The Contribution of Transpiration to Precipitation Over African Watersheds

The redistribution of biological (transpiration) and non-biological (interception loss, soil evaporation) fluxes of terrestrial evaporation via atmospheric circulation and precipitation is an important Earth system process. In vegetated ecosystems, transpiration dominates terrestrial evaporation and is thought to be crucial for regional moisture recycling and ecosystem functioning. However, the spatial and temporal variability in the dependency of precipitation on transpiration remains understudied, particularly in sparsely sampled regions like Africa. Here, we investigate how biological and non-biological sources of evaporation in Africa contribute to rainfall over the major watersheds in the continent. Our study is based on simulated atmospheric moisture trajectories derived from the Lagrangian model FLEXPART, driven by 1° resolution reanalysis data over 1981-2016. Using daily satellite-based fractions of transpiration over terrestrial evaporation, we isolate the contribution of vegetation to monthly rainfall. Furthermore, we highlight two watersheds (Congo and Senegal) for which we explore intra- and interannual variability of different precipitation sources, and where we find contrasting patterns of vegetation-sourced precipitation within and between years. Overall, our results show that almost 50% of the annual rainfall in Africa originates from transpiration, although the variability between watersheds is large (5%-68%). We conclude that, considering the current and projected patterns of land use change in Africa, a better understanding of the implications for continental-scale water availability is needed.

Effects of Drought on Mortality in Macro Urban Areas of Brazil Between 2000 and 2019

A significant fraction of Brazil's population has been exposed to drought in recent years, a situation that is expected to worsen in frequency and intensity due to climate change. This constitutes a current key environmental health concern, especially in densely urban areas such as several big cities and suburbs. For the first time, a comprehensive assessment of the short-term drought effects on weekly non-external, circulatory, and respiratory mortality was conducted in 13 major Brazilian macro-urban areas across 2000-2019. We applied quasi-Poisson regression models adjusted by temperature to explore the association between drought (defined by the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index) and the different mortality causes by location, sex, and age groups. We next conducted multivariate meta-analytical models separated by cause and population groups to pool individual estimates. Impact measures were expressed as the attributable fractions among the exposed population, from the relative risks (RRs). Overall, a positive association between drought exposure and mortality was evidenced in the total population, with RRs varying from 1.003 [95% CI: 0.999-1.007] to 1.010 [0.996-1.025] for non-external mortality related to moderate and extreme drought conditions, from 1.002 [0.997-1.007] to 1.008 [0.991-1.026] for circulatory mortality, and from 1.004 [0.995-1.013] to 1.013 [0.983-1.044] for respiratory mortality. Females, children, and the elderly population were the most affected groups, for whom a robust positive association was found. The study also revealed high heterogeneity between locations. We suggest that policies and action plans should pay special attention to vulnerable populations to promote efficient measures to reduce vulnerability and risks associated with droughts.

Drought effects on specific-cause mortality in Lisbon from 1983 to 2016: Risks assessment by gender and age groups

Portugal (Southwestern Europe) experiences a high incidence of dry hazards such as drought, a phenomenon that entails a notable burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide. For the first time in the Lisbon district, a time-series study was conducted to evaluate the impact of drought measured by the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) on the daily natural, circulatory, and respiratory mortality from 1983 to 2016. An assessment by gender and adult age population groups (45-64, 65-74, ≥75 years old) was included. To estimate the relative risks and attributable risks, generalised linear models with a Poisson link were used. Additionally, the influence of heatwaves and atmospheric pollution for the period from 2007 to 2016 (available period for pollution data) was considered. The main findings indicate statistically significant associations between drought conditions and all analysed causes of mortality. Moreover, SPEI shows an improved capability to reflect the different risks. People in the 45-64 year-old group did not indicate any significant influence in any of the cases, whereas the oldest groups had the highest risk. The drought effects on mortality among the population varied across the different study periods, and in general, the men population was affected more than the women population (except for the SPEI and circulatory mortality during the long study period). The short-term influence of droughts on mortality could be explained primarily by the effect of heatwaves and pollution; however, when both gender and age were considered in the Poisson models, the effect of drought also remained statistically significant when all climatic phenomena were included for specific groups of the total population and men. This type of study facilitates a better understanding of the population at risk and allows the development of more effective measures to mitigate the drought effects on the population.

Short-term effects of drought on daily mortality in Spain from 2000 to 2009

Spain is a country of southern Europe that is prone to drought, and it is likely that this type of hydrological extreme will become substantially more frequent and intense in the 21st century, which could lead to greater health risks if adequate adaptive measures are not taken. For the first time, we calculated the relative risks (RRs) of daily natural (ICD10: A00-R99), circulatory (ICD10: I00-I99), and respiratory (ICD: J00-J99) mortality associated with drought events in each province of Spain from 2000 to 2009. For this purpose, we compared the performance of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation- Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) obtained at 1 month of accumulation (denoted as SPI-1/SPEI-1) to estimate the short-term risks of droughts on daily mortality using generalised linear models. Attributable risks were calculated from the RR data. The main findings of this study revealed statistically significant associations between the different causes of daily mortality and drought events for the different provinces of Spain, and clear spatial heterogeneity was observed across the country. Western Spain (northwest to southwest) was the region most affected, in contrast to northern and eastern Spain, and daily respiratory mortality was the group most strongly linked to the incidence of drought conditions. Moreover, for a considerable number of provinces, the effect of SPI-1 and SPEI-1 largely reflected the impact of atmospheric pollution and/or heatwaves; however, for other regions, the effect of drought conditions on daily mortality remained when these different climatic events were controlled in Poisson models. When the performances of the SPEI and SPI were compared to identify and estimate the risks of drought on daily mortality, the results were very similar, although there were slight differences in the specific causes of daily mortality.

Effects on daily mortality of droughts in Galicia (NW Spain) from 1983 to 2013

Climate change scenarios indicate an increase in the intensity and frequency of droughts in several regions of the world in the 21st century, especially in Southern Europe, highlighting the threat to global health. For the first time, a time-series diagnostic study has been conducted regarding the impact of droughts in Galicia, a region in north-western Spain, on daily natural-cause mortality, daily circulatory-cause mortality, and daily respiratory-cause mortality, from 1983 to 2013. We analysed the drought periods over the area of interest using the daily Standardized Evapotranspiration-Precipitation Index (SPEI) and the daily Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), obtained at various timescales (1, 3, 6, 9 months), to identify and classify the intensity of drought and non-drought periods. Generalized linear models with the Poisson regression link were used to calculate the Relative Risks (RRs) of different causes of mortality, and the percentage of Attributable Risk Mortality (%AR) was calculated based on RRs data. According to our findings, there were statistically significant (p < 0.05) associations between drought periods, measured by both the daily SPEI and SPI, and daily mortality in all provinces of Galicia (except Pontevedra) for different timescales. Furthermore, drought periods had a greater influence on daily mortality in the interior provinces of Galicia than in the coastal regions, with Lugo being the most affected. In short term, the effect of droughts (along with heatwaves) on daily mortality was observed in interior regions and was mainly explained by atmospheric pollution effect throughout 2000 to 2009 period in Ourense, being respiratory causes of mortality the group most strongly associated. The fact that droughts are likely to become increasingly frequent and intense in the context of climate change and the lack of studies that have considered the impact of droughts on specific causes of mortality make this type of analysis necessary.

A Lagrangian approach for investigating anomalies in the moisture transport during drought episodes

The present work proposes a Lagrangian diagnostic scheme to investigate the anomalous moisture transport before, during, and after the occurrence of drought episodes. The Lagrangian approach proposed here uses the model FLEXPART integrated with the ERA-Interim data set and it has been successfully applied in previous studies concerning the climatological characterization of the sources and sinks of moisture in several regions around the world. The drought episodes will be identified and characterized through the SPEI index. The anomalies of the moisture sources for the area affected will be analyzed, as well as the impact of the droughts on the moisture transport from the area affected towards its climatological sinks (previous studies suggest that some heat wave episodes can be associated with anomalies in moisture transport). In other words, the methodology proposes to investigate the role of the area affected as a receptor/source of moisture during the drought episodes. As an example of applicability of the methodology, the severe drought episode over central U.S. in 2012 is analyzed. An analysis of the 2012 anomalies suggests that there was some reduction in the contribution from the local and continental climatological moisture sources for the central U.S. mainly from June to October. The period from July to October 2012 was also characterized by the reduction of the moisture transport from the drought area towards its climatological sinks located over northeastern North America. A better understanding not only of the transport of humidity, but also of the relationship between sources/sinks of moisture and of possible impacts generated by variations in the sources is crucial for a more accurate weather forecast, helping to minimize the consequences of the natural hazards.

Assessing the response of exploited marine populations in a context of rapid climate change: the case of blackspot seabream from the Strait of Gibraltar

There is a growing concern over the decline of fisheries and the possibility of the decline becoming worse due to climate change. Studies on small–scale fisheries could help to improve our understanding of the effect of climate on the ecology of exploited stocks. The Strait of Gibraltar is an important fishery ground for artisanal fleets. In this area, blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) is the main species targeted by artisanal fisheries in view of its relevance in landed weight. The aims of this study were to explore the possible effects of two atmospheric oscillations, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Arctic Oscillation (AO), on the capture of blackspot seabream in the Strait of Gibraltar, to determine their association with oceanographic conditions, and to improve our knowledge about the possible effects of climate change on fisheries ecology so that fishery management can be improved. We used two types of data from different sources: (i) landings per unit of effort reported from a second working group between Morocco and Spain on Pagellus bogaraveo in the Gibraltar Strait area, for the period 1983–2011, and (ii) the recorded blackspot seabream landings obtained from the annual fisheries statistics published by the Junta de Andalucía (Andalusian Regional Government). Our results indicate that the long–term landing of blackspot seabream in the Strait of Gibraltar is closely associated with atmospheric oscillations. Thus, prolonged periods of positive trends in the NAO and AO could favour high fishery yields. In contrast, negative trends in NAO and AO could drastically reduce yield.

Analysis of the effect of atmospheric oscillations on physical condition of pre–reproductive bluefin tuna from the Strait of Gibraltar

The aim of this study was to explore the possible effects of atmospheric oscillations: North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Arctic Oscillation (AO), on the physical condition of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). We estimated a fitness ratio from 3,501 pairs of length–weight data based on bluefin tuna caught in bait–boat fisheries before the spawning season (January, February and March), for each length class and year. In order to obtain a single fitness ratio (K–mean) per year we determined the average for all length classes. We also evaluated Le Cren’s condition index (KLC). We observed significant positive correlations between the atmospheric oscillations and both physical condition indexes. In the case of K–mean, the AO explained 75% of the observed variability. Regarding KLC, the NAO explained approximately 73% of the observed variability, while the AO explained 70% of the observed variability. The increase in physical conditions of bluefin tuna in association with positive atmospheric oscillations could be mediated by the increase in the prevalence of strong trade winds. We concluded that the increase in the prevalence of strong westerly winds, mediated by a positive AO or NAO, favours the trip from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean by reducing energy costs due to migration and by increasing the supply of nutrients at the surface by the mixing of deep water and surface water in local areas such as the Strait of Gibraltar.

Biosynthesis of hamster zona pellucida is restricted to the oocyte

The zona pellucida (ZP) is an extracellular coat that surrounds the mammalian oocyte and the early embryo until implantation. This coat mediates several critical aspects of fertilization, including species-selective sperm recognition, the blocking of polyspermy and protection of the oocyte and the preimplantation embryo. Depending on the species, the ZP is composed of three to four different glycoproteins encoded by three or four genes. These genes have been cloned and sequenced for different species. However, controversy exists about the cell type specificity of the ZP glycoproteins, for which several models have been proposed. Different groups have reported that ZP is produced only by the oocytes, by the granulosa cells or by both cell types, depending on the species under study. We recently described the expression of four ZP proteins in the hamster ovary. By means of the complete set of the hamster ZP cDNAs, we undertook the study of the origin and expression pattern of the four ZP genes. In the present work, the expression of ZP1, ZP2, ZP3 and ZP4 is carefully analyzed by in situ hybridization (ISH) in hamster ovaries. Our data suggest that the four hamster ZP genes are expressed in a coordinate and oocyte-specific manner during folliculogenesis. Furthermore, this expression is maximal during the first stages of the oocyte development and declines in oocytes from later development stages, particularly within large antral follicles.

Expression of chick Fgf19 and mouse Fgf15 orthologs is regulated in the developing brain by Fgf8 and Shh

Fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) constitute a family of signaling molecules that play essential roles in development. We have studied the expression pattern of mouse Fgf15 in the developing brain. Fgf19 is another member of the FGF family that has been suggested as the chick and human ortholog of mouse and rat Fgf15. Here, we compare the expression pattern during neural development of chick Fgf19 with mouse Fgf15. Unlike Fgf15, Fgf19 presents an expression in the isthmic alar plate, diencephalic and mesencephalic parabasal plates, hindbrain basal plate, as well as in the zona limitans intrathalamica (zli). Moreover, we explored the regulation between Fgf19 and the signaling molecules of the isthmic and zli organizers: Fgf8 and Shh, respectively. Considering the possibility that Fgf19 plays a similar role in humans and chicks, this finding could explain the significant diencephalic phenotypic differences between humans and mice in models and diseases where the Shh pathway is affected.

Ezrin gene, coding for a membrane-cytoskeleton linker protein, is regionally expressed in the developing mouse neuroepithelium

Ezrin is a member of the Ezrin, Radixin, Moesin (ERM) proteins family that are proposed to act as linkers between the cytoskeleton and plasma membrane. Ezrin regulates cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions playing a role in the regulation of cellular adhesion, movement and morphology in epithelia. Alterations in the expression of Ezrin and other members of ERM family have also been observed in brain tumours. Here we report the expression pattern of Ezrin during mouse neural development, from early stages to postnatal stages. In young and middle gestation embryos, Ezrin is expressed in the roof plate of the neural tube, in the presumptive domain of the choroidal plexus, and in some precise domains of ventricular epithelium. These domains are distributed in basal and alar neuroepithelial regions, some of them in relation to the expression of cadherins. At later gestation and postnatal stages, Ezrin expression is maintained on the mature choroidal plexus and is weakly detected in the proliferative regions of the mature brain.

Study of Fgf15 gene expression in developing mouse brain

Fibroblast growth factor 15 (Fgf15) is a gene regulated by the expression of Otx2 in developing mouse brain (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 97 (2000) 14388). Otx2 gene codes for a transcription factor and is fundamental for the regionalisation and development of the anterior neural plate and cephalic region of the vertebrate embryo (Development 124 (1997) 3639). In addition, the thalamic expression of Fgf15 has been recently reported under the control of Shh signalling gene, expressed in the diencephalic basal plate (Development 129 (2002) 4807). In the present work, we have analysed Fgf15 expression pattern during mouse neural development. Fgf15 appeared early in the developing neural epithelium, in domains where Fgf8 gene is also expressed and, at later stages, in specific groups of neural cells. Fgf8 is an important signalling protein with demonstrated morphogenetic activity in several embryonic regions. Fgf15 expression is localized, like Fgf8, in secondary neural tube organizers: the isthmic organizer (IsO) and the anterior neural ridge (ANR).

Analysis of Fgf15 expression pattern in the mouse neural tube

The dynamic process of neural tube regionalization in vertebrates is regulated by the expression of developmental genes which appear in characteristic patterns at neuroepithelial transversal domains, which are called secondary organizers. The molecular code present in these neuroepithelial organizers controls the generation of morphogenetic signals that induce and maintain regional characteristics in the surrounding neuroepithelium. The product of the Fgf8 gene is a secreted protein that has been demonstrated to be the key molecule for the isthmic organizer and is also expressed in two other organizer regions: the zona limitans and the anterior neural ridge. Here we analyze the expression of Fgf15 at different stages of mouse development in relation to Fgf8 and Otx2 expression patterns.

[Urologic complications in renal transplantation. Study of 250 cases]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is value the incidence of urological complications (fistulae and estenosis) in our serie of renal transplant, to analyze the variables that can influence in their appearance and the treatments used. Likewise, to value the follow-up of theses patients and the survival of the renal graft and of the patient.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

250 renal transplants are carried out between july of 1985 and october of 1998. The relationship among the variables you makes by means of the test chi 2 of Pearson and the test of Fisher; the contrasts of stockings with the t of Student; the survival of the organ and of the patient, by means of the analysis of curved of survival according to the method of Kaplan and Meier; and the comparison among curved of survival was carried out with the test of Cloth and Cox.

RESULTS

Of the 250 transplants, 46 patients suffered for complications, 29 urinary fistulae (11.6%) and 21 estenosis (8.4%). The most frequent localization in both complications was the union uretero-vesical. The presence of urinary fistulae didn't influence negatively in a significant way nor over the survival of the implant (p < 0.211), neither over the patient's survival. The estenosis appearance was related in a significant way with the donor's age (p < 0.02). The estenosis presence was not related in a significant way neither with the survival of the implant neither with that of the receiver.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of urological complications was of 18.4% (11.6% estenosis and 8.4% fistulae). The most frequent localization was the union uretero-vesical. The presence of estenosis correlated with the increase of the age of the donors. The technique of reimplante ureteral didn't influence in the results in a significant way. We don't find any relationship between the appearance of urological complications and the patient's survival.

How effective has been the reduction of SO2 emissions on the effect of acid rain on ecosystems?

The paper attempts to assess the effectiveness of the reduction of SO2 emissions over recent years for protection of ecosystems in both Europe and eastern USA by analysis of temporal changes in the acidifying potential (AP) of wet deposition defined as [SO4(2-)] - ([Ca2+] + [Mg2+]). Spatial and temporal patterns of acidifying potential were studied. The main result is that there is no statistical evidence for a trend towards improvement in the acidifying potential, because there have been declines in Ca precipitation. This suggests that the reduction of SO2 emissions has not been effective as an abatement strategy.

Therapy of visceral leishmaniasis in renal transplant recipients intolerant to pentavalent antimonials

Visceral leishmaniasis should be suspected in renal transplant recipients in whom a fever develops of unknown origin. A 53-year-old renal transplant recipient developed pyrexia, hepatosplenomegaly, and pancytopenia 4 years after transplantation. Antileishmaniasis serology was negative, and the diagnosis was confirmed through bone marrow examination. Treatment with glucantine (N-methylglucamine antimoniate) led to acute pancreatitis, and treatment with ketoconazole plus allopurinol for 21 days was effective to eradicate Leishmania donovani.

Sources of SO2, SO42-, NOx, and NO3- in the Air of Four Spanish Remote Stations

In this study we have analyzed the sources of SO₂, SO₄^2-, No_x, and NO₃^- in the air of four remote Spanish stations belonging to the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) network. Information about trajectories has been used together with the conditional probability functions (CPFs).¹ The most remarkable result is that the Mediterranean area is the main source of these pollutants in the air of the Spanish EMEP stations. Northern Africa and Central Europe are also important sources while the Atlantic Ocean and British Islands are, in general terms, low sources of these pollutants. The role of the Iberian Peninsula as a source of pollutants in one of the stations, Logrono, is analyzed with more details using smaller regions to define CPFs.

The ideal therapy must be defined in each geographical area: experience with a quadruple therapy in Spain

BACKGROUND

Multiple therapeutic combinations have been tested to determine the optimal regimen(s) for Helicobacter pylori eradication, leading to very different results depending on the geographical area. Our goal was to evaluate the efficacy of a "quadruple" therapy with omeprazole, tetracycline, bismuth and metronidazole in our area.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigate 106 consecutive patients with active peptic ulcer disease (duodenal, gastric or both) and Helicobacter pylori infection. One-week therapy with omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d., tetracycline hydrochloride 500 mg q.i.d., colloidal bismuth subcitrate 120 mg q.i.d., and metronidazole 250 mg t.i.d was prescribed. Between the days 30 and 40 after treatment ended follow-up endoscopy was performed. Eradication was defined as both negative urease test and histology. Between days 90 and 360 a 13C urea breath test was performed in 100 patients.

RESULTS

Of the 106 patients in the study, 91 had duodenal ulcer, 12 had gastric ulcer, and 3 had both. Side effects were observed in 25% of the cases. Eradication was achieved in 87.7% (93/106; CI 79.9-93.3). Healing was obtained in 95.2% (100/105; CI 89.2-98.4); 97.8% (CI 92.4-99.7) in those eradicated and 75% (CI 42.8-94.5) in non-eradicated (p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Quadruple therapy with omeprazole, tetracycline, bismuth subcitrate and metronidazole achieves healing rates up to 95-100%. The 87.7% eradication rate obtained suggests that the regimen we used is a reasonable therapeutic alternative in our area.

Eradication of helicobacter pylori among patients from a primary care practice

BACKGROUND

The eradication of Helicobacter pylori is becoming the therapy of choice for peptic ulcers, if the infection is present. Published data from primary care settings are, however, limited.

METHODS

An open-ended, prospective study was undertaken that included 31 patients with active peptic ulcer demonstrated by endoscopy and H pylori infection confirmed by urease and histologic tests. After a 14-day period of treatment with omeprazole, bismuth, tetracycline, and metronidazole, healing and H pylori status were evaluated by repeat endoscopy done at least 28 days after the last treatment dose. Eradication is defined as absence of H pylori in at least four (two from the fundus and two from the antrum) samples taken from the gastric mucosa and a negative urease test. Drug side effects and patient compliance were monitored in all cases.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients completed the protocol. Healing was obtained in all cases, and eradication was accomplished in 25 (89%). Side effects were common (69%) but mild. Compliance was good. After a mean follow-up of 300 days (range, 180 to 400), one ulcer recurrence was observed in an H pylori-positive patient and none in H pylori-negative patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of H pylori infection is an effective way of healing peptic ulcers, and can be applied in primary care settings. Further studies with more patients and with shorter and easier therapies should be undertaken to confirm our findings.

[The value of symptoms in the diagnosis of peptic ulcer: an approximation to the primary care medium]

GOAL

To evaluate which clinical data are useful to select those patients with peptic ulcers in primary care most likely to benefit from complementary studies.

METHODS

This is a prospective study done on 101 patients evaluated in a period of a year in a Primary Care Center. In all patients an endoscopy was done when a peptic ulcer was considered a possibility. In all cases a standardized questionnaire was completed before endoscopy and the patient evaluated by his primary care physician. The final diagnosis was defined according to endoscopy, done by expert endoscopists within seven days of the clinical evaluation. Statistical analysis was undertaken with SPSS software.

RESULTS

An active peptic ulcer was found in 45 (44.5%) cases. A high-grade MALT lymphoma was diagnosed in one case. Male sex, smoking status, number of cigarettes, smoking-index, and a previous history of ulcer complications were significantly associated with the diagnosis, as well as severe diurnal or nocturnal pain. Mean age was lower in ulcer patients. However no clinical data in individual or combined form did show any predictive value.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical data do not permit to obviate endoscopy as the key initial procedure to diagnosis, even in primary care.

Pesticide effects on eel metabolism pesticide; levels did not decline at any time when animals were exposed to 4.1 mg/liter

Previous works on endosulfan eel toxicology in this laboratory demonstrated that 0.041 mg/liter of endosulfan was the 50% lethal concentration of 96 hr exposure. Eels of species Anguilla anguilla were exposed to two sublethal endosulfan concentrations: 8.2 micrograms/liter (1/5 LC50) and 4.1 micrograms/liter (1/10 LC50), and the experiment was done at different exposure times: 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr. Muscle glycogen content decreased significantly (p < 0.05) at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr exposure to 8.2 micrograms/liter. Muscle lactate levels in fish did not change significantly while lactate levels in eel blood increased at 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr exposure to 8.2 micrograms/liter. Mean blood glucose values were elevated after exposure to both endosulfan concentrations. The results are discussed in relation to the stress effect produced by the pesticide and the related responses of the fish.

[Ocular toxocariasis or retinoblastoma?]

BACKGROUND

Seroprevalence studies in Spain have shown that a high number of the population has been in contact with Toxocara canis although no cases of ocular involvement by this helminth have been described. The clinical and age of presentation makes differential diagnosis with retinoblastoma necessary, which is at time difficult, although essential since the treatment and prognosis are very different.

METHODS

One case of ocular toxocariosis and the diagnostic keys based on the following are described: ophthalmologic exploration, imaging techniques (ECHO, TC, NMR), aqueous humor cytology, LDH quotient of aqueous/serum humor, and determination of specific anti-Toxocara antibodies by ELISA in serum and aqueous humor.

CONCLUSIONS

Correct differential diagnosis between ocular toxocariosis and retinoblastoma is required.

Gastric juice and analysis of basal and stimulated secretion following treatment with rice-bran oil

In determining whether rice-bran oil (RBO) has antisecretory activity, we induced stress ulcers in 20 Wistar rats (10 controls; 10 animals given 0.2 ml/day RBO orally for 4 days prior to ulcer induction). In turn, we analyzed gastric juice for histamine, pepsin, H+ concentration ([H+]) and output volume. A second, complementary study was made of basal and stimulated gastric secretion through continuous "in vivo" recording of output. Secretion was stimulated with increasing doses of histamine, betanechol and pentagastrin. Ninety-four rats were used (47 controls and 47 rats given 0.2 ml/day RBO orally for 4 days prior to gastric output evaluation). The results were evaluated by the Student t-test. Ulcer index in the RBO-treated rats was significantly lower than among the controls (p less than 0.01), as also reflected by a significantly greater decrease in [H+] among the RBO-treated rats (p less than 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed for the remaining parameters. Continuous recording of basal gastric output showed a significant decrease in [H+] among the RBO-treated rats (p less than 0.01). Following histamine stimulation, [H+] was likewise significantly lower among the RBO-treated rats than in the controls. However, no significant differences were observed following stimulation with either betanechol or pentagastrin. RBO contains a high percentage of unsaturated fats; the latter act as precursors in the synthesis of arachidonic acid, which in turn is the essential precursor of prostaglandins--established inhibitors of gastric secretion. RBO also contains antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol, which may likewise stimulate the synthesis of prostaglandins. RBO likely acts by increasing prostaglandin output, thus interfering with gastric HCl production.

Neurosurgical infection treated with fosfomycin and 6-methylprednisolone

A left parietal parasagittal meningioma was removed in a 67-year-old female patient. In the postoperative period she had a neurosurgical cerebral suppurating infection: subdural, epidural and epicranial, connected to the exterior by several fistulas. In the operative revision and after a culture, the germ causing the infection, E. coli, was isolated. Treatment was begun with 16 g of intravenous fosfomycin and 120 mg daily of 6-methylprednisolone intramuscularly, and this treatment cured the patient.