Descriptions of six new species of Caryospora (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Guatemalan snakes (Serpentes: Colubridae and Viperidae)

One hundred and seventy snakes were collected in Guatemala and examined for coccidia. Of these, 8 individuals representing 6 host species were positive for Caryospora spp., 6 of which are described as new species. Sporulated oocysts of Caryospora bothriechis n. sp. from Bothriechis aurifer are spheroidal to subspheroidal, 12.7 x 12.5 (12-14 x 12-13) microm, with a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.0; they lack a micropyle (M) or oocyst residuum (OR), but 1 large polar granule (PG) is usually present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 9.0-7.5 (8-10 x 7-8) microm, and have a L/W ratio of 1.2, and a Stieda body (SB) and sporocyst residuum (SR). Oocysts of Caryospora coniophanis n. sp. from Coniophanes imperialis are spheroidal to subspheroidal, 18.8 x 18.1 (17-20.5 x 16-20) microm, with a L/W ratio of 1.0; they lack a M and OR, but 1 large PG is usually present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 13.2 x 9.4 (12-15 x 8-10) microm with a L/W ratio of 1.4, and a SB, substieda body (SSB), and SR. Oocysts of Caryospora conophae n. sp. from Conophis lineatus are spheroid to subspheroidal, 20.4 x 19.5 (17-26 x 17-25) microm, with a L/W ratio of 1.0; they lack a M and OR, but 1 large PG is usually present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 13.1 x 9.8 (11-15 x 8-11) microm with a L/W ratio of 1.3 and a SB, SSB, and SR. Oocysts of Caryospora guatemalensis n. sp. from Lampropeltis triangulum are spheroidal to subspheroidal, 23.9 x 23.2 (20-27 x 20-26) microm, with a L/W ratio of 1.0; they lack a M and OR, but 1 large PG is usually present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 14.4 x 10.6 (13-18 x 9-13) microm, with a L/W ratio of 1.4 and a SB, SSB, and SR. Oocysts of Caryospora mayorum n. sp. from Conophis lineatus are spheroidal to subspheroidal, 25.6 x 24.4 (24-27 x 24-25) microm, with a L/W ratio of 1.0; they lack a M and OR, but 1 large PG is usually present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 16.3 x 11.9 (16-18 x 11-13) microm, with a L/W ratio of 1.4 and a SB, SSB, and SR. Oocysts of Caryospora zacapensis n. sp. from Masticophis mentovarius are spheroidal to subspheroidal, 22.5 x 21.8 (19-25 x 18-25) microm, with a L/W ratio of 1.0; they lack a M and OR, but 1 large PG is usually present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 14.6 x 11.4 (11-16 x 10-13) microm, with a L/W ratio of 1.3 and a SB, SSB, and SR.

Factors associated with the catastrophic decline of a cloudforest frog fauna in Guatemala

Comparison of recent and historical surveys of frog populations in cloudforest habitat in Sierra de las Minas, Guatemala, indicated population declines and local extirpation of several species. Pathological exams of diseased tadpoles indicated infection by amphibian chytridiomycosis. The local habitat has been severely altered by recent establishment of large-scale leatherleaf fern production. Analysis of water chemistry at our study site suggested increased nitrogenation associated with the leatherleaf industry.

Resin-dentin interfacial ultrastructure and microtensile dentin bond strength after five-year water storage

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a total-etch three-step adhesive system's resin-dentin interfacial ultrastructure and microtensile dentin bond strength (microTBS) after multi-year storage in water.

METHODS

Resin composite crowns were formed on 600 grit SiC flattened extracted human molars using a total-etch three-step adhesive system (Optibond FL, Kerr) and a hybrid resin composite (Prodigy, Kerr). microTBS specimens were fabricated and placed in water with 0.5% chloramine T at 37 degrees C until respective static load to failure testing at one-month, six-months and five-year storage. Failure modes were determined by scanning electron microscopy. The interfacial ultrastructure of the resin-dentin interface was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at 48-hours and 44-months storage. microTBS was modeled with Weibull distribution for survival analysis and failure curve distributions were analyzed by the Wald chi-square statistic for significant differences at alpha=0.05.

RESULTS

The characteristic tensile strength (sigma omicron) at one-month, six-months and five-year storage was 52.63, 14.77 and 23.57 Mpa, with a Weibull modulus of 3.04, 1.56 and 1.28, respectively. Failure distributions for all groups were significantly different (p<0.0001) with one-month > five-year > six-months. TEM interfacial morphology demonstrated hydrolytic degradation of hybrid layer components at 44-months storage.

SIGNIFICANCE

The decrease in tensile strength and changes in ultrastructure may be caused by water sorption and resultant hydrolytic degradation of the adhesive joint.

Sorption and oxic degradation of the explosive CL-20 during transport in subsurface sediments

The abiotic sorption and oxic degradation processes that control the fate of the explosive CL-20, Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane, in the subsurface environment were investigated to determine the potential for vadose and groundwater contamination. Sorption of aqueous CL-20 is relatively small (K(d) = 0.02-3.83 cm3 g(-1) for 7 sediments and 12 minerals), which results in only slight retardation relative to water movement. Thus, CL-20 could move quickly through unsaturated and saturated sediments of comparable composition to groundwater, similar to the subsurface behavior of RDX. CL-20 sorption was mainly to mineral surfaces of the sediments, and the resulting isotherm was nonlinear. CL-20 abiotically degrades in oxic environments at slow rates (i.e., 10s to 100s of hours) with a wide variety of minerals, but at fast rates (i.e., minutes) in the presence of 2:1 phyllosilicate clays (hectorite, montmorillonite, nontronite), micas (biotite, illite), and specific oxides (MnO2 and the ferrous-ferric iron oxide magnetite). High concentrations of surface ferrous iron in a dithionite reduced sediment degraded CL-20 the fastest (half-life < 0.05 h), but 2:1 clays containing no structural or adsorbed ferrous iron (hectorite) could also quickly degrade CL-20 (half-life < 0.2 h). CL-20 degradation rates were slower in natural sediments (half-life 3-800 h) compared to minerals. Sediments with slow degradation rates and small sorption would exhibit the highest potential for deep subsurface migration. Products of CL-20 oxic degradation included three high molecular weight compounds and anions (nitrite and formate). The 2-3.5 moles of nitrite produced suggest CL-20 nitro-groups are degraded, and the amount of formate produced (0.2-1.2 moles) suggests the CL-20 cage structure is broken in some sediments. Identification of further degradation products and CL-20 mineralization rates is needed to fully assess the impact of these CL-20 transformation rates on the risk of CL-20 (and degradation product) subsurface movement.

Novel inhibitors of procollagen C-proteinase. Part 2: glutamic acid hydroxamates

Glutamic acid derived hydroxamates were identified as potent and selective inhibitors of procollagen C-proteinase, an essential enzyme for the processing of procollagens to fibrillar collagens. Such compounds have potential therapeutic application in the treatment of fibrosis.

A new species of Spauligodon (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) parasite of Cnemidophorus spp. (Lacertilia: Teiidae) from southern Mexico

A new species of Spauligodon collected from Cnemidophorus mexicanus and C. deppii is described in this study. The species is placed in Spauligodon because the caudal alae start at the level of the precloacal papillae and embed the adcloacal papillae. The new species is most similar to S. goldbergi, but diagnostic traits of the former are the presence of 2 ridges in lateral alae, flaplike expansions in the caudal end of lateral alae, and a smooth tail for males. This species is the eighth recorded in the neotropics.

Depressive symptoms predict medical care utilization in a population-based sample

BACKGROUND

Several examinations have detected a relation between depressive symptoms and medical utilization. However, selection biases have been involved in most previous examinations. We sought to test the association between depressive symptoms and prospective, increased medical care utilization, in a population-based Canadian sample, while controlling for utilization due to medical illness and controlling for selection bias.

METHODS

Data from the Nova Scotia Health Survey 1995, an age- and sex-stratified random sampling of 3227 Nova Scotian adults, included the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale and items assessing chronic medical conditions and current limitations in daily activities resulting from medical illness. We linked survey data with medical care utilization measures for the year following the survey, including out-patient visits, reimbursement for out-patient services, hospitalizations, and hospitalization days.

RESULTS

After controlling for age, sex, count of medical diagnoses and current medical severity, those with a greater level of depressive symptoms were at greater risk of having increased medical care utilization in the following year. These results remained after removing mental health care utilization costs.

CONCLUSIONS

In a population-based sample, depressive symptoms predicted greater medical care utilization, independent of a number of medical severity measures. Whether depressive symptoms are a risk marker or a causal risk factor for increased medical utilization remains to be explored.

The appeal cycle in three cultures: an exploratory comparison of child development

Mother-child behaviors were studied in three cultural groups: Caucasian American (CA), overseas Japanese (JPN), and Chinese Vietnamese (CVN) immigrants. The children were sixteen to twenty-five months old, and the appeal cycle, with its descriptive analytic method, was the research paradigm. Group differences were found in appeal cycle occurrence and phase frequencies. CA mothers promoted independence through encouragement of decision making and toddler-initiated play, and through nonintrusive interactions. Neither JPN nor CVN mothers encouraged independence. JPN mothers were subtly directive; CVN mothers overtly so. Generally, CA toddlers played independently, evincing a beginning capacity for self-regulation. JPN and CVN toddlers reacted to separation by staying close to their mothers, and fewer were observed to play independently than in the CA group. CVN toddlers played independently more frequently than JPN toddlers, but less frequently than CA toddlers. Quantitative measures of dyadic behaviors generally support the descriptive findings, though methodological constraints did not permit comparison of phase sequencing. The findings reflect cultural differences in child development thought to influence psychic structure formation.

A new species of arboreal pitviper from the Atlantic versant of northern Central America

A new species of green, prehensile-tailed pitviper of the genus Bothriechis is described from the Atlantic slopes of eastern Guatemala and western Honduras. This species appears to be most closely related to B. bicolor of the Pacific versant of Chiapas (Mexico) and Guatemala. Several other species of Bothriechis occur on the Atlantic versant of northern Central America, including two montane species, B. aurifer and B. marchi but, with one possible exception, these are not known to be sympatric with the new species and occur in different mountain ranges. The widespread B. schlegelii occurs up to at least 900 m on the Sierra de Caral, where the lowest elevation recorded for the new species is 885 m.

A phase I study of oxidized raffinose cross-linked human hemoglobin

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety of oxidized-raffinose cross-linked human hemoglobin, Hemolink, in normal healthy volunteers.

DESIGN

Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

SETTING

Clinical research facility of a contract research organization.

PATIENTS

Forty-two healthy adult male volunteers of which 33 received Hemolink.

INTERVENTIONS

Oxidized-raffinose cross-linked and polymerized hemoglobin as a 10% (w/v) solution, in doses of 0.025-0.6 g/kg or an equivalent volume of lactated Ringer's solution, was infused intravenously on day 1, and subjects were monitored for 3 days in the clinical facility with < or =6 wks follow-up. Major organ function was assessed pre- and postinfusion, by hemodynamic, electrocardiographic, pulmonary function, and clinical chemistry measurements.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Doses of 1.7-42 g of hemoglobin were administered with no serious adverse events noted. Abdominal pain of moderate to severe intensity was seen in some subjects at doses >0.4 g/kg and was alleviated with smooth muscle relaxants. There was a dose-dependent increase in mean arterial pressure with a plateau of approximately 14% above baseline at 0.1 g/kg. There was a concomitant reduction in heart rate, with no electrocardiographic abnormalities found. Respiratory function was not affected. There was a dose-dependent increase in serum bilirubin with values above the upper limit of normal at doses of > or =0.4 g/kg. Small increases in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were noted in some patients, whereas alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase remained in the normal range. Serum amylase concentrations were normal in 31 of 33 patients receiving Hemolink, whereas lipase was within the normal range in 21 of 33 patients. LDH was increased in a dose-dependent fashion. Two patients had increased creatine kinase concentrations, with a normal creatine kinase-MB mass fraction. All hematologic variables were within the normal range. The half-life of the oligomeric (>64 kDa) fraction of Hemolink was 18-20 hrs.

CONCLUSION

Oxidized-raffinose cross-linked hemoglobin, Hemolink, at doses < or =0.6 g/kg were well tolerated in healthy volunteers with no evidence of organ dysfunction. Further investigation of its potential use in surgical and trauma settings appears warranted.

A new Eimeria sP. from the plumbeous Central American caecilian, Dermophis mexicanus (amphibia: gymnophiona) from Volcán Tajumulco, Department of San Marcos, Guatemala

Fresh fecal samples from 5 caecilians (Dermophis mexicanus) were collected and examined for coccidia in the summer of 1998. The caecilians were collected in the Department of San Marcos, Guatemala. Two of the 5 (40%) specimens of caecilians contained an Eimeria species that is described here as new. This represents the first coccidia described from a gymnophionian host. Sporulated oocysts are spheroidal to subspheroidal, 19.5 X 17.7 (16-23 x 15-21) microm, micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent, and 3 (or more) polar granules are always present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 11.0 X 7.2 (10-12 x 6-9); a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present.

Crystal structures of MMP-1 and -13 reveal the structural basis for selectivity of collagenase inhibitors

The X-ray crystal structures of the catalytic domain of human collagenase-3 (MMP-13) and collagenase-1 (MMP-1) with bound inhibitors provides a basis for understanding the selectivity profile of a novel series of matrix metalloprotease (MMP) inhibitors. Differences in the relative size and shape of the MMP S1' pockets suggest that this pocket is a critical determinant of MMP inhibitor selectivity. The collagenase-3 S1' pocket is long and open, easily accommodating large P1' groups, such as diphenylether. In contrast, the collagenase-1 S1' pocket must undergo a conformational change to accommodate comparable P1' groups. The selectivity of the diphenylether series of inhibitors for collagenase-3 is largely determined by their affinity for the preformed S1' pocket of collagenase-3, as compared to the induced fit in collagenase-1.