Development of temporomandibular joint ankylosis in rats: a preliminary experimental study

The objective of this study was to evaluate a model for the development of temporomandibular joint ankylosis in rats using disc removal and articular damage. In 30 adult male Wistar rats, articular damage was induced and disc removal performed in the right joint to induce ankylosis. The rats were divided into groups according to the time of killing (7, 15, 30, 60 and 90 days). Maximal mouth opening, mandibular deviation, initial and final weights, and duration of surgery were recorded and evaluated. After death, the joints were submitted to histological study in order to score the ankylosis. The mean duration of surgery was 14.23 min. Mean difference between initial and final maximal mouth opening was 3.38 mm, being greatest at the 15-day evaluation and lowest at 90 days, and was statistically significant at 15 days (p=0.043), 30 days (p=0.027) and 60 days (p=0.027). No mandibular deviation was observed at any of the evaluation times. Histological scores increased with time of evaluation from 7 to 30 days, when they started to fall. This study model permitted the development of fibrous ankylosis in the majority of the animals, and no bony bridge was observed between the mandibular condyle and the temporal bone.

[Canine lymphadenitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. First case in Chile]

We report the first case of canine lymphoadenomegalia caused by Cryptococcus neoformans in Chile. Physical examination of a Rottweiler dog patient showed a generalized lymphoadenomegalia that affected the submandibular, superficial cervical and popliteus lymphatic nodules. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated and identified from biopsies of the right submandibular nodule. After antifungal susceptibility, oral ketoconazole treatment was established for a period of six months showing clinical improvement. Two years post-treatment the patient showed no signs of the infection.

[Acute renal ischemia--unusual cause of lumbar pain]

Acute renal artery occlusion is rarely found in daily clinical practice. Its rarity and inespecific clinical presentation are responsible for late diagnosis or diagnostic errors, with symptoms frequently being erroneously attributed to other more common entities. There is no consensus in what concerns therapeutic options. Multiple treatment modalities are described in the available literature. Some defend anticoagulant therapy and support measures only while others recommend other more invasive alternatives reaching even open surgery. The authors present two additional case reports of acute embolic renal ischemia. A thorough literature review is also presented comprehending etiological, clinic, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

Sling bulbouretral. Experiencia del servicio

OBJECTIVES

The authors present the clinic results obtained with the bulbourethral sling application with pubic bone anchorage (Invance) in patients with stress urinary incontinence.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From July to December 2003, 10 slings were implanted in men between the 60's and the 83 years old (average 72.6 years), whose incontinence appeared after prostatic surgery (retro pubic radical prostatectomy, perineal radical prostatectomy, radical cystoprostatectomy with Camey II neobladder, transurethral resection, transvesical prostate adenomectomy).

RESULTS

After 9 months follow-up (3 to 7 months), 8 patients (80%) are continent (without need of using any pad) and 2 (20%) show minimum leakage with effort (need of 1 to 2 daily pads). All are satisfied with the surgery result. Two patients referred perineal pain, which was solved with Paracetamol. There was no case of perineal haematoma, infection, rejection or urethral erosion.

CONCLUSION

The bulbourethral sling with bone anchorage is a rather invasive procedure, of easy technical execution, with high continence rates and associated to low morbidity. Although the presented results been an incentive to the technique prolongation, it would be necessary a higher tracking: and higher global experience in order that this sling affirm and transform itself in an alternative to the artificial sphincter in selected cases.

Onychomycosis caused by Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum in São Paulo, Brazil

Fusarium species are common soil saprophytes and plant pathogens that have been frequently reported as etiologic agents of opportunistic infections in humans. We report eight cases of onychomycosis caused by Fusarium solani (4) and Fusarium oxysporum (4) in São Paulo, Brazil. These species were isolated from toenails in all cases. The infections were initially considered to be caused by dermatophytes. The clinical appearance of the affected toenails was leukonychia or distal subungual hyperkeratosis with yellowish brown coloration. The eight cases reported here suggest that Fusarium spp. should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of tinea unguium.

Dermatomycoses caused by Nattrassia mangiferae in São Paulo, Brazil

Nattrassia mangiferae formerly known as Hendersonula toruloidea, is a phaeoid coelomycete described by Nattrass in 1933. We report five cases of N. mangiferae infections in São Paulo, Brazil. This fungus was isolated from interdigital lesions on the feet in one patient, toenails in three cases and fingernails in the other one. The infections were initially considered to be caused by a dermatophyte. Although there are only a few cases described in the medical literature, the five cases reported suggest that N. mangiferae should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of tinea pedis infections.

[Solitary fibrous tumor. Two additional cases with urologic implications]

Solitary fibrous tumour is a well defined pathological entity originally described as a tumour of the pleura, but the occurrence of this neoplasm has increasingly been described at other sites. At present the development of these tumours is recognized as possible in virtually all anatomical sites. The rarity of this type of pathology has not allowed up to the present time clarification of the histogenesis, clinical behaviour, treatment and prognosis of these tumours. Differential diagnosis becomes important, especially in extra-thoracic sites so as not to mistake them for much more aggressive mesenquimal tumours. Two additional cases of this neoplasm are presented, one of them responsible for obstructive uropathy, accidentally found in a patient suffering renal trauma. The second tumour was located in the spermatic cord. A review of the theme is presented based on the available literature.

Siringocele imperforado de las glándulas de cowper. tratamiento por vía laparoscópica

OBJECTIVES

The authors present a clinical report of an imperforate syringocele diagnosed on a male patient and treated by laparoscopic surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A forty-four year old patient attends the emergency room with acute urinary retention. With a former history of mild obstructive voiding symptoms, he presented, at rectal examination, a bump on the left rectal wall. This patient also underwent urethrocistoscopy, sonography and retrograde urethrography. To establish the diagnose, Computerized Tomography (CT) scan and MRI were used.

RESULTS

The syringocele marsupialization by laparoscopic surgery, allowed the resolution of the clinical problem, with a good outcome. The patient was discharged 48 hours after surgery, with no need of a vesical catheter. A six month follow-up showed no recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The syringocele is a rare deformity which usually is asymptomatic. Of acquired or congenital etiology, it can be classified in four different morphological types: simple, perforate, imperforate and ruptured. The most frequent treatment is the marsupialization of the syringocele by endoscopic surgery, leaving a broad opening of the cavity to the urethra. Some authors recommend an open surgery excision, specially in the presence of an abscess. The laparoscopic approach becomes a minimally invasive alternative with good therapeutically outcome. In the incidentally discovered asymptomatic patients, an expectant approach is the correct approach.

[Dermatophyte infection and colonization in dogs from South Santiago, Chile]

Our main aim was to determine the dermatophyte infection and colonization prevalence in canines from South Santiago, Chile. We studied 241 dogs, 121 of them presented cutaneous lesions suggestive of dermatophytosis and the other 120 were free from lesions and were considered clinically healthy. Dermatophytes were isolated from the lesions of 48.8% of animals with cutaneous diseases and from 5% of healthy dogs. Microsporum canis was the principal species isolated with a frequency of 98.3% from dermatophytosis and from all healthy carriers. The direct microscopic test showed a sensibility of 85% with a positive and negative predictive value of 74 and 79%, respectively. The highest prevalence of dermatophytosis were detected in animals up to one year old (p <= 0.05) and in dogs with high level of irritation, scaly skin, itching and alopecia (p < or = 0.05). The lesions were detected more frequently in head-neck and anterior members (p < or = 0.05). This study shows some clinical characteristics and a frequency of dermatophytes in canines that can be interesting for laboratory professionals and veterinarians.

Ozone increases root respiration but decreases leaf CO2 assimilation in cotton and melon

It is well established that exposure of plant foliage to tropospheric ozone (O3) inhibits photosynthetic gas exchange in leaves and the translocation of current photosynthate to sink tissues. It is less clear what impact O3-reduced source strength has on the physiological responses of sink tissue such as fine roots. The responses were investigated of carbon acquisition in leaves and carbon utilization in the respiration of fine roots, following chronic (weeks) and acute (hours) exposures to O3 in open top chambers. Previous reports indicate increased, decreased, and unchanged rates of root respiration following exposure to O3. A decline in source activity is confirmed, but an increase in sink respiration is reported in fine roots of Pima cotton (cv. S-6) and muskmelon (cv. Ambrosia hybrid). Leaf source strength and root sink activity changed in opposing directions, thus there was no positive correlation that might indicate direct substrate control of root function. Additional linkages between shoot and root following exposure to O3 may be involved.

[Yeast carriage on the hands of Medicine students]

The main focus of our study was to determine the prevalence of yeasts on the hands of Medicine students and other students not related to the Health care system. Between July 1999 and July 2000, 253 students of Medicine (163) and Engineering (90) were studied. Medicine students were grouped as basic (71), pre-clinical (62) and clinical (30). The Engineering's students were divided into three groups according to the years of study. The total yeasts carried on the hands of Medicine's students were 16%. By group the results were 7% for the basic, 19% for the pre-clinical and 30% for the clinical and the prevalence of the two last groups was higher than the first one. The Engineering's students showed 9% prevalence without differences between years of career. The yeast carriage in the clinical group was higher than the equivalent control group (10%). The species frequently encountered were Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (Rhodotorula rubra) and Candida parapsilosis, with a tendency to a higher species diversity and colony count in the pre-clinical and clinical groups. This finding could explain the high prevalence of candidemia by C. parapsilosis in our hospitals. In summary, yeast carriage, diversity and quantity in Medicine students were related to the time of being in the hospital environment.

[Prevalence of Candida albican serotypes in blood isolates in Chile, and first report of Candida dubliniensis candidemia]

Our main goal was to determine the prevalence of C. albicans serotypes isolates from blood cultures and identify the presence of C. dubliniensis. We studied 47 strains identified as C. albicans by conventional methods, 28 were isolated from children and 19 from adult patients. The strains were re-identified by standard methods and phenotypic screening as xylose assimilation and growth at 42 degrees C. API ID 32C (bioMérieux) was employed with the C. dubliniensis suspected strains and confirmation was made by molecular fingerprinting using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The C. albicans serotype was determined by agglutination with antiserum anti-antigen 6 from cell wall (Candida Check, Iatron Inc., Japan) and the in vitro susceptibilities were evaluated by a microdilution method. From 47 strains, 46 were confirmed as C. albicans, 31 of them (67%) were serotype A. Adult patients presented a high prevalence of serotype A (95%) and children presented a frequency of 52% of the serotype B (p<0.05). We confirmed the identification of C. dubliniensis in one strain isolated from an infant. All serotype B strains were susceptible to fluconazole, itraconazole and amphotericin B. On the other hand, 3% and 6% of serotype A strains were "susceptible dose dependent" to fluconazole and itraconazole, respectively. C. albicans serotype A was predominant in adult candidemia and its distribution was homogenous in children patients. All strains were highly susceptible to antifungals. We report here the first case of C. dubliniensis candidemia in South America.

[Nosocomial urinary infection due to Trichosporon asahii. First two cases in Chile]

We present two cases of nosocomial urinary tract infection due to Trichosporon asahii in intensive care unit patients with bladder catheter from two hospitals in Santiago, Chile. Both patients had an several catheters and bacterial infections that required the use of antibiotic therapy. One strain showed in vitro resistance to amphotericin B. Both strains were susceptible to fluconazole, but presented MIC with dose-dependent susceptibility to ketoconazole and itraconazole. This is the first report showing T. asahii as urinary tract infection agent in Chile.

[Verrucous endocarditis secondary to Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A case report]

We report a preterm infant with 30 weeks of gestation, that received broad spectrum antimicrobials during the first days of life. At nine days of life, the infant appeared with abdominal distension and hematochezia. A systolic murmur with changing auscultatory features also appeared. An echocardiography showed an atrial vegetation. A yeast, that was identified as the emergent pathogen Saccharomyces cerevisiae appeared in two blood cultures. Treatment with amphotericin B was started, the dose was adjusted calculating the minimal inhibitory concentration of amphotericin B, and measuring plasma levels of the antimicrobial. Therefore the minimal effective dose was prescribed, avoiding its deleterious effects. After 14 days of antifungal therapy, a new echocardiography showed a reduction in the size of the atrial vegetation. At 35 days, it disappeared and amphotericin B was discontinued. On the outpatient follow up, the infant has shown a normal growth and a normal cardiac auscultation.

[Identification and antifungal susceptibility of Candida spp isolated from invasive mycoses. Influence of growth inhibition percentage to determine minimal inhibitory concentration]

BACKGROUND

An increase in the frequency of resistant strains to antifungal drugs has been detected in the last decade.

AIM

To report the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) to amphotericin B, fluconazole, ketoconazole and itraconazole. To compare the MIC obtained with 80% and 50% of growth inhibition to the azoles.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty yeast strains isolated between 1998 and 1999, from 17 adults and 33 children with invasive mycosis were studied. Susceptibility was determined by broth microdilution method with RPMI 1640 plus glucose 2% according to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (1997).

RESULTS

The most frequently isolated strains were C albicans in 27 cases and C parapsilosis in 12. All isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B. According to the MICs obtained with 80% of inhibition, 12 strains had MICs considered as resistant to azoles. Five strains were resistant both to fluconazole and itraconazole. Considering MICs obtained with 50% of inhibition, only five strains were found resistant to azoles (p < 0.05). Using this criterion, only one C glabrata strain was found to be simultaneously resistant to fluconazole and itraconazole.

CONCLUSIONS

Similar results in the pattern of susceptibility of Candida spp to azoles, to those reported abroad, are obtained when the MIC is calculated using 50% inhibition.

[Is the epidemiological surveillance system of nosocomial infections recommended by the American CDC applicable in a Chilean hospital?]

BACKGROUND

The National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System (NNIS system) is the method for surveying nosocomial infections used by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This strategy allows the comparison of different hospitals, using rate adjustments. In Chile, this system is not used.

AIM

To report the application of this system in a tertiary reference hospital in Chile.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a six months prospective cohort study. The active surveillance was carried out by using the intensive care unit and surgery components of the NNIS system. Tabulation and analysis of the data were done according to the NNIS system. In a parallel prevalence study, we determined the NNIS system sensitivity to detect nosocomial infections.

RESULTS

A total of 492 patients were followed with a global nosocomial infection rate of 14%, for discharged patients. The calculated sensitivity and specificity of the system was 84.2 and 97% respectively. In the intensive care unit, 45 of 169 patients had nosocomial infections, with an adjusted rate of 2.8% for mean hospitalization time and severity of illness. In the cardiovascular and thoracic surgical units, 216 and 107 procedures were surveyed, respectively. The global rates of nosocomial infections were 7.4 and 7.5%, respectively. The adjusted rates according to risk factors were 0.9 and 2.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that the surgical units had surgical site infections rates similar to those reported by the CDC. Nosocomial infections rates in Chile can be compared with rates observed in other countries. The epidemiological data collected can be useful to focus intervention or preventive strategies.

Venous thrombosis in relation to fibrinogen and factor VII genes among African-Americans

We evaluated the relation between venous thrombosis and plasma fibrinogen levels, the HaeIII and BcI polymorphisms of the beta fibrinogen gene, and the MspI polymorphisms of the factor VII gene in a case-control study of African-Americans. The study included 91 venous thrombosis cases and 185 control subjects obtained from a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. High plasma fibrinogen was associated with increased risk of venous thrombosis, but the finding was not statistically significant. There was little association between the HaeIII polymorphisms and the BclI polymorphisms and the risk of venous thrombosis. The prevalence of the M2/M2 genotype of the factor VII gene was higher among cases than controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. The prevalence of the HaeIII H2 allele and the BclI B2 allele of the beta fibrinogen gene, both of which have been associated with slightly higher levels of plasma fibrinogen in most studies, is considerably lower among African-Americans in this study than it is among Whites in the United States and among Northern Europeans. The study is limited by its small size. However, despite this limitation, it supports the belief that increased plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with increased venous thrombosis risk. The study also indicated that the HaeIII and the BclI polymorphisms of the beta fibrinogen gene and the MspI polymorphisms of the factor VII gene are not strong determinants of venous thrombosis.

Contamination of peritoneal dialysis fluid by filamentous fungi

Peritonitis is a frequent complication in peritoneal dialysis. It may be caused by contamination of the dialysis tubing or by extension of the catheter exit site. Gram-positive bacteria are the most common organism, accounting for 60% of all documented cases of continuous ambulatorial peritonitis dialysis. Fungi are isolated from to 1-15% of cases. Forty-nine out of 490 bottles containing fluid for peritoneal dialysis were randomly selected for microbiological analysis in São Paulo, Brazil. In this report the contamination of peritoneal dialysis fluid by Chaetomium globosum and Chrysonilia sitophila is reported.

[In vitro immunosuppressive effect of low density lipoproteins]

BACKGROUND

Immune cells participate in the formation of atheromatous plate, however little is known about the effects of native or oxidatively modified lipoproteins on these cells.

AIM

To study the effects of lipoproteins on in vitro mononuclear cell proliferation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from 10 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (aged 52 +/- 9 years old with a disease duration of 8.2 +/- 5.7 years and a mean glycosilated hemoglobin of 9.3 +/- 2.2%) and 10 non diabetic healthy controls (aged 50.3 +/- 7.1 years old). These were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) alone or in the presence of native LDLS, malondialdehyde modified LDLs or glycated LDLs. Proliferation was measured as 3H-thymidine incorporation and expressed as Stimulation Index (SI).

RESULTS

SI of patients and healthy subjects, after PHA stimulation were similar: (57.5 +/- 29.8 and 61.1 +/- 23.5) respectively LDLs did not induce proliferation in neither group. Native LDLs produced a 98% inhibition of PHA induced proliferation. Malondialdehyde modified and glycated LDLs caused a 50% inhibition. The suppressive effect was maintained when lipoproteins were incorporated to culture media 60 min prior or after PHA stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Lipoproteins inhibit in vitro PHA induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation both in diabetic and in non diabetic subjects.

[Diagnostic reliability in mental disorders of the International Classification of Diseases in primary care]

INTRODUCTION

The objective is to evaluate the test version of Chapter V - "Mental and Behavioral Disorders reliability", of the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, Version for Primary Care (ICD -10 PC), prepared by the Division of Mental Health of the World Health Organization (WHO).

METHODS

During September and October of 1994, Community General Physicians (CGP) from the Health and Environment Department of the State of Rio Grande do Sul were trained in the use of this version, prepared for the field trial, according to the design proposed by WHO.

RESULTS

The results refer to a study about reliability of diagnosis attributed by 9 pairs of CGP to 460 patients in their first appointments. Cohen's Kappa for Mental Health Disorder, present or absent, was 0,79 (CI 95%: 0,69 - 0,88).

CONCLUSION

The use of ICD-10 CP will give more specificity to the information and will allow a better communication between health workers at the level of primary care

Microbiological characteristics of yeasts isolated from urinary tracts of intensive care unit patients undergoing urinary catheterization

We studied 70 intensive care unit patients to determine the incidence of nosocomial candiduria associated with indwelling urinary catheters and to assess microbiological characteristics of the yeasts. The yeasts were isolated, 13 of 17 in urine cultures and 4 of 17 in blood cultures, and colonization had occurred 3 days after the insertion of indwelling urinary catheters. For four strains the MICs of the antifungal drugs were high.

Humoral immune response to Malassezia furfur in patients with pityriasis versicolor and seborrheic dermatitis

Humoral immune responses against exoantigen components of oval, elliptic and round yeast forms of Malassezia furfur were analysed by ELISA and Western blotting assays, using sera from patients with pityriasis versicolor (PV), seborrheic dermatitis (SD) and healthy adults (HA), as control. Sera from patients with SD showed IgG anti-oval M. furfur titers ranging from 1/400 to 1/6400 showing geometric mean (GM) of 1/1472, higher than those obtained with sera from patients with PV (1/200 to 1/6400, GM = 1/1239). Both patient groups showed mean titres statistically superior (P < 0.05) than those obtained form HA (GM = 1/229). Similar data were also obtained with the elliptic and round antigens. However, the anti-oval IgG mean titers from patients' sera were much higher than those obtained with elliptic or round antigenic components (p < 0.05) Anti-M furfur IgM titers obtained from patient's sera with PV against all three exoantigens were statistically superior (p < 0.05) than HA group. Patients with SD showed IgM titers statistically superior (p < 0.05) only to oval yeasts of M. furfur. The IgA mean titers from patients' groups against the different morphological antigens were shown be slightly higher than those HA group. By Western blot, using rabbit anti-sera, the different antigenic components of M.furfur showed a close relationship mainly between oval and elliptic yeast cells antigens. The 70 kDa component of the M. furfur exoantigen of oval morphology was recognized by 84% of the PV patients' sera. On the other hand, SD patients' sera recognized 3 principal components of 70 kDa (100%), 65 kDa (67%) and 84 kDa (53%). These components may be considered immunological markers for PV and SD. Twenty-five percent of HA sera recognized the components of 65, 70 and 94 kDa. This investigation shows that M. furfur antigens can sensitize the host, mainly the oval yeast form of M. furfur with a very important specific IgG response in patients with SD and PV.

Relation of three genetic traits to venous thrombosis in an African-American population

A mutation in the Factor V gene (Factor V Leiden), a variant in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR), and an insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene (ACE) may be related to abnormal blood clotting. The authors examined the associations between these genetic traits and venous thrombosis among African Americans. This study comprised 93 patients with venous thrombosis and 185 control subjects attending clinics at an urban, public hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1995-1996. Subjects' DNA was extracted from blood and assayed for these genetic traits. Odds ratios were obtained from logistic regression and used as a measure of association between each genetic trait and venous thrombosis. Factor V Leiden was unrelated to venous thrombosis, but the mutation ws too rare among our African-American subjects to evaluate adequately its relation to venous thrombosis. The homozygous and heterozygous genotypes for the V allele of the MTHFR gene were unrelated to venous thrombosis (odds ratio = 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.5-1.8). Subjects with the deletion/deletion ACE polymorphism experienced a moderate increase in venous thrombosis risk compared with persons with the other genotypes (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval 0.9-2.6). However, women with this ACE genotype experienced no increased risk (odds ratio = 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.5-1.9), whereas men with this genotype had nearly three times the risk (odds ratio = 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.2-6.2; p value for interaction = 0.06). These data indicate that the prevalence of Factor V Leiden and the V allele of the MTHFR gene is low among African Americans. The D allele of the ACE gene is equally prevalent among African Americans and whites and may be related to venous thrombosis among African-American men.

Isolation of Malassezia furfur from patients with onychomycosis

Malassezia furfur (Pityrosporum ovale IP. orbiculare) was found microscopically and by culture in the nails in 14 of 370 patients seen for treatment of onychomycosis in São Paulo, Brazil. The clinical features, predisposing factors and laboratory diagnosis are discussed.

A racial difference in the prevalence of the Arg506-->Gln mutation

Several recent studies have reported that the factor V Arg506-->Gln mutation is present in 3-10% of adults of European descent. To determine if the prevalence is comparable among Blacks, we have initiated a case-control study in a large urban hospital in Atlanta which serves a substantial black population. We have evaluated 131 black subjects with confirmed venous or arterial thrombosis and 61 black subjects without a history of thrombosis. Only one case and one control were positive for the Arg506-->Gln mutation. We conclude that the mutation is more common among Whites than Blacks.

Skin colonization by Malassezia furfur in healthy children up to 15 years old

The prevalence of M. furfur, a lipodependent fungus, in the skin of 0 to 15-year-old healthy children was studied. Sterilized carpet was used to collect skin samples which were cultured in Oxgall medium (Difco) with 1% olive oil and incubated for 10 days at 37 degrees C M. furfur was recovered in 17.8% of infants, with similar findings in both sexes. The highest prevalence of M. furfur colonization was found among children of 0 to 18 months and 11 to 15-year-olds, with 23.3% and 26.7% respectively.

Eubacterial components similar to small nuclear ribonucleoproteins: identification of immunoprecipitable proteins and capped RNAs in a cyanobacterium and a gram-positive eubacterium

Small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) particles play an important role in the processing of pre-mRNA. snRNPs have been identified immunologically in a variety of cells, but none have ever been observed in prokaryotic systems. This report provides the first evidence for the presence of snRNP-like components in two types of prokaryotic cells: those of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus leopoliensis and those of the gram-positive eubacterium Bacillus subtilis. These components consist of snRNP-immunoreactive proteins and RNAs, including some with the snRNP-unique 5' m2,2,7G (m3G) cap. Immunoreactivity was determined by immunoprecipitation procedures, with either antinuclear-antibody-positive (RNP- and Sm-monospecific) patient sera or a m3G monoclonal antibody, with radiolabelled cell extracts that were preadsorbed with antinuclear-antibody-negative sera. S. leopoliensis immunoprecipitates showed the presence of high-molecular-mass proteins (14 to 70 kDa) and RNAs (138 to 243 nucleotides) that are analogous in size to proteins and RNAs found in human (HEp-2) cell immunoprecipitates but absent in Escherichia coli immunoprecipitates. Thin-layer chromatography of S. leopoliensis immunoprecipitates confirmed the presence of a capped nucleotide similar to a capped nucleotide in HEp-2 immunoprecipitates; no such nucleotide was observed in E. coli immunoprecipitates. Immunoreactive RNAs (117-170 nucleotides) were identified in a second eubacterium, B. subtilis, as well. This work suggests that snRNPs or their evolutionary predecessors predate the emergence of eukaryotic cells.

[Risk factors of cardiovascular disease in a Chilean school population: I: Blood lipids in 552 children and adolescents 6-15 years of age]

The distribution of serum cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and triglycerides (TG), and the prevalence of risk-considered values were studied in school children from Concepción, Chile (6 to 15 years old; 326 boys, 226 girls). The mean TC levels were 146 mg/dl for boys and 154 mg/dl for girls but 9.1% of the sampled children had TC values between 175 and 190 mg/dl, and 10% were over 190 mg/dl. Mean LDL-C was 83 mg/dl in boys and 89 mg/dl in girls; 6% of samples showed values between 130 and 159 mg/dl, and 1.3% over 160 mg/dl. Mean HDL-C was 46 mg/dl for boys and 48 mg/dl for girls. The mean TG values were 80 mg/dl for boys and 93 mg/dl for girls.