Does depression influence the postoperative result of total hip arthroplasties?

Chronic pain and functional limitations caused by coxarthrosis are important factors in the onset of depression, as there are higher rates of depression in this group of patients than in the general population. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been shown to decrease pain and improve function in these patients, which may positively influence the patient's depressive symptoms. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the differences between patients with depression and patients without depression in the immediate postoperative period (pain and hospitalization time) and to evaluate functional outcomes one year after surgery. Therefore, we conducted a prospective cohort study in which all patients with indications for primary total hip arthroplasty during 2018 were included. Preoperatively, patients completed the PHQ-9 questionnaire, and were classified into patients with depression (if preoperative PHQ-9 > or = to 10) and patients without depression (pre PHQ-9 < to 10). During the hospital stay, postoperative pain was assessed by VAS, and the need for analgesic rescue with major opioids. One year after surgery, the PHQ-9 test was retaken, and functional outcomes were assessed. The results showed that both groups were comparable in terms of sex, age, BMI, and ASA. No differences were found in postoperative pain or hospitalization time. There were also no differences between the two groups of patients in functional outcomes one year after surgery. Therefore, we can conclude that patients with a diagnosis of depression do not present worse postoperative pain after THA. In addition, they show a significant improvement in their depressive symptoms one year after surgery.

Reply to "Comment on 'Validity of path thermodynamic description of reactive systems: Microscopic simulations' "

The Comment's author argues that a correct description of reactive systems should incorporate an explicit interaction with reservoirs, leading to a unified system-reservoir entity. However, this proposition has two major flaws. First, as we will emphasize, this entity inherently follows a thermodynamic equilibrium distribution. In the Comment, no indication is provided on how to maintain such a system-reservoir entity in a nonequilibrium state. Second, contrary to the author's claim, the inclusion of a system-reservoir interaction in the traditional stochastic modeling of reactive systems does not automatically alter the limited applicability of path thermodynamics to problematic reactive systems. We will provide a simple demonstration to illustrate that certain elementary reactions may not involve any changes in reservoir components, which seem to have been overlooked by the author.

Modeling electrokinetic flows with the discrete ion stochastic continuum overdamped solvent algorithm

In this article we develop an algorithm for the efficient simulation of electrolytes in the presence of physical boundaries. In previous work the discrete ion stochastic continuum overdamped solvent (DISCOS) algorithm was derived for triply periodic domains, and was validated through ion-ion pair correlation functions and Debye-Hückel-Onsager theory for conductivity, including the Wien effect for strong electric fields. In extending this approach to include an accurate treatment of physical boundaries we must address several important issues. First, the modifications to the spreading and interpolation operators necessary to incorporate interactions of the ions with the boundary are described. Next we discuss the modifications to the electrostatic solver to handle the influence of charges near either a fixed potential or dielectric boundary. An additional short-ranged potential is also introduced to represent interaction of the ions with a solid wall. Finally, the dry diffusion term is modified to account for the reduced mobility of ions near a boundary, which introduces an additional stochastic drift correction. Several validation tests are presented confirming the correct equilibrium distribution of ions in a channel. Additionally, the methodology is demonstrated using electro-osmosis and induced-charge electro-osmosis, with comparison made to theory and other numerical methods. Notably, the DISCOS approach achieves greater accuracy than a continuum electrostatic simulation method. We also examine the effect of under-resolving hydrodynamic effects using a "dry diffusion" approach, and find that considerable computational speedup can be achieved with a negligible impact on accuracy.

Glycaemic responses of staple South Asian foods alone and combined with curried chicken as a mixed meal

BACKGROUND

The glycaemic responses of staples differ when eaten as mixed meals. We determined the glycaemic responses and glycaemic index (GI) values for common South Asian carbohydrate rich foods and the effect of adding curried chicken to them as mixed meals.

METHODS

The GI and glycaemic response to staples (basmati rice, pilau rice and chapatti) and mixed meals (pilau rice with chicken curry and chapatti with chicken curry) were measured in healthy volunteers. Paired comparisons in each subject were carried out for staples and their equivalent mixed meals (n = 9).

RESULTS

GI values for the mixed meals were significantly lower than the staples alone (41 and 60 for pilau rice with chicken curry and pilau rice alone, P = 0.001; 45 and 68 for chapatti with chicken curry and chapatti alone, P = 0.004). Both, pilau rice and chapatti with chicken curry had a significantly lower glycaemic response than their equivalent staples alone: incremental area under the blood glucose response curves (IAUC) 111.9 mmol min(-1 ) L(-1) for pilau rice with curry versus 162.4 mmol min(-1 ) L(-1) for pilau rice alone (P = 0.001) and IAUC 110.1 mmol min(-1 ) L(-1) for chapatti with chicken curry versus 183.6 mmol min(-1 ) L(-1) for chapatti alone (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Adding fat and protein-containing curries as part of a mixed meal to carbohydrate rich staple foods reduced glycaemic responses, and also changed the GI category.

Citrus Responses to Xylella fastidiosa Infection

The xylem-limited bacterium Xylella fastidosa causes the widely disseminated citrus variegated chlorosis disease (CVC). In Brazil, CVC has been known for more than 20 years and affects only sweet orange. Lime and mandarin have remained free of symptoms despite the high inoculum pressure. Knowing the mechanisms underlying this apparent resistance is important to devise new disease control strategies. The reaction of commercial sweet orange ('Caipira', 'Natal', 'Pêra', and 'Valencia'), lime (Mexican and Persian), mandarin ('Cleopatra', 'Cravo', 'Ponkan', and 'Sunki'), and the acid citrus species Rangpur to X. fastidiosa was compared in artificially inoculated seedlings, which were assessed for symptom expression, pathogen isolation, and the amount of apparently occluded xylem vessels in cross-sectioned leaf petioles. Only the sweet orange expressed typical CVC symptoms, varying from 53.8% in Valencia to 63.0% in Caipira. Average percentages of positive isolations (pi) and occluded vessels (ov) were higher in sweet orange (pi= 59.2 to 75.0; ov = 10.7 to 25.8) than mandarin (pi = 2.3 to 16.3; ov = 1.4 to 4.0), lime (pi = 0 to 5.4; ov = 0 to 2.1), or Rangpur (pi = 1,9; ov = 1.1). There were no obvious differences in xylem anatomy among all citrus varieties, suggesting that the mechanisms of resistance to CVC are not related to any physical variation in xylem structure.

Plasma beta-carotene is not a suitable biomarker of fruit and vegetable intake in german subjects with a long-term high consumption of fruits and vegetables

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

beta-Carotene is often used as a marker for the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed, but little is known about plasma beta-carotene concentrations in subjects whose habitual (long-term) diets are characterized by different amounts of foods of plant origin. We compared dietary beta-carotene intake and plasma concentrations in women on habitual diets differing in the consumed amounts of foods of plant origin.

METHODS

A comparison of dietary beta-carotene intakes and plasma beta-carotene concentrations in women adhering to an average Western diet (n = 172), wholesome nutrition (following preventive recommendations) (n = 238) or a raw food diet (n = 104).

RESULTS

Dietary beta-carotene intake was 5.5, 9.3, 14.7 mg/day for women adhering to an average Western diet, wholesome nutrition and raw food diet, respectively (p < 0.001). Corresponding multivariate adjusted plasma beta-carotene concentrations were 1.07, 1.65, and 1.16 micromol/l, respectively (p < 0.001). Comparable dietary beta-carotene intake resulted in lower multivariate adjusted plasma beta-carotene in women adhering to a raw food diet and average Western diet compared to those on wholesome nutrition (p < 0.001 for all intake groups up to 20 mg/day). The amount of fruit and vegetable intake did not predict plasma beta-carotene levels in women consuming a raw food diet.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma beta-carotene concentrations differed among the diet groups, with highest plasma levels in women adhering to wholesome nutrition. Plasma beta-carotene concentrations may not reflect beta-carotene intake and the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed.

Effect of wall-molecule interactions on electrokinetic transport of charged molecules in nanofluidic channels during FET flow control

The interactions between charged molecules and channel surfaces are expected to significantly influence the electrokinetic transport of molecules and their separations in nanochannels. This study reports the effect of wall-molecule interactions on flow control of negatively charged Alexa 488 and positively charged Rhodamine B dye molecules in an array of nanochannels (100 nm wx 500 nm dx 14 mm l) embedded in fluidic field effect transistors (FETs). For FET flow control, a third electrical potential, known as a gate bias, is applied to the channel walls to manipulate their zeta-potential. Electroosmotic flow of charged dye molecules is accelerated or reversed according to the polarity and magnitude of the gate bias. During FET flow control, we monitor how the electrostatic interaction between charged dye molecules and channel walls affects the apparent velocity of molecules, using laser-scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy. We observe that the changes in flow speed and direction of negatively charged Alexa 488 is much more pronounced than that of positively charged Rhodamine B in response to the gate bias that causes either repulsive or attractive electrostatic interactions. This observation is supported by calculations of concentration-weighted velocity profiles of the two dye molecules during FET flow control. The velocity profile of negatively charged Alexa 488 is much more pronounced at the center of each nanochannel than near its walls since Alexa 488 molecules are repelled from negatively charged channel walls. This pronounced center velocity further responds to the gate bias, increasing the average velocity by as much as 23% when -30 V is applied to the gate (zeta-potential = -80.6 mV). In contrast, the velocity profile of positively charged Rhodamine B is dispersed over the entire channel width due to dye-wall attraction and adsorption. Our experimental observations and calculations support the hypothesis that valence-charge-dependent electrostatic interaction and its manipulation by the gate bias would enhance molecular separations of differentially charged molecules in nanofluidic FETs.

Formation and dynamics of supported phospholipid membranes on a periodic nanotextured substrate

We have studied and modeled the morphology and dynamics of fluid planar lipid bilayer membranes supported on a textured silicon substrate. The substrate is fabricated to have channels on its surface that are a few hundred nanometers across, with a channel depth of a few hundred nanometers perpendicular to the plane of observation. Using atomic force microscopy and quantitative fluorescence microscopy, we have shown that the bilayer assemblies conform to the underlying nanostructured substrate. As far as dynamics is concerned, when observed over length scales exceeding the dimensions of the nanostructured features, the macroscopic diffusion is anisotropic. However, the macroscopic anisotropy is well simulated using models of diffusion on the nanostructured surface that consider the lipids to diffuse homogeneously and isotropically on the supporting substrate. Consistent with previous observations on less well characterized or less periodic nanostructures, we find that the nanostructured substrate produces an effective anisotropy in macroscopic diffusion of the conformal membrane. More importantly, we demonstrate how quantitative analysis of dynamics probed by larger-scale fluorescence imaging can yield information on nanoscale thin-film morphology.

Effect of olive oil consumption on serum resistin concentrations in healthy men

Resistin has been linked to atherosclerosis and inflammatory processes in humans. Some polyphenols have been shown to downregulate resistin expression in adipocytes. The effects of olive oil phenolics on resistin are not known; therefore, we investigated the impact of olive oil consumption on serum resistin as a function of the olive oils' phenolic content. In a randomized, controlled, cross-over study 38 healthy German men aged 38+/-2 years replaced their usual consumption of raw fat during 3 periods of 3 weeks each by 25 ml of virgin, common and refined olive oil varying in phenolic content. Serum resistin, blood lipids and urine biomarkers of subjects' compliance were analysed at baseline and at the end of each intervention period. The integration of olive oil in the subjects' habitual diet led to a decrease in total cholesterol (p=0.025) and triglycerides (p=0.013) independent of the content of phenolic compounds in the oil. Serum resistin concentrations were not affected by the olive oils' phenolic content. After low phenolic olive oil consumption, a decrease in serum resistin level was observed compared to medium and high phenolic olive oil (-0.4+/-0.1 ng/ml; p=0.040). Our results suggest that olive oil consumption has only marginal beneficial effects on serum resistin levels.

Electrokinetic transport and separations in fluidic nanochannels

This article presents a summary of theory, experimental studies, and results for the electrokinetic transport in small fluidic nanochannels. The main focus is on the effect of the electric double layer on the EOF, electric current, and electrophoresis of charged analytes. The double layer thickness can be of the same order as the width of the nanochannels, which has an impact on the transport by shaping the fluid velocity profile, local distributions of the electrolytes, and charged analytes. Our theoretical consideration is limited to continuum analysis where the equations of classical hydrodynamics and electrodynamics still apply. We show that small channels may lead to qualitatively new effects like selective ionic transport based on charge number as well as different modes for molecular separation. These new possibilities together with the rapid development of nanofabrication capabilities lead to an extensive experimental effort to utilize nanochannels for a variety of applications, which are also discussed and analyzed in this review.

Serum resistin increases in a postprandial state during liquid meal challenge test in healthy human subjects

The role of resistin in humans is controversial although resistin has been linked to atherosclerotic and inflammatory processes. In rodents, resistin expression is suppressed after food restriction while central administration of resistin promotes short-term satiety. However, the nature of postprandial responses in circulating resistin in humans is unknown. Therefore, we investigated postprandial resistin concentrations in a pilot study in 19 healthy subjects and 19 controls matched for age and body mass index (BMI). Serum resistin, insulin and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations as well as plasma glucose and triglycerides were repeatedly assessed before and after ingestion of an isocaloric standardized liquid meal during a 300 min period.After consumption of liquid meal, serum resistin levels increased compared to fasting control (p=0.037). Postprandial plasma glucose and serum insulin increased (p<0.001) with lower glucose responses in females (p=0.001) and lower insulin responses in males (p=0.012). Plasma triglycerides increased and serum NEFA decreased with similar gender responses (p=0.025 and p<0.001, respectively). Serum resistin was not correlated to glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and NEFA responses to liquid meal challenge tests. The present data suggest that serum resistin increases postprandially in healthy humans. Additional studies are needed to elucidate normal 24-h daytime profiles in humans and differential response of serum resistin to macronutrient composition of meals.

Arabinoxylan fibre consumption improved glucose metabolism, but did not affect serum adipokines in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance

The consumption of arabinoxylan, a soluble fibre fraction, has been shown to improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetic subjects. Soluble dietary fibre may modulate gastrointestinal or adipose tissue hormones regulating food intake. The present study investigated the effects of arabinoxylan consumption on serum glucose, insulin, lipids, leptin, adiponectin and resistin in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. In a randomized, single-blind, controlled, crossover intervention trial, 11 adults consumed white bread rolls as either placebo or supplemented with 15 g arabinoxylan for 6 weeks with a 6-week washout period. Fasting serum glucose, insulin, triglycerides, unesterified fatty acids, apolipoprotein A1 and B, adiponectin, resistin and leptin were assessed before and after intervention. Fasting serum glucose, serum triglycerides and apolipoprotein A-1 were significantly lower during arabinoxylan consumption compared to placebo (p=0.029, p=0.047; p=0.029, respectively). No effects of arabinoxylan were observed for insulin, adiponectin, leptin and resistin as well as for apolipoprotein B, and unesterified fatty acids. In conclusion, the consumption of AX in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance improved fasting serum glucose, and triglycerides. However, this beneficial effect was not accompanied by changes in fasting adipokine concentrations.

Arabinoxylan consumption decreases postprandial serum glucose, serum insulin and plasma total ghrelin response in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance

OBJECTIVE

Arabinoxylan (AX) consumption is associated with metabolic improvement during diabetes and with modulation of ghrelin, an orexigenic gut hormone. The effect of AX consumption on ghrelin secretion in disturbed metabolic states is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the postprandial responses to AX consumption of serum glucose, insulin and triglycerides and plasma total and acylated ghrelin in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

DESIGN

Randomized, single-blind, controlled, crossover intervention trial.

SUBJECTS

Seven female and four male adults with IGT, aged 55.5 years, and body mass index (BMI) 30.1 kg/m(2).

INTERVENTION

Subjects received either placebo or 15 g AX supplement for 6 weeks with a 6-week washout period in-between.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Postprandial responses of serum glucose, insulin and triglycerides, and plasma total and acylated ghrelin after a liquid meal challenge test (LMCT) measured at the beginning and at the end of the dietary intervention at -20, -5, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210 and 240 min.

RESULTS

After LMCT, AX consumption resulted in lower postprandial responses in serum glucose, insulin and triglycerides (P<0.05). Compared to placebo, total plasma ghrelin was also reduced by 42+/-8 pg/ml (P<0.001) after AX consumption with no difference in plasma acylated ghrelin.

CONCLUSION

AX consumption improved postprandial metabolic responses after an LMCT in subjects with IGT and reduced total ghrelin response. However, acylated ghrelin responses were unchanged, suggesting that the acylated ghrelin-mediated orexigenic regulation is not improved as only total plasma ghrelin decreased.

Increase in serum resistin during weight loss in overweight subjects is related to lipid metabolism

OBJECTIVE

Human resistin has been stated to influence preadipocyte cell numbers and to stimulate adipocyte triglyceride lipolysis in vivo and in vitro. However, its role in human obesity remains unclear.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study for comparisons of lean and obese subjects, and subsequent longitudinal 4-month weight loss intervention study in obese subjects.

SUBJECTS

Healthy subjects, lean (n=20, BMI<25) and overweight (n=43, BMI>or=25).

MEASUREMENTS

Serum resistin, body weight, body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, as well as markers of insulin resistance and lipid metabolism at baseline and after 4 months of intervention.

RESULTS

Serum resistin was positively correlated to HOMA-IR (partial r=0.288; P=0.055), serum fructosamines (partial r=0.280; P=0.062), serum NEFA (partial r=0.276; P=0.066) and negatively to age (partial r=-0.349; P=0.019) and serum apolipoprotein A-1 (partial r=-0.363; P=0.014). During the intervention, serum resistin increased significantly (P<0.001). The increase was inversely related to changes in waist-to-hip ratio (P=0.025) and positively to serum apolipoprotein B (P=0.011). In males only, the increase in resistin during weight loss was predicted by total serum cholesterol at baseline (r=0.703, P=0.007). No relation was observed between changes in resistin and changes in HOMA-IR.

CONCLUSION

The present study indicates an association between serum resistin and markers of abdominal fat distribution as well as the regulation of lipid metabolism. However, human resistin is unlikely to play an independent role in the regulation of glucose metabolism.

Electrokinetic molecular separation in nanoscale fluidic channels

This report presents a study of electrokinetic transport in a series of integrated macro- to nano-fluidic chips that allow for controlled injection of molecular mixtures into high-density arrays of nanochannels. The high-aspect-ratio nanochannels were fabricated on a Si wafer using interferometric lithography and standard semiconductor industry processes, and are capped with a transparent Pyrex cover slip to allow for experimental observations. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to examine the electrokinetic transport of a negatively charged dye (Alexa 488) and a neutral dye (rhodamine B) within nanochannels that varied in width from 35 to 200 nm with electric field strengths equal to or below 2000 V m-1. In the negatively charged channels, nanoconfinement and interactions between the respective solutes and channel walls give rise to higher electroosmotic velocities for the negatively charged dye than for the neutral dye, towards the negative electrode, resulting in an anomalous separation that occurs over a relatively short distance (<1 mm). Increasing the channel widths leads to a switch in the electroosmotic transport behavior observed in microscale channels, where neutral molecules move faster because the negatively charged molecules are slowed by the electrophoretic drag. Thus a clear distinction between "nano-" and "microfluidic" regimes is established. We present an analytical model that accounts for the electrokinetic transport and adsorption (of the neutral dye) at the channel walls, and is in good agreement with the experimental data. The observed effects have potential for use in new nano-separation technologies.

An easy-to-use semiquantitative food record validated for energy intake by using doubly labelled water technique

BACKGROUND

Estimating dietary intake is important for both epidemiological and clinical studies, but often lacks accuracy.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the accuracy and validity of energy intake estimated by an easy-to-use semiquantitative food record (EI(SQFR)) compared to total energy expenditure (TEE) estimated by doubly labelled water technique (EE(DLW)).

DESIGN

TEE was measured in 29 nonobese subjects using the doubly labelled water method over a period of 14 days. Within this period, subjects reported their food consumption by a newly developed semiquantitative food record for 4 consecutive days. Energy intake was calculated using the German Food Code and Nutrition Data Base BLS II.3.

RESULTS

A good correlation was observed between EI(SQFR) and EE(DLW) (r = 0.685, P < 0.001). The mean difference between EI(SQFR) and EE(DLW) was -1.7+/-2.6 MJ/day (-14+/-21%, P = 0.002). An underestimation of EI(SQFR) <10% was observed in nine subjects (31%), of 10-20% in six subjects (21%), and of >20% in nine subjects (31%). In five subjects (17%), an overestimation of EI(SQFR) was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The easy-to-use semiquantitative food record provided good estimates of EI in free-living and nonobese adults without prior detailed verbal instructions. The presented food record has limitations regarding accuracy at the individual level.

American tegumentary leishmaniasis: antigen-gene polymorphism, taxonomy and clinical pleomorphism

Multi-locus enzyme electrophoresis is the current gold standard for the genetic characterisation of Leishmania. However, this method is time-consuming and, more importantly, cannot be directly applied to parasites present in host tissue. PCR-based methods represent an ideal alternative but, to date, a multi-locus analysis has not been applied to the same sample. This has now been achieved with a sample of 55 neotropical isolates (Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, L. (V.) peruviana, L. (V.) guyanensis, L. (V.) lainsoni and L. (L.) amazonensis), using five different genes as targets, four of which encoded major Leishmania antigens (gp63, Hsp70, H2B and Cpb). Our multi-locus approach strongly supports the current taxonomy and demonstrates a highly robust method of distinguishing different strains. Within L. (V.) braziliensis, we did not encounter so far specific genetic differences between parasites isolated from cutaneous and mucosal lesions. Interestingly, results provided by each of the different antigen-genes in the species considered, were different, suggesting different selective pressures. Our work emphasises the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to study the clinical pleomorphism of leishmaniasis.

Validation of a simplified physical activity record by doubly labeled water technique

INTRODUCTION

For obtaining reliable information about physical activity in epidemiological studies, validated and easy-to-use instruments are required. Therefore, a new simplified physical activity record based on 15-min recording intervals was developed and validated.

SUBJECTS

Nonobese volunteers (n = 31).

MEASUREMENTS

Physical activity was recorded over a 7-day period without detailed instructions. Energy expenditure was calculated (EE(sPAR)) and compared to energy expenditure measured by doubly labelled water technique (EE(DLW)).

RESULTS

A good agreement between EE(sPAR) (12.1+/-3.0) and EE(DLW) (11.7+/-3.3) with a mean difference of 0.33+/-1.55 MJ (r = 0.880, P < 0.001) was observed. The absolute difference between EE(sPAR) and EE(DLW) was < 10% in 65% of the subjects. The difference between EE(sPAR) and EE(DLW) was independent of gender, age, body weight, and body mass index. A weak positive association between the difference and total body fat was observed (r = 0.618, P < 0.001), suggesting a slight tendency to overestimate EE(sPAR) with increasing total body fat.

CONCLUSION

The new simplified physical activity protocol needs no detailed instructions, provides valid estimates of physical activity in nonobese free-living adults and can be used in epidemiological studies to assess total daily energy expenditure and physical activity level.

Coccidioidomycosis in pregnancy during an epidemic in California

OBJECTIVE

To determine presentation, clinical course, and outcome of a cohort of pregnant women with coccidioidomycosis and compare findings with common observations reported in the literature.

METHODS

Thirty-two women who delivered live infants or aborted fetuses in 1993 and had confirmed diagnoses of coccidioidomycosis were included in the study. Medical records were evaluated retrospectively for clinical characteristics, laboratory results, and disease course.

RESULTS

Dissemination occurred in three of 32 cases. The most common management was supportive and symptomatic care. At 1 year, 26 of 32 had recovered. There were no maternal deaths.

CONCLUSION

The common depiction of coccidioidomycosis in pregnancy has overstated morbidity and mortality likely because of reporting bias. Many women will have favorable outcomes without drug treatment, and the practice of abortions or early delivery in subjects with active infection should be rare.

Burnett description for plane Poiseuille flow

Two recent works have shown that at small Knudsen number (K) the pressure and temperature profiles in plane Poiseuille flow exhibit a different qualitative behavior from the profiles obtained by the Navier-Stokes equations. Tij and Santos [J. Stat. Phys. 76, 1399 (1994)] used the Bhatnagar-Gross-Kook model to show that the temperature profile is bimodal and the pressure profile is nonconstant. Malek-Mansour, Baras, and Garcia [Physica A 240, 255 (1997)] qualitatively confirmed these predictions in computer experiments using the direct simulation Monte Carlo method (DSMC). In this paper we compare the DSMC measurements of hydrodynamic variables and non-equilibrium fluxes with numerical solutions of the Burnett equations. Given that they are in better agreement with molecular-dynamics simulations [E. Salomons and M. Mareschal, Phys. Rev. Lett. 69, 269 (1992)] of strong shock waves than Navier-Stokes [F. J. Uribe, R. M. Velasco, and L. S. García-Colín, Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 2044 (1998)], and that they are second order in Knudsen number suggests that the Burnett equations may provide a better description for large K. We find that for plane Poiseuille flow the Burnett equations do not predict the bimodal temperature profile but do recover many of the other anomalous features (e.g., nonconstant pressure and nonzero parallel heat flux).

Random amplification of polymorphic DNA as a tool for taxonomic studies of triatomine bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Eleven of 27 decameric primers were found to be suitable for random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) from triatomine bugs on the basis that they produced discrete profiles and distinguished among Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister), Rhodnius prolixus Stål, and Triatoma infestans (Klug). The legs, or single leg segments, of individual bugs were used as the source of DNA so that the taxonomic value of the bug was conserved. Within the scope of the specimens studied, RAPD profiles allowed assignment to species even when bugs were kept dry for up to 12 mo. Profiles for individuals within a species were not identical. RAPD profiles, with the specimens tested, distinguished among species of 3 pairs considered to be morphologically similar and closely related, namely, Rhodnius ecuadorensis Lent & León and Rhodnius pictipes Stål; Rhodnius nasutus Stål, and Rhodnius neglectus Lent; Rhodnius prolixus Stål and Rhodnius robustus Larrousse. RAPD data conformed with the perceived affinities among these species. RAPD polymorphisms were seen with T. infestans from 3 different localities, but none of the polymorphisms was confined to 1 source. RAPD provided a molecular basis to reassess taxonomic relationships within the Triatomine subfamily. The accurate distinction of triatomine species and of intraspecific bug populations may contribute to elimination of vector-borne Chagas disease from the Americas.

Leishmaniasis in the lowlands of Bolivia. Entomological studies on sandflies of the "Valle del Sacta". Tropical Carrasco of the Department of Cochabamba

Up to 1987, through the LEISHBOL project (CEE-STD1) studies on sandflies were performed in the rain forests of Yapacani, a region of the Department of Santa Cruz. In another set of studies, also carried out within the LEISHBOLPE project (CEE-STD2), sandflies were studied in the rain forests of the "Valle del Sacta, Prov. Carrasco" of the Departament of Cochabamba, to determine the composition of the species, its density, the anthropophilic species, and its infection by flagellates. 18 species were identified, from those collected in the Valle del Sacta, one of which was a new species now being described as Lutzomyia lerayi n-sp. Only 7 species are common with those identified in Yapacani, in spite of the proximity and of the apparent similarity of the biotopes. Lu. shawi was the only species captured practically year round, and highest densities were identified in October with 7.6 "females/hour/shannon trap". The lowest monthly density occurred in July with "0.2 female/hour/shannon trap." In relation to the altitudinal density of Lu. shawi, it was higher at 5 meters (5.5 females/night/CDC in October) than at 1 meter (2.3 females/night/CDC-trap in November) above ground level. The following species was detected as anthropophilic: Lu. shawi, Lu. amazonensis, Lu. evangelistai and Lu. sherlocki. 4.5% (7 of 154) of Lu. shawi were found to be infected by flagellates in suprapiloric position. The composition of the sandfly species of Valle del Sacta is different than that of Yacapani. The most important species of Valle del Sacta is Lu. shawi, instead of Lu. yucumensis of Yapacani.

Mixed infestation of a domestic cat by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Oslerus rostratus

Two types of nematodes were found in the lungs of a Spanish cat in poor condition. One type was identified as the rather common Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. The other, although presenting slight differences in some of its measurements, had the morphologic features and the characteristic location of Oslerus rostratus, a species which apparently has not been previously reported in Europe. It is hypothesized that O. rostratus is a parasite of wild felids, the domestic cat being just an accidental host. No severe pathological changes were related to the presence of O. rostratus.

[Isolation, identification and serotyping of Candida albicans from vaginal secretions]

Foram estudadas 104 amostras de secreção vaginal de mulheres com suspeita de candidiase segundo observações clinicas, na cidade de Alfenas-MG. Encontrou-se 55,7% de positividade para Candida albicans .prevalecendo maior índice na raça negra (64% de 25 amostras), sendo de 53,1% (79 amostras), a positividade na raça branca. Em 14 gestantes, a pesquisa da levedura mostrou-se positiva na totalidade dos casos. A maioria das amostras positivas (93,1%) procedia de mulheres com idade compreendida entre 20 40 anos. O uso de anticoncepcionais, antibióticos e presença de displasias cervicais mostraram-se como fatores que contribuiram para maior incidência do fungo. Das 58 amostras de C. albicans isoladas, 50 (86,2%) pertenciam ao sorotipo "A", sendo 37 (74%) isoladas de mulheres da raça branca e 13 (26%) da raça negra. Apenas 08 amostras (13,8%) pertenciam ao sorotipo "B", sendo 05 (11,9%) isoladas a partir de mulheres da raça branca e 03 (18,75%) da raça negra.