AACVD system and protocol to fabricate CuO and Co3O4 nanostructured coatings for application as selective absorbent materials.

In the present work, an aerosol-assisted CVD (AACVD) system is described, together with a representative example of the synthesis of nanostructured coatings, which is an attractive alternative to being implemented at the industrial level. The semi-automated AACVD system synthesizes thin films or coatings of nanostructured materials, mainly metal oxides, and noble metals. Its main components, as well as its operation, are presented here. This simple AACVD method makes it possible to produce the coatings at relatively low temperatures and in a single step. Finally, the synthesis of CuO and Co3O4 nanostructured coatings deposited on stainless steel substrates is reported, which are excellent candidates for use as selective absorbent materials. The CuO and Co3O4 coatings present high quality and purity; no further thermal treatments are required to obtain the pure and crystalline phases. The main highlights of the proposed method are as follows: a)An AACVD System for depositing thin films and coatings designed and entirely fabricated at the Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados, S.C.b)A low temperature (350 °C) synthesis protocol to obtain CuO and Co3O4 nanostructured coatings on stainless steel substrates.c)The CuO and Co3O4 coatings presented the optimum characteristics to be considered selective absorbent materials.

Percepción de la ansiedad y de las dificultades de aprendizaje según los criterios de la familia y de los profesores de niños con Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad / Perception of anxiety and learning difficulties according to the criteria of the family and eachers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Resumen Tanto el Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad (TDAH) como la ansiedad son dos de los trastornos que más se evidencian en la población infanto-juvenil existiendo una correlación entre ambos tal y como se recoge en numerosos estudios. La combinación de ambos trastornos afecta a los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje del niño provocando dificultades de aprendizaje (DA) en el mismo. Los objetivos del presente trabajo se basaron en valorar los criterios que evidencian padres y profesores en niños con TDAH para caracterizar el grado de adecuación de la percepción y evaluar si esta se ajusta a la realidad o es insuficiente, si existen diferencias en dicha percepción entre padres y docentes; analizar la conciencia que tienen sobre las posibles DA que puedan presentar, para así aportar orientaciones adecuadas que permitan una favorable inter vención y evolución. La muestra se compone de 137 sujetos con edades comprendidas entre 9 y 15 años con un Coeficiente Intelectual Total (CIT) de entre 80 y 120. Los instrumentos que se utilizaron fueron: la escala de inteligencia de Wechsler para niños-V (WISC-V), el Cuestionario de Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo en Niños(STAI-C), el Sistema de Evaluación de Niños y Adolescentes(SENA) y el Inventario de Problemas en la Escuela (IPE). Como resultado se observa que la ansiedad percibida por estos niños no está relacionada con la que aprecian padres y profesores, sin embargo, estos últimos sí que coinciden en su apreciación.

Abstract Both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and anxiety are two of the disorders that are most evident in the infant-juvenile population and there is a correlation between the two, as shown in numerous studies. The combination of both disorders affects the child's teaching-learning processes, causing learning difficulties (LD). The aims of the present study were based on assessing the criteria evidenced by parents and teachers in children with ADHD to characterize the degree of adequacy of perception and to evaluate whether this is in line with real ity or insufficient, whether there are differences in this perception between parents and teachers, and to analyze their awareness of the possible AD they may present, in order to provide appropriate guidelines for favourable intervention and evolution. The sample consisted of 137 subjects aged between 9 and 15 years with a Total IQ (TIQ) between 80 and 120. The instruments used were: the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-V (WISC-V), the State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire for Children (STAI-C), the Child and Adolescent Assessment System (SENA) and the Inventory of Problems at School (IPE). As a result, it is observed that the anxiety perceived by these children is not related to the anxiety perceived by parents and teachers, although the latter do coincide in their assessment.

[Perception of anxiety and learning difficulties according to the criteria of the family and teachers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder]. / Percepción de la ansiedad y de las dificultades de aprendizaje según los criterios de la familia y de los profesores de niños con trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad.

Both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and anxiety are two of the disorders that are most evident in the infant-juvenile population and there is a correlation between the two, as shown in numerous studies. The combination of both disorders affects the child's teaching-learning processes, causing learning difficulties (LD). The aims of the present study were based on assessing the criteria evidenced by parents and teachers in children with ADHD to characterize the degree of adequacy of perception and to evaluate whether this is in line with reality or insufficient, whether there are differences in this perception between parents and teachers, and to analyze their awareness of the possible AD they may present, in order to provide appropriate guidelines for favourable intervention and evolution. The sample consisted of 137 subjects aged between 9 and 15 years with a Total IQ (TIQ) between 80 and 120. The instruments used were: the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-V (WISCV), the State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire for Children (STAI-C), the Child and Adolescent Assessment System (SENA) and the Inventory of Problems at School (IPE). As a result, it is observed that the anxiety perceived by these children is not related to the anxiety perceived by parents and teachers, although the latter do coincide in their assessment.

Tanto el Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad (TDAH) como la ansiedad son dos de los trastornos que más se evidencian en la población infanto-juvenil existiendo una correlación entre ambos tal y como se recoge en numerosos estudios. La combinación de ambos trastornos afecta a los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje del niño provocando dificultades de aprendizaje (DA) en el mismo. Los objetivos del presente trabajo se basaron en valorar los criterios que evidencian padres y profesores en niños con TDAH para caracterizar el grado de adecuación de la percepción y evaluar si esta se ajusta a la realidad o es insuficiente, si existen diferencias en dicha percepción entre padres y docentes; analizar la conciencia que tienen sobre las posibles DA que puedan presentar, para así aportar orientaciones adecuadas que permitan una favorable intervención y evolución. La muestra se compone de 137 sujetos con edades comprendidas entre 9 y 15 años con un Coeficiente Intelectual Total (CIT) de entre 80 y 120. Los instrumentos que se utilizaron fueron: la escala de inteligencia de Wechsler para niños-V (WISC-V), el Cuestionario de Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo en Niños(STAI-C), el Sistema de Evaluación de Niños y Adolescentes(SENA) y el Inventario de Problemas en la Escuela (IPE). Como resultado se observa que la ansiedad percibida por estos niños no está relacionada con la que aprecian padres y profesores, sin embargo, estos últimos sí que coinciden en su apreciación.

Aerosol-assisted CVD method for the synthesis of solid particles of t-YSZ-Fe3O4.

This work details the production of solid composite particles by the aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. With this method it is feasible to produce at low temperature (450 °C) the tetragonal phase of zirconium oxide stabilizing it with yttrium oxide (YSZ) and cubic iron oxide (Fe3O4) at the same time. The particles have a solid morphology in which both metal oxides coexist without mixing. The average size of the obtained particles is 329 ± 81 nm, moreover, each particle is formed by thousands of crystallites of size 2 ± 0.5 nm. The formation of solid structures is due to the amount of Zr and Y found in each particle. These particles can be applied as reinforcements of metallic structures. •A simple and low-cost method for producing composite particles to be applied as reinforcing agents for metal structures.•The particles are formed by two phases of tetragonal yttria-stabilized zirconia (t-YSZ) and cubic Fe3O4, which was synthesized following a one-step process via the aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition method (AACVD).•The tetragonal phase of ZrO2 is obtained at 450 °C stabilizing it with ∼3.8% of yttrium oxide.

Accelerating space radiation countermeasure development through drug repurposing.

The discovery of safe and effective radiation countermeasures (MCM) for long-duration spaceflight is challenging due to the complexity of the space radiation biology and high safety requirements. There are few if any clinically-validated molecular targets for this use case, and preclinical models have several known limitations. These challenges make the evaluation of existing FDA-approved drugs for this indication, or drug repurposing, an attractive strategy to accelerate space radiation countermeasure development. Drug repurposing offers several advantages over de novo drug discovery including established manufacturing methods, human clinical safety data, and well-understood dosing and pharmacokinetic considerations. There are limitations working with a fixed set of possible candidate compounds, but some properties of repurposed drugs can be tailored for well-defined new indications through reformulation and development of drug combinations. Drug repurposing is thus an attractive strategy for mitigating the high risks and costs of drug development and delivering new countermeasures to protect human from space radiation in long-term missions.

On the Discoloration of Methylene Blue by Visible Light.

The discoloration of methylene blue in aqueous solution was studied under illumination by a fluorescent lamp, LEDs of red, green, and blue light, and a UV-A black light bulb. Overall results showed that methylene blue was discolored with and without the presence of any photoactive semiconductor. Outcomes depended on the combination substrate-light source employed. Photosensitization was assumed as the discoloration mechanism followed upon visible light irradiation. Fluorescence spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography were used to investigate the possible intermediates formed in the irradiated solutions. The detailed nature of formed species was not stablished, but it was proved that the dye molecule photo-bleached and partially defragmented in several intermediates including leuco dyes, demethylated phenothiazine dyes, and probably humic substances. Since the fluorescence intermediates found were similar for most of the irradiated solutions, it was assumed that comparable reactive species were responsible for the discoloration of the molecule in solution. Results proved the misconception of discoloration experiments found in the literature when employing visible light near the absorption region of the dye.

The association between subclinical mastitis around calving and reproductive performance in grazing dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of subclinical mastitis (SCM) on calving-to-first-service interval (CFS), calving-to-conception interval (CC), and on the number of services per conception (S/C) in grazing Holstein and Normande cows. Primiparous (n=43) and multiparous (n=165) cows were selected from five dairy herds. Two composite milk samples were aseptically collected from each cow at drying-off, and then every week during the first postpartum month. One sample was used for somatic cell count (SCC), and the other one for bacteriological analysis. Cows were followed up to 300 d after calving. Non-parametric and parametric survival models, and negative binomial regression were used to assess the association between SCM, evaluated by SCC and milk culture, and reproductive indices. Staphylococcus aureus, CNS, and Streptococcus uberis were the most frequent isolated pathogens. Subclinical mastitis in the first month of lactation was not associated with CFS; however, the CC interval was longer in cows with SCM compared to healthy cows, the former also had a higher number of S/C.

Balanitis xerótica obliterante en el adulto: A propósito de un caso / Balanitis xerotica obliterans: A case report in an adult

El liquen escleroso y atrófico (LE y A) del pene, también conocido como balanitis xerótica obliterante (BXO), es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica del pene que puede ocurrir a cualquier edad. La inflamación conduce a la formación de placas hipocrómicas, más comúnmente en el prepucio o en el glande. En general puede causar fimosis, prurito, dolor por las fisuras, disuria, restricción de la micción, dispareunia y disfunción sexual significativa. Comunicamos un caso de BXO asociado a vitiligo en un paciente de 78 años, quien consultó por dispareunia. Fue derivado a Urología para resolución quirúrgica, donde se realizó una postectomía, cuyo estudio era compatible con una BXO. Muchos hallazgos obtenidos en los últimos años apuntan cada vez más, hacia un origen autoinmune de esta enfermedad. El uso de corticoides tópicos de alta potencia es todavía la mejor terapéutica, siendo la cirugía un buen tratamiento en casos muy severos, con fimosis importante o aquellos que no responden al uso de corticoides o inhibidores de la calcineurina, como el tacrolimus o pimecrolimus.

Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (ALE) of the penis, also known as balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the penis that can occur at any age. The inflammation leads to the formation of hypochromic plaques, most commonly in the foreskin or on the glans. BXO can cause phimosis, pruritus, pain, dysuria, urinary restriction, dyspareunia, and significant sexual dysfunction. We present a case of BXO associated to vitiligo in a 78 years old patient, who consulted for dyspareunia. It was referred to urologist for surgical resolution, where circumcision was performed with biopsy compatible with BXO. In recent years studies have found that it could exists, an autoimmune ethiopathogenic factor of the disease. The topical use of high power corticosteroids is still the first choice and surgery remains a good treatment in severe cases (ex. phimosis) or those who do not respond to steroids.

Estudio transversal de fiabilidad y concordancia de un nuevo dispositivo para la evaluación de torsión y tolerancia a la fatiga en flexo extensores cervicales de voluntarios sedentarios asintomáticos / A cross-sectional study of reliability and agreement of a new device for the evaluation of cervical flexor-extensor muscles torque and endurance in sedentary life asymptomatic volunteers

Objetivo: Determinar la fiabilidad y concordancia de un método para evaluar la torsión isométrica máxima voluntaria (TIMV) y tolerancia a la fatiga muscular local (TFML) en musculatura flexo-extensora cervical de voluntarios sedentarios asintomáticos. Material y método: Para este estudio observacional de corte transversal, 42 sujetos (15 mujeres y 27 hombres), asintomáticos, sedentarios y sin historial de patologías cervicales fueron examinados mediante el sistema de evaluación muscular dinamométrico cervical, se registró TIMV (Newton-metros, Nm) con tres mediciones para cada grupo muscular (n = 42) y al menos 24 horas después, se midió TFML (segundos) al 60 ± 2,5% del TIMV con dos mediciones para flexores y extensores cervicales (n = 40). Después de una semana, se realizó un retest (n = 13) para TIMV y TFML. Resultados: La medición general de fiabilidad y concordancia para TIMV tuvo coeficiente de correlación intraclase) > 0,89, coeficiente de variación < 11% y error estándar de medición < 1 Nm en ambos grupos musculares. La medición de TFML en flexores obtuvo coeficiente de correlación intraclase > 0,80, coeficiente de variación = 20% y error estándar de medición < 10 segundos; mientras que para extensores los resultados fueron coeficiente de correlación intraclase < 0,50, coeficiente de variación = 30% y error estándar de medición > 20 seg. Conclusiones: En ambos grupos musculares cervicales, el método y dispositivo propuesto para la evaluación de TIMV es fiable y concordante; por su parte, el género es un factor significativo de dispersión en la medición de TFML

Objective: To determine the reliability and agreement of a method to evaluate maximum voluntary isometric torque (MVIT) and muscle fatigue local tolerance (MFLT) measurement in the cervical flexor-extensor muscles of sedentary life style asymptomatic volunteers. Material and method: For this observational cross-sectional study, 42 subjects (15 women and 27 men), who were asymptomatic, with sedentary life style, and with no background of cervical pathology were assessed with the cervical muscle testing dynamometer system. The MVIT (Newton-meters; Nm) was recorded with three measurements for each muscle group (n = 42). Twenty-four hours later, MFLT (seconds) was measured twice at 60 ± 2.5% of MVIT with two measurements for the cervical flexor and extensor (n = 40). After one week, a MVIT and MFLT retest was performed (n = 13). Results: The general measurement of reliability and agreement for the MVIT show a intra-class correlation coefficient > 0.89, coefficient of variation <11% and standard error of measurement < 1Nm in both muscle groups. The measurement of MFLT flexor provided intra-class correlation coefficient > 0.80, coefficient of variation = 20% and standard error of measurement < 10 seconds; while the results for the extensors were intra-class correlation coefficient < 0.50, coefficient of variation = 30% and standard error of measurement > 20 sec. Conclusions: In both cervical muscle groups, the proposed method and device are reliable and concordant for MVIT evaluation. On its part, gender is a significant scatter factor in MFLT testing

Auditorías clínicas del procedimiento de la artroplastia total de cadera y su impacto en la mejora de la calidad asistencial / Clinical audits of the procedure of the total hip arthroplasty and its impact on the improvement of the quality care

Introducción. Las auditorías clínicas son el análisis crítico y sistemático de la calidad de la asistencia médica. La artroplastia total de cadera (ATC) primaria es un proceso habitual y coste-efectivo, aunque se dispone de poca información sobre la calidad asistencial de ella. Objetivo. Evaluar el impacto de un ciclo de auditorías clínicas en la calidad asistencial en el procedimiento de la ATC primaria por enfermedad no traumática. Pacientes y métodos. Se realizó un ciclo de 2 auditorías (primera auditoría en el 2005 y segunda auditoría en el 2007). Se incluyó a pacientes de ambos sexos con ATC primaria por enfermedad no traumática y un seguimiento de 6 meses. Se adoptaron como indicadores de gestión: el tiempo (días) de estancia ingresado en el hospital y el índice (porcentaje) de reingresos, y como indicadores de la práctica clínica: el índice (porcentaje) de luxación y el índice (porcentaje) de infección. Se compararon estos índices entre ambas auditorías. Resultados. Se estudió a un total de 160 pacientes: 79 y 81, primera y segunda auditoría, respectivamente. Indicadores de gestión: la mediana (rango) de los días de ingreso fue 8 (7-78) y 7 (6-16), p<0,001; el porcentaje de reingresos, el 5% (4/79) y 0 (0/81), p=0,057. Indicadores de la práctica clínica: el porcentaje de luxación fue el 8% (6/79) y 0 (0/81), p=0,013; y el porcentaje de infección el 1% (1/79) y el 1% (1/81), p=1. En un análisis multivariante no se encontraron otros factores relacionados con estos indicadores. Conclusiones. La implementación de un ciclo de auditorías clínicas ha mejorado la calidad asistencial del procedimiento de ATC primaria por enfermedad no traumática(AU)

Background. Clinical audits are critical and systematic quality analysis of medical care. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a routine practice and cost-effective, although there is little information on the quality of care of it. Objective. To evaluate the impact of a clinical audit cycle in the quality of care in the primary THA procedures for non-traumatic cause. Patients and methods. A series of two audits (first audit in 2005 and second one in 2007) were performed. Patients of both sexes with non-traumatic primary THA and with a follow-up of 6 months were included. Time (days) in hospital stay and the rate (percentage) of readmissions were used as indicators of management; and as indicators of clinical practice: the index (percentage) of dislocation and the rate (percentage) of infection. Both audits were compared with respect to these indicators. Results. A total of 160 patients (79 and 81, first and second audit respectively) were analysed. Management indicators: median (range) of hospital stay was 8 (7-78) and 7 (6-16), p<0.001, and the percentage of readmissions 5% (4/79) and 0 (0/81), p=0.057. Indicators of clinical practice: the rate of dislocation was 8% (6/79) and 0 (0/81), p=0.013, and the rate of infection 1% (1/79) and 1% (1/81), p=1. A multivariate analysis did not find other factors related to these indicators. Conclusions. The implementation of a clinical audit cycle has improved the quality of care of primary THA procedures for non-traumatic cause(AU)

[Clinical audits of the procedure of the total hip arthroplasty and its impact on the improvement of the quality care]. / Auditorías clínicas del procedimiento de la artroplastia total de cadera y su impacto en la mejora de la calidad asistencial.

BACKGROUND: Clinical audits are critical and systematic quality analysis of medical care. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a routine practice and cost-effective, although there is little information on the quality of care of it. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a clinical audit cycle in the quality of care in the primary THA procedures for non-traumatic cause. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of two audits (first audit in 2005 and second one in 2007) were performed. Patients of both sexes with non-traumatic primary THA and with a follow-up of 6 months were included. Time (days) in hospital stay and the rate (percentage) of readmissions were used as indicators of management; and as indicators of clinical practice: the index (percentage) of dislocation and the rate (percentage) of infection. Both audits were compared with respect to these indicators. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients (79 and 81, first and second audit respectively) were analysed. Management indicators: median (range) of hospital stay was 8 (7-78) and 7 (6-16), p<0.001, and the percentage of readmissions 5% (4/79) and 0 (0/81), p=0.057. Indicators of clinical practice: the rate of dislocation was 8% (6/79) and 0 (0/81), p=0.013, and the rate of infection 1% (1/79) and 1% (1/81), p=1. A multivariate analysis did not find other factors related to these indicators. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a clinical audit cycle has improved the quality of care of primary THA procedures for non-traumatic cause.

Simplified route to multi-walled carbon nanotube synthesis by aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition.

Uniform multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were obtained decomposing toluene inside of fused silica tubing previously covered with Co oxide thin film. The two-step process, ruled successively in the same aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) set up, constitutes a simplified route to the synthesis of MWCNTs. First, Co oxide thin film was deposited inside of fused silica tubing at 723 K, using a precursor solution of Co acetate in absolute methanol. After Co oxide deposition, the covered tubing was heated up to 1173 K under Ar flow, then a mist of toluene was injected inside the tubing, using also Ar as carrier gas, consequently MWCNTs were obtained in the internal wall of the tubing. The Co oxide film and the MWCNTs were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Uniform and very long MWCNTs (several tens of microm) with diameters around 20 to 100 nm were observed, with the advantage that the content of Co particles inside the nanotube was very low.

TEM evidence of ultrastructural alteration on Pseudomonas aeruginosa by photocatalytic TiO2 thin films.

The antibacterial efficiency of longwave UV-irradiated TiO(2) thin films as well as the ultrastructural damage on bacterial cells was evaluated using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model. The quantitative antibacterial efficiency assays showed a bacterial inhibition in the range of 32-72% at different times of irradiation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to detect the effect of irradiation of TiO(2) thin films on the ultrastructure of the bacterial cell in order to reveal possible cellular damage. After 40 min irradiation, an abnormal cellular division was observed: instead of a normal septum, an 'elongated bridge' was formed. At a longer irradiation time, wavy structures all around the outer cell membrane were observed, and also some bubble-like protuberances, which expelled inner material. The mechanism of irreversible bacterial cell damage caused by the photocatalytic effect of TiO(2) could be related to abnormal cell division, aside from the reported physicochemical alteration of the cell membrane.

Photoinduced bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa by TiO(2) based thin films.

The photoinduced bactericidal capacity of TiO(2) based films was evaluated, using as model organism Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thin films were obtained by spray pyrolysis; they included undoped, Cu doped, and Al doped TiO(2). Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the final effect of the irradiated films upon the bacteria. Depending on the composition and characteristics of the films, quantitative experiments show that bacterial inhibition varies between 28 and 96%. The order of magnitude of the average quantum yield of the films was determined between 10(-9) and 10(-11) inhibited bacterial per photon.

Occurrence and characterization of oils rich in gamma-linolenic acid (III): the taxonomical value of the fatty acids in Echium (Boraginaceae).

Fourteen species of the genus Echium (Fam. Boraginaceae) collected in the Macaronesia were surveyed in a search for high levels of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3omega6) in the seed oil. High amounts of this fatty acid were found in all of them, ranging from 18.85% (E. pitardii var. pitardii) to 27.42% (E. gentianoides) on total seed fatty acids. The GLA content related to total seed weight was also significant, ranging from 1.26% (E. handiense) to 8.22% (E. gentianoides). In addition, considerable amounts of stearidonic acid (SA, 18:4omega3) were detected, ranging from 3.78% (E. bonnetii var. bonnetii) to 8.81% (E. pininana) on total fatty acids. Besides all the perennial species, the four herbaceous Echium taxa endemic to the Macaronesia also showed high GLA percentages. This is in contrast to the low GLA level found in continental Echium species, all of them bearing an herbaceous habit. These results are in good agreement with the available genetic data and show the ability of GLA to discriminate between Macaronesian and continental Echium species. The analysis of five other Macaronesian species belonging to plant families rich in GLA are also reported.

Occurrence and characterization of oils rich in gamma-linolenic acid part II: fatty acids and squalene from Macaronesian Echium leaves.

Leaves from 25 Macaronesian Echium (Boraginaceae) species have been surveyed for hydrocarbon compounds. These plants were previously reported as the major source of gamma-linolenic acid so far found in nature. In addition, six European Echium species and the common Borago officinalis have been analysed for comparative purposes. High squalene amounts were found in all Echium plants from the Macaronesia, ranging from 3.73%, in E. simplex to 20.1% in E. fastousum. Squalene was almost absent from all European Echium species, and the same is true for B. officinalis. The relatively high oil content (2.27%) in leaves of E. fastuosum raises the total squalene amount to about 0.46% within this tissue. The main fatty acid component in the leaf was alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3omega3), ranging in the Macaronesian Echium from 9.32% in E. acanthocarpum to 54.45% in E. simplex. Possible utilisation of these plants as a commercial source of squalene and hypotheses about its physiological role in the plant are discussed.

Occurrence and characterization of oils rich in gamma-linolenic acid Part I: Echium seeds from Macaronesia.

Nineteen species of the genus Echium (Fam. Boraginaceae) collected in Macaronesia were surveyed in a search for new sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3omega6). High amounts of this acid were found in all of them, ranging from 9.15% (E. plantagineum) to 26.31% (E. callithyrsum) of total seed fatty acids. The amounts of GLA related to total seed weight were also significant, ranging from 1.77% (E. sventenii) to 5.02% (E. nervosum). In addition, considerable amounts of stearidonic acid (SA, 18:4omega3) were detected, ranging from 3.03% (E. auberianum) to 12.94% (E. plantagineum) of total fatty acids. These data allow us to consider tile members of the genus Echium from Macaronesia as one of the richest sources of gamma-linolenic acid found so far in nature. The results obtained from multivariable data analysis and the taxonomic relationships among the species is discussed.

Association of primary Pneumocystis carinii infection and sudden infant death syndrome.

To delineate clinical and histological features of the first Pneumocystis carinii infection affecting the immunocompetent host, P. carinii-specific histological stains were performed on autopsy lung specimens from 534 consecutive pediatric patients (those with AIDS and malignancies were excluded) in Santiago, Chile. P. carinii clusters were found in 4 (25%) of 16 infants who died of no apparent cause at arrival to the emergency department, and in 10 (2.9%) of 342 infants who died of multiple conditions at the hospital (P=.002, Fisher's exact test). This prompted us to analyze additional series of infants with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In 161 additional SIDS cases, 47 (35.1%) of 134 infants from Chile and 4 (14.8%) of 27 infants from Oxford, United Kingdom, were found to have P. carinii clusters in the lungs. The quantity of P. carinii cysts was small compared with the numbers seen in immunocompromised hosts with P. carinii pneumonitis. This study provides histological evidence that primary P. carinii infection is associated with SIDS.

Ciclosporosis: informe de un caso clínico en Concepción, Chile / Cyclosporosis: report of a case in Concepción, Chile

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a newly recognized parasite widely distributed throughout the world, and isolated from children, immunocompetent adults and HIV infected individuals. The clinical manifestations of the infection are watery prolonged diarrhea, anorexia, fatigue, nausea, bloating and weight loss. In immunocompetent individuals, diarrhea is usually self limited but may last several weeks. In immunocompromised hosts it is prolonged, severe and can be associated with biliary tract involvement. We report a 50 years old female that, five days after returning from Cuba, presented with low grade fever, anorexia, fatigue, explosive diarrhea and weight loss. Physical examination was normal. A stool specimen contained many organisms with morphological features of Cyclospora caetanensis. The diagnosis was confirmed at the Centers for Disease Control (Atlanta Ga)

[Acute epiglottitis]. / Epiglotitis aguda.

Acute epiglottitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) is seldom described in Chile. To reinforce the need to take this severe entity into account in the differential diagnosis of acute upper respiratory tract obstructions, the case of a 9 month old girl is described, who's symptoms were initially attributed to acute laryngitis, but showed not response to racemic epinephrine and betamethasone therapy. The correct diagnosis of acute epiglottitis was suggested five hours after admission by lateral neck's radiographs and confirmed by direct laryngoscopic examination under general anesthesia. Appropriate treatment was soon instituted including tracheal intubation respiratory support and antibiotics. An uneventful clinical course proceeded from then on. Hemophilus influenzae B was isolated from blood cultures.