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Background: Using a rat model we have found that the bioflavonoid silymarin (SY) ameliorates some of the negative consequences of in utero exposure to ethanol (EtOH). In the current study our aim was to determine if laterality preference and corpus callosum development were altered in rat offspring whose mothers were provided with a concomitant administration of SY with EtOH throughout gestation., Methods: We provided pregnant Fisher/344 rats with liquid diets containing 35% ethanol derived calories (EDC) throughout the gestational period. A silymarin/phospholipid compound containing 29.8% silybin was co administered with EtOH to a separate experimental group. We tested the offspring for laterality preference at age 12 weeks. After testing the rats were sacrificed and their brains perfused for later corpus callosum extraction., Results: We observed incomplete development of the splenium in the EtOH-only offspring. Callosal development was complete in all other treatment groups. Rats from the EtOH-only group displayed a left paw preference; whereas control rats were evenly divided between right and left paw preference. Inexplicably both SY groups were largely right paw preferring., Conclusions: The addition of SY to the EtOH liquid diet did confer some ameliorative effects upon the developing fetal rat brain.

In order to study the biological behavior of T. cruzi strains and to determine a putative association between their biodeme and the clinical forms of Chagas disease, 14 strains isolated from humans were evaluated. The individuals were from the municipalities of Pains, Iguatama and Berilo (Minas Gerais State). The biological behavior was evaluated in albino swiss mice, weighing 10 to 15 grams, which were infected with 1x10(4) blood tripomastigotes. The infectivity, parasitemia, tripomastigote morphology, virulence and the tissue distribution of the protozoan were analyzed. A behavior similar to biodeme II (São Felipe strain) was observed in 9 strains, while 5 stocks were characterized as belonging to biodeme III. It was not possible to establish a relationship between the biodeme strain and the severity of the disease in the patients.

Adenocarcinoma of the lung is the most common form of lung cancer, but the cell of origin and the stages of progression of this tumor type are not well understood. We have developed a new model of lung adenocarcinoma in mice harboring a conditionally activatable allele of oncogenic K-ras. Here we show that the use of a recombinant adenovirus expressing Cre recombinase (AdenoCre) to induce K-ras G12D expression in the lungs of mice allows control of the timing and multiplicity of tumor initiation. Through the ability to synchronize tumor initiation in these mice, we have been able to characterize the stages of tumor progression. Of particular significance, this system has led to the identification of a new cell type contributing to the development of pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Background: The genes cagA and vacA encode H pylori virulence factors., Aim: To genotype these genes in H pylori strains isolated from patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms., Material and Methods: We studied 50 patients who underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, with positive culture for H pylori. Detection of cagA and vacA genotyping was done using polymerase chain reactions., Results: The gene cagA was detected in 19 samples (38%). Signal sequences s1 and s2 of vacA gene were detected in 16 samples each (32%). There was simultaneous amplification of s1 and s2 in 6 samples and they were not detected in 9 samples. The middle region of vacA was m1 in 9 samples, m2 in 29 samples and there was simultaneous amplification of m1 and m2 in 12 samples. In 16 samples (32%), more than one type of signal sequence or medial region was detected. Of those patients in whom vacA was the only genotype detected, 15 were s2/m2, 7 were s1/m1, 4 were s1/m2 and 1 was s2/m1., Conclusions: In these patients, the infection with cagA- H pylori strains, predominates, the prevalence of infection with s1 or s2 strains is similar and the predominant medial region is m2.

The effect of different surfactants on the synthesis of a silicone latex is studied. Distinct formulations were mixed and then tested with regard to stability as a function of time and temperature. The ones with the best characteristics for acting as a vehicle for the active cosmetic ingredient Aloe vera are indicated.

Postural reactions elicited by monocular visual stimulation in the temporal crescent of the visual field were studied in adult subjects in dynamic balance on a rocking platform. Circular translation of a visual scene was induced in the temporal crescent by the rotation of membrane prisms placed laterally to the stimulated eye. In anteroposterior balance, postural reactions are identical whichever eyes is stimulated: ventral extension of the body when the visual scene moves upwards and dorsal extension when it moves downwards. In lateral balance, postural reactions vary with the stimulated eye: extension of the right side of the body when the right eye is stimulated by an upward displacement of the visual scene, extension of the left side when the left eye is stimulated. This difference, which contrasts with the similarity of reactions elicited by the stimulation of either para-foveal fields, suggests that the most peripheral part of the nasal retina has a specific role in head and body stabilisation.

Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii (32 strains) from blood samples obtained from patients in five Chilean hospitals were identified and biotyped according to their phenotypic properties. They were also submitted to random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using eight randomly designed 10-mers and the core sequence of M13 phage (15-mers) as well as amplification of the spacer regions between 16S and 23S genes in the prokaryotic rRNA genetic loci. With some primers, RAPD discriminated between biotypes, whereas with others each isolate showed a particular profile. When amplification of spacer regions was performed, a clear correlation between patterns and biotypes was found. This last technique allowed correct biotyping of clinical isolates. Both genetic methods might be used for the identification of A. baumannii biotypes.

In this study kerneled corn sold and distributed through wholesale outlets in the city of Monterrey, Mexico was analysed. The extraction of aflatoxins was performed with a mixture of methanol/water (80:20) and its derivatization was carried out with trifluoroacetic acid. The analysis was done by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using fluorescence for detection. From the 41 samples analysed, aflatoxins B1 and G1, were found to be present. Aflatoxin B1 concentrations ranged from 5.03 ng/g to 465.31 ng/g, aflatoxin G1 concentrations ranged from 1.59 ng/g to 57.1 ng/g. It was found that 87.8% of the samples were contaminated with aflatoxins: in addition, 58.5% contained levels above Mexican legal limits which are, at present, 20 ng/g.

The resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics shown by a strain of Shigella flexneri was plasmid-coded. This plasmid, pMAM-1, when transferred to Escherichia coli K-12 by conjugation, presented the same molecular weight (100 kbp) and conferred the same high level of resistance to ampicillin in the transconjugant as in the wild type strains (MIC, 2048-4096). Restriction analysis of the plasmid in transconjugants revealed various restrictive sites to some endonucleases (i.e. Bam HI, Eco RI, Pst I, Nco I, Cla I, Sf I and Sau 3AI, Nhe and Hin dIII), and no restrictive sites at all for other endonucleases (such as Xho I, Dra I, Kpn I, and Sal I). Some restricted DNA fragments were appropriate for cloning and isolation of the beta-lactamase gene present in Shigella flexneri UCSF 129. This work provides the first step in this direction.

Five volunteers took part in -6 degrees head-down bed-rest experiments for 30 d. In the first experiment, three subjects underwent several sessions of lower-body negative-pressure (LBNP) per day, with two others serving as controls. In the second, the LBNP group of the first experiment became the control and vice versa. Two experimental protocols analyzed the bed-rest-induced modifications of balance and gait and the efficiency of LBNP in counteracting these modifications. A kymographic method allowed the measurement of walking parameters. Anteroposterior and lateral sways were successively studied with both a force platform (static condition) and a rocking platform (dynamic condition). The tests were performed 2 d before the bed-rest period, and over the 1st, 3rd and 4th days of the recovery period. When the subjects were controls, bed rest decreased step length, walking velocity, and balance stability. LBNP completely counteracted the bed-rest-induced modifications of gait and static balance and of dynamic balance for the lateral sway. As LBNP was ineffective in counteracting the modifications of the anteroposterior sway, dynamic balance deficiency was independent of the beneficial effect of LBNP on the decreased orthostatic tolerance induced by -6 degrees head-down bed rest. The results indicate that head-down bed rest, like spaceflight, induces certain sensorimotor changes involved in the decrease of gait and balance performance.

A double-masked clinical trial was conducted to assess the effects of inclusion of beans in a mixed diet for young Peruvian children with acute diarrhea. Dietary treatment consisted of either rice, beans, and vegetable oil (group RB, n = 25) or rice, soy-protein isolate, corn syrup solids, and vegetable oil (group RS, n = 21), each given in amounts up to 150 kcal/kg body weight per day immediately following rehydration therapy. The groups were generally similar at the time of admission, and there were no differences in the rates of treatment failure (8% in group RB, 14% in group RS; P = .65). Mean stool outputs were 83 +/- 46 (SD) g/kg body weight in group RB and 71 +/- 43 g/kg body weight in group RS on day 1, and these outputs consistently ranged from 25% to 40% greater in group RB than in group RS (P = .058). By contrast, the median duration of liquid stool excretion was substantially less in group RB than in group RS (60 vs 121 hours, P = .01). The fractional absorption of carbohydrate, fat, and total energy was significantly greater by children in group RS, but there were no differences in net apparent absorption of these nutrients because the children in group RB consumed significantly more of their assigned diet. Children in group RS gained significantly more weight during the whole period of observation (194 g vs 1 g, P = .047), but these differences could be entirely explained by the weight (and presumably fluid) changes on day 1. There were no consistent differences by dietary group in any of the other anthropometric indicators.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Susceptibility to various antimicrobial agents and the presence of plasmids was investigated in eleven strains of Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from samples of sea water and these strains isolated from Aulacomya ater. Transference of resistance to Escherichia coli was attempted by conjugation and transformation experiments. The strains showed multiple resistance toward beta-lactam antibiotics and susceptibility to other antimicrobial agents. Five strains harboured plasmids with molecular weights below 5.7 MD. It was not possible to relate the resistance of the strains with the presence of their plasmids.

Recently, there has been information about the ultrafiltrated peritoneal fluid in patients with endometriosis, containing macromollecules that diminish tubal fimbria action, and the in vitro ovular captation in experimental animals. In order to investigate the presence of these substances in the peritoneal fluid, and to know the possible effect that could have on spermatic motivility in vitro, of their mates; 11 sterile women with diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis, and 11 normal fertile women, were studied. On the other side, the same day of study, the mate of each of these women, produced semen obtained by masturbation, where amount and motility of sperm, in basal conditions, and after, it was capacitated with Ham-F10, were determined. The final results was evaluated as to percentage of spermatozoon with excellent and progressive motility, and percentage of motionless spermatozoo as well as based on average values (mean +/- EE), of each one of them. The statistic analysis of differences was done by t Student that in coupled samples. The results confirm that peritoneal fluid of patient with endometriosis contains macromollecules, and it shows that these substances affect the motility in vitro of mate's spermatozoon, which could explain, partially at least, the origin of sterility in this disease.

A randomized clinical trial was completed to study the severity, duration, and nutritional outcome of acute diarrhea in 85 Peruvian children between 5 and 24 months of age who received a soy-protein-isolate, lactose-free formula (group SF) or one of two mixtures of home-available foods, all in amounts up to 110 kcal/kg of body weight/day. The mixed diets contained either wheat flour, pea flour, carrot flour, sucrose, and vegetable oil (group WP) or potato flour, dried whole milk, carrot flour, sucrose, and oil (group PM). The characteristics of the children in each group were generally similar initially. There were no differences in treatment failure rate by diet group. Fecal outputs were similar in all groups during the first day of treatment, averaging 60 to 65 g/kg/day. However, stool outputs were greater for the PM group than for other groups on days 3 and 4, and were less for the SF group than the other groups on days 5 and 6. The estimated median durations of diarrhea in the WP group (52 h) and PM group (53 h) were significantly less than in the SF group (154 h, p = 0.005). Energy intakes, energy absorption, and nitrogen retention (% of intake) were generally similar in all dietary groups, although there were minor differences in the absorption of specific macronutrients. Children in all groups gained weight during hospitalization, and there were no significant differences by diet group in the change in anthropometric status during treatment. We conclude that these locally available, low-cost staple food mixtures offer a safe and nutritionally adequate alternative to a commercially produced lactose-free formula for the dietary management of young children with acute diarrhea in this setting.

We are presenting the case of a 13 year-old male child who was hospitalized at INSN, with generalized edema, chronic diarrhea and hematoquezia. Biopsy studies of the intestine established the diagnosis of Malacoplakia. Despite of the treatment the clinical evolution didn't improve. A review of medical literature is discussed principally relate a Pediatrics.

1. Recordings of longitudinal displacements of both feet have been performed by linking each foot to a length-voltage transducer by means of threads. The movement transmitted to the transducer was reduced by winding the thread around a sixteen strand pulley block. 2. The aspect of the displacement curves allows a direct analysis of the walk. Some typical curves of normal and pathological gaits are presented. Graphic measurements done on several right and left cycles of a 6 m walk episode in 50 adult subjects provided data to determine the mean and the standard deviation of spatial and temporal parameters of the walk. 3. An advantage of this method is to permit the measurement of the parameters of several successive cycles of both sides and so to detect changes in the length, the duration and the velocity of successive cycles of the same foot and of alternated cycles of both feet. This being important to characterize pathological gaits.

The firing patterns of alpha and gamma efferent fibres and of group I and group II afferent fibres innervating the gastrocnemius muscle were observed during spontaneous locomotor movements in the thalamic cat. Multi-unit discharges of each kind of fibre were obtained by electronic sorting of the action potentials from the whole activity of a thin branch of gastrocnemius lateralis or medialis nerve. The main results were: During the locomotor cycle the activity of the afferent and efferent populations was highly modulated. alpha- and gamma-motoneurones were co-activated within the locomotor cycle during ankle plantar-flexion. The gamma discharge began to rise earlier and to fall later than did the alpha discharge. The amplitude of the gamma discharge, unlike that of the alpha discharge, was largely independent of the vigour of walking. Between the cyclic discharges, most of gamma populations were tonically active whereas alpha populations were silent. Subgroups of the alpha and gamma populations were not usually activated according to the cell-size principle, but, the activation of the latest gamma subgroup always preceded that of the earliest alpha subgroup. Modulation of the group I and II afferent discharges was closely related to the cyclic length changes of the parent muscle. Fusimotor activation during the active shortening of gastrocnemius muscle prevented the afferent discharges from pausing. The pattern of afferent and efferent activity during selective curarisation of the extrafusal junctions indicated that the discharge of static gamma-motoneurones is modulated during the locomotor cycle. After curarisation of both extrafusal and intrafusal junctions, an efferent-discharge pattern of central origin persisted alternately in extensor- and flexor-muscle nerves (fictive locomotion). The durations of the fictive locomotor cycle and of the cyclic discharge in the sartorius nerve were increased as a consequence of the suppression of phasic afferent inputs to the C.N.S. Maintained ankle dorsi-flexion slowed the fictive locomotor rhythm and elicited opposite effects, respectively excitation and depression, on the magnitude of the alpha and gamma discharges. Maintained ankle plantar-flexion scarcely perturbed the duration of the fictive locomotor cycle, but the duration of the sartorius-nerve discharge lengthened at the expense of that of the gastrocnemius discharge. Both gastrocnemius alpha- and gamma-motoneurones were depressed, the former considerably more than the latter. The roles of the gastrocnemius afferents and gamma-efferents during the locomotor cycle are discussed in the light of these results.

The synthesis and biological activity of some analogs of (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-ynyl acetate1, the major component of the sex pheromone of the processionary mothThaumetopoea pityocampa is described. The analogs have been formally derived by structural modification of the enyne and acetate functions of the parent compound1. In field tests, trifluoroacetate ester16 and the analog,11, with fluorine substitution at the olefin site, decreased the pheromone action, whereas epoxy derivative,10, from epoxidation of the olefin moiety in1, and propionate ester15 gave synergistic activity. The formate14 had a variable effect according to the composition of the lure. Formal reduction of the enyne to give the acetylene2 was found to retain activity. Alcohols12 and13, resulting from hydrolysis of the enyne1 and acetylene2, respectively, inhibited the action of their parent compounds.

A circannual cycle of oxygen consumption (QO2) was observed in active garden dormice maintained during 19 months under external conditions for temperature and lighting. QO2 was minimum in october and maximum in may. In the same animals deprivation of food induced hypothermia and a 23% decrease in QO2 which always preceeded hypothermia. No circannual rhythm was noted in the amplitude of this reduction.

In garden dormouse protein deficiency leads to reversible hypothermic torpor, comparable with that provoked by starvation or occuring naturally during hibernation, whether the diet consists wholly of apples or of synthetic protein-free food. Torpor induced by protein deficiency occurs even though the energy requirements of the animal are amply satisfied. These phases of lethargy occur after a certain delay and with a variable frequency, both of which vary with the ambient temperature.

We describe the effects on group I and II afferents as well as alpha- and gamma-efferents of gastrocnemius muscles elicited by stretch and release of the triceps surae muscle performed by a dorsiflexion movement, a maintained dorsiflexion and release of the ankle joint. The experiments were made in decerebrated cats in which the neural loops between the muscles and the spinal cord were intact. Multi-unit discharges of each kind of fibre were obtained, electronically on-line, from two monopolar electrodes 4 mm apart on a small branch of the gastrocnemius lateralis or medialis nerve. Sensory and motor impulses were separated according to the opposite directions of their propagation, then both groups were further subdivided according to conduction velocity. The stretch reflex induced by ankle flexion was associated in eighteen out of nineteen experiments with reflex changes in the activity of the gamma-axon population of the gastrocnemius nerve branch. Facilitatory, depressor and biphasic (facilitatory-depressor) effects were observed, the particular type seeming to depend on the level of gamma tone and gamma-motoneurone size. Flexion release led to cessation of the alpha stretch reflex and to a rebound firing of the gamma-axon population. The lengthening reaction and the clasp-knife phenomenon occurred in certain preparations and were associated with reflex inhibition of the gamma-motoneurones. The over-all responses of group I fibres to triceps stretch showed dynamic and static components, whereas those of the group II fibres were, except in two examples, almost devoid of dynamic sensitivity. During release of stretch and as a result of the simultaneous rebound in gamma activity, the afferent discharges showed a very short pause, no pause, or even a rebound. The origins of the discharges of groups I and II muscle afferents and the factors (muscle length, active and passive muscle tension, reflex changes in fusimotor drive) influencing the activity of the receptors involved are considered as far as possible. Some aspects of the mechanisms of the fusimotor reflex are discussed.

We assessed the belief that minority physicians are more likely to serve traditionally underserved minority populations by examining the medical practice profiles of minority and majority physicians who graduated from seven California medical schools in 1974 and 1975. The results indicate that minority graduates are more likely to locate their practices in areas with health care personnel shortages (53%) than are majority graduates (26%). Minority physicians had a higher proportion of Medicaid or Medi-Cal patients, and they saw a greater percentage of minority patients (60%) than did majority physicians (21%). We conclude that minority graduates of US medical schools, at least those from California, serve traditionally underserved populations to a greater degree than do their majority graduate colleagues. These findings lend strong support to the contention that aggressive affirmative action programs by medical school admission committees serve the important utility function of improving the distribution of medical services.

Synthetic (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-ynyl acetate has been shown to be highly active in catchingThaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis and Schiff.) males in field trials carried out in different parts of Spain. A variety of formulations containing antioxidants or solid paraffin were tested. Formulations containing 3 and 10% ofE isomer showed a decrease of activity compared with those prepared with pureZ isomer. Dodecyl acetate, also found in the virgin female gland, did not show any synergistic effect when tested in a 9∶1 mixture with the synthetic pheromone. The product exhibited a remarkable persistence of activity under the field conditions even in the absence of stabilizer.