Geochemistry and Provenance of Springs in a Baja California Sur Mountain Catchment.

Fractured rock aquifers cover much of Earth's surface and are important mountain sites for groundwater recharge but are poorly understood. To investigate groundwater systematics of a fractured-dominated aquifer in Baja California Sur, Mexico, we examined the spatial patterns of aquifer recharge and connectivity using the geochemistry of springs. We evaluate a range of geochemical data within the context of two endmember hypotheses describing spatial recharge patterns and fracture connectivity. Hypothesis 1 is that the aquifer system is segmented, and springs are fed by local recharge. Hypothesis 2 is that the aquifer system is well connected, with dominant recharge occurring in the higher elevations. The study site is a small <15 km2 catchment. Thirty-four distinct springs and two wells were identified in the study area, and 24 of these sites were sampled for geochemical analyses along an elevation gradient and canyon transect. These analyses included major ion composition, trace element and strontium isotopes, δ18 O and δ2 H isotopes, radiocarbon, and tritium. δ18 O and δ2 H isotopes suggest that the precipitation feeding the groundwater system has at least two distinct sources. Carbon isotopes showed a change along the canyon transect, suggesting that shorter flowpaths feed springs in the top of the transect, and longer flowpaths discharge near the bottom. Geochemical interpretations support a combination of the two proposed hypotheses. Understanding of the connectivity and provenance of these springs is significant as they are the primary source of water for the communities that inhabit this region and may be impacted by changes in recharge and use.

Mosquito Iridescent Virus: New Records from Nature and Infections Using Strelkovimermis spiculatus (Mermithidae) as a Vector Under Laboratory Conditions.

Iridoviridae is a DNA virus family that affects both vertebrates and invertebrates. Immature aquatic stages of many dipteran species infected with iridovirus have been found in different places worldwide. The most represented genera of the Culicidae family are Aedes and Psorophora. To date, sixteen species of Aedes naturally infected with iridoviruses have been reported. Moreover, there are four records for the genus Psorophora, one for Culiseta, and two for Culex. In this paper, we report two new mosquito species as natural hosts of iridoviridae in Argentina: Aedes albifasciatus (Macquart) and Culex dolosus (Lynch Arribalzaga). We also analyzed the ability of a Cx. pipiens-Invertebrate Iridescent Virus to replicate in vivo in the larval stage of two mosquito species, Culex apicinus Philippi and Ae. aegypti (L.) using Strelkovimermis spiculatus as a vector, under laboratory conditions. Although Ae. aegypti is the most recognized mosquito vector of important arboviruses responsible for emergent diseases, Cx. apicinus and Ae. albifasciatus may also be implicated in enzootic or epizootic cycles of virus transmission, such as the St. Louis Encephalitis virus and the Western Equine Encephalomyelitis virus.

[Radiographic measurement of the acetabular angle for early diagnosis of hip development dysplasia]. / Medición radiográfica del ángulo acetabular para el diagnóstico temprano de la displasia del desarrollo de la cadera.

BACKGROUND: In order to avoid sequelae in the development dysplasia of the hip the treatment should be early; The acetabular angle corresponds to the inclination of the roof of the acetabulum. Stanisvljevic indicates that to properly measure the acetabular angle, the hips should be placed in abduction. Question: What is the magnitude of the difference in radiographic measurement of the acetabular angle between the anteroposterior projections of pelvis in neutral position and with abduction of hips? METHODS: 916 radiographic measurements were taken by contrasting the neutral position against those of hip abduction, of patients in our clinic attended between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2013. RESULTS: T tests were performed for means of two matched samples and a hypothetical difference of the mean of 0.0000 was obtained and the Pearson correlation coefficient for right hip was 0.74427531 and for the left 0.73779866. Using a proposed table of normality of the Acetabular angle according to age, the area was obtained under the curve in a distribution Tgl457 = 0.650 with P = 0.516. The index acetabular in neutral position and with abduction of hips is similar with high statistical significance, according to the analysis of correlation of Pearson. Based on the ROC curve, the acetabular index in frog position has a high sensitivity and specificity. DISCUSSION: Therefore, the measurement of the acetabular index in position with hip abduction, has high reliability to achieve a correct diagnosis.

ANTECEDENTES: Para evitar secuelas en la displasia del desarrollo de la cadera el tratamiento debe ser temprano; el ángulo acetabular corresponde a la inclinación del techo del acetábulo. Stanisavljevic indica que para medir adecuadamente el ángulo acetabular se deben colocar las caderas en abducción. Pregunta: ¿cuál es la magnitud de la diferencia de la medición radiográfica del ángulo acetabular entre las proyecciones anteroposterior de pelvis en posición neutra y con abducción de caderas? MÉTODOS: Se tomaron 916 mediciones radiográficas comparando las de posición neutra contra las de abducción de caderas, de pacientes atendidos en consulta externa entre el 1 de Abril de 2010 y el 31 de Marzo de 2013. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron pruebas t para medias de dos muestras emparejadas y se obtuvo una diferencia hipotética de las medias de 0.0000 y el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson para cadera derecha fue 0.74427531 y para la izquierda 0.73779866. Usando una tabla propuesta de normalidad del ángulo acetabular según edad, se obtuvo el área bajo la curva en una distribución tgl457 = 0.650 con p = 0.516. El índice acetabular en posición neutra y con abducción de caderas es similar con alta significancia estadística, según el análisis de correlación de Pearson. Con base en la curva ROC, el índice acetabular en posición de rana tiene una alta sensibilidad y especificidad. Por tanto, la medición del índice acetabular en posición con abducción de caderas, tiene alta confiabilidad de lograr un diagnóstico correcto.

Double-balloon enteroscopy: Indications, approaches, diagnostic and therapeutic yield, and safety. Early experience at a single center. / Enteroscopia de doble balón: indicaciones, abordajes, eficacia diagnóstica y terapéutica y seguridad. Experiencia temprana de un solo centro.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Double-balloon enteroscopy has been improving the visualization of the entire intestine for more than a decade. It is a complementary method in the study of intestinal diseases that enables biopsies to be taken and treatments to be administered. Our aim was to describe its main indications, insertion routes, diagnostic/therapeutic yield, and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients referred to our unit with suspected small bowel pathology were included. The insertion route (oral/anal) was determined through diagnostic suspicion. The variables measured were: insertion route, small bowel examination extent, endoscopic diagnosis/treatment, biopsy/histopathology report, complications, and surgical findings. RESULTS: The study included 28 double-balloon enteroscopies performed on 23 patients, of which 10 were women and 13 were men (mean age of 52.95 years). The oral approach was the most widely used (n=21), the main indication was overt small bowel bleeding (n=16), and the general diagnostic yield was 65.21%. The therapeutic intervention rate was 39.1% and the procedure was effective in all the cases. The most widely used treatment was argon plasma therapy (n=7). The complication rate was 8.6%; one patient presented with low blood pressure due to active bleeding and another had deep mucosal laceration caused by the argon plasma. CONCLUSIONS: Double-balloon enteroscopy is a safe and efficacious method for the study and management of small bowel diseases, with an elevated diagnostic and therapeutic yield.

Leptolegnia chapmanii (Straminipila: Peronosporomycetes) as a future biorational tool for the control of Aedes aegypti (L.).

The aim of the present review is to summarize the current knowledge about Leptolegnia chapmanii as a pathogen of mosquito larvae. To this end, we present data on its identification, distribution, host range and effects on non-target organisms, effects of environmental factors, in vitro growth, release and persistence in anthropic environments, and effect combined with other insecticides. The data presented allow confirming its potential as a biocontrol agent.

[Cervical ischaemic neuronopathy and cardioembolism: another cause of man-in-the-barrel syndrome]. / Neuronopatia isquemica cervical y cardioembolismo: otra causa de sindrome del hombre en el barril.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal infarction accounts for 1% of all strokes. Cardioembolism is a rare cause. Common areas of ischemic spinal damage are watershed in the dorsal or lumbar regions; however cervical spinal cord infarction has been reported previously. CASE REPORT: We present a new case of a man-in-the-barrel syndrome produced by cardiac embolization associated with atrial fibrillation during an acute myocardial infarction, which caused cervical ischemic neuronopathy (infarction of the anterior horn). CONCLUSIONS: Classic features of cervical spinal cord ischemia are acute tetraplegia, bladder, bowel and cardiovascular dysfunction and dissociate sensory loss. Incomplete collateralization and anatomical characteristics of the circulation of the anterior spinal artery in the cervical spinal cord, makes of the portion C3 to C5, the most vulnerable portion to ischemic damage, since the radicular arteries supply begins bellow C5 and the pathophysiology of a fast fresh clot lysis produced unique bilateral neuronal horn cells damage.

TITLE: Neuronopatia isquemica cervical y cardioembolismo: otra causa de sindrome del hombre en el barril.Introduccion. Los infartos de la medula espinal ocurren aproximadamente en el 1% de todos los infartos del sistema nervioso. El cardioembolismo es una causa rara. Las areas comunmente afectadas en infartos medulares son zonas de circulacion limitrofe en la region dorsal o lumbar; sin embargo, se han descrito previamente infartos medulares en la zona cervical asociados a la diseccion de arterias vertebrales. Caso clinico. Se presenta un nuevo caso de sindrome del hombre en el barril asociado con fibrilacion auricular durante un infarto agudo de miocardio, que causo una neuronopatia cervical isquemica (infarto de astas anteriores). Conclusiones. Los hallazgos clasicos de isquemia medular cervical son tetraplejia aguda, disfuncion vesical, intestinal y cardiovascular, asi como perdida de la sensibilidad disociada. La colateralizacion incompleta y las caracteristicas anatomicas de la arteria espinal anterior en la medula cervical hacen de la porcion C3-C5 la region mas vulnerable de daño isquemico, ya que la irrigacion de las arterias radiculares se inicia debajo de C5 y la fisiopatologia de la lisis rapida de un coagulo fresco produce unicamente daño bilateral de las celulas de las astas neuronales.

UV-B radiation reduces in vitro germination of Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. but does not affect virulence in fungus-treated Aedes aegypti adults and development on dead mosquitoes.

AIMS: Control of diurnal Aedes aegypti with mycoinsecticides should consider the exposure of fungus-treated adults to sunlight, and especially to UV-B radiation that might affect activity of conidia applied on the mosquito's surface. METHODS AND RESULTS: Germination of Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. IP 46 conidia on SDAY medium was not affected at the lowest level of radiation with UV-B, 0·69 kJ m-2 , but was retarded and reduced at higher 2·075 and 4·15 kJ m-2 , and completely inhibited at ≥8·3 kJ m-2 . In contrast, germination of conidia applied onto fibreglass nettings and exposed from 0 to 16·6 kJ m-2 did not differ significantly among levels of irradiance exposure and the controls. There was also no significant impact of UV-B up to 16·6 kJ m-2 on the adulticidal activity of IP 46 and on the subsequent conidiogenesis on cadavers. The Quaite-weighted UV-B irradiance in the laboratory (1152 mW m-2 ) was higher than the natural sunlight irradiance observed in the city of Goiânia in Central Brazil on midday (706 mW m-2 in August to 911 mW m-2 in October 2015). CONCLUSIONS: UV-B does not impair the activity of IP 46 conidia applied previously to radiation on A. aegypti adults. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Findings contribute to a better understanding of the effectiveness of M. anisopliae against day-active A. aegypti and its potential for biological mosquito control.

New insights into the infection of the American cockroach Periplaneta americana nymphs with Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. (Ascomycota: Hypocreales).

AIMS: To study the marked resistance of Periplaneta americana to entomopathogenic Metarhizium anisopliae. METHODS AND RESULTS: The low susceptibility of 4th instar nymphs applied topically with conidia seemed to be related to an active removal of conidia by the cockroach and to a disabled or retarded germination and subsequent development of conidia on the cuticle (up to 80% germination in the next 7 days after application). Inhibitions or delays of germination were related to the composition of the epicuticular fatty acids (30·1% w/w oleic, 28·3% w/w linoleic, 24·5% w/w palmitic and 11·7% w/w stearic acid) reported here. Propagules invading the nymphs through the cuticle took at least 3 days to reach the haemocoel, and no propagules were found after day 8 post-treatment. Strain IP 46 infected >50% of nymphs treated with doses ≥2 × 104  hyphal bodies (HB) nymph-1 and reduced the survival of nymphs ≤50%. Most nymphs (>70%) survived after injection of 6 × 103 and 2 × 103  HB nymph-1 . CONCLUSIONS: Findings emphasize a distinct resistance of nymphs of the American cockroach to infections by M. anisopliae. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our findings provide support for the development of biological control of this synanthropic cockroach pest.

Evaluation of Water Sanitation Health Education Programme: Working with the Knowledge of the Basic Sanitation Services in a Developing Community in Rural Haiti after the 2010 Earthquake.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to measure the knowledge regarding the new sanitation water system being implemented in Dessources, a rural community in the municipality of Croix-des-Bouquets in Haiti after a two-year intervention programme. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiologic design was used to measure the knowledge of the people in the community using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data collection followed a face-to-face interview process in all houses of the community. The instrument content validity was performed by a panel of experts followed by Cronbach's alpha test to establish the reliability of knowledge scale. In addition, association measures were done using Stata 11.0 statistical package. RESULTS: Content validity test were performed with minimum changes and an alpha of 0.74 was obtained for the scale. Response rate was 65.57% (41/60 houses); non-participants were only those who did not meet the inclusion criteria. Most of the participants (77.5%) were 21-49 years old and 85% had been living in the community for more than 20 years. Bivariate analysis showed that the people of Dessources had adequate knowledge. Significant differences, however, were found among the zones that are not in use of the new sanitary systems and among families with more than seven members per house. CONCLUSIONS: Differences found can be explained based on the Rogers theoretical diffusion of innovation model. The evaluation shows that people of Dessources in Haiti have a high knowledge regarding the new water sanitation system and provided evidence of an adequate health education programme intervention.

Células cebadas en pulmón y nervio periférico en la intoxicación crónica con karwinskia humboldtiana en rata wistar: estudios histológico e histoquímico / Lung and peripheral nerve mast cells in chronic intoxication with karwinskia humboldtiana in wistar rat: histological and histochemical studies

Karwinskia humboldtiana (Kh) es un arbusto venenoso responsable de numerosos casos de intoxicación accidental en humanos. En estudios previos en nuestro laboratorio reportamos un incremento de células cebadas en nervio periférico (NP) durante la intoxicación con Kh, este hallazgo no ha sido reportado previamente en otros órganos durante esta intoxicación por lo que en el presente estudio buscamos la presencia de estas células en otros órganos, además de distinguir subpoblaciones de células cebadas mediante reacciones histoquímicas para la identificación de los gránulos de secreción. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la presencia de células cebadas en órganos distintos al NP y diferenciar histoquímicamente la composición de sus gránulos. Se utilizaron 32 ratas Wistar, se dividieron en cuatro grupos (n= 8) en donde 5 ratas de cada grupo fueron intoxicadas y 3 fueron control no intoxicadas. A las ratas intoxicadas se les administraron por vía oral 3,5 g/kg del fruto seco y molido de Kh fraccionados en 5 dosis de 1,5; 0,5, 0,5; 0,5 y 0,5 g/kg los días 0, 3, 7, 10 y 14 respectivamente. Las ratas control solo recibieron agua. Cada grupo fue sacrificado a diferentes tiempos según la evolución de la parálisis. Se obtuvieron muestras de Hígado, Riñón, Pulmón y SNP, se procesaron hasta obtener bloques de parafina, se obtuvieron cortes y se tiñeron con azul de toluidina, PAS, Azul alciano/PAS y Azul alciano/Safranina. Se identificó la presencia de células cebadas en NP y pulmón con la tinción de azul de toluidina y se realizo un estudio morfométrico observando un incremento progresivo del número de células cebadas por grupo así como variaciones histoquímicas en sus gránulos en cada etapa y órgano analizado, lo que sugiere la participación de las células cebadas y sus secreciones en cada una de las etapas de la intoxicación crónica con el fruto maduro de Kh.

Karwinskia humboldtiana (Kh) is a poisonous shrub causing a number of accidental intoxications in humans. In previous studies in our laboratory, we reported an increased number of mast cells present in peripheral nerve of Kh intoxicated rats. This finding has not been reported in other organs of intoxicated animals. For this reason, in the present study we searched for mast cells in several organs, identifying mast cell subpopulations on the basis of different histochemical reactivity of their secretory granules. Thus the objective of the present study was to evaluate the presence of mast cells in organs other than peripheral nerve and, to distinguish mast cells by their granule content, applying histochemical reactions. 32 Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n=8). For each group, 5 rats were intoxicated with Kh and 3 received water only as a control.Intoxicated rats received 3.5 g/ Kg body weight of dry powder of Kh fruits, fractionated in 5 doses as follows 1.5, 0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 05 on days 0, 3,7,10,14 respectively. Control rats received water only. Each group was killed at different times during paralysis evolution. Samples of liver, kidney, lung and brain, were obtained and processed by routine technique until paraffin embedding. Sections were obtained and stained with toluidine blue, PAS, alcian blue/PAS and alcian blue/safranin. Mast cells infiltrates were observed in peripheral nerve and lung. Mast cells were counted. An increasing number of mast cells were recorded as well as variations in the histochemical pattern of their granules for each organ. These findings suggest a role for mast cells and their secretions in the intoxication with mature fruit of Kh.

Methyl aminolevulinate plus red light vs. placebo plus red light in the treatment of photodamaged facial skin: histopathological findings.

BACKGROUND: Improvement in the morphological appearance of collagen and elastic fibres has been reported after the use of trichloroacetic acid, dermabrasion and laser therapy, but the histopathological changes occurring after photodynamic therapy are less understood. AIM: To assess the histological changes that occur after methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) plus red-light therapy for facial photodamage. METHODS: This was a prospective, double-blind, double-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of MAL plus red light in patients with facial photodamage. A 3-mm punch biopsy was taken from each side of the face before randomization and start of therapy. A dermatopathologist blinded to the treatment assessed epidermal and dermal layer thickness, perivascular inflammation, solar elastosis, perifollicular fibrosis, telangiectasias, number of elastic and collagen fibres, and grade of reticular degeneration. RESULTS: In total, 65 women were initially screened for eligibility, but skin samples from only 38 of these were analysed. The change in dermal thickness from baseline to postintervention was significant (P < 0.01, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Although there was a trend for the epidermis to be thinner after MAL plus red light vs. placebo plus red light (46.25 µm vs. 55.50 µm, respectively), the difference was not significant (P = 0.64, Mann-Whitney U-test). Similarly, the changes in dermal thickness obtained with the two treatments were not significant (P = 0.99, Mann-Whitney test). Histological improvement was seen using stains for collagen, elastic tissue, and perifollicular fibrosis after MAL plus red light therapy. DISCUSSION: Dermal thickness increased after the use of MAL plus red light, and there was improvement in collagen, elastic tissue and perifollicular fibrosis. Although these differences were not significant, most of the histopathological features examined in our study improved after treatment with MAL plus red light. The lack of significance might be due either to the low power of this study or to the failure of our scoring method to detect significant histopathological differences.

Risk factors associated with hepatitis C virus infection in an urban population of the State of Mexico.

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and risk factors associated with patients attending primary-care clinics in the State of Mexico. A cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted on 10,524 consenting patients with history of at least one risk factor for HCV. Antibodies were detected by immunoassay, third-generation ELISA; RT-PCR was carried out to confirm HCV infection. The seroprevalence of HCV antibodies was 1.2% (128). The most common risk factor was blood transfusion prior to 1993 (56.3%), followed by family history of cirrhosis 29 (22.7%); tattoos and/or piercings, 28 (21.9%); high-risk sexual practices, 4 (3.1%); healthcare work, 8 (6.3%); and intravenous drug use, 1 (8%). RT-PCR was performed on samples from 83 patients. Forty-five were considered positive. Genotype 1a was the most prevalent (37.7%).

Isolation and identification of α-proteobacteria from Culex pipiens (Diptera Culicidae) larvae.

A survey of drainage ditches in suburban areas of La Plata, Buenos Aires province, Argentina for pathogens of Culex pipiens larvae was conducted from 2003 to 2006. C. pipiens larvae of opaque, white color were found in several of those field collections. When the white larvae were dissected and observed by phase-contrast microscopy in wet-mount preparations, the presence of bacteria, located in the hemocoel, was recorded. Laboratory experiments were performed to elucidate the pathway for transmission of this pathogen. Although approaches involving traditional culturing had failed to reveal the identity of the new microorganism present, molecular techniques to identify the pathogen in the studies reported here were successful. The partial sequence of the 16S-rRNA gene constitutes a powerful tool for the detection of new isolates from the hemocoele of C. pipiens larvae. These bacteria were characterized as belonging to the genus Novispirillum. In spite of the genus's wide distribution in different aquatic environments, information related to the parasitic relationship of Novispirillum spp. to aquatic insects is scarce, and this association has not been described in other mosquito species. This report constitutes the first documentation of Novispirillum spp. as a pathogen for mosquito larvae.

EVALUACIÓN DEL POLICULTIVO DE BOCACHICO Prochilodus magdalenae Y TILAPIA Oreochromis niloticus UTILIZANDO SUPERFICIES FIJADORAS DE PERIFITON: EVALUATION OF THE POLYCULTURE OF BOCAChICO Prochilodus magdalenae AND TILAPIA Oreochromis niloticus USING PERIPHYTON FIXING SURFACES

La piscicultura es una actividad importante para satisfacer la demanda alimenticia de una población en crecimiento y en su práctica es necesario desarrollar tecnologías responsables con el ambiente. El policultivo de tilapia-bocachico es relevante por la importancia de estas especies a nivel nacional; tilapia por sus características zootécnicas, y bocachico por su hábito alimentario detritívoro-iliófago, recientemente visto como un pez ecológico. El cultivo basado en perifiton permitiría un sistema altamente eficiente y más limpio, pues aporta alimento natural a los peces y mejora la calidad del agua. Para evaluar el efecto del perifiton sobre el desempeño del policultivo tilapia-bocachico, se ejecutó un experimento durante ocho meses en 18 estanques de 90 m², con 2,6 tilapias/m² y 0,7 bocachicos/m², sin fertilización; como sustrato para perifiton se instalaron de forma vertical tubos plásticos (3,3 tubos/m²), que se constituyeron en una variable por evaluar. Adicionalmente, tres estrategias alimentarias fueron evaluadas: 0 (sin alimento), alimentación con ración del 20% de proteína bruta (PB) y alimentación con ración del 25% de PB. Se utilizó un diseño factorial 2x3 en bloques completos al azar con tres repeticiones por tratamiento y se analizaron datos productivos mediante ANOVA con un modelo lineal general (P < 0,05). No fueron encontrados efectos del sustrato sobre los parámetros estudiados. Hubo efectos simples de la estrategia alimentaria sobre el desempeño de los peces. Por lo pronto, puede ser concluido que la producción basada en perifiton no genera problemas en el sistema ni en los peces y que se requiere más investigación para consolidar la tecnología.

Fishculture is very important to satisfy human food demand. However, the ignorance in more efficient and environment-friendly systems is a big problem for fish farming activities. Tilapia-Bocachico polyculture is of great interest; tilapia, for the excellent productive characteristics, and bocachico for being a bottom-feeder specie, beside of the great socio-cultural value in this region. An alternative approach is the adoption of periphyton-based pond systems; periphyton can: be a food source for fish and improve water quality, thus becoming into a highly efficient and cleaner system. With the aim to evaluate the periphyton effects on performance of Tilapia-Bocachico polyculture, a trial was carried out for 8 months. Eighteen 90 m² earthen ponds were used under polyculture conditions at low stocking density (2.6 tilapia/m², 0.7 bocachico/m²). These ponds were not fertilized during the experimental period. Plastic tubes of 1.2 m and 6 cm in diameter were used vertically as periphyton substrate at 3.3 tubes/m² rate. Three alimentary strategies were used: 0 (without food), fish feed (20% protein) and fish feed (25% protein); thereby constituting a factorial experiment 2x3 in a randomized complete block with three replications per treatment. They were analyzed using ANOVA with a general linear model (GLM) (p < 0.05). There were no effects of substrates on the study variables, but simple effects of alimentary strategies on the productive parameters. Other parameters are being analyzed and it is still premature to conclude.

Microencapsulated citronella oil for mosquito repellent finishing of cotton textiles.

Microcapsules containing citronella essential oil were prepared by complex coacervation and applied to cotton textiles in order to study the repellent efficacy of the obtained fabrics. Citronella released from treated textiles was indirectly monitored by the extractable content of its main components. Repellent activity was assessed by exposure of a human hand and arm covered with the treated textiles to Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Fabrics treated with microencapsulated citronella presented a higher and longer lasting protection from insects compared to fabrics sprayed with an ethanol solution of the essential oil, assuring a repellent effect higher than 90% for three weeks. Complex coacervation is a simple, low cost, scalable and reproducible method of obtaining encapsulated essential oils for textile application. Repellent textiles were achieved by padding cotton fabrics with microcapsules slurries using a conventional pad-dry method. This methodology requires no additional investment for textile finishing industries, which is a desirable factor in developing countries.

Production of oogonia and oospores of Leptolegnia chapmanii Seymour (Straminipila: Peronosporomycetes) in Aedes aegypti (L.) larvae at different temperatures.

The aquatic oomycete fungus Leptolegnia chapmanii Seymour is pathogenic to mosquito larvae, but it has been little studied since it was first isolated. Although studies have been performed on different biological isolates of L. chapmanii around the world, they were made on zoospores and a very little or even nothing is known about the sexual stage (oogonia and oospores), which allows L. chapmanii to remain in the environment when conditions are not favorable. The main objective of this study was to determine the relationship between temperature and time of onset of L. chapmanii oogonia and oospores in Ae. aegypti larvae. Leptolegnia chapmanii-infected IV instar Ae. aegypti larvae were incubated at different temperatures between 5 and 45 degrees C and photoperiod-controlled for 90 days. The number of oogonia and oospores was examined daily for each tested temperature. As was expected, low temperatures extended the times of oogonia formation, as much as seven times. Likewise, temperatures significantly affect the number of oogonia produced.

[Bouveret's syndrome; a case report]. / Síndrome de Bouveret: reporte de un caso.

OBJECTIVE: To present a rare case of duodenal obstruction caused by an impacted gallstone(Bouveret s syndrome) and discusses the best therapeutic option for its resolution. BACKGROUND: Bouveret's syndrome is the less common presentation of a gallstone ileus. This syndrome is rare and predominates in elderly women; the main symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain, and sometimes hematoemesis, mimicking a pyloric stenosis. Diagnosis is made by endoscopy. Endoscopic lithotripsy must be the first-line treatment however surgery is indicated in case of failure or complication during the procedure. Morbidity and mortality rates are high. CASE REPORT: We present a 75 years old, female patient, with history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. With 15 days of nausea, vomiting,loss of appetite and abdominal pain, with secondary dehydration and bad general conditions. She was subjected to an endoscopy and a duodenal obstruction by a large gallstone was founded,the endoscopic attempts to extract the gallstone were unsuccessful and surgery was performed with a dudenotomy and two layer closure with good outcome. The patient was discharged on the 8th postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: Bouveret's syndrome is a rare variety of a gallstone ileus and must be considered like differential diagnosis in cases of gastric outlet obstruction.

A double-blind, randomized trial of 0.05% betamethasone vs. topical catalase/dismutase superoxide in vitiligo.

BACKGROUND: Among all the topical immunomodulators, vitiligo's mainstay therapy includes topical corticosteroids. Many other non-immune theories have also been suggested for vitiligo's pathogenesis, but the role of oxidative stress has gained more importance in recent years. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of topical 0.05% betamethasone vs. catalase/dismutase superoxide (C/DSO). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, matched-paired, double-blind trial. SETTING: Dermatology Section, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia. SUBJECTS: Patients (aged > 18 years or between 12 and 18 years) with parent's informed consent, with stable or active bilateral vitiligo. INTERVENTION: Topical 0.05% betamethasone or C/DSO. METHODS: Two lesions similar to each other in size were chosen. All assessments were made by two blinded investigators, and photographs were subjected to morphometry analysis. MAIN OUTCOME: Skin repigmentation by digital morphometry. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were enrolled in the study (21 women and 4 men). Mean age of participants was 40 years (range: 12-74 years). One patient on C/DSO experienced a mild local erythematous papular rash that self-resolved. At 4 months of therapy, there was no statistical difference on the percentage of repigmentation between betamethasone and C/DSO (5.63% +/- 27.9 vs. 3.22% +/- 25.8, respectively, P = 0.758). After 10 months of therapy, the percentage of skin repigmentation increased to 18.5 +/- 93.14% with betamethasone and to 12.4 +/- 59% with C/DSO, but again, we found no statistical differences (P = 0.79). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Few studies have described objective methods to evaluate repigmentation among vitiligo patients. Digital morphometry provides an objective assessment of repigmentation in vitiligo. Objective vitiligo repigmentation with topical C/DSO at 10 months is similar to topical 0.05% betamethasone. Although a mild adverse effect was related to the use of C/DSO, such finding was not severe enough to discontinue treatment.

Effects of temperature, pH and salinity on the infection of Leptolegnia chapmanii Seymour (Peronosporomycetes) in mosquito larvae.

The effects of temperature, pH, and NaCl concentrations on the infectivity of zoospores of Leptolegnia chapmanii (Argentine isolate) were determined for Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens under laboratory conditions. Zoospores of L. chapmanii were infectious at temperatures between 10 and 35 degrees C but not at 5 or 40 degrees C. At the permissive temperatures, mortality rates in young instars were much higher than in older instars and larvae of Ae. aegypti were more susceptible to L. chapmanii than larvae of Cx. pipiens. At 25 degrees C, Ae. aegypti larvae challenged with L. chapmanii zoospores resulted in 100% infection at pH levels ranging from 4 to 10. Larvae of Cx. pipiens exposed to similar pH and zoospore concentrations resulted in increasing mortality rates from 62% to 99% at pH 4 to 7, respectively, and then decreased to 71% at pH 10. Aedes aegypti larvae exposed to L. chapmanii zoospores in NaCl concentrations ranging from 0 to 7 parts per thousand (ppt) at 25 degrees C resulted in 100% mortality while mortality rates for Cx. pipiens decreases from 96% in distilled water to 31.5% in water with 6 ppt NaCl. Control Cx. pipiens larvae died when exposed at a NaCl concentration of 7 ppt. Vegetative growth of L. chapmanii was negatively affected by NaCl concentrations. These results have demonstrated that the Argentinean isolate of L. chapmanii tolerated a wide range of temperatures, pH, and salinity, suggesting that it has the potential to adapt to a wide variety of mosquito habitats.