Mesocyclops longisetus effects on survivorship of Aedes aegypti immature stages in car tyres

Abstract .The effect of the introduction of the entomophagous copepod Mesocyclops longisetus (Acuacultura F.C.B. strain) on the survival of Aedes aegypti immature stages in car tyres was evaluated under semi-natural conditions in the municipality of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. Life tables were constructed for the immature stages of the mosquito in the presence and absence of M. longisetus , and the survival data were compared using log–linear models. The data set was adjusted using the GLIM statistical package and the quality of adjustment was evaluated with a chi-squared test . Survivorship curves were constructed for each treatment.
In the absence of M. longisetus , the survivorship of Ae. aegypti immature stages averaged 9%. The highest mortality rate was observed during the fourth larval instar (54%) and the resulting survival pattern corresponded to a type II survivorship curve. The mortality rate of Ae. aegypti first-instar larvae (fifty per tyre) increased more than 200-fold in the presence of M. longisetus (twenty per tyre) and the highest mortality was during the first two larval instars, where it reached 98.9%, with a resulting survivorship of 0.2%. Overall mortality was sixfold greater in the presence of the copepod than in its absence. The survival pattern of immature stages of Ae. aegypti in the presence of the copepod corresponded to a type III survivorship curve. As M. longisetus was so effective against Ae. aegypti immature stages in tyres under semi-natural conditions, its long-term effectiveness should be evaluated under socially and ecologically realistic field conditions in Mexico.     

Sectoring of fungal colonies induced by low concentrations of fernasan

An inhibitor of Aspergillus flavus has been isolated from peanuts and identified as 5,7-dimethoxyisoflavone. Authentic 5,7-dimethoxyisoflavone, synthesized from benzyl-2-hydroxy-4,6 dimethoxyphenyl (3), and the isolated compound display identical ultraviolet spectra in methanol, in methanol+sodium methoxide, and in methanol+AlCl₃; similar behavior in solvent extraction, column chromatography, TLC, and fungal inhibition.     

Isolation of aflatoxin from Acacia and the incidence of Aspergillus flavus in the Sudan

A series of environmental and clinical isolates of Sporothrix schenckii being studied in our laboratories under standard conditions of temperature, humidity and media, displayed, in some of the isolates, large dematiaceous hyphae. The large hyphae could be seen to produce the fine hyphae associated with S. schenckii on which typical microconidia developed. Typical microconidia also developed occasionally on the large hyphae, and strands of the unusually large hyphae also were seen to form arthroconidia. Some strains formed large, thin-walled cells on thin and/or thick hyphae resembling the balloon cells seen in mature colonies of Trichophyton tonsurans.All strains which have demonstrated these various and unusual structures histopathologically produced typical sporotrichosis in laboratory animals. When reisolated from these animals, the cultures again exhibited the unusual structures, as well as those typical of S. schenckii.     

Intrinsic and extrinsic innervation of the amphibians esophagic myenteric plexuses

The innervation of Rana ridibunda esophagus myenteric plexuses has been studied by the following methods: demonstration of cholinesterase activity; FIF method for catecholamines; immunohistochemistry for VIP, SP and SOM, and conventional electron microscopy. The cholinergic innervation is important in the esophagus wall where, in addition to the well known extrinsic component, there is a rich intrinsic plexus with cells and fibres widely distributed. The esophagus, together with the intestine, are the Rana gut portions where the adrenergic component is more broadly expressed. The adrenergic innervation seems to be almost entirely of extrinsic origin. We have shown that, for the tested peptides, there is an intrinsic innervation represented by VIP, SP and SOM like plexuses. We do not discard nonetheless an extrinsic component. The ultrastructure reveals the morphological characteristics of the enteric neurons as well as the fine inter-relationships between the nervous elements and the functional components of the esophagic wall.     

The polymorphism ApoB/4311 in patients with myocardial infarction and controls: the ECTIM study

Summary The polymorphism affecting codon 4311 of the apolipoprotein B gene (ApoB/4311) was investigated in a large case-control study in two French and one Northern Irish geographically defined populations. Cases were recruited 3 to 9 months after a myocardial infarction (MI) and controls were randomly selected from the population. The polymorphism was assessed using allele-specific oligonucleotides (ASO). The genotype frequencies of the ApoB/4311 polymorphism did not differ in Northern Ireland and France and were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in all groups; strong associations with three other polymorphisms of the ApoB gene (XbaI, EcoRI, VNTR(34 repeats)) were observed and it was possible to identify highly sensitive and specific markers of the ApoB/4311 rare variant. Homozygotes for the ApoB 4311 rare variant were slightly less frequent in cases than in controls: 22 (4.4%) and 35 (6.7%) respectively (population adjusted ²=3.3 P<0.07), especially in Belfast: 6 (3.1%) and 12 (7.6%), respectively (P<0.06). Several lipid and lipoprotein parameters were measured. Consistently among control groups, rare homozygotes had lower mean levels of ApoB (P<0.02), triglycerides (P<0.02), and lipoprotein particles containing ApoE and ApoB (LpE:B; P<0.001) and a higher mean level of lipoprotein particles containing ApoAI and not ApoAII (LpAI; P<0.02) than heterozygotes and frequent homozygotes combined. The strong association between the ApoB/4311 polymorphism and LpE:B was also observed in patients with MI. When present in the homozygous form, the ApoB/ 4311 AsnSer variant is associated with a lipoprotein profile that is apparently favourable.     

Latex immunoassay of human serum Lp(a+) lipoprotein

A sensitive latex immunoassay for human serum lipoprotein Lp(a+) is based on direct agglutination by Lp(a+) of latex particles coated with specific antibody. The agglutination is quantified by turbidimetry using a photometer at 360 nm. The stabilization of antibody-coated latex particles by bovine serum albumin occurs under well-defined conditions (pH, concentration of bovine serum albumin, and antibody loading of latex particles). The standard curve of serum lipoprotein Lp(a+) ranges from 0.05 to 1.15 mg/l. Inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation were less than 8% and 3%, respectively. Results were well correlated with those obtained by electroimmunodiffusion (r = 0.98, n = 108).     

The SF36 health survey questionnaire: an outcome measure suitable for routine use within the NHS?

OBJECTIVE--To assess the validity, reliability, and acceptability of the short form 36 (SF 36) health survey questionnaire (a shortened version of a battery of 149 health status questions) as a measure of patient outcome in a broad sample of patients suffering from four common clinical conditions. DESIGN--Postal questionnaire, followed up by two reminders at two week intervals. SETTING--Clinics and four training practices in north east Scotland. SUBJECTS--Over 1700 patients aged 16-86 with one of four conditions--low back pain, menorrhagia, suspected peptic ulcer, or varicose veins--and a comparison sample of 900 members of the general population. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--The eight scales within the SF36 health profile. RESULTS--The response rate exceeded 75% in the patient population (1310 respondents). The SF36 satisfied rigorous psychometric criteria for validity and internal consistency. Clinical validity was shown by the distinctive profiles generated for each condition, each of which differed from that in the general population in a predictable manner. Furthermore, SF36 scores were lower in referred patients than in patients not referred and were closely related to general practitioners'' perceptions of severity. CONCLUSIONS--These results provide support for the SF36 as a potential measure of patient outcome within the NHS. The SF36 seems acceptable to patients, internally consistent, and a valid measure of the health status of a wide range of patients. Before it can be used in the new health service, however, its sensitivity to changes in health status over time must also be tested.     

Survival of Curvularia lunata var. aeria in soil

Spore suspensions from 7 day old cultures of Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boedijn var. aeria (Batista, Lima and Vasconcelos) M.B. Ellis were added to soil samples originally devoid of Curvularia propagules. The test fungus disappeared after six weeks of inoculation irrespective of soil amendments, like the application of green manure, urea, superphosphate, or soil cropped to Sorghum (dura) or cotton seedlings.