Search

This work presents the implementation and testing of several radon mitigation techniques in a pilot house in the radon prone area of Băiţa-Ştei in NW part of Romania. Radon diagnostic investigations in the pilot house showed that the main source of radon was the building sub-soil and the soil near the house. The applied techniques were based on the depressurization and pressurization of the building sub-soil, on the combination of the soil depressurization system by an electric and an eolian fans. Also, there was made an application of a radon barrier membrane and a testing by the combination of the radon membrane by the soil depressurization system. Finally, the better obtained remedial efficiency was about 85%., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Apple, grape, olive, and tomato pomaces as well as almond and walnut shells were torrefied at different temperatures and times in a muffle furnace. The fiber content and thermal stability of the raw byproducts were examined and the moisture and ash contents, elemental composition, and gross calorific values of the raw and torrefied samples were characterized. Response surface methodology and a central composite design were used to examine the effects of temperature and time on mass and energy yields of the torrefied byproducts. Raw apple pomace had the highest hemicellulose content, whereas raw grape pomace had the highest lignin content. Raw tomato pomace had the highest gross calorific value because of its high carbon content. Temperature had a larger effect on mass and energy yields than time. Grape pomace generally had the highest mass and energy yields. Also, energy yields of the byproducts could be predicted from mass loss values., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The present study reports on the development of hybrid poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fibres loaded with highly crystalline bacterial cellulose nanowhiskers (BCNW) by the novel solution blow spinning method. Furthermore, fibres with antimicrobial properties were generated by incorporating carvacrol and THC as antimicrobial agents and the biocide effect against Listeria monocytogenes was studied. Initially, PLA blow spun fibres containing BCNW were optimized in terms of morphology and thermal properties. The addition of BCNW was seen to significantly increase the viscosity and surface tension of solutions, restricting the capacity to form fibres for concentrations greater than 30 wt.-% BCNW. 15 wt.-% BCNW was selected as the optimum nanofiller loading as it led to the most uniform fibres morphology, with BCNW homogeneously distributed along the fibres' axis. Subsequently, carvacrol and THC were incorporated into the fibres to confer them with antimicrobial properties, although the hydrophobic PLA matrix did not provide an efficient release of the antimicrobials. Thus, hydrophilic substances were added in order to trigger the antimicrobials release through water sorption mechanisms. The addition of the BCNW filler was not seen to significantly increase the antimicrobial capacity of the fibres by itself and, hence, gelatin was added to help promoting further the hydrophylicity and biocide performance of the fibres. Nevertheless, for the more hydrophilic THC, the biocide capacity of the fibres with gelatin was accentuated further by the presence of the BCNW.

Polio is a contagious disease that is caused by the poliovirus, an enterovirus in the family Picornaviridae. The virus enters through the oral mucosa and multiplies in epithelial cells of both the oropharynx as the gastrointestinal tract, releasing virus in oropharyngeal secretions and through the stool. The mode of transmission is fecal-oral and/or oral-oral. The virus preferentially infects children under 5 years. Most infections are asymptomatic and self-limiting gastrointestinal tract. Eventually it spreads to the central nervous system and affects the anterior horn motor neurons of the spinal cord causing paralysis and even death. We will describe host-virus interaction and the natural history of infection which depends on many factors, including the type of viral inoculum (serotypes VP1, 2 and 3) and host factors, such as nutritional status, concurrent infections and the ability to induce protective immune responses, such as, humoral anti-viral antibody responses with neutralizing antibodies, mucosal immunity and systemic adaptative immune responses. We will discuss the relevant aspects of the immuno-pathogenesis of the infection by poliovirus and the problems related to the host-virus interactions in the subjects vaccinated, with the latest advances in the strategies to develop optimal protection with the different poliovirus vaccines that could allow the development of a more effective immunization with induction of the effect or mechanisms that would prevent development of the disease, transmission of the virus, out-breaks and eventually the poliovirus eradication.

Radon contributes to over than 50% of the natural radiation dose received by people. In radon risk areas this contribution can be as high as 90-95%, leading to an exposure to natural radiation 5-10 times higher than normal. This work presents results from radon measurements (indoor, soil and exhalation from building materials) in Băiţa-Ştei, a former uranium exploitation area in NW Romania. In this region, indoor radon concentrations found were as high as 5000 Bq m(-3) and soil radon levels ranged from 20 to 500 kBq m(-3). An important contribution from building materials to indoor radon was also observed. Our results indicate two independent sources of indoor radon in the surveyed houses of this region. One source is coming from the soil and regular building materials, and the second source being uranium waste and local radium reached material used in building construction. The soil as source of indoor radon shows high radon potential in 80% of the investigated area. Some local building materials reveal high radon exhalation rate (up to 80 mBq kg(-1) h(-1) from a sandy-gravel material, ten times higher than normal material). These measurements were used for the radon risk classification of this area by combining the radon potential of the soil with the additional component from building materials. Our results indicate that Băiţa-Ştei area can be categorized as a radon prone area., (Crown Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cold- and warm-water fish gelatin granules were exposed to ultraviolet-B radiation for doses up to 29.7 J/cm(2). Solutions and films were prepared from the granules. Gel electrophoresis and refractive index were used to examine changes in molecular weight of the samples. Also, the gel strength and rheological properties of the solutions as well as the tensile and water vapor barrier properties of the films were characterized. SDS-PAGE and refractive index results indicated cross-linking of gelatin chains after exposure to radiation. Interestingly, UV-B treated samples displayed higher gel strengths, with cold- and warm-water fish gelatin having gel strength increases from 1.39 to 2.11 N and from 7.15 to 8.34 N, respectively. In addition, both gelatin samples exhibited an increase in viscosity for higher UV doses. For gelatin films, the cold-water fish gelatin samples made from irradiated granules showed greater tensile strength. In comparison, the warm-water gelatin films made from irradiated granules had lower tensile strength, but better water vapor barrier properties. This might be due to the UV induced cross-linking in warm-water gelatin that disrupted helical structures., (Journal of Food Science copy; 2012 Institute of Food Technologists® No claim to original US government works.)

A comprehensive radon survey has been carried out in Băiţa radon-prone area, Transylvania, Romania, in 4 localities (Băiţa, Nucet, Fînaţe, and Cîmpani) situated in the vicinity of former Romanian uranium mines. Indoor radon concentrations have been measured in 1128 ground floor rooms and cellars of 303 family houses by using CR-39 diffusion type radon detectors. The annual average of indoor radon concentration for Băiţa area was found to be 241±178 Bq m(-3), which is about two times higher than the average value of 126 Bq m(-3), computed for Romania. About 28% of investigated houses exceed the reference level of radon gas in dwellings of 300 Bq m(-3). The indoor radon measurements on each house have been carried out in several rooms simultaneously with the aim of obtaining a more detailed picture on the exposure to radon in the studied area. An analysis on the variability of radon levels among floors (floor-to-floor variation) and rooms (room-to-room variation) and also the influence of factors like the presence of cellar or the age of the building is presented. The coefficient of variation (CV) within ground floor rooms of the same house (room-to-room variation) ranged between 0.9 and 120.8%, with an arithmetic mean of 46.2%, a large variability among rooms within surveyed dwellings being clearly identified. The mean radon concentration in bedrooms without cellar was higher than in bedrooms above the cellar, the difference being statistically significant (t test, one tail, p<0.001, n=82). For houses built during 1960-1970 an increasing trend for radon levels was observed, but overall there was no significant difference in indoor radon concentrations by age of dwelling (one-way ANOVA test, p>0.05)., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: This is the experience in a program of multiorgan transplant at the Hospital de Especialidades 71 in Torreon, Coahuila. It is a historical overview of the beginning and development of the transplant program. Describes the logistics of the study of patients for transplantation and the test to be carried out in the laboratory of histocompatibility., Materials and Methods: We analyzed the records of the patients were transplanted in the period from January 1987 until June 2011., Results: We found 2538 in total, of which 1940 were renal (76.4%). The 53% were male and 47% female. Average age of 37 +/- 15 years. The 82% was adult population and 18% pediatric. The most frequent cause of CRF was the chronic glomerulonephritis and 15% of the patients are diabetic. 73.5% were living donor and 26.5% were deceased donor. 7% of recipients of living donor have domino transplants. The incidence of acute rejection was 7.5%. 15% of the patients had infections and 60% was urinary. The immunosuppressive scheme most widely used is tacrolimus + mycophenolate mofetil + prednisone. The overall survival of the patient was 100, 90 and 87% to the first, third and fifth year after the transplant. The overall survival of the graft was 98, 87 and 83% in the first, third and fifth years post-transplant., Conclusions: It has been developed a multiple organ transplant program in Torreon that currently is one of the most important in Mexico with similar results to those obtained at the international level.

Unlabelled: Alaska pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) is the U.S.A.'s largest commercial fishery, with an annual catch of over 1 million tons. During pollock processing, the skins are discarded or made into fish meal, despite their value for gelatin production. The absence of gelatin-processing facilities in Alaska necessitates drying of the skins before transport to decrease the moisture content, but conventional hot-air drying is expensive. This study evaluated a less energy-intensive technology, the use of desiccants for reducing water weight in pollock skins prior to shipment. To ensure that the functional properties of gelatin obtained from dried pollock skins were not affected during desiccation, gelatins were prepared from each skin-drying treatment and compared with gelatin extracted from air-dried pollock skins. None of the desiccation treatments decreased the gel strength of pollock skin gelatin, nor were there major differences in gelling temperature or viscosity among the gelatin solutions. This suggests that pollock skins can be economically stabilized for transport to a gelatin-processing facility through the use of regenerable desiccants that are already common in the food industry., Practical Application: Pollock skins destined for gelatin production can be stabilized using chemical desiccants prior to shipment. The dehydration process does not harm the functional properties of gelatin, such as gel strength, gelling temperature, and viscosity. This research suggests that fish skins can be economically stabilized for transport to a gelatin-processing facility through the use of regenerable desiccants that are already common in the food industry.

Introduction: Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), which belong to the family of inborn errors of metabolism, are characterised by their severe clinical manifestations (skeletal, neurological and visceral) and a chronic, progressive course leading to death at early stages of life. AIM. To accomplish an enzymatic diagnosis and characterise MPS within the Cuban population., Subjects and Methods: A total of 664 patients with a clinical suspicion of some type of MPS were referred to the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Havana in order to determine a possible enzymatic deficiency and to classify the type of MPS involved in each case. Enzymatic determinations of alpha-L-iduronidasa, alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase, beta-galactosidase, arylsulphatase B and beta-glucuronidase were performed in leukocyte homogenate for MPS I, IIIB, IVB, VI and VII, respectively, in patients, parents and controls. RESULTS. In all, 42 cases of MPS were diagnosed: MPS I (62%, n = 26), MPS VI (29%, n = 12), MPS IIIB (7%, n = 3) and MPS IVB (2%, n = 1). No patients with MPS VII were identified. The patients diagnosed with MPS were of both sexes and ages ranged between 4 months and 10 years. The specific activity of the enzymes that were studied was deficient in patients with respect to parents and controls. The percentage of activity was lower in patients compared to parents., Conclusions: These studies made it possible to evaluate the enzymatic deficiencies and to establish the diagnosis of MPS I, MPS IIIB, MPS IVB, MPS VI and MPS VII in the Cuban population.

Radon and radon progeny are present indoors, in houses and others dwellings, representing the most important contribution to dose from natural sources of radiation. Most studies have demonstrated an increased risk of lung cancer at high concentration of radon for both smokers and nonsmokers. The work presents a comparative analysis of the radon exposure data in the two radon-prone areas, Stei, Transylvania, (Romania), in the near of old Romanian uranium mines and in the granitic area of Torrelodones town, Sierra de Guadarrama (Spain). Measurements of indoor radon were performed in 280 dwellings (Romania) and 91 dwellings (Spain) by using nuclear track detectors, CR 39. The highest value measured in Stei area was 2650 Bq m(-3) and 366 Bq m(-3) in the Spanish region. The results are computed with the BEIR VI report estimates using the age-duration model at an exposure rate below 2650 Bq m(-3). We used the EC Radon Software to calculate the lifetime lung cancer death risks for individuals groups in function of attained age, radon exposures and tobacco consumption. A total of 233 lung cancer deaths were observed in the Stei area for a period of 13 years (1994-2006), which is 116.82% higher than expected from the national statistics. In addition, the number of deaths estimated for the year 2005 is 28, which is worth more than 2.21 times the amount expected by authorities. In comparison, for Torrelodones was rated a number of 276 deaths caused by lung cancer for a period of 13 years, which is 2.09 times higher than the number expected by authorities. For the year 2005 in the Spanish region were reported 32 deaths caused by pulmonary cancer, the number of deaths exceeding seen again with a factor of 2.10 statistical expectations. This represents a significantly evidence that elevated risk can strongly be associated with cumulated radon exposure.

De novo autoimmune hepatitis (de novo AIH) is a rare form of graft dysfunction that develops after liver transplantation (LT) in patients transplanted for conditions other than autoimmune disorders. Although characterized by biochemical, serological, and histological features of AIH, de novo AIH is sometimes associated with atypical serum autoantibodies, many of which are directed against glutathione S-transferase T1 (anti-GSTT1). GSTT1 donor/recipient genotype mismatch has been suggested as a necessary condition for the appearance of autoantibodies and de novo AIH. However, clinically evident disease is not observed in all patients with anti-GSTT1 antibodies. We examined the incidence of de novo AIH and its conditioning (risk) factors in patients with anti-GSTT1 antibodies. Anti-GSTT1 autoantibodies were detected in 29 of 419 [6.9%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.9-9.8] consecutive adult LT recipients with donor/recipient GSTT1 mismatch. Twenty of 27 assessable patients (74%) developed de novo AIH after a median follow-up of 26 months (95% CI, 19.2-32.8). The probability of de novo AIH was 11%, 44%, and 60% 12, 24, and 36 months after LT, respectively. No relationship emerged between de novo AIH and recipient gender, donor and recipient age, rejection episodes, immunosuppressive regime, allelic GSTT1 expression, human leukocyte antigen distribution, or cytomegalovirus infection. Multivariate analysis identified male donor [hazard ratio (HR), 3.3; 95% CI, 1.18-9.26; P = 0.018], nonalcoholic etiology (HR, 4.67; 95% CI, 1.64-13.3; P = 0.002), and high anti-GSTT1 titer (HR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.04-8.57; P = 0.035) as independent predictors of de novo AIH. Most patients with anti-GSTT1 antibodies and donor/recipient GSTT1 mismatch developed clinically evident de novo AIH after LT. The risk of developing the disease was increased by male donor gender, nonalcoholic etiology of original liver disease, and a high anti-GSTT1 titer.

Perforin-mediated lymphocyte cytotoxicity is critical for pathogen elimination and immune homeostasis. Perforin disruption of target cell membranes is hypothesized to require binding of a calcium-dependent, lipid-inserting, C2 domain. In a family affected by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a severe inflammatory disorder caused by perforin deficiency, we identified 2 amino acid substitutions in the perforin C2 domain: T435M, a previously identified mutant with disputed pathogenicity, and Y438C, a novel substitution. Using biophysical modeling, we predicted that the T435M substitution, but not Y438C, would interfere with calcium binding and thus cytotoxic function. The capacity for cytotoxic function was tested after expression of the variant perforins in rat basophilic leukemia cells and murine cytotoxic T lymphocytes. As predicted, cells transduced with perforin-T435M lacked cytotoxicity, but those expressing perforin-Y438C displayed intact cytotoxic function. Using novel antibody-capture and liposome-binding assays, we found that both mutant perforins were secreted; however, only nonmutated and Y438C-substituted perforins were capable of calcium-dependent lipid binding. In addition, we found that perforin-Y438C was capable of mediating cytotoxicity without apparent proteolytic maturation. This study clearly demonstrates the pathogenicity of the T435M mutation and illustrates, for the first time, the critical role of the human perforin C2 domain for calcium-dependent, cytotoxic function.

Biological therapies have revolutionized the treatment of chronic systemic diseases in which the immune system disorders form a part of the disease mechanism. In these diseases, the patients follow different drug treatments for long periods of time that causes serious adverse reactions and often obtain unsatisfactory efficacy results. Due to the research conducted in the last 10 years, biological drugs have been introduced into the treatment that are aimed against specific targets, such as inflammatory and immunopathological responses that give rise to tissue injury. The new biological therapies have improved the currently available treatments due to greater efficacy, fast action and greater tolerability. The present work aims to provide a global and up-dated view on the biological agents used most in the usual clinical practice and their importance in the management of the chronic immunologically based inflammatory diseases.

An objective to improve the evolution of transplants is to identify risk biomarkers of morbidity and loss of allograft. In liver transplant (LTX) recipients, an association has been demonstrated between the presence of mismatch for glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) and the development of de novo immune hepatitis (IH). In 419 LTX patients we analyzed, for a period of 1 to 14 years, the development of "atypical" autoantibodies directed against GSTT1 and their relationship with the mismatch for GSTT1 genotype and with the risk for developing de novo IH. A total of 6.9% LTX recipients had "atypical" autoantibodies and 24 showed mismatch (recipient/donor) for GSTT1 genotype. From this last group, up to 70% developed de novo IH and graft dysfunction after LTX (95% confidence interval: 17.4-37.5 months). In LTX recipients with a GSTT1 null genotype, the evaluation of "atypical" autoantibodies is useful for monitoring the development of de novo IH.

The possibility of modifying apoptosis-related genes in tumor cells is an interesting line of research that calls for multidisciplinary experimentation to describe its characteristics and the conditions required. In vitro low doses of alpha particle irradiation due to radon have an antiproliferative effect on the growth of MCF-7 cells and increase the sensibility of cancer cells to taxol, a chemotherapeutic agent that induces cellular apoptosis. The present study examines the in vitro effects of low doses of alpha particle irradiation from the gas radon on the expression of some bcl-2 family apoptosis-related genes. The analyzed genes were bax, bcl-2 and bcl-x, with known responses to genotoxic stress (bcl-2) or ionising radiation (bax and bcl-x) in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. The results obtained indicate that the cell line studied expresses the mentioned genes and they demonstrate that irradiation with low radon doses of MCF-7 cells induces underexpression of both bax and bcl-2 genes. Interestingly, the mRNA levels of the full-length bcl-x gene (bcl-xL) were overexpressed after irradiation, and we found significant mRNA levels of an alternative mRNA splicing form of the same gene (bcl-xS), which enhances the apoptotic sensitivity of the cell. The increased sensitivity to apoptosis resulting from bcl-xS overexpression is important because it might improve the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents used to treat cancers which act through induction of apoptosis. The finding that low radiation doses of alpha particles from the gas radon modulate the expression of apoptosis-related genes suggests a therapeutic utility for this naturally occurring agent.

Background and Objective: A mutation (C77G) in exon 4 of the CD45 gene is the most common cause of CD45 abnormal splicing in European populations, which has been associated with an increased susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus infection. We aimed to analyze the C77G frequency in the Spanish population., Patients and Method: 517 healthy donors. CD45RA and RO expression was determined in circulating T lymphocytes by flow cytometry. CD45 exon 4 sequencing was carried out in individuals with an abnormal coexpression of CD45 isoforms., Results: 6/517 individuals presented CD45RA persistence on memory T cells; all of them were heterozygous for C77G mutation. The resulting allelic frequency was 0,58% (95% confidence interval, 0.23-1.32)., Conclusions: C77G is present in the Spanish population. Further studies to elucidate its clinical significance are needed.

Immune-based therapies, such as therapeutic vaccination, that might preserve, restore, enhance and induce new HIV-specific immunologic responses are currently being explored. HIV-specific immunotherapy with Remune (The Immune Response Corp.) offers the opportunity to boost immune responses against HIV-1. The clinical trial program in a wide range of subjects has established the efficacy of Remune in stimulating an appropriate immune response in HIV-positive individuals. Furthermore, a recent unblinded study conducted in Europe has documented a significant effect of Remune on viral load. Evidence regarding clinical end points is more difficult to collect. The same studies have revealed no serious safety issues in a total of more than 2000 Remune-treated patients. It is therefore reasonable to suggest that the risk-benefit ratio of Remune could be positive.

Introduction: Of all the innate errors of the metabolism, the mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), a kind of lysosomal disease, are especially significant because of the serious clinical features they give rise to and the therapeutic difficulties they entail. Diagnosis of the index case is essential so that families can gain access to the preventive benefits of genetic counselling. To date, seven types of MPS and 11 enzyme deficiencies have been described., Aims: Patients with a clinical diagnosis that leads the clinician to suspect they may be suffering from some type of MPS are referred to the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery to determine the possible enzyme deficiencies that will provide us with the key to a successful diagnosis., Patients and Methods: A total of 588 patients who were clinically suspected of suffering from MPS, in whom 1,502 enzyme analyses were performed in order to classify the type of MPS they were suffering from. The MPS under examination are MPS I, MPS IIIB, MPS IVB, MPS VI and MPS VII., Results: MPS I, or alpha-L-iduronidase deficiency, is the most commonly found with 23 cases (4.08% of the patients studied); 13 were females and the other 10 were males. Of the 23 cases, 10 presented the severe Hurler phenotype with mental retardation, five had the Scheie phenotype with preserved intelligence and eight displayed the intermediate Hurler-Scheie phenotype. Diagnosis was reached before the end of the first year in eight patients, between 1 and 5 years in nine of them and between 6 and 10 years in two cases. Enzyme activity in leucocytes was significantly lower in patients as compared to a control group and with respect to the parents (heterozygotes), and even comparing these to the control group, with a slight and expected overlap., Conclusion: The biochemical methodology used allows us, then, to reach a sure biochemical diagnosis and to offer the families the benefits of genetic counselling.

Purpose: To analyze the intraoperative and postoperative complications of Cionni ring implantation in eyes with a subluxated lens or zonular weakness., Setting: Departamento de Oftalmología, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain., Methods: This case series comprised 7 eyes of 5 patients with a subluxated lens or zonular weakness secondary to Marfan's syndrome (n = 2), traumatic cataract (n = 2), or megalocornea (n = 1) or of unknown etiology (n = 2). An AcrySof (Alcon) foldable intraocular lens (IOL) was implanted in all eyes. A 2-eyelet Cionni ring was implanted in 1 eye and a 1-eyelet Cionni ring, in 6 eyes. The Cionni ring was secured in position with a transscleral suture knotted to the ring's hook, avoiding peripheral perforation of the capsular bag., Results: In 1 eye, corectopia was inadvertently produced by passing the suture needle through the iris root; lens subluxation temporarily increased during ring rotation and implantation. However, after the transscleral suture was tightened, capsular bag centration was excellent. In the eye with megalocornea, traction from the 2 hooks tore the edge of the anterior capsule rim. The most frequent postoperative complication was posterior capsule opacification, which occurred in 5 eyes, 2 of which required a neodymium:YAG posterior capsulotomy. After 1 year, the Cionni ring continued to provide excellent stability and capsular bag and IOL positioning in all cases., Conclusions: Results indicate that Cionni ring implantation is an acceptable procedure to correct limited lens subluxation, preserves the capsular bag, and has few significant complications.

Background and Objective: alpha-thalassemia is very common on all thalassemic geographical regions. The present work aimed at analyzing the relationship between the degree of microcytosis and hematological parameters and the type of alpha-thalassemic mutation., Design and Methods: Five hundred and thirty-six subjects with 4 kinds of alpha-thalassemia were examined using established techniques that determined all hematological parameters, and globin synthesis and molecular biological techniques to study the DNA of globin genes by Southern blotting., Results: Adult carriers of alpha (+)-thalassemia (-alpha/alpha alpha) present very few hematological alterations. In a statistical comparison with normal individuals (alpha alpha/alpha alpha), significant differences were found between the hemocytometric data and the MCV and MCH of heterozygous alpha + thalassemia and the heterozygous alpha zero or homozygous alpha + genotype. Hb H disease was detected in 15 patients, presenting a severe degree of anemia, a significant increase in RDW and globin chain synthesis with an alpha/beta ratio of 0.5 +/- 0.1., Interpretation and Conclusions: These data provide reference values for geographical areas where alpha + thalassemia is common. These hematocytometric data, together with hemoglobin analysis, could be useful as a future reference data for new patients diagnosed with alpha-thalassemia.

In three of eight patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome the Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia treated with intravenous trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, drug-related reactions occurred 9, 10, and 13 days after therapy. The symptom complex consisted of a maculopapular eruption, fever, eosinophilia, and leukopenia. Oral desensitization with graded doses of trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole was successfully achieved in two of the three patients.

Two hundred forty-nine cases of Q fever were documented at the laboratories of the Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Virología e Inmunología Sanitarias (CNMVIS) during the 5-year period 1981-1985. Two hundred thirty-four cases corresponded to acute infections, mostly sporadic but including two epidemics. The clinical presentation was respiratory in 74% of the cases and febrile in 18%. Fifteen cases, all but one of which were endocarditis, were categorized as chronic. The cases studied were referred from almost every region of Spain. The clinical and epidemiologic analyses and the number of cases reported permit only an approximation of the true incidence and characteristics of Q fever in Spain.

In order to achieve a better understanding of the epidemiology of measles in Spain to foster vaccination policy in our country, we have conducted a serological survey of measles antibodies in children between birth and two years of life in the urban population of Madrid. Authors have established the rate at which maternal antibodies are lost in these children below 15 months of life. The results indicate that, in general maternal antibodies have already disappeared at 9 months. Vaccination can thus be indicated around this age.

A child aged 2 years and 9 months was angiocardiographically diagnosed to have a single ventricle with normally related great arteries and atresia of the left A-V valve. A Blalock-Hanlon procedure and division of a large patent ductus arteriosus were followed by reduction in pulmonary artery pressure, but after operation the patient showed signs of left ventricular failure unresponsive to medical treatment, necessitating pulmonary artery banding. We have found only three similar published cases, and this is the only one with full angiographic documentation.

Campillo-Sainz, C. (Instituto Nacional de Virología de la S.S.A., México, D.F.), A. Ornelas Hernandez, J. de Mucha Macías, and S. E. Nava. Immunization of newborn children with living oral trivalent poliovirus vaccine. J. Bacteriol. 84:446-450. 1962.-The serological response to one dose of living oral trivalent polio-virus vaccine was compared in two groups of children, 49 vaccinated at birth and 44 vaccinated at the age of 4 months. Of those vaccinated at birth, 44 (90%) responded to the vaccine strains of type 1 and type 3 and 30 (61%) to the type 2 strain. Of those vaccinated at 4 months of age; 64% responded to type 1, 52% to type 2, and 82% to type 3. The difference between the responses of the two groups, which for type 1 is significant, may result from the interference of other enteric viruses in the 4-month-old children. A second dose of vaccine, administered to the children vaccinated at birth when they reached the age of 4 months, increased the over-all immunological response to 100% for types 1 and 3 and 96% for type 2, and showed that no immunological tolerance had been developed. The vaccine produced no undesirable effects in any of the children, and no paralytic poliomyelitis occurred among them. The observation of other investigators, that a high titer of maternal antibody inhibits immunological response to vaccination, was confirmed, but breast feeding apparently had no unfavorable effect on response.