Suppression of cooling by strong magnetic fields in white dwarf stars.

Isolated cool white dwarf stars more often have strong magnetic fields than young, hotter white dwarfs, which has been a puzzle because magnetic fields are expected to decay with time but a cool surface suggests that the star is old. In addition, some white dwarfs with strong fields vary in brightness as they rotate, which has been variously attributed to surface brightness inhomogeneities similar to sunspots, chemical inhomogeneities and other magneto-optical effects. Here we describe optical observations of the brightness and magnetic field of the cool white dwarf WD 1953-011 taken over about eight years, and the results of an analysis of its surface temperature and magnetic field distribution. We find that the magnetic field suppresses atmospheric convection, leading to dark spots in the most magnetized areas. We also find that strong fields are sufficient to suppress convection over the entire surface in cool magnetic white dwarfs, which inhibits their cooling evolution relative to weakly magnetic and non-magnetic white dwarfs, making them appear younger than they truly are. This explains the long-standing mystery of why magnetic fields are more common amongst cool white dwarfs, and implies that the currently accepted ages of strongly magnetic white dwarfs are systematically too young.

A single-center prospective observational study on the effect of trimodal prehabilitation in colorectal surgery. / Estudio observacional prospectivo unicéntrico sobre el efecto de la prehabilitación trimodal en cirugía colorrectal.

INTRODUCTION: A trimodal prehabilitation protocol was designed with the aim to evaluate whether it contributes to reducing postoperative morbidity, to evaluate the effect of prehabilitation on overall hospital stay, and to analyze the evolution of functional capacity before and after surgery. METHODS: A single-center observational study of patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgery with curative intent after a trimodal prehabilitation protocol. We collected data for postoperative morbidity according to the Comprehensive Complication Index and hospital stay, which were compared with a historical matrix. Functional capacity data were also collected before and after the application of the prehabilitation protocol. RESULTS: Compared to the historical population, the overall Comprehensive Complication Index was reduced from 13.2 to 11.5, which was statistically significant. Analyzed by morbidity type, all decreased in percentage, although without achieving significance (surgical site infection from 11.7% to 8.4%, nosocomial infection 15.8 to 10% and medical morbidity 8.6% to 4.2%). The overall hospital stay went from 6 to 4 days, and the decrease in the percentage of patients who prepared at home was statistically significant in both cases. CONCLUSIONS: Trimodal prehabilitation can contribute to lowering the postoperative morbidity and overall hospital stay of patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.

On-column ligand synthesis coupled to partial-filling affinity capillary electrophoresis to estimate binding constants of ligands to a receptor.

This paper describes a two-step procedure whereby on-column ligand synthesis and partial-filling affinity capillary electrophoresis (PFACE) are sequentially coupled to each other to determine the binding constants of 9-fluorenylmethoxy carbonyl (Fmoc)-amino acid-D-Ala-D-Ala species to vancomycin (Van) from Streptomyces orientalis. In this technique four separate plugs of sample are injected onto the capillary column and electrophoresed. The initial sample plug contains a D-Ala-D-Ala terminus peptide and two non-interacting standards. Plugs two and three contain solutions of Fmoc-amino acid-N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester and running buffer, respectively. The fourth sample plug contains an increasing concentration of Van partially-filled onto the capillary column. Upon electrophoresis the initial D-Ala-D-Ala peptide reacts with the Fmoc-amino acid NHS ester yielding the Fmoc-amino acid D-Ala-D-Ala peptide. Continued electrophoresis results in the overlap of the plugs of Van and Fmoc-amino acid-D-Ala-D-Ala peptide and non-interacting markers. Analysis of the change in the relative migration time ratio of the Fmoc-amino acid-D-Ala-D-Ala peptide relative to the non-interacting standards, as a function of the concentration of Van, yields a value for the binding constant. These values agree well with those estimated using other binding and ACE techniques.

[Blood pressure, physical activity and anthropometry in adolescents]. / Presión sanguínea, activadad física y antropometría en adolescentes.

The relationship of blood pressure with physical activity and anthropometry was studied in 295 adolescents (mean age, 15.3 years) who entered 1. "formación profesional" (a technological training) in 1990 in Puerto Real, a village of Cádiz, Spain. Systolic and diastolic (fifth-phase Korotkoff) blood pressure, and anthropometrics measurements (weight, height and triceps and subscapular skinfolds thickness) were measured with standardized techniques. Habitual and sports physical activity were assessed by a self-reported questionnaire. The results reported in this study suggest that systolic blood pressure is associated with habitual physical activity in girls, and that the systolic blood pressure is associated weakly with sports activity in girls and in boys. The stronger predictor of blood pressure was Quetelet Index (kg/m2).

A black hole nova obscured by an inner disk torus.

Stellar-mass black holes (BHs) are mostly found in x-ray transients, a subclass of x-ray binaries that exhibit violent outbursts. None of the 50 galactic BHs known show eclipses, which is surprising for a random distribution of inclinations. Swift J1357.2-093313 is a very faint x-ray transient detected in 2011. On the basis of spectroscopic evidence, we show that it contains a BH in a 2.8-hour orbital period. Further, high-time-resolution optical light curves display profound dips without x-ray counterparts. The observed properties are best explained by the presence of an obscuring toroidal structure moving outward in the inner disk, seen at very high inclination. This observational feature should play a key role in models of inner accretion flows and jet collimation mechanisms in stellar-mass BHs.

Nutritional status and cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural Ecuadorian children.

The relationship between nutritional status and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) was evaluated in 230 children living in a rural subtropical rainforest in Northwest Ecuador. One-third of the subjects had evidence of either current (13 per cent) or past CL infection (21 per cent). Subjects with current (4.71 +/- 0.44 mg) or previous disease (4.29 +/- 0.35 mg) had lower mean daily dietary iron intakes than non-infected children (5.45 +/- 0.2 mg; chi 2 = 0.048), but not energy, protein, or other micronutrients. The low dietary iron intake data was corroborated by the reduced mean haemoglobin values observed in children with current (11.7 +/- 0.3 mg/dL) or past infection (11.3 +/- 0.2 mg/dL) compared to non-infected subjects (12.7 +/- 0.15 mg/dL; F-ratio = 17.0, P < 0.0001). Mean hematocrit values were also lower in the two infected groups (37.4 +/- 0.9 per cent and 37.4 +/- 0.6 per cent v. 39.5 +/- 0.5 per cent; F-ratio = 4.23, P = 0.0175). Furthermore, they were more likely to suffer from iron-deficiency anaemia than their non-infected counterparts (chi 2 = 4.64, P = 0.03). However, the children with active disease accounted for most of the excess risk for anemia (Fisher's exact test P = 0.009; OR = 10.0, exact 95 per cent CI = 1.37-111.8). Finally, growth stunting (< -2SD height-for-age) was more common in subjects with current (54 per cent) or past infection (51 per cent) compared to those without CL history (31 per cent; chi 2 = 8.03, P = 0.004).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in subtropical Ecuador.

An epidemiologic survey (n = 466) was conducted in an area of subtropical rainforest in north-west Ecuador with the following objectives: (1) to determine the prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), (2) to identify the Leishmania species causing human disease, (3) to investigate the major clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis, (4) to study cellular and humoral immune response indicators associated with disease status and (5) to identify risk factors for CL. Fourteen percent of subjects had parasitologically confirmed CL; 33% had evidence of prior disease. However, 17.2% of subjects with a negative CL clinical history presented with a positive Montenegro skin test (MST), indicating the possibility of subclinical infection. The species isolated from subject lesions were L. guyanensis (63%), L. panamensis (33%), and L. brazilensis (4%). Mean specific anti-Leishmania IgG and IgM OD serum levels were highest in subjects diagnosed with current CL, followed by those with prior CL, and were lowest in healthy subjects, respectively (0.56 +/- 0.27 vs 0.33 +/- 0.2 vs 0.22 +/- 0.14; F-ratio = 74; P < 0.00001) and (665 +/- 270 vs 481 +/- 220 vs 301 +/- 128.5; F-ratio = 37; P < 0.00001). Likewise, subjects with present CL had measurably higher MST reactions (13 +/- 6.7 mm) than those with prior CL (10.9 +/- 7.8 mm) or healthy individuals (2.4 +/- 2.5 mm; F-ratio = 106; P < 0.00001). Serum concentrations of IgG were predicted by lesion number (t = 2.5; P = 0.018), size (t = 3.7; P = 0.0006), and duration (t = 3.5; P = 0.0013). Furthermore, the MST induration size increased as a function of lesion number (t = 3.0; P = 0.005) and size (t = 3.4; P = 0.022). Subject age and sex did not predict serum IgG or IgM concentrations or MST reactions in the 3 disease groups. Although no sex differences were found with respect to clinical characteristics, children < or = 12 years of age were almost 3 times more likely to have CL lesions or scars located on the face and head area compared to adults (OR = 2.75; 95% CI = 1.4-5.6, P = 0.004). The risk factors associated with disease included age under 5 years (AOR = 1.5; 95% CI = 0.48-2.35), male gender in adults (AOR = 2.8; 95% CI = 1.1-7.8), and wood and/or cane exterior house walls (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.4-2.5). In contrast, electric home lighting was associated with decreased risk (AOR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.4-2.3). The results suggest that it may be possible to modify a portion of the risk of CL by making changes in the housing environment which may help to reduce the amount of human-vector contact.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in subtropical Ecuador: popular perceptions, knowledge, and treatment.

Popular perceptions and knowledge about cutaneous leishmaniasis and its treatment were studied in an endemic area of subtropical Northwest Ecuador. Although most of the adults surveyed were familiar with the disease, the vector, and traditional treatments, many showed a lack of knowledge about transmission of the disease, ulcer healing, and conventional treatment. Gender was found to have a significant impact on disease risk, perceptions, and treatment knowledge. Males experienced a risk of contracting cutaneous leishmaniasis that was almost triple that of women. Men were also more likely to perceive that the disease seriously diminished the victim's capacity to work. Women, on the other hand, were more prone to perceive that cutaneous leishmaniasis was a serious disease that significantly decreased self-esteem. Although 80% of the subjects knew at least one method of treating the disease, women tended to know more methods than men. Most of 150 different therapies reported involved the use of indigenous plants, chemicals, acids, antibiotics, heat treatments, or petroleum by-products. Some of these treatments could have clinical value. However, only 7% of the subjects knew about pentavalent antimonials. Almost 70% of the subjects with a past or present infection history were treated solely by traditional methods; only 12% received a full course of Glucantime, while 7.5% got an incomplete course. The findings indicate that it will be important to consider the identified gaps in knowledge and gender perceptions regarding the disease and its treatment when planning future control programs.

PIP: In 1989-1991, a study of 466 children and adults (i.e., = or 18 years) living in 26 small agricultural villages in the remote subtropical forest of Northwest Pichincha Province on the western slope of the Andes Mountains in Ecuador examined perceptions and knowledge of cutaneous leishmaniasis and local methods used to treat it. 13% of all adult subjects had active cutaneous leishmaniasis. Men were 2.83 times more likely to have cutaneous leishmaniasis than women (p = .037), perhaps due to increased occupational exposure (i.e., agricultural work in the rain forest) and social exposure (i.e., outside during times of maximum vector activity). They were more likely to consider it to have a negative effect on the affected person's capacity to work (77.3% vs. 61.2%; p = .025). Women were more likely than men to perceive it as a severe disease (85.2% vs. 68%; p = .015) that reduced the victim's self- esteem (89.9% vs.75.7%; p = .017). 97.3% of subjects were familiar with the sandfly vector, yet less than 10% knew it was responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis. 80% of adults knew at least 1 treatment option. Women could name more treatment methods than men (1.6 vs. 1.2; p .05). The adults named more than 150 treatment options, most of which were traditional methods involving the application of topical preparations or objects to the ulcers (e.g., herbs, trees, or other plants and homemade rum, wood alcohol, iodine, menthol, methiolate, and sulfur). Just 7% were familiar with antimonial drugs. Most adults and children who had either active cutaneous leishmaniasis or a history of past infection (68%) had been treated with traditional methods. 8.5% received both traditional treatments and Glucantime. Just 12% received the full course of Glucantime therapy. 7.5% received an incomplete course of glucantime therapy. These results show that public health officials need to consider the gaps in knowledge and gender perceptions of cutaneous leishmaniasis and in its treatment when they plan control programs.

[Idiopathic childhood occipital epilepsy]. / Epilepsia occipital idiopática de la infancia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) features, as well as the outcome of children diagnosed with idiopathic childhood occipital epilepsy (COE) in our hospital. METHODS: A retrospective review of the clinical records of children diagnosed with COE in the previous 10years was carried out with description of clinical and EEG features and neuroimaging studies. The outcome of patients followed-up for at least 5 years was also reviewed. RESULTS: Ten children were studied: two with type I (Gastaut) COE, six with type II (Panayiotopoulos) COE, and two with intermediate forms of the disorder. Patients with type I COE suffered daytime seizures with visual symptoms (hallucinations and amaurosis) followed by versive motor partial complex seizures with secondary generalized seizures. Age of onset was late childhood and the seizures reappeared in adolescence when therapy was discontinued. Patients with type II COE had nocturnal seizures consisting of tonic deviation of the head and eyes, some degree of disturbance of consciousness and hypotony followed by vomiting and hemiclonic movements or generalized tonic-clonic seizures. In five children, the first presenting symptom was status epilepticus. In all patients the age of onset was between 1 and 4 years. The results of neuroimaging studies were normal. EEG records showed normal baseline activity with slow wave spikes in the occipital region that disappeared or were reduced by eye opening. CONCLUSIONS: Our clinical and EEG findings are similar to those of other published studies. Type II COE frequently presents as status epilepticus and can be confused with other neurologic emergencies. Ictal EEG is useful to clarify the diagnosis. In type II COE, ictal symptomatology may overlap with migraine with aura. Although designated benign, patients with type I COE may develop learning problems and continue to have seizures throughout childhood.

[Alice in Wonderland syndrome due to Epstein-Barr virus infection]. / Síndrome de "Alicia en el País de las Maravillas" asociado a infección por el virus de Epstein-Barr.

The Alice in Wonderland syndrome refers to distortions in body image and in the apparent sizes, shapes, and spatial relations of objects seen. The syndrome is usually associated with migraine headaches and has also been reported in several viral infections. We report a 6-year-old boy who presented to the emergency department complaining of several episodes in which the ceiling, the objects and the people around him seemed very small and far away. The child presented no alteration in the level of consciousness. The episodes provoked great fear in the child. Physical examination revealed no abnormalities except pharyngoamygdalitis. Serologic studies (IgM antibodies to viral capsid antigen) confirmed Epstein-Barr virus infection. The child's symptoms resolved spontaneously within 48 hours and he continued to be asymptomatic after a 4 -month follow-up. We consider that all children presenting a clinical picture consistent with the Alice in Wonderland syndrome should undergo serological testing for Epstein Barr virus infection. Diagnosis would enable physicians to reassure the family of the temporary and benign nature of this alarming condition.

[Enteroviral meningitis. Clinical and laboratory findings in a series of 60 children]. / Meningitis por enterovirus. Características epidemiológicas,clínicas y de laboratorio en una serie de 60 niños.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory findings in a series of children with enteroviral meningitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective descriptive study of all the children admitted to our hospital between May 1996 and September 1997 with a diagnosis of enteroviral meningitis, defined as either a positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture for enterovirus or pleocytosis in conjunction with a positive enterovirus culture at any other site (rectal or pharyngeal swabs). RESULTS: Sixty cases of enteroviral meningitis were found, all of which occurred between May and July. The median age was 6 years. Half the patients were diagnosed in the first 6 hours of illness and 20 % in the first 2 hours. The most frequent symptoms were headache (97 %) and vomiting (80 %). Fever was present in only 56 % of the patients. On physical examination 78 % presented positive meningeal signs. A total white blood cell count of more than 15,000/l was present in 28 %. CSF white cell count was over 500/l in only five patients and in four pleocytosis was absent; a predominance of polymorphonuclear cells was found in 45 %. Enterovirus was isolated 43 % of the CSF specimens. The median length of hospital stay was 2 days. Antibiotic treatment was started in 13 % of the patients and all recovered without sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: All the cases occurred in late spring. Fever was an inconstant finding. Laboratory findings were typical of viral meningitis, although the percentage of neutrophils in CSF varied widely, with more than 50 % of neutrophils in half of the patients; the absence of pleocytosis was not unusual. The enterovirus yield from the CSF specimens was higher than in previously reported in Spanish series but did not influence the management of our patients.

La leishmaniasis cutánea en la región subtropical del Ecuador: percepciones, conocimientos y tratamientos populares / Cutaneous leishmaniasis in subtropical Ecuador: popular perceptions, knowledge, and treatment

En una zona endémica de la región subtropical del coroeste del Ecuador se investigaron las creencias y conocimientos populares acerca de la leishmaniasis cutánea y su tratamiento. Aunque la mayoría de las personas adultas entrevistadas estaban familiarizadas con la enfermedad, el vector y los tratamientos tradicionales, muchas no tenían conocimientos sobre la transmisión de la enfermedad, la curación de las úlceras y el tratamiento médico convencional. Se encontro que el riesgo de contraer la enfermedad y las creencias y conocimientos sobre la misma variaban mucho según el género. Entre los varones, el riesgo de sufrir leishmaniasis cutanea fue casi el triple del observado en mujeres. Asimismo, los varones opinaron con más frecuencia que la enfermedad reducía de manera importante, la capacidad de trabajo del paciente. Por otra parte, las mujeres se mostraron más proclives a considerar a la leishmaniasis cutánea un trastorno grave capaz de menoscabar considerablemente la autoestima de quien la padece. Aunque el 80 por ciento de las personas entrevistadas conocían por lo menos uno de los métodos de tratamiento de la enfermedad, las mujeres en general conocían más métodos que los hombres. La mayoría de los 150 regímenes terapéuticos que se mencionaron se basaban en el uso de plantas autóctonas, sustancias químicas, ácidos, antibióticos, tratamientos térmicos o productos derivados del petróleo. Algunos de esos tratamientos podrían tener eficacia clínica. Sin embargo, solo el 7 por ciento de las personas entrevistadas conocían los compuestos antimoniales pentavalentes. Casi 70 por ciento de los que notificaron infección previa o activa fueron tratados únicamente con métodos tradicionales. Solo 12 por ciento recibieron el tratamiento completo con Glucantine, mientras que 7,5 por ciento recibieron un tratamiento incompleto. Los resultados indican que al planificar futuros programas de lucha contra la leishmaniasis cutánea será importante tener en cuenta aquellas áreas en las que se han detectado un deficit de conocimientos y creencias sobre la enfermedad y su tratamiento que varían según el género

Se publica en inglés en el Bull. PAHO. Vol. 28(2), 1994

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in subtropical Ecuador: popular perceptions, knowledge, and treatment

Popular perceptions and knowledge about cutaneous leishmaniasis and its treatment were studied in an endemic area of subtropical Northwest Ecuador. Although most of the adults surveyed were familiar with the disease, the vector, and traditional treatments, many showed a lack knowledge about transmission of the disease, ulcer healing, and conventional treatment. Gender was found to have a significant impact on disease risk, perceptions, and treatment knowledge. Males experienced a risk of contracting cutaneous leishmaniasis that was almost triple that of women. Men were also more likely to perceive that the disease seriously diminished the victim's capacity to work. Women, on the other hand were more prone to perceive that cutaneous leishmaniasis was a serious disease that significantly decreased self esteem. Although 80 percent of the subjects knew at least one method of treating the disease, women tended to know more methods than men. Most of 150 different therapies reported involved the use of indigenous plants, chemical, acids, antibiotics, heat treatments, or petroleum by products. Some of these treatments could have clinical value. However, only 7 percent of the subjects knew about pentavalent antimonials. Almost 70 percent of the subjects with a past or present infection history were treated solely by traditional methods; only 12 per cent received a full course of Glucantine, while 7.5 percent got an incomplete course. The findings indicate that it will be important to consider the identified gaps in knowledge and gender perceptions regarding the disease and its treatment when planning future control programms

This article will also be published in Spanish in the BOSP. Vol. 117, 1994

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in subtropical Ecuador: popular perceptions, knowledge, and treatment

Popular perceptions and knowledge about cutaneous leishmaniasis and its treatment were studied in an endemic area of subtropical Northwest Ecuador. Although most of the adults surveyed were familiar with the disease, the vector, and traditional treatments, many showed a lack knowledge about transmission of the disease, ulcer healing, and conventional treatment. Gender was found to have a significant impact on disease risk, perceptions, and treatment knowledge. Males experienced a risk of contracting cutaneous leishmaniasis that was almost triple that of women. Men were also more likely to perceive that the disease seriously diminished the victim's capacity to work. Women, on the other hand were more prone to perceive that cutaneous leishmaniasis was a serious disease that significantly decreased self esteem. Although 80 percent of the subjects knew at least one method of treating the disease, women tended to know more methods than men. Most of 150 different therapies reported involved the use of indigenous plants, chemical, acids, antibiotics, heat treatments, or petroleum by products. Some of these treatments could have clinical value. However, only 7 percent of the subjects knew about pentavalent antimonials. Almost 70 percent of the subjects with a past or present infection history were treated solely by traditional methods; only 12 per cent received a full course of Glucantine, while 7.5 percent got an incomplete course. The findings indicate that it will be important to consider the identified gaps in knowledge and gender perceptions regarding the disease and its treatment when planning future control programms

La leishmaniasis cutánea en la región subtropical del Ecuador: percepciones, conocimientos y tratamientos populares / Cutaneous leishmaniasis in subtropical Ecuador: popular perceptions, knowledge, and treatment

En una zona endémica de la región subtropical del coroeste del Ecuador se investigaron las creencias y conocimientos populares acerca de la leishmaniasis cutánea y su tratamiento. Aunque la mayoría de las personas adultas entrevistadas estaban familiarizadas con la enfermedad, el vector y los tratamientos tradicionales, muchas no tenían conocimientos sobre la transmisión de la enfermedad, la curación de las úlceras y el tratamiento médico convencional. Se encontro que el riesgo de contraer la enfermedad y las creencias y conocimientos sobre la misma variaban mucho según el género. Entre los varones, el riesgo de sufrir leishmaniasis cutanea fue casi el triple del observado en mujeres. Asimismo, los varones opinaron con más frecuencia que la enfermedad reducía de manera importante, la capacidad de trabajo del paciente. Por otra parte, las mujeres se mostraron más proclives a considerar a la leishmaniasis cutánea un trastorno grave capaz de menoscabar considerablemente la autoestima de quien la padece. Aunque el 80 por ciento de las personas entrevistadas conocían por lo menos uno de los métodos de tratamiento de la enfermedad, las mujeres en general conocían más métodos que los hombres. La mayoría de los 150 regímenes terapéuticos que se mencionaron se basaban en el uso de plantas autóctonas, sustancias químicas, ácidos, antibióticos, tratamientos térmicos o productos derivados del petróleo. Algunos de esos tratamientos podrían tener eficacia clínica. Sin embargo, solo el 7 por ciento de las personas entrevistadas conocían los compuestos antimoniales pentavalentes. Casi 70 por ciento de los que notificaron infección previa o activa fueron tratados únicamente con métodos tradicionales. Solo 12 por ciento recibieron el tratamiento completo con Glucantine, mientras que 7,5 por ciento recibieron un tratamiento incompleto. Los resultados indican que al planificar futuros programas de lucha contra la leishmaniasis cutánea será importante tener en cuenta aquellas áreas en las que se han detectado un deficit de conocimientos y creencias sobre la enfermedad y su tratamiento que varían según el género