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Intellectual disabilities (ID) cause problems in intellectual and adaptive functioning which negatively affect motor proficiency levels.This study investigates the impact of a motor intervention programme on the motor proficiency levels of learners identified with moderate to severe ID.A quasi-experimental design was used to recruit participants which included 46 learners aged 15-17 years, identified with moderate to severe ID, selected from a South African special school. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. The 15 experimental learners received a 30-minute motor intervention programme, 3 times a week for a period of 6 weeks, whereas the 23 control learners continued with their normal physical education classes. Groups were assessed using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, second edition (BOT-2) Brief Form.The motor intervention programme significantly improved the total scores (p = 0.0380) and the overall motor proficiency levels (p = 0.0447) of the experimental group.This study reveals evidence that a motor intervention programme can be used as an effective means to improve the motor proficiency levels of learners with moderate to severe ID.A motor intervention should be implemented as soon as possible to enhance the motor proficiency levels of these learners.

Strongyloidiasis is a neglected tropical disease mainly caused by the nematode parasite Strongyloides stercoralis. Current treatment consists in the administration of ivermectin or, alternatively, albendazole (or analogues). Concerns regarding these drugs' irregular cure rates and side effects, raise a need for therapeutic alternatives. In this study, we tested the in vitro effect of Spondias mombin L. ethanolic extract against the laboratory model for strongyloidiasis, Strongyloides venezuelensis. The ethanolic extract was further fractionated and each fraction was also tested. Tested fractions were analyzed through thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography (GC/MS). Our results showed that S. mombin extract and fractions had a better in vitro effect than ivermectin, particularly fraction 4 which showed the better results causing 100% mortality in 4 h after exposure to an extract concentration of 400 µg/mL of RPMI medium and caused 100% mortality 12 h after exposure to an extract concentration of 50 µg/mL. Scanning electron microscopy showed that this fraction caused both wrinkling and peeling of the parasites cuticle, whilst ivermectin only caused wrinkling. GC/MS showed a high percentage of monoaromatic phenolic lipids (3-R phenol and 3-R1 phenol), which were likely responsible for the anti-Strongyloides effect. The use of polyvinylpyrrolidone reduced the efficiency, thus raising a need for alertness when using this excipient. Our results suggest that S. mombin is a potential source of compounds that could be used for stongyloidiasis treatment.

Praziquantel (PZQ) is an anthelmintic of choice in the treatment of schistosomiasis. Solvent evaporation technique produced three different Solid Dispersions (SD) (drug: polymer, w/w) with sodium alginate (ALG) or carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). Characterization was done by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis (DSC/TG), cell viability and in vitro assay against S. mansoni. The results of SD with different ratios revealed that the 1:0.25 ratio of PZQ with ALG showed higher solubility. The morphological structure change to the lamellar structure that it was confirmed with XRD. Then, thermal analyses and FTIR indicating a significant interaction between PZQ and polymer in SD indicate a change in the molecular mobility of the drug. In a culture of S. mansoni, we observed that SD is leading the death of the parasites. Regarding cytotoxicity, SD does not show toxicity in fibroblasts cells.

The sensitive electrochemical sensing platforms were fabricated using molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) based technique for mycotoxins [Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and Fumonisin B1 (FuB1)] detection. Polyaniline was used as a MIP matrix synthesized using the chemical oxidative polymerization method in the presence of AFB1 and FuB1toxins as the template molecules. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques were used for the characterization of the synthesized MIPs. The proposed biosensors exhibited good sensitivity of 7.037 and 9.092 µA mL ng−1 cm−2 with the lower detection limits of 0.313 and 0.322 pg mL−1 for AFB1 and FuB1. Both sensors showed good linearity amidst the sensing range of 1 pg mL−1 to 500 ng mL−1. The fabricated sensors open up a promising strategy to detect AFB1 and FuB1 as an alternative for biomolecules with enormous specificity, quick responsiveness, and cost-effectiveness. These fabricated sensors manifest good analytical performance compared to other reported MIP-based sensors for AFB1 and FuB1 detection.

Human schistosomiasis is an important neglected tropical disease caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma and is responsible for more than 280,000 deaths annually. Treatment for this disease relies currently on a single drug, praziquantel (PZQ). Concerns regarding PZQ resistance and insensitivity of juvenile schistosomes have increased the interest in resorting to medicinal plants for alternative drug therapies. This study aimed to perform an in vivo schistosomicidal activity evaluation of crude hexanic (HE) and ethanolic (EE) extracts obtained from Phyllanthus amarus in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni (BH strain). Mice were treated orally with a single dose of 100 or 250 mg/kg, on two different infection periods, 30 and 45 days post-infection (dpi). Parameters such as worm recovery, faecal egg count, intestinal tissue egg count and liver histopathology were evaluated. Treatment against young adult (30 dpi) and adult (45 dpi) worms were more effective compared to the control group treated with PZQ. At a concentration of 250 mg/kg (30 dpi) EE showed a 54.4% female reduction and a 61.2% total worm reduction whilst at a concentration of 100 mg/kg (45 dpi) HE showed a 40.6% female worm reduction and a 45.3% total worm reduction. Histopathological examination showed a granuloma decrease in both number and size for groups treated with 250 mg/kg of HE (45 dpi) or EE (30 or 45 dpi). From these results, it can be concluded that both hexanic and ethanolic extracts have antischistosomal activities, however, act differently according to the parasites age. The schistosomicidal activity results in groups treated 30 days post infection is extremely important since praziquantel does not show activity against the juvenile forms of Schistosoma.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Surgical treatment of cervical spine degenerative pathology involving 2 levels can be performed anteriorly through a double discectomy or through a corpectomy. It is not clear, however, what is the capacity of each technique in the restoration of cervical lordosis and what is its effect over time. PURPOSE Compare the 2 techniques with respect to clinical and radiographic results, namely in the restoration and maintenance of sagittal cervical balance. METHODS Clinical files and radiographs of patients submitted to a 2-level discectomy (Group A) or a 1-level corpectomy (Group B) were evaluated retrospectively in the treatment of degenerative cervical disease between 2010 and 2017. Radiological parameters were measured (C2-C7 sagittal Cobb, regional cervical lordosis and graft collapse) preoperatively, after 3-6 weeks and at the last follow-up. Patient variables, surgery and perioperative parameters (length of stay, blood loss, surgical time and complications) were compared. RESULTS A total of 100 patients (43 men and 57 women) with a mean age of 60.4 years (40-86) were included. Average follow-up of 3.5 years (8 months-7.3 years). Group A: 18 patients, mean age 60.3, 39% (n = 7) with radiculopathy and 61% (n = 11) with myelopathy; Group B: 82 patients, mean age 61.4; 69.5% (n = 56) with myelopathy, 30.5% (n = 25) with radiculopathy. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups regarding length of hospital stay, blood loss or surgical time. Patients submitted to a corpectomy had a lower lordosis than those who underwent discectomy at 2 levels (p = 0.083). However, the gain of lordosis with surgery was similar in both groups, 7.8° in Group B and 6,1° in Group A (p = 0.582). After surgery, there was a progressive loss of lordosis gain mainly in the first 6 weeks but without significant differences between the groups. (p = 0.08 at 6 weeks and p = 0.690 at the last follow-up). CONCLUSIONS In the presence of myelopathy, corpectomy was the preferred surgical option. Preoperatively, these patients had a lower degree of lordosis than those operated by radiculopathy. Both surgical options allowed an equivalent gain in lordosis, which was partially lost during follow-up. There were no advantages of one surgical technique over the other in lordosis gain. Therefore, the decision on the technique to be used must be based on factors other than the concern with the gain of lordosis. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

Fasciolosis is a zoonotic disease with a worldwide distribution caused by Fasciola hepatica, which leads to severe economic losses in cattle such as reducing meat and milk production, livers condemnation, growth retardation and increase in mortality. From October 2008 to April 2011, condemned bovine livers in slaughterhouses of different municipalities from São Paulo state, Brazil were evaluated for the presence of Fasciola hepatica. Out of 20,635 analyzed livers, 1422 were infected with F. hepatica. These cattle came from 33 municipalities, out of which 16 showed infected animals and where 7 municipalities did not show statistical difference between each month throughout the year: Tuiuti - 276/1408 (19,6%), Atibaia - 44/257 (17,1%), Joanópolis - 116/738 (15,7%), Bragança Paulista - 318/2316 (13,3%), Piracaia - 182/1442 (12,6%), Santo Antonio de Posse - 118/1005 (11,7%), Amparo 131/2003 (6,5%). The other nine municipalities, Monte Alegre do Sul, Descalvado, Campinas, Morungaba, Pedreira, Socorro, Munhoz, Jaguariúna and Itatiba showed a positive percentage varying from 5.08% to 1.46%. Our results demonstrated the presence of F. hepatica in this region was higher than official data, bringing the need for control measures. There is also an apparent increase in fasciolosis two to three months after low to medium precipitation, however high precipitation causes a decrease in fasciolosis prevalence.

Didelphis (Marsupialia, Didelphimorphia) are synanthropic mammals, whose omnivorous diet predisposes them to infections caused by endoparasites. Their higher frequency in urban areas makes them potential carriers of zoonotic protozoans and helminths, enhancing potential transmission to humans. Our purpose was to study two common species, Didelphis albiventris (54 individuals) and D. aurita (2 individuals), which were screened for blood, skin and intestinal parasites in animals captured in urban areas and in riparian forest regions associated with the Capivari River Basin, in Monte Mor's municipality, São Paulo state (SP), Brazil. Blood and tissue samples were collected for DNA extraction and PCR. Fecal samples were collected and submitted to two sedimentation and two flotation methods. 77.6% of fecal samples were positive for nematode eggs, 34.5% for trematode eggs and 32.7% for protozoans. Two D. aurita specimens were naturally infected by Trypanosoma cruzi. Molecular analysis in a D. albiventris captured on a forested rural area was positive for Leishmania sp. DNA. Several parasites were found infecting Didelphis sp., demonstrating that this group of animals can harbor important zoonotic parasites, potentially playing a role as sylvatic reservoirs for human and domestic animal pathogens.

Diet may induce colon carcinogenesis through oxidative or alkylating DNA damage. However, diet may also contain anticarcinogenic compounds that contribute to cancer prevention. DNA damage prevention and/or induction of repair are two important mechanisms involved in cancer chemoprevention by dietary compounds. Hypericum sps. are widely used in traditional medicine to prepare infusions due to their beneficial digestive and neurologic effects. In this study, we investigated the potential of water extracts from three Hypericum sps. and some of their main phenolic compounds to prevent and repair oxidative and alkylating DNA damage in colon cells. The results showed that water extracts of Hypericum perforatum, Hypericum androsaemum, Hypericum undulatum, quercetin and rutin have protective effect against oxidative DNA damage in HT29 cells. Protective effect was also observed against alkylating DNA damage induced by methyl-methanesulfonate, except for H. androsaemum. With regard to alkylating damage repair H. perforatum, H. androsaemum and chlorogenic acid increased repair of alkylating DNA damage by base excision repair pathway. No effect was observed on nucleotide excision repair pathway. Antigenotoxic effects of Hypericum sps. may contribute to colon cancer prevention and the high amount of phenolic compounds present in Hypericum sps. play an important role in DNA protective effects.

Oceanic eddies have a large impact on climate and human activities; consequently, it is worthwhile to characterise them. One of their main features is size; however, it is a difficult task to obtain user-independent estimates of this feature from brightness temperature maps for eddies near the Iberian Peninsula. The reason is that the current methods in the scientific literature are unable to handle the variability in the shape and size of these eddies as well as the weak temperature gradients associated with them, especially those found off Iberia or those methods employ user-defined values that influence the estimate of the eddies' sizes. Our new method solves these problems using orientation fields and clustering methods. Its outcome is an ellipse that characterizes the size of the eddies with good precision.

BACKGROUND: Live vaccines including BCG and measles may have non-targeted beneficial effects on childhood survival in areas with high mortality. The authors therefore undertook a survey of vaccinia scars to evaluate subsequent mortality. SUBJECTS: Based on a population census, a cohort of 1893 adults in urban Guinea-Bissau was examined in 1998 and followed until 2002. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: All cause mortality, excluding accidents. RESULTS: The median age of vaccinia vaccinations had been 16-18 years. Adults with a vaccinia scar had a mortality ratio (MR) of 0.60 (0.41-0.87) compared to those without any scar. The effect was stronger for women. Mortality decreased with each additional vaccinia scar (MR=0.73 (0.56-0.95)). Among 502 individuals with information on HIV infection, the age-adjusted HIV-2 prevalence was 2.45 (1.06-5.65) for those with a vaccinia scar. Control for district, ethnic group, schooling, place of birth, quality of housing and HIV status had little effect on the estimate. Since vaccinia and BCG scars could have been confused, mortality for adults with vaccinia and/or BCG scar was compared to those without, the MR being 0.61 (0.41-0.89). CONCLUSION: Known cultural or socio-economic factors possibly associated with access to vaccination had no influence on the mortality ratio for having a vaccinia scar. Hence, vaccinia vaccination may have a prolonged beneficial effect on adult survival.

In this study we evaluate the biosafety and bioactivity (antioxidant potential) of a traditional water infusion (tea) of common sage (Salvia officinalis L.) in vivo in mice and rats by quantification of plasma transaminase activities and liver GST and GR enzyme activities. The replacement of water by sage tea for 14 days in the diet of rodents did not affect the body weight and food consumption and did not induce liver toxicity. On the other hand, a significant increase of liver GST activity was observed in rats (24%) and mice (10%) of sage drinking groups. The antioxidant potential of sage tea drinking was also studied in vitro in a model using rat hepatocytes in primary culture. The replacement of drinking water with sage tea in the rats used as hepatocyte donors resulted in an improvement of the antioxidant status of rat hepatocytes in primary culture, namely a significant increase in GSH content and GST activity after 4 hours of culture. When these hepatocyte cultures were exposed to 0.75 or 1 mM of tert-butyl hydroperoxide for 1 hour, some protection against lipid peroxidation and GSH depletion was conferred by sage tea drinking. However, the cell death induced by t-BHP as shown by LDH leakage was not different from that observed in cultures from control animals. This study indicates that the compounds present in this sage preparation contain interesting bioactivities which improve the liver antioxidant potential., Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH/BD/6942/2001, Programa Operacional “Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovação” (POCTI) - POCTI/AGR/43482/2001.

Summary Sage ( Salvia officinalis L.) calli were established by culturing internodal segments, excised from aseptic seedlings, on MS basal medium gellied with agar and supplemented with 0.05 mg/L dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in presence of benzyladenine (BA) or zeatin (ZEA) or kinetin (KIN), at 1.5 mg/L. Suspended cells were established by transferring one callus to 50 mL of liquid MS basal medium devoid of agar and containing the same type of hormonal supplementation used in respective calli growth. The highest growth of calli and suspensions occurred with 1.5 mg/L ZEA. However, with this cytokinin supplementation, as well as with 1.5 mg/L KIN, both in presence of 0.05 mg/L 2,4-D, suspensions differentiated small root shaped structures. Well shaped, majority single cell suspensions were formed under the effect of 0.05 mg/L 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/L KIN. Calli grown with 0.05 mg/L 2,4-D and 1.5 mg/L BA and suspended cells grown with 0.05 mg/L 2,4-D and ZEA or KIN at 1.5 mg/L, or KIN at 0.5 mg/L, were searched for phenolics production. Twelve phenolic compounds were identified in calli: gallic acid, 3- O -caffeoylquinic acid, 5- O -caffeoylquinic acid, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, hesperetin, epirosmanol, hispidulin, genkwanin, carnosol, carnosic acid, and methyl carnosate. With the exception for genkwanin and epirosmanol all of these phenolic compounds were also produced by the sage suspension cultures grown in the presence of 1.5 or 0.5 mg/L KIN. Genkwanin was the only phenolic absent in the suspensions grown with 1.5 ZEA. Suspended cells, grown with 0.5 mg/L KIN, and calli cultures showed the highest specific accumulation of the total phenolics, with rosmarinic acid representing 94-97 percnt;.

In vitro shoots of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) were established under four different cytokinin supplementations by culturing nodal segments excised from aseptically germinated seedlings. The highest rates of shoot proliferation and linear shoot growth occurred with the supplementation of 1.5 mg/l benzyladenine and 0.05 mg/l dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. However, under these conditions, the specific production of total antioxidant phenolics was the lowest. Variation in kinetin (KIN) concentration (1.5; 2.0; 4.0 mg/l), in the presence of 0.05 mg/l 2,4-D, did not influence significantly the rates of shoot proliferation and linear shoot growth but influenced the production of antioxidant phenolics and biomass. Seventeen compounds were identified in the antioxidant phenolic extracts from shoots: gallic acid, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, caffeic acid, and rosmarinic acid, as phenolic acids; hesperetin, apigenin, hispidulin, cirsimaritin, and genkwanin, as flavonoids; epirosmanol, epirosmanol methyl ether, carnosol, epiisorosmanol ethyl ether, rosmadial, carnosic acid, and methyl carnosate, as phenolic diterpenes. With exception of carnosic acid and methyl carnosate, all the other phenolic compounds (15) were also identified in a commercial sample of this species. Rosmarinic acid and carnosol were the main compounds in all the antioxidant phenolic extracts. The increase in concentration of KIN decreased the accumulation of the most of phenolic diterpenes, particularly that of carnosol.

Summary The effects of different carbon sources, total inorganic nitrogen concentration, nitrate to ammonium ratio and the interaction between calcium and zeatin (ZEA) levels on somatic embryogenesis from flax hypocotyl explants were studied in three independent factorial experiments. MS medium supplemented with the monosaccharides glucose or fructose at high concentrations (4 %) gave consistently highly embryogenic cultures, with higher somatic embryo frequencies and higher growth rates when compared with media supplemented with sucrose or maltose. Although media with maltose had performed well in a 1-4 % concentration range, media supplemented with sucrose at 4 %, appeared to inhibit the induction and development of somatic embryos. Independently of the effect of the nitrogen content, the balance between both ionic forms (N03- and NH4') played a dramatic role on the induction of somatic embryogenesis and somatic embryo growth. Nitrate is important for calli differentiation and growth, and a high ammonium content increased somatic embryo frequency. The embryogenic vs. undifferentiated cell growth commitment of flax explants was determined by an interaction between calcium and ZEA levels, a high calcium/low ZEA affording very low embryogenic potential and high calli biomass. A high ZEA concentration was essential for the normal development of somatic embryos.

6-C-prenyl luteolin, a new naturally occurring compound, together with luteolin 5,3′-dimethyl ether, luteolin 5-glucoside and luteolin 3′-glucoside were isolated from callus of Hypericum perforatum var. angustifolium . These flavonoids were completely different from those previously observed in in vivo plants of the same species. The total flavonoid content of callus , around 0.5–0.7 mg g −1 dry wt, was much lower than that found in wild growing Hypericum perforatum plants (14–70 mg g −1 dry wt).

The essential oil of leaves of O. vulgare spp. virens was composed of ca 50% monoterpenoids, 40% sesquiterpenenoids and 3% n -Alkanes. Linalool was the main constituent, representing more than 16% of the total essential oil. n -Alkanes were the major compounds found in hydrodistillates of calli induced from leaves. Green friable calli (G-calli) and dark abnormal root primordia containing calli (R-calli) of Origanum vulgare ssp. virens were induced from leaves and established in the presence of 0.25 mg and 1 mg 1 −1 (2,4-D), respectively. Leaves, of the same type of those used in the calli induction, G-calli and R-calli were submitted to hydrodistillation and the respective hydrodistillates were analysed by GC and GC-mass spectrometry. The hydrodistillate from leaves consisted of ca 50% monoterpenoids (35.2% oxygenated monoterpenes and 14.3% monoterpene hydrocarbons) and ca 40% of sesquiterpenoids (2.5% oxygenated sesquiterpenes and 37.4% sesquiterpene hydrocarbons). Linalool (16.4%) and ( E )- β -ocimene (6.6%) were the major oxygenated monoterpene and monoterpene hydrocarbon, respectively. Globulol (0.94%) and δ-elemene (12.85%) were the major oxygenated sesquiterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbon, respectively. n -Alkanes, namely pentacosane (0.97%), heptacosane (0.9%) and nonacosane (1.0%), were also present. Hydrodistillates from G- and R-calli did not contain either mono- or sesquiterpenoids; n -alkanes were the main compounds found. The alkane concentration in R-calli was more than twice that of G-calli. Naphthalene (0.5 μg g −1 dry wt) and eicosane, (0.9 μg g −1 dry wt) produced by R-calli were absent in G-calli. Squalene concentration in G-calli was 6.7 fold greater than that found in R-calli.

Diabetes mellitus associated with urinary tract infections and ureteral obstruction can be predisposing factors leading to emphysematous pyelonephritis. Fever, flank pains, and a palpable renal mass, associated with dehydration and hyperglycemia, were the most frequent presenting symptoms associated with emphysematous pyelonephritis. Computerized tomography (CT) scan is the best method to identify a renal or perirenal abscess and its ramifications. Intravenous antibiotic therapy is determined by blood and urine cultures. Mortality was zero in patients treated by nephrectomy. One patient who had incision and drainage of a renal abscess died of sepsis, and 1 patient died of sepsis following incision and drainage of a prostatic abscess. Patients with cystitis emphysematosa require antibiotic therapy and relief of bladder outlet obstruction. Prostatic abscess is best treated by perineal incision and drainage. Periurethral scrotal abscesses should be incised, drained, and the overlying necrotic skin debrided. Early diagnosis and aggressive medical and surgical management of gas-forming infections of the genitourinary tract are vital.

Calli of Euphorbia characias L. maintained on Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium (1962, Physiol. Plant., 15, 473-97) were grown on 20 other basal media. The highest callus biomass production was obtained on half-strength MS and the lowest on Cambell-Durzan medium (1975, Can. J. Bot., 53, 1652-6). Independently of the culture medium used, calli produced campesterol, β-sitosterol, Δ5-avenasterol and α-amyrin. The Gautheret medium (1942, Manuel Technique de Culture des Tissus Vegetaux, Masson Cie, Paris) was the most effective for the production of sterols and α-amyrin. The increase in sucrose supplementation increased callus biomass production but decreased the specific sterols and triterpenols content/dry weight. The increase in sucrose increased the specific phenolics content. The specific sterols and triterpenols content of in-vitro cultures increased during the exponential phase of biomass growth.

Calli of Euphorbia characias grown under different auxin and cytokinin supplementations revealed significant differences in the amounts of total triterpenols produced. Although the four main triterpenols, campesterol, β-sitosterol, Δ 5 -avenasterol and α-amyrin, were produced with all hormonal supplementations used, wide differences in the levels of each triterpenol were recorded depending on either the type or the concentration of auxins and cytokinins tested. The increase of the ratio Δ 5 -avenasterol/ β -sitosterol with the increase of auxin and cytokinin concentrations suggests an inhibitory effect of these hormones on the conversion of Δ 5 -avenasterol to β-sitosterol. Possible effects of auxins and cytokinins on the enzymes of the triterpenols biosynthetic pathway are discussed.

The triterpenol constituents of Euphorbia characias subsp. characias latex and of in vitro cultured calli and cells were examined by capillary GLC and mass spectrometry. The capillary GLC triterpenol profile of the petrol extracts obtained from in vitro cultures is completely different from that of the latex. The major triterpenols produced by in vitro cultures are campesterol, sitosterol, Δ5-avenasterol and α-amyrin, as they were identified by mass spectra of their trimethylsililated and acetylated derivatives, while laticifer cells produce lanosterol, a lanosterol isomer, cycloartenol, 24-methylenecycloartanol and another sterol identified as a cycloartenol isomer.

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of pyrite in reclamation of degraded calcareous soils. In this paper, the behaviour in soil of Cu, Zn, Fe and Pb was studied, 3a after application of 4 rates of pyrite (0, 3, 6 and 9 t ha −1 ) and of 3 rates of superphosphate (0, 76.5 and 153 kg P ha −1 ). Total Cu, Zn, Fe and Pb and DTPA extractable Cu, Zn, Fe increased linearly with the amount of applied pyrite. After 3a, most of the Cu, Zn, Fe and Pb remained attached to the pyrite. In the treatment with 9 t ha −1 of pyrite only Zn occurred at concentrations which might cause environmental problems.

The content of crude oil produced by Euphorbia characias calli vary significantly with the basal medium used. Contrarily to what occurs with in nature growing plants, either calli or suspended cells from this species show a positive correlation between biomass growth and specific crude oil production. Heterotrophic suspended cells from Euphorbia characias at growth exponential phase revealed crude oil contents of 4–5% of dry weight, similar to those found in nature Spring growing plants of this species.

We correct a fundamental formula from paper ''A Robust Real-Time Ellipse Detector'' by Zhang and Liu published in journal ''Pattern Recognition'' in 2005.

Twelve years' experience with a two-stage urethroplasty for the surgical management of severe and complicated urethral strictures in 200 patients is summarized. The techniques used, including a modification of the Johanson urethroplasty for bulbomembranous urethral strictures and for multiple strictures without splitting the scrotum, are discussed. The most usual complications of these procedures are reported, as well as how to deal with them, and long-term final results are given. The principles of these procedures are surgically sound, considering the pathology of the strictures. At no time after urethroplasty were urethral dilatations necessary in these 200 patients.

This report describes the various uses of a large bladder flap for the reconstruction of the lower ureter and female urethra. It also explains the method for closing a large vesicovaginal fistula and other bladder-wall defects with an advancement flap of bladder wall. Fifteen cases are presented in which these procedures were carried out.

A case of multilocular cyst of the kidney with calcification is presented and pertinent literature is reviewed. With our present knowledge, a multilocular cyst cannot be clearly differentiated from a malignant renal tumor by preoperative evaluation. Conservative surgery with operative evaluation of the lesion is suggested.