Ammonia impact on the selection of a phototrophic - chemotrophic consortium for polyhydroxyalkanoates production under light-feast / dark-aerated-famine conditions.

Phototrophic polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production is an emerging technology for recovering carbon and nutrients from diverse wastewater streams. However, reliable selection methods for the enrichment of PHA accumulating purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB) in phototrophic mixed cultures (PMC) are needed. This research evaluates the impact of ammonia on the selection of a PHA accumulating phototrophic-chemotrophic consortium, towards the enrichment of PHA accumulating PPB. The culture was operated under light-feast/dark-aerated-famine and winter simulated-outdoor conditions (13.2 ± 0.9 °C, transient light, 143.5 W/m2), using real fermented domestic wastewater with molasses as feedstock. Three ammonia supply strategies were assessed: 1) ammonia available only in the light phase, 2) ammonia always present and 3) ammonia available only during the dark-aerated-famine phase. Results showed that the PMC selected under 1) ammonia only in the light and 3) dark-famine ammonia conditions, presented the lowest PHA accumulation capacity during the light period (11.1 % g PHA/g VSS and 10.4 % g PHA/g VSS, respectively). In case 1), the absence of ammonia during the dark-aerated-famine phase did not promote the selection of PHA storing PPB, whereas in case 3) the absence of ammonia during the light period favoured cyanobacteria growth as well as purple sulphur bacteria with increased non-PHA inclusions, resulting in an overall decrease of phototrophic PHA accumulation capacity. The best PHA accumulation performance was obtained with selection under permanent presence of ammonia (case 2), which attained a PHA content of 21.6 % g PHA/g VSS (10.2 Cmmol PHA/L), at a production rate of 0.57 g PHA/L·day, during the light period in the selection reactor. Results in case 2 also showed that feedstock composition impacts the PMC performance, with feedstocks richer in more reduced volatile fatty acids (butyric and valeric acids) decreasing phototrophic performance and leading to acids entering the dark-aerated phase. Nevertheless, the presence of organic carbon in the aerated phase was not detrimental to the system. In fact, it led to the establishment of a phototrophic-chemotrophic consortium that could photosynthetically accumulate a PHA content of 13.2 % g PHA/g VSS (6.7 Cmmol PHA/L) at a production rate of 0.20 g PHA/L·day in the light phase, and was able to further increase that storage up to 18.5 % g PHA/g VSS (11.0 Cmmol PHA/L) at a production rate of 1.35 g PHA/L·day in the dark-aerated period. Furthermore, the light-feast/dark-aerated-famine operation was able to maintain the performance of the selection reactor under winter conditions, unlike non-aerated PMC systems operated under summer conditions, suggesting that night-time aeration coupled with the constant presence of ammonia can contribute to overcoming the seasonal constraints of outdoor operation of PMCs for PHA production.

Histopathological changes in the liver and stomach of Didelphis virginiana (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) during natural infection with Gnathostoma turgidum (Nematoda: Gnathostomidae).

Gnathostoma turgidum is a nematode parasite that exploits the stomach of Virginian opossums, Didelphis virginiana, in Latin America. The opossum is the definitive host of G. turgidum in the wild. Intrahepatic growth and maturation of the parasite, subsequent migration to the stomach and spontaneous expulsion are common. However, the histopathological lesions caused by G. turgidum are poorly described. A better understanding of the life cycle of this parasite and the pathological changes in natural host-parasite interactions could help to clarify the progression of human infections caused by Gnathostoma binucleatum. The aim of this work was to study morphological changes in the liver and stomach of D. virginiana during natural infection and adult worm expulsion. Three opossums naturally infected with G. turgidum were captured from an endemic area of gnathostomosis. Three uninfected opossums captured from a non-endemic area were used as controls. The opossums were sacrificed at different stages of infection (March, May and December), and a histopathological study of their livers and stomachs was conducted. Injuries in livers were observed by histopathology - areas of necrosis and collagen septa were identified. Parasites caused nodules with necrosis on the periphery of lesions, and collagen fibres were also observed in stomachs. Collagen septa may be caused by antigenic remains of the parasite. Further immunological studies are necessary to verify that stimulation is caused by these factors.

Ultrasonic assessment of textural changes in vacuum packaged sliced Iberian ham induced by high pressure treatment or cold storage.

Ultrasonic measurements were used to characterize the effect of high pressure treatment (HPT) (600 MPa/6 min) or cold storage (6°C/120 days) on the textural properties of vacuum packaged dry-cured ham. The ultrasonic velocity, textural properties and fat content were determined in the ham packages. The ultrasonic velocity was related to the ham hardness, which depends on the sample composition. HPT induced molecular alterations which resulted in an average increase in the hardness of lean tissue of 0.2N and one of 0.3N in that of fatty tissue. These textural changes give rise to a velocity increase (8m/s for lean and 17 m/s for fatty tissue). The cold storage of the Iberian ham also led to an increase in hardness (average 1.10 N) and ultrasonic velocity (average 70 m/s). Therefore, the non-destructive ultrasonic technique could be a reliable method with which to assess the textural changes induced by HPT or cold storage on packaged dry-cured ham.

Integration of disease-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms, expression quantitative trait loci and coexpression networks reveal novel candidate genes for type 2 diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: While genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have been successful in identifying novel variants associated with various diseases, it has been much more difficult to determine the biological mechanisms underlying these associations. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) provide another dimension to these data by associating single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with gene expression. We hypothesised that integrating SNPs known to be associated with type 2 diabetes with eQTLs and coexpression networks would enable the discovery of novel candidate genes for type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We selected 32 SNPs associated with type 2 diabetes in two or more independent GWASs. We used previously described eQTLs mapped from genotype and gene expression data collected from 1,008 morbidly obese patients to find genes with expression associated with these SNPs. We linked these genes to coexpression modules, and ranked the other genes in these modules using an inverse sum score. RESULTS: We found 62 genes with expression associated with type 2 diabetes SNPs. We validated our method by linking highly ranked genes in the coexpression modules back to SNPs through a combined eQTL dataset. We showed that the eQTLs highlighted by this method are significantly enriched for association with type 2 diabetes in data from the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC, p = 0.026) and the Gene Environment Association Studies (GENEVA, p = 0.042), validating our approach. Many of the highly ranked genes are also involved in the regulation or metabolism of insulin, glucose or lipids. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: We have devised a novel method, involving the integration of datasets of different modalities, to discover novel candidate genes for type 2 diabetes.

Variation in sclerophylly among Iberian populations of Quercus coccifera L. is associated with genetic differentiation across contrasting environments.

Evergreen oaks are an emblematic element of the Mediterranean vegetation and have a leaf phenotype that seems to have remained unchanged since the Miocene. We hypothesise that variation of the sclerophyll phenotype among Iberian populations of Quercus coccifera is partly due to an ulterior process of ecotypic differentiation. We analysed the genetic structure of nine Iberian populations using ISSR fingerprints, and their leaf phenotypes using mean and intracanopy plasticity values of eight morphological (leaf angle, area, spinescence, lobation and specific area) and biochemical traits (VAZ pool, chlorophyll and beta-carotene content). Climate and soil were also characterised at the population sites. Significant genetic and phenotypic differences were found among populations and between NE Iberia and the rest of the populations of the peninsula. Mean phenotypes showed a strong and independent correlation with both genetic and geographic distances. Northeastern plants were smaller, less plastic, with smaller, spinier and thicker leaves, a phenotype consistent with the stressful conditions that prevailed in the steppe environments of the refugia within this geographic area during glaciations. These genetic, phenotypic, geographic and environmental patterns are consistent with previously reported palaeoecological and common evidence. Such consistency leads us to conclude that there has been a Quaternary divergence within the sclerophyllous syndrome that was at least partially driven by ecological factors.

The DUX4 gene at the FSHD1A locus encodes a pro-apoptotic protein.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) patients carry contractions of the D4Z4-tandem repeat array on chromosome 4q35. Decrease in D4Z4 copy number is thought to alter a chromatin structure and activate expression of neighboring genes. D4Z4 contains a putative double-homeobox gene called DUX4. We identified DUX4 mRNAs in cells transfected with genomic fragments containing the DUX4 gene. Using RT-PCR we also recognized expressed DUX4 mRNAs in primary FSHD myoblasts. Polyclonal antibodies raised against specific DUX4 peptides detected the DUX4 protein in cells transfected with D4Z4 elements. DUX4 localizes in the nucleus of cells transfected with CMV-DUX4 expression vectors. A DUX4-related protein is endogenously expressed in nuclei of adult and fetal human rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines. Overexpression of DUX4 induces cell death, induces caspase 3/7 activity and alters emerin distribution at the nuclear envelope. We propose that DUX4-mediated cell death contributes to the pathogenic pathway in FSHD.

First Report of Leek yellow stripe virus in Garlic in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) can be affected by a virus complex (1) consisting of two potyviruses, Onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV) and Leek yellow stripe virus (LYSV), and two carlaviruses, Garlic common latent virus (GCLV) and Shallot latent virus (SLV) (1). To identify the components of the virus complex that could be present in garlic plants in Guanajuato State, which is the second largest garlic producer in the country and where presumptive viral symptoms were initially observed in December 2004, a survey was carried out in six locations: San Miguel de Allende and San Luis de la Paz in northern Guanajuato; Irapuato and Villagrán in the central region; and Salamanca and Valle de Santiago in the southern part of the state. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was carried out to detect LYSV, OYDV, GCLV, and SLV in 195 garlic leaf samples collected during January 2005 from plants with leaf yellow stripe, mosaic, enation, deformation, or dwarfism symptoms. A set of primers, previously reported and specific to the coat protein cistron of LYSV (1), were synthesized and used in a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The amplified product (1,020 nucleotides) was cloned into plasmid pGEM T-Easy (Promega, Madison, WI) and sequenced (Gen-bank Accession No. DQ841554). Sequence analysis showed that the cloned DNA fragment shared 97% similarity with the coat protein cistron of LYSV isolate no. 3 from Okinawa (GenBank Accession No. AB194632). The fragment was then radioactively labelled and used as a probe in the RNA blot analysis of all samples to confirm the ELISA results of LYSV. Of the 195 samples, 64 tested positive by RNA blot analysis. Forty-one of these were also positive by ELISA for LYSV. Preliminary, positive ELISA results were also obtained for OYDV, GCLV and SLV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of LYSV in the State of Guanajuato and in Mexico. The correct identification of viruses present in garlic will help to use the appropriate strategies to reduce viral incidence in this garlic-producing region. Reference: (1) T. V. M. Fajardo et al. Fitopatol. Bras. 26:619, 2001.

Análisis retrospectivo de biopsias de arteria temporal en un hospital comarcal / Retrospetive analysis of temporal artery biopsies in a district hospital

Antecedentes: La arteritis de células gigantes (ACG) o enfermedad de Horton es una vasculitis de arterias de mediano y gran calibre cuyo diagnóstico se basa en la presencia de datos clínicos, analíticos y alteraciones histológicas características. El rendimiento de la biopsia de arteria temporal (BAT) en diferentes series es muy variable. Material y método: Se trata de un trabajo retrospectivo mediante revisión sistemática de historias clínicas de 180 pacientes (185 BAT) biopsiados en nuestro centro entre enero de 1989 y marzo del 2001. Se han recogido las siguientes variables: edad, sexo, servicio de procedencia, síntomas sistémicos, síntomas vasculares, polimialgia reumática (PMR), exploración vascular, velocidad de sedimentación globular (VSG), criterios clínicos del American College of Rheumatology (ACR) para la clasificación de la ACG (CCACR) y resultado de la BAT. Dichas variables se han comparado en dos grupos de pacientes: los que tenían diagnóstico final de ACG (grupo ACG), y los que no tenían diagnóstico de ACG (no ACG).Resultados: Un total de 31 pacientes fueron diagnosticados de enfermedad de Horton, 19 con biopsia positiva. El tamaño medio de las BAT obtenidas fue de 9,5 mm. De las variables analizadas, sólo las manifestaciones dependientes de isquemia del territorio vascular y la alteración de la exploración arterial fueron significativamente más frecuentes en el grupo ACG. De los pacientes con enfermedad de Horton, 30 reunían tres o más CCACR. De los 149 pacientes sin ACG, 70 reunían tres o más CCACR. El valor predictivo positivo de los CCACR fue del 30 por ciento. Discusión: El rendimiento de la BAT en nuestro hospital es bajo. La sintomatología vascular y la alteración de la exploración arterial fueron más frecuentes en el grupo ACG. El valor predictivo positivo de los CCACR fue bajo. Es necesario limitar la indicación de BAT a pacientes con datos clínicos más específicos y mejorar la técnica de BAT en nuestro centro (AU)

[Design and evaluation of an educational course for mothers of pregnant adolescents]. / Diseño y evaluación de un curso educativo dirigido a madres de adolescentes embarazadas.

This article is the continuation of a previous investigation about educational necessities in perinatal health of pregnant adolescent mothers. Now we present the design and evaluation of an Educational Course for that group. The theoretical mark of the Course corresponds to the education of adults, under the focus of the grupal learning. The content included gineco obstetrics topics, prevention of perinatal risks and the analysis of the social and cultural enviroment. As evaluation instrument, a self-applicable questionnaire of thirteen open questions was built on four aspects: family dynamics, utility of the course, utility of the information and behavior of the pregnant adolescents. A sample of 101 mothers of pregnant adolescents participated of the study from January 1999 to May 2000. The results indicate that the family dynamics was modified favorably in 88% of the cases soon after the attendance of mothers like adolescents to their respective courses, although some factors related with the father show a lack of commitment about the family situation. The 100% of the mothers considered important the attendance to the course because it is an educational instrument, so much for pregnant daughters as for themselves. The Course propitiated the exchange of preventive information between them in 87% of the cases. 97% of the mothers informed changes in their daughter's attitudes soon after her attendance to the course.

[Changes in emergency visits of patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus since the widespread use of protease inhibitors]. / Cambios asistenciales en las consultas urgentes de los pacientes infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana desde la generalización de los inhibidores de las proteasas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes in the urgent visits made by HIV+ patients after generalisation of the protease inhibitors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Comparison on the visits made during a period prior to and after use of protease inhibitor. RESULTS: After the generalisation of the protease inhibitors the visits rate decreased, the motives for consulting with the physician and complementary examinations changed, invasive therapeutic procedures, admissions from urgencies and death rates decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The protease inhibitors have changed the urgent visits profile of HIV+ patients.

[Evaluation of an educational course for pregnant adolescents]. / Evaluación de un curso educativo sobre la etapa gestacional exclusivo para adolescentes embarazadas.

The pregnancy among adolescent women in Mexico is close than half million by year, this problem could be attended through health education in the Mexican medical care system. Since 1995 the Instituto Nacional de Perinatologia has a free training program only for adolescents designed to improve the health care medical procedures and reduces some perinatals health risks. This paper shows the structural design, functioning strategies and results of its application. Through a pre codificated 48 item list, were analyzed transversally the clinical records of 234 adolescents engraved themselves to the course. Two groups were formed: the "A" group with the patients attended at least to three sessions (106) and the group "B" with the ones who did not (128). The data analysis was made by contrasting each item between the groups using the appropriate statistical tests. The group "A" had greater average in scholarship, the moreover socioeconomic characteristics and gynecoobstetric background did not show significant differences. Group "B" had a higher proportion of adolescent with aggregated pathology to the pregnancy. We too observed significant differences in the proportions of complications during the pregnancy evolution and in the postpartum period. The acceptance on the pregnancy by the adolescent, her family and by her couple also showed significant differences. The average weight of the newborns were greater statistically in the "A" group. The proportions of family planning methods acceptance was higher in the same group, who has too shorter intra-hospitalary stay. This evaluation shows good fitness with the adolescents education expectatives and performance and favorable associations with some perinatals health risks.

[Protein quality of three strains of Mexican mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)]. / Calidad proteínica de tres cepas mexicanas de setas (Pleurotus ostreatus).

The protein quality of fruits bodies of three Pleurotus ostreatus Mexican strains (INIREB-8, CDBB-H-896 and CDBB-H-897) was evaluated. The protein concentration (Nx4.38) ranged from 17.26 to 19.97 g/100 g dry weight; chemical scores were between 74 and 93% with available lysine as a first limiting amino acid in either INIREB-8 and CDBB-H-896 strains or leucine in CDBB-H-897 strain. The nutritional evaluation revealed 67.75 to 68.38% in vitro digestibility. Relative protein values were from 100.06-107.85%, which were lower than soybean meal and whole egg but larger than those of rice, maize, beans, fava beans and pasta, no differences were found between these values and those of skim milk powder, casein plus methionine and albumin. In accordance with the last results we concluded that due to their essential amino acids content, mushroom proteins are a good complement of cereals; furthermore, it is highly recommended to include Pleurotus in the daily diet.

[Neurologic development of children at age two who had been treated at a neonatal intensive care unit]. / El neurodesarrollo a los dos años de vida de neonatos tratados en una unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales.

The principal objective of this study was to evaluate, at 2 years of age, the neurological development of a group of children who had been treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the National Institute of Perinatology of Mexico. All the children born between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 1993 who had entered the NICU and stayed for 3 or more days were studied from the neurological, psychological, auditory, linguistic, motor, and neuromuscular standpoint. This group included 134 patients, who had had an average gestational age of 32 weeks and an average birth-weight of 1,677 g. They had stayed in the hospital an average of 51 days, and 75% of them had undergone artificial respiration. In the examination done at age 2, 66.5% of the children were normal and 8.2% had serious impairments. There were statistically significant associations between their neurological condition and the days of artificial respiration (P < 0.0001), the days spent in the NICU (P < 0.000004), and the gestational age in weeks (P < 0.03). There was no association between the children's sex and the results of the assessments. The study results showed a decrease in neural abnormalities in comparison with the results obtained in similar studies 10 years earlier.

[Factors related to the recognition of alarm signals during pregnancy]. / Factores relacionados con el reconocimiento de signos de alarma durante el embarazo.

INTRODUCTION: The medical literature has noted the relationship between perinatal morbidity and mortality and cultural factors for more than twenty years. During this time, however, rates of diseases such as hypertension, which complicate pregnancy and delivery, threatened preterm delivery and premature rupture of the membranes have decrease little. These conditions required other, complementary actions such as health education. The purpose of this research was to explore existing knowledge about warning signs during pregnancy in a population using third level medical facilities as the first step in designing an educational program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We applied a 17 item multiple choice questionnaire regarding alarm sings during pregnancy to a group of 100 pregnant women. The sample was classified into six groups according to the age of the patient and the presence of aggregate risk. The analysis focused on the proportion of correct responses, applying different statistical tests according to the nature of the variables. RESULTS: In stepwise multiple regression, years of education explained 8.1% of the variance of correct responses, the number of pregnancies 5.5%, and gestational age 6.6%. The ANOVA of the complete regression was significant (F = 9.41; df = 99; p < 0.001) with a standard error of 2.23 ans a final adjusted r = 0.45. The number of consultations was positively associated with gestational age but had no relationships with correct responses. Groups with the greatest information deficits were adolescents and patients of adequate reproductive age with low reproductive risk. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with the least obvious alarm signs failed the most items in the alarm sing questionaire. The educational relationship between the physician and the patient should be more carefully explored. We are in agreement with other authors that educational level of patients is a determining to the attitude and knowledge of the population towards its own health.

[Gestational disorders]. / Morbilidad gestacional.

We present the results of an interview of 375 pregnant women which explores their gestational risk diagnoses, the types and frequencies of complaints. Five groups of 75 patients each were formed from this random sample corresponding to 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38 weeks of pregnancy respectively. We too analyze the patients' opinions about their own morbidity, the repercussion on activities of daily life and self-medication. The interview included the actions taken on their own account to deal with complaints during pregnancy, as well as to establish the relationships between these actions and medical attention they received. A total of 1534 complaints were recorded from the entire group, the mean per patient were four with a range from one to six. The reported from the entire group, the mean per patient were four with a range from one to six. The reported complaints did not caused medical consultation and were totally different with the respective risk diagnoses. Our results show that patients almost always accept their symptoms as a normal part of pregnancy, even when arise from pathology. Almost 70% of the patients view their symptoms as normal despite the fact that they produce difficulties of daily life in 41%, and that they temporarily block these activities in 19%. Around 10% of the patients admit self-medication. Over 50 types of actions were self-initiated, 1371 for the entire group as a whole. Around 95% of the complaints considered abnormal received no medical attention. We presented a series of thoughts on the effectiveness of popular practices and the possibility of integrating some of them into medical practice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Sexuality and reproduction. A questionnaire at the basic secondary educational level]. / Sexualidad y reproducción. Una encuesta en el nivel de Educación Media Básica.

A 50 question survey was administered to 362 junior high school students in order to determine the level of sexual education. The objectives were to determine the themes of most interest to the students, to establish the precise participation of the school in sexual education, to define quality in teachers and to find possible differences in knowledge and attitudes according to school grade and sex. As expected, age but not sex, differed according to grades. Parents participated in the sexual education in their children in 50% of the sample; the high level of education of the majority of this group of parents will permit the development of additional programs for their participation in school related programs for sexual education. Sexual attitudes among students did not differ according to school grade. The percentage of responses about sexuality and reproduction that corresponded to materials in the curriculum was low; eighth grade students showed superior knowledge about theory, ninth grade students were superior in knowledge of more practical aspects. The principal sources of sexual education in this group were parents and teachers, 81% of the students reported having received some sexual education in the school, 51.4% as part of natural sciences course material and 12% as part of the eight grade course in social and human relations. We suggest a strategy of presenting progressively more complex materials of sexual education by grade in order to influence not only sexual attitudes but preventive sexual practices as well.

[The neurological and psychomotor evolution at 2 years of age of newborn infants who underwent assisted ventilation]. / Evolución neurológica y psicomotora a los dos años de vida de recién nacidos que fueron sometidos a ventilación asistida.

It is important to evaluate the development of neonates submitted to assisted ventilation since it is one of the most commonly used procedures in patients with respiratory failure. A group of 50 neonates who had been submitted to assisted ventilation were studied and compared to another group of 50 children with the same inclusion criteria, except for the fact that they had not needed ventilation. They were each evaluated since birth and thereafter every two months during their first year of life and every three months in the second year. The Amiel Tison Neurological Assessment was used to evaluate the children during the first year while the Mayo Clinic General Neurological Exploration adapted for nursing children was applied during the following year. In assessing psychomotor development, the Brunette Lezine Scale, standardized for Mexican children, was used. For practical purposes, a sample of the results obtained during the second year are presented while some pertinent variables are commented on. For those included in the ventilated group, results show a higher frequency of hyaline membrane disease (27 cases), intraventricular hemorrhage (19), pneumonia (18), and arterious duct persistence (13). The control group showed the following frequencies, respectively: 0, 4, 5, and 4 cases. The ventilation group was found to have a statistically significant higher relative risk rate (P less than 0.05) and a higher risk for neurologic sequelae (P less than 0.001) when compared to the control group. Asphyxia and hemorrhaging were factors associated and present in the ventilated group (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of temperature on the lactose hydrolytic capacity of a lactase derived from Kluyveromyces lactis.

In vitro studies of lactose hydrolysis in milk with 20-125 neutral lactase units (NLUs) carried out at 38.0 degrees C for 15 min with a beta-galactosidase derived from Kluyveromyces lactis (Lactaid, Lactaid Inc, Pleasantville, NJ) resulted in 85-95% of the hydrolysis observed with standard incubation conditions (24 h at 4-5 degrees C with 1000 NLU/L). Thirty-three lactose-maldigesting Guatemalan subjects, 16 children and 17 adults, were challenged with oral doses of lactose in milk (children aged less than 12 mo, 2 g/kg body wt; children aged 12-24 mo, 15 g/kg body wt; older children and adults, 18 g/kg body wt) preincubated for 20 min at 38 +/- 0.5 degrees C with 50-125 NLU Lactaid. Under these conditions the subjects consumed milk without presenting any signs of intolerance. Furthermore, their breath-hydrogen excretion showed a 91-93% reduction when compared with a similar load of milk containing nonhydrolyzed lactose.

[Community education in perinatal health]. / Educacion comunitaria en salud perinatal

PIP: The National Institute of Perinatology develops educational programs for the population using its services in order to promote positive behavior related to reproduction. One of the most frequently observed problems during prenatal control is patient abandonment of the services offered by health institutions. We present an investigation of the relationship between the educational program for pregnant women offered by the Institute and compliance with prenatal care. A group of 215 patients elected to participate in the educational program. The program consisted of themes on the evolution and culmination of the pregnancy, preparation for nursing, nutrition, developmental milestones, and dental health. Another group was selected at the same time, equal in size to the first but without participation in the course, as a control group. Both groups contained patients categorized in the 3 perinatal risk groups accepted by the Institute.^ieng

Family Life Education in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Unique experience has accumulated in the English-speaking Caribbean in the field of family life education for youth. Although birth rates are relatively low, the increase in adolescent pregnancy and births is becoming more visible. Mother-centered homes are frequent, and support from the father is often lacking. A series of family life education (FLE) programs funded by the United National Fund for Population Activities is aimed at providing help to the various groups in the Caribbean in an acceptable and non-threatening manner. These out-of-school FLE techniques include several approaches: integration of the proposed program into an already established place (a factory, youth center, or community center); education in human growth, food and nutrition, environmental health, mental health, safety and first-aid, dental health and human relations, including human sexuality, rights and responsibilities, and decision making; and the use of specially trained personnel who understand the conditions of the particular community. In some countries adolescent pregnancy is viewed as a problem. In others it may not be so considered. It is vital for the staff and community leaders to review proposals for the FLE program and bring into the centers all subjects that are free of controversy. Family planning, contraceptive delivery and even human sexuality may be acceptable subjects in some quarters, and not in others. Efforts must be continued to find innovative approaches to assure that the benefits of these learning activities continue to be provided, and expanded in response to growing acceptance.

PIP: This article is based on evaluations made of programs in Antiqua, Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica, St. Christopher and Nevis, and St. Lucia. Although birth rates are relatively low in the English-speaking Caribbean (ranging between 16 and 30 per 1000 in 1984), the incidence of adolescent pregnancies and births is increasing. Mother-centered homes are frequent, and support from the father is often lacking. Adolescent births represent 25-35% of all births in the English-speaking Caribbean. This proportion has changed little over time. About 2-3% of all births to teenagers occur in the under-15 year old group. A significant proportion of teenage births occur to girls under age 18, before they finish school. The 1978 "Caribbean Workshop on Family Life Education and Health Education" defined family life education (FLE) as "the total physical, mental, social, and emotional well being of the individual so as to help him maximize his potential and to enable him to carry on the activities he needs to undertake for the good of himself and others." Out-of-school FLE includes community centers, factories, and youth centers. The youth center approach is most appropriate for this region because it provides a nucleus for skills training, recreation, and continuous education. Countries tend to focus almost exclusively on the youth center approach. Activities of these centers include 1) FLE; 2) contraceptive services, to some extent; 3) community involvement; and 4) programs with a male focus. Some places oppose family planning or contraceptive services to adolescents. Youth centers offer a broad range of activities. For these centers to be effective, their communities must elicit support from the business community, private social organizations, and volunteers. Each community must assess its own situation and consider the resources available. The projects have shown that it is possible to initiate and make considerable progress in the implementation of FLE programs for adolescents even when adolescent pregnancy and births are still highly sensitive and controversial issues, and when there are no official policies in favor of such programs.