Pesticides in aquifers from Latin America and the Caribbean

In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), agriculture is the primary consumer of water and the biggest user of pesticides worldwide. Given that groundwater is a crucial resource in this region, a systematic review was conducted to evaluate the current state of knowledge on the presence of pesticides in aquifers. The review examined 48 research papers published between 1998 and 2020, and found that only six countries in the region have information on pesticides in groundwater. A total of 70 agrochemicals were detected, encompassing legacy pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and metabolites. Herbicides, including the widely used atrazine and glyphosate, were the most commonly detected current-use pesticides. These herbicides are being gradually banned or restricted due to their potentially harmful effects on the environment. Factors that contribute to the presence of these contaminants in aquifers include preferential flows, seasonal variations in rainfall, aquifer type, unsaturated zone thickness, and land use and management practices. Researchers noted that analysis of these contaminants is often beyond the economic or methodological scope, and analytical capacity in the region is generally limited. Based on the findings of this review, there is a clear need for groundwater pesticide monitoring in the region to reduce health risks to humans and ecosystems.

Post-COVID-19 tomographic abnormalities

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of persistent respiratory symptoms tends to be low in patients with a longer recovery time after COVID-19. However, some patients may present persistent pulmonary abnormalities.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of tomographic abnormalities 90 days after symptom onset in patients with COVID-19 and compare two chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) analysis techniques.METHODS: A multicentre study of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 having oxygen saturation <93% on room air at hospital admission were evaluated using pulmonary function and HRCT scans 90 days after symptom onset. The images were evaluated by two thoracic radiologists, and were assessed using software that automatically quantified the extent of pulmonary abnormalities.RESULTS: Of the 91 patients included, 81% had at least one pulmonary lobe with abnormalities 90 days after discharge (84% were identified using the automated algorithm). Ground-glass opacities (76%) and parenchymal bands (65%) were the predominant abnormalities. Both chest HRCT technical assessments presented high sensitivity (95.9%) and positive predictive value (92%), with a statistically significant correlation at baseline (R = 0.80) and after 90 days (R = 0.36).CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pulmonary abnormalities on chest HRCT 90 days after symptom onset due to COVID-19 was high; both technical assessments can be used to analyse the images.

Incorporating local researchers' and decision makers' preferences for groundwater resources management in a spatial multi-voiced decision model

Water is a crucial and highly sensitive political issue. The overexploitation of groundwater resources and deterioration of water quality caused by pollution as well as the deficiencies of the existing infrastructure require immediate attention. The main goal of this paper is to carry out a multi-voiced multicriteria analysis that integrates the preferences of local researchers and decision makers in a process aimed at prioritizing watersheds that require the implementation of groundwater management instruments. Using the Criterium Decision Plus system, criteria and subcriteria were integrated into a spatial multi-voiced decision model for the prioritization of watersheds for groundwater resources management. The criteria chosen were Groundwater quality, Groundwater quantity, Land use with potential pollutant load, Equity and Intrinsic aquifer vulnerability. Criteria and subcriteria preferences analysis were derived from workshops with local researchers and decision makers. The spatial multi-voiced decision model identified five of the fourteen watersheds as high to very high priority and requiring groundwater resources management. Based on the local researchers' and decision makers' preferences and hierarchy scheme of the multi-voiced decision model the main criteria and subcriteria that contributed to the final model results were identified. Regarding the criteria, Groundwater quality, Equity and Groundwater quantity contributed extensively to the model. The subcriteria contributions to the groundwater resources management came mainly from High intrinsic aquifer vulnerability, Agrochemicals, Groundwater Storage and Groundwater for domestic supply. This proposed procedure showed that time and effort can be directed to using data and preferences to assist in planning and decision making for groundwater resources management.

A Decision Support Tool For Water Pollution and Eutrophication Prevention In Groundwater-dependent Shallow Lakes From Periurban Areas Based On The DPSIR Framework

The deterioration of water quality worldwide is a serious environmental problem. Water managers still need operational tools to assess water issues and to inform water planning and decision-making. The aim of this article is to propose a 3-step methodological framework for assessing water pollution problems by combining a conceptual modeling tool (DPSIR) with the development of a quantitative model (Multi-Criteria Decision Model). This contribution provides a practical and flexible evaluation tool for conducting an integrated assessment of eutrophication and agrochemicals delivered to groundwater-dependent shallow lakes. It lays out action guidelines for decision-making environmental managers within the context of intermediate cities in developing countries. Forty-one indicators were identified to characterize the D-P-S-I compartments and for the multi-criteria model conceptualization. In this work, response options analysis consisted of evaluating and choosing water management instruments via a decision support tool. Two lake watersheds located in the peri-urban of two middle-size cities, in Argentina, were chosen to illustrate this methodological approach. The ensuing results allowed establishing a ranking of areas to prioritize, identifying a criteria and sub-criteria to focus on in order to set out action guidelines to minimize water pollution and eutrophication. These action guidelines are urgently needed in emerging countries, where financial, human resources and infrastructure are limited. The scarcity of such causes important implications regarding policy solutions for environmental issues. The implemented decision support tool in both lake watersheds provided a common basis for the understanding of the ongoing water pollution problems and a quantitative ranking (i.e., decision scores) for defining specific actions (responses) for human-induced stresses on such natural systems.

18F-FDG PET/CT images defined the true extent of a urothelial bladder carcinoma

A patient was referred, after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, for pre-surgical evaluation of urothelial bladder carcinoma (single lesion). Two thickenings in the left ureter wall identified on the CT scan were equivocal for malignancy. 18F-FDG PET/CT with delayed pelvic images, hyperhydration, and furosemide showed hypermetabolic ureteral metastases and multifocal bladder tumors. There were no lymph nodes or distant metastases. These 18F-FDG PET/CT findings completely altered the surgical treatment. The patient underwent left nephroureterectomy, radical cystoprostatectomy, and lymphadenectomy, followed by a urinary transit reconstruction. Histopathology confirmed multifocal high-grade urothelial carcinoma in the bladder walls and left ureter and benign lymph nodes.

Aspectos Clínicos para a Realização do Procedimento de Moldagem de Trabalho em Prótese Parcial Fixa: Revisão de Literatura

A moldagem é um passo fundamental em um tratamento reabilitador protético oral, quanto melhor a exatidão deste procedimento, mais informações serão alcançadas, possibilitando assim, que se realize um trabalho com sucesso. O objetivo do trabalho é expor os achados na literatura sobre os aspectos clínicos dos materiais e técnicas de moldagem de trabalho em prótese parcial fixa. O levantamento bibliográfico foi realizado através de artigos científicos publicados a partir do ano de 2010 até o ano de 2016, dos bancos de dados SciELO, Bireme e PubMed, por meio dos descritores: Próteses, Impressão e Materiais. Após a leitura do Resumo de trinta artigos, foram selecionados vinte e cinco que apresentavam a temática em questão, sendo cinco artigos excluídos por    não apresentarem de forma concisa e direta o critério esperado, sendo este, uma abordagem dos materiais e técnicas de moldagem de trabalho em prótese parcial fixa. Com base nos artigos avaliados, pode-se observar que os elastômeros são os materiais mais utilizados na execução de moldagens de trabalho em prótese parcial fixa, e em relação as técnicas de moldagem, foi visto que todas as técnicas podem ser utilizadas, não apresentando diferença significativa entre elas. Contudo para se obter sucesso clínico neste procedimento, o mesmo deve ser criteriosamente executado, cabendo aos cirurgiões dentistas respeitar suas limitações e utilizar a técnica de forma precisa para que sua reabilitação oral alcance excelência. Palavras-chave: Próteses. Impressão. Materiais.

Análise Dimensional de Técnicas de Moldagem em Prótese Parcial Fixa

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar quatro técnicas de moldagem de trabalho em prótese fixa, utilizando-se o material de moldagem Zetaplus Orangewash (Zermack), a saber: a técnica em fase única e três técnicas de reembasamento: a primeira, utilizando espaçadores de 1 mm a segunda, espaçadores de 2 mm e a terceira, a técnica com plástico de polietileno (“PVC”). Foi confeccionada uma matriz de aço inoxidável com dois cilindros e estipuladas cinco marcações na matriz: distância entre os centros dos cilindros, diâmetro do cilindro 1, diâmetro do cilindro 2, altura do cilindro 1 e altura do cilindro 2. Foram realizadas cinco moldagens de trabalho para cada grupo, totalizando vinte amostras. Estas foram levadas para se realizarem as medições em uma lupa Askania Variant, com o auxílio de uma câmera e enviadas ao programa Image Pro Plus. Como resultado, verificou-se não ter havido diferença significativa entre os grupos testados, podendo, portanto, se concluir que as quatro técnicas testadas neste estudo podem ser utilizadas em moldagem de trabalho em prótese fixa.Palavras-chave: Modelos Anatômicos. Técnica de Moldagem Odontológica. Prótese Dentária.

Fuzzy logic-based assessment for mapping potential infiltration areas in low-gradient watersheds

This paper gives an account of the design a logic-based approach for identifying potential infiltration areas in low-gradient watersheds based on remote sensing data. This methodological framework is applied in a sector of the Pampa Plain, Argentina, which has high level of agricultural activities and large demands for groundwater supplies. Potential infiltration sites are assessed as a function of two primary topics: hydrologic and soil conditions. This model shows the state of each evaluated subwatershed respecting to its potential contribution to infiltration mainly based on easily measurable and commonly used parameters: drainage density, geomorphologic units, soil media, land-cover, slope and aspect (slope orientation). Mapped outputs from the logic model displayed 42% very low-low, 16% moderate, 41% high-very high contribution to potential infiltration in the whole watershed. Subwatersheds in the upper and lower section were identified as areas with high to very high potential infiltration according to the following media features: low drainage density (<1.5 km/km(2)), arable land and pastures as the main land-cover categories, sandy clay loam to loam - clay loam soils and with the geomorphological units named poorly drained plain, channelized drainage plain and, dunes and beaches.

Assessment of ovarian reserve by antral follicle count in ovaries with endometrioma

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether the antral follicle count (AFC) is underestimated in the presence of an endometrioma.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study assessing all women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) at our clinic between January 2011 and December 2012 who had both ovaries and unilateral endometrioma. The primary outcome of the study was the difference between AFC and the number of oocytes retrieved per ovary.

RESULTS

Within the study period 787 women underwent IVF/ICSI at our clinic. Sixty of these women had at least one endometrioma, but 23 were excluded from the analysis as six had only one ovary and 17 had bilateral endometriomas. Therefore a total of 37 women were included in this study and analysis. Compared with the contralateral ovaries, ovaries with an endometrioma were significantly larger in volume (median, 10.3 (interquartile range (IQR), 4.7-18.9)  cm(3) vs median, 3.6 (IQR, 2.7-6.5)  cm(3); P < 0.001) and presented a significantly lower AFC (median, 3.0 (IQR, 1.0-6.0) vs median, 5.0 (IQR, 2.0-6.5); P = 0.001). However, the median number of oocytes retrieved was similar (P = 0.60) between ovaries with an endometrioma (2.0 (IQR, 0.5-5.0)) and the contralateral ovaries (2.0 (IQR, 0.0-4.0)). Accordingly, the median difference between AFC and number of oocytes retrieved was significantly smaller (P = 0.005) for ovaries with an endometrioma (0.0 (IQR, -1.0 to 1.5) than for those without (2.0 (IQR, 0.0-4.0)).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the AFC is reduced in ovaries with an endometrioma, the number of oocytes retrieved is similar, suggesting that the AFC is underestimated in such ovaries. We believe that this is a consequence of an impaired ability to detect small follicles in the presence of an endometrioma.

Experimental varicocoele in rats affects mechanisms that control expression and function of the androgen receptor

Varicocoele is an important cause of male infertility. Normal male reproductive function and fertility depends on a delicate balance between androgen receptor (AR) and the classic oestrogen receptors ESR1 (ERα) and ESR2 (ERβ). Using a model of surgically induced varicocoele in rats, this study aimed to investigate the effects of varicocoele on the expression of AR, ESR1, ESR2 and G-protein coupled oestrogen receptor (GPER). Varicocoele did not affect the mRNA and protein expression of ESR1 and ESR2 in both testes. Varicocoele did not affect the mRNA and protein expression of GPER in the right testis, but slightly reduced the mRNA and increased the protein levels in the left testis. Varicocoele did not affect the mRNA for AR, but reduced the protein levels in both testes. A proteomic approach was used in an attempt to find differentially expressed targets with possible correlation with AR downregulation. Varicocoele caused the differential expression of 29 proteins. Six proteins were upregulated, including the receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1), and 23 were downregulated, including dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase, alpha-enolase and pyrophosphatase 1. Western blot analysis confirmed that varicocoele upregulated the expression of RACK1, a protein involved with tyrosine phosphorylation and regulation of AR transcriptional activity, AR metabolism and dynamics of the blood-testis barrier. In conclusion, this study suggests that varicocoele affects mechanisms that control AR expression and function. This regulation of AR may play an important role in the varicocoele-induced testicular dysfunction. Furthermore, varicocoele downregulates several other proteins in the testis that may be useful markers of spermatozoa function and male infertility.

A GIS-based assessment of groundwater suitability for irrigation purposes in flat areas of the wet Pampa plain, Argentina

The Pampa in Argentina is a large plain with a quite obvious dependence on agriculture, water availability and its quality. It is a sensitive environment due to weather changes and slope variations. Supplementary irrigation is a useful practice for compensating the production in the zone. However, potential negative impacts of this type of irrigation in salinization and sodification of soils are evident. Most conventional methodologies for assessing water irrigation quality have difficulties in their application in the region because they do not adjust to the defined assumptions for them. Consequently, a new GIS-based methodology integrating multiparametric data was proposed for evaluating and delineating groundwater suitability zones for irrigation purposes in flat areas. Hydrogeological surveys including water level measurements, groundwater samples for chemical analysis and electrical conductivity (EC) measurements were performed. The combination of EC, sodium adsorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, slopes and hydraulic gradient parameters generated an irrigation water index (IWI). With the integration of the IWI 1 to 3 classes (categories of suitable waters for irrigation) and the aquifer thickness the restricted irrigation water index (RIWI) was obtained. The IWI's index application showed that 61.3 % of the area has "Very high" to "Moderate" potential for irrigation, while the 31.4 % of it has unsuitable waters. Approximately, 46 % of the tested area has high suitability for irrigation and moderate groundwater availability. This proposed methodology has advantages over traditional methods because it allows for better discrimination in homogeneous areas.

Hippocampal proteomic profile in temporal lobe epilepsy

In this study we used proteomics approaches to obtain the protein profile of human epileptic hippocampi (N=6) and control hippocampi obtained from autopsy (N=6). We used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-D) coupled to HPLC and Mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF) to identify proteins differentially expressed. Nine proteins were differentially expressed comparing the hippocampus of patients with the hippocampus of control. Proteins that were increased in the hippocampus of patients with TLE were: isoform 1 of serum albumin, HSP 70, dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2, isoform 1 of myelin basic protein, proton ATPase catalytic subunit A, and dihydrolipoyllysine-residue acethyltransferase component of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. The expression of isoform 3 of spectrin alpha chain (fodrin) was down-regulated while the proteins glutathione S-transferase P and the DJ-1 (PARK7) were detected only in the hippocampus of patients with TLE. Taken together, our results provide evidence supporting a direct link between metabolic disturb and oxidative damage related to pathophysiology of TLE. Besides, indicates biomarkers for further investigations as therapies targeted to epilepsy.

Comparative analysis of the performance of various crystalloid cardioplegic solutions on myocardial protection after prolonged cold ischemia

INTRODUCTION

The quality and effectiveness of myocardial protection are fundamental problems to expand the use of and consequently good outcomes of donated hearts for transplantation.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the cardioprotective effects of Krebs-Henseleit, Bretschneider-HTK, St Thomas, and Celsior solutions using a modified nonrecirculating Langendorff column model of isolated perfused rat heart during prolonged cold storage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After removal 36 rat hearts underwent isolated perfusion into a Langendorff apparatus using Krebs-Henseleit solution for a 15-minute period of recovery; we excluded organs that did not maintain an aortic pressure above 100 m Hg. Subsequently, we equally distributed the hearts into four groups according to the cardioprotection solution; group 1, Krebs-Henseleit (control); group II, Bretschneider-HTK; group III, St Thomas; and group IV, Celsior. Each heart received the specific cardioplegic solution at 10°C for 2-hour storage at 20°C, before a 15 minutes perfusion with Krebs-Henseleit solution for recovery and stabilization. After 60 additional minutes of perfusion, every 5 minutes we determined heart rate (HR), coronary flow (CF), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and positive and negative peak of the first derivative of left ventricular pressure (+dP/dt and -dP/dt, respectively).

RESULTS

Comparative analysis by Turkey's test showed the following performances among the groups at 60 minutes of reperfusion: HR: II = IV > III > I; CF: II = IV > I = III; LVSP: IV > I = II = III; +dP/dt: IV > I = II = III; and -dP/dt: IV = II > I = II.

CONCLUSION

Cardioprotective solutions generally used in clinical practice are not able to avoid hemodynamic alterations in hearts exposed to prolonged ischemia. Celsior solution showed better performance than Bretschneider-HTK, St Thomas, and Krebs-Henseleit.

Teaching of neuroepidemiology in Europe: time for action

Many epidemiological and clinical studies in Europe, especially in Eastern Europe and countries in transition, are of poor methodological quality because of lack of background knowledge in clinical epidemiology methods and study designs. The only way to improve the quality of epidemiological studies is to provide adequate undergraduate and/or postgraduate education for the health professionals and allied health professions. To facilitate this process, the European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) Task Force on teaching of clinical epidemiology in Europe was set up in October 2000. Based on analyses of the current teaching and research activities in neuroepidemiology in Europe, this paper describes the Task Force recommendations aimed to improve these activities.

[Fulfilling of variables in the declarations of external cause of death of children and adolescents in Recife from 1979 to 1995]

This article analyzes the completion of death certificates related to external causes in children and adolescents residing in Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil, from 1979 to 1995. The analysis focused on the extent to which the following variables were filled in: personal data (occupation, level of schooling, medical care, confirmation of diagnosis by post-mortem, and type of violence) and place (location and municipality of both occurrence and death). Using the chi-squared method, quantitative and/or qualitative flaws were found in most of the variables analyzed. In 1995, the "schooling" and "medical care" variables were recorded in only 5.7% and 17.9% of cases, respectively. Mismatches were observed between data on place of death and medical care, as well as between place of accident and number of accidents. The results suggest a dissociation between the objective of including the variable in the death certificate and its social function. The study provides the public sector with support for improved collecting and critical analysis of data in the mortality information system.

The use of socioeconomic factors in mapping tuberculosis risk areas in a city of northeastern Brazil

In Brazil the challenge of meeting the needs of those living in deprived areas has generated discussions on replacing the existing approach to epidemiological surveillance with an integrated public health surveillance system. This new approach would supplant the traditional focus on high-risk individuals with a method for identifying high-risk populations and the areas where these persons live. Given the magnitude of the problem that tuberculosis (TB) poses for Brazil, we chose that disease as an example of how such a new, integrated public health surveillance system could be constructed. We integrated data from several sources with geographic information to create an indicator of tuberculosis risk for Olinda, a city in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. In order to stratify the urban space in Olinda and to check for an association between the resulting TB risk gradient and the mean incidence of the disease between 1991 and 1996, we applied two different methods: 1) a "social deprivation index" and 2) principal component analysis followed by cluster analysis. Our results showed an association between social deprivation and the occurrence of TB. The results also highlighted priority groups and areas requiring intervention. We recommend follow-up that would include treating acid-fast bacilli smear-positive pulmonary TB cases, tracing of these persons' contacts, and monitoring of multidrug-resistant cases, all in coordination with local health services.

[Surveillance of endemic diseases in urban areas: the interface between census tract maps and morbidity data]

In this article we discuss the methodological issues associated with the creation of a surveillance system for endemic diseases in urban areas based on analysis of populations at risk and on spatially referenced epidemiological indicators. We comment on the system's basic requirements, selection criteria for socioeconomic variables, and methodological steps to combine these variables so as to construct a census-based deprivation index. We also present the ways we solved some operational problems related to generation of digitized census tracts maps and linkage of morbidity data from different sources. This approach, spatial organization into account in surveillance of endemic diseases, exemplified here by tuberculosis and leprosy, allows for the interaction of several official data sets from census and health services in order to geographically discriminate inner-city risk strata. Criteria for constructing these risk strata were considered a useful tool for health planning and management activities for the control of endemic diseases in cities.

Elevation of prostate specific antigen in cardiac surgery with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary circulation

PURPOSE

We evaluated the correlation of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and cardiac surgery in a group of patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia operated on with or without extracorporeal cardiopulmonary circulation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 30 men 54 to 72 years old (mean age 62 years) undergoing cardiac surgery had PSA measured preoperatively and postoperatively. To provide the baseline PSA value a first serum sample was obtained before surgery, and PSA measurements were repeated 12 hours and 7 days postoperatively. Cardiac surgery was performed with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary circulation in 20 cases and without cardiopulmonary bypass in 10, constituted the control group. An 18F Foley catheter was left indwelling for the first 24 hours in both groups.

RESULTS

In the study group there was a significant increase in PSA postoperatively (p = 0.01). However, in the control group the PSA was not statistically different before or after surgery (p = 0.16). These results indicate that there was a physiological relationship between the extracorporeal cardiopulmonary circulation and PSA.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the etiology of this elevation is unknown, based on our data we conclude that extracorporeal cardiopulmonary circulation can cause an alteration in serum PSA unrelated to cardiac operation without extracorporeal bypass.

The effects of ejaculation on serum prostate specific antigen

PURPOSE

We evaluated the correlation of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and ejaculation in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia and an active sexual life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a study of 40 patients 50 to 60 years old (mean age 55) with prostatic symptoms serum PSA was evaluated before as well as 1 and 7 days after ejaculation. Due to clinical significance of PSA in diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer, we included men at risk age and with an active sex life.

RESULTS

The results were compared to those of a control group of 10 asymptomatic (without coitus) men 50 to 60 years old (mean age 55 years). There were no statistically significant differences in PSA levels before and after ejaculation or between the groups. These results suggested that there was no physiological relationship between ejaculation and PSA level.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our data we conclude that sexual activity does not preclude the use of PSA to screen men for prostatic cancer.

Antigenic cross-reactivity among the venoms from several species of Brazilian scorpions

The venoms of seven species of scorpions living in different regions of Brazil were analysed with regard to their lethality, antigenic cross-reactivity and ability to induce antibody production. In mice, the tested scorpion venoms can be grouped as: (a) highly toxic: Tityus stigmurus Thorell (LD50 = 0.773 mg/kg), Tityus bahiensis (Perty) (LD50 = 1.062 mg/kg), Tityus serrulatus Lutz and Mello (LD50 = 1.160 mg/kg), and Tityus costatus (Karsch) (LD50 = 1.590 mg/kg); (b) moderately toxic: Tityus cambridgei Pocock (LD50 = 12.136 mg/kg); and (c) practically nontoxic: Rhopalurus agamemnon (Koch) (LD50 = 36.363 mg/kg), and Brotheas amazonicus Lourenço (LD50 = 90.909 mg/kg). On electrophoresis the venoms showed many protein bands displayed along the chromatogram, most of them cross-reacting in immunoelectrophoresis and immunoblotting using horse anti-T. serrulatus, anti-T. bahiensis or anti-T. serrulatus+T. bahiensis sera as probes. The antibodies present in these antivenoms combine with venom components as measured in vitro by the ELISA assay, and neutralize their lethal effects in vivo. These results indicate that horse anti-venoms against a mixture of T. serrulatus and T. bahiensis venoms or only against T. serrulatus venom yield an antibody population able to neutralize the toxic effects found in all venoms studied.

Blood pressure changes after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in normotensive patients

To evaluate the blood pressure changes caused by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy 102 patients 5 to 81 years old (mean age 40 years) with normal blood pressure and kidney lithiasis were monitored during a mean period of 22 months. There were 61 male (group 1) and 41 female (group 2) patients. Patients were evaluated by measurement of the diastolic pressure and the average arterial pressure before and after lithotripsy. Hypertension was considered when the diastolic pressure was greater than 90 mm. Hg for 2 weeks. The amount of shock waves applied in each case ranged from 1,250 to 6,000, with a mean of 4,000 shock waves at a median intensity of 18.1 kv. The incidence of hypertension after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was 3.92%, which is similar to that of a normal population, although the diastolic pressure was statistically higher after treatment in both groups. In the male patients the diastolic pressure increased from 79.26 (+/- 9.7) to 81.47 (+/- 10.1) mm. Hg and in female patients it ranged from 76.58 (+/- 8.3) to 79.26 (+/- 9.9) mm. Hg. Similarly, the average arterial pressure was equally higher in the female group, ranging from 89.88 to 91.75 mm. Hg. In the male group the difference was not statistically significant, despite an increase from 94.5 to 95.8 mm. Hg.

[New method for the determination of antivenom sera in suckling mice. I--Determination of Anti-crotalid sera]

A atividade biológica dos soros antipeçonhentos pode ser determinada "in vivo" em pombos, coelhos, cobaios e camundongos adultos, não existindo, entretanto, nenhum método que possa ser recomendado internacionalmente. Estudou-se comparativamente aos métodos tradicionais de dosagem de soros em pombos e camundongos adultos, a validade do uso de camundongos lactentes de 6 a 7 dias, pesando 4 a 5g, inoculados pela via subcutânea. Inicialmente foi determinada a toxidez do veneno de Crotalus durissus terríficus através do estudo da sintomatologia do envenenamento e da atividade letal. O estudo comparativo dos três métodos forneceu maior concordância de resultados em DE100 entre as dosagens realizadas com camundongos lactentes e adultos. A DE100 e DL50 determinadas em camundongos lactentes forneceu resultados mais constantes que os dos métodos de camundongos adultos e pombos. O uso deste novo método permite eliminar a dificuldade de obtenção do atual animal de prova; a utilização de um maior número de animais por ponto de avaliação biológica, possibilitando uma maior precisão e conseguindo-se uma uniformidade nas características exigidas neste tipo de dosagem como peso, idade e linhagem, visando a reprodução sistemática dos resultados.