdin. Factor I deficiency is clinically associated with recurrent bacterial infections already in early infancy, mainly affecting the upper and lower respiratory tract, or presenting as meningitis or septicemia. We here report on a Brazilian family (n = 9) with known consanguinity, where in 3/7 children, suffering from chronic otitis, meningitis, and respiratory infections, a complete factor I deficiency was recognized.

Mesenteric arteriovenous fistula causing portal hypertension and bleeding duodenal varices.

We report a case of portal hypertension associated with a non-traumatic arteriovenous fistula, presenting with bleeding duodenal varices. The patient was admitted for melaena. Emergency endoscopy showed oesophageal varices with no signs of recent bleeding and with no blood in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Management of tumor overgrowth in esophageal cancer by placement of a second stent: two case reports.

We present two cases of tumor overgrowth after stenting in patients with inoperable esophageal cancers that were managed by placement of a second tube. The macroscopic pattern of the tumor overgrowth was infiltrative, contraindicating it for laser therapy. Dysphagia was solved in both patients by insertion of expandable metal stents.

Use of Molecular Typing Methods To Trace the Dissemination of Listeria monocytogenes in a Shrimp Processing Plant.

Volume 62, no. 2, p. 705, column 2, line 5 from bottom: "neutralized with chlorine" should read "chlorine neutralized by the addition of 5 ml of a 1% solution of sodium thiosulfate.

Use of molecular typing methods to trace the dissemination of Listeria monocytogenes in a shrimp processing plant.

Molecular typing of bacteria has been widely used in epidemiological studies but not as extensively for tracing the transmission of pathogenic bacteria in food plants. This study was conducted to examine the potential use of two molecular typing methods, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), to trace Listeria monocytogenes contamination in a shrimp processing plant. Ribotyping and phase typing were also performed on a select number of strains.

The effect of cooking on ochratoxin A content of beans, variety 'Carioca'.

The effect of cooking on the reduction of ochratoxin A (OA) content in beans (Phaseolous vulgaris L.), variety 'Carioca', was evaluated. Beans were placed in glass desiccators at 25 degrees C in equilibrium with 90% relative humidity and inoculated with spore suspensions of Aspergillus alutaceus Berk.

Recurrence of a renal myogenic tumor presented as a duodenal ulcerated lesion.

Background/aim: The authors report on an extremely rare case of a recurrent myogenic tumor of renal origin presented exclusively with gastrointestinal signs and symptoms resulting from duodenal invasion.

Patients And Materials: A 49-year-old woman was admitted for epigastric pain and recent history of melenae. She had been submitted to right nefrectomy due to a smooth muscle tumor five years ago.

Endoscopic ultrasonography in the treatment of oesophageal varices by endoscopic sclerotherapy and band ligation: do we need it?

Objective: To assess the role of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in monitoring the treatment of oesophageal varices by endoscopic sclerotherapy and band ligation.

Methods: We studied 35 patients with portal hypertension undergoing elective treatment for oesophageal varices by injection sclerotherapy with absolute ethanol (group 1, n = 19) or by endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL; group 2, n = 16). All patients were examined by EUS before treatment to assess the status of their oesophago-gastric varices and the presence of collateral and perforating veins.

[Secondary syphilis of gastric location].

We present a case of syphilitic gastropathy manifested by an ulcero-infiltrative lesion in the gastric antrum in a 25 year old man. We obtained a clinical endoscopic cure with specific anti-luetic therapy. The morphologic characteristics, which are usual in this type of disease, are revised and the diagnostic criterion discussed.

[CD-ROM. The appearance of a new papyrus].

The emphasis given to specialized information is referred, specially in what social development, particularly in biomedicine, is concerned. MEDLINE on CD-ROM is defined in ways of functioning, targets and basic skills of exploitation, in order to render profitable the potentialities in the bibliographic search. Finally, the advantages of MEDLINE on CD-ROM are stressed when compared with the online search.

[Value of ascitic lipids and sero-ascitic gradient of albumin in the differential diagnosis of ascites].

In order to compare its diagnostic value in the differentiation between malignant and hepatic ascites, we analysed the ascitic fluid concentrations of cholesterol (Ct) and triglycerides (Tg) and the serum-ascites albumin gradient (S-A alb grad) in 58 patients--forty one with chronic liver disease (CLD) and 17 with malignancy. In CLD group the mean values +/- SD for Ct (27.1 +/- 20.

Our experience with acetylsalicylic acid hypersensitivity.

Results of a study carried out in 21 patients with acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin), hypersensitivity, 17 females and 4 males, aged 16 to 69 years (mean 45.7) are presented. Some patients suffered from several types of allergic symptoms - 11 from Asthma, 3 Rhinitis, 3 Quinke edema, 5 Urticaria and 2 Anaphylactic Shock.