AF Group Research Articles

Double-masked, randomized, parallel-group comparison of cefaclor af and cefaclor in the treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis

A multicenter, randomized, double-masked, parallel-group study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of cefaclor AF (750 mg twice daily) and cefaclor (500 mg three times daily) in the treatment of 298 patients with acute bacterial sinusitis. Patients demonstrating a favorable clinical response 3 to 5 days posttherapy were reevaluated for relapse 10 to 14 days after therapy. At the posttherapy visit, there was a favorable clinical response (ie, cure/ improvement) in 91.8% of patients in the cefaclor AF group and in 92.9% of those in the cefaclor group. At the follow-up evaluation, only 1.8% of patients receiving cefaclor AF and 4.3% of those receiving cefaclor had relapsed. None of the between-group differences were statistically significant. The most common pathogens isolated were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. In patients with infections caused by S pneumoniae, 90.9% of those treated with cefaclor AF and 95.4% of those treated with cefaclor had a favorable clinical response at the posttherapy visit. In patients with infections caused by H influenzae, 90.9% of those treated with cefaclor AF and 77.8% of those treated with cefaclor had a favorable clinical response at the posttherapy visit. All patients infected by these pathogens were clinically cured at the follow-up visit. Both treatments were also highly effective in treating infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pogenes. Both treatments were well tolerated, and there were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups in the frequency of adverse events. The only adverse events considered to be treatment related were diarrhea and abdominal pain. The results of this study demonstrate that the efficacy and safety of cefaclor AF are comparable with that of cefaclor in the treatment of patients with acute bacterial sinusitis

Preventive effect of whey hydrolysate formulas for mothers and infants against allergy development in infants for the first 2 years.

We studied the preventive effect against allergies in infants who and whose mothers consumed hypoallergenic formulas until 6 months after birth. Mother and infant pairs were divided into three groups, and the infants were monitored for the development of allergies for the first 2 years. In the MD group (n = 102; n = number of infants), the mothers were given a hypoallergenic formula for mothers (MOM HA), which contained hydrolyzed whey protein as the only protein source, as a substitution for cow's milk during late pregnancy and lactation. In the CD group (n = 127), the mothers were given cow's milk during the corresponding period. All infants in the MD and CD groups were exclusively breast-fed or mixed-fed with breast milk and hypoallergenic infant formula (NAN HA), which contains the same hydrolyzed protein as MOM HA. In the AF group (n = 54), the mothers consumed MOM HA and their infants were mixed-fed with breast milk and a cow's milk-based adopted infant formula during the corresponding period. In the MD group, no infants were positive to cow's milk-specific immunoglobulin E (RAST) at 4 months of age, in contrast to 6% and 3% of infants in the CD and AF groups, respectively. The infants in the MD group showed low incidence of various allergies, especially of eczema, as compared to the CD and AF groups. These results suggest that consumption of cow's milk by mothers and cow's milk-based formula feeding to infants elevate the risk of allergies in infants, and that consumption of hypoallergenic formula for pregnant and lactating women and for infants could be helpful in preventing allergy development in infants.

Accelerated radiation therapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity and oropharynx selected according to tumor cell kinetics—A phase II multicenter study

Purpose: A Phase II multicenter trial testing an accelerated regimen of radiotherapy in locally advanced and inoperable cancers of the head and neck, in patients selected on the basis of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine/DNA flow cytometry-derived tumor potential doubling time (Tpot).Methods and Materials: From September 1992 to September 1993, 23 patients consecutively diagnosed to have locally advanced, inoperable carcinomas of the oral cavity and the oropharynx, with Tpot of ≤ 5 days, received an accelerated radiotherapy regimen (AF) based on a modification of the concomitant boost technique: 2 Gy/fraction once a day, delivered 5 days a week up to 26 Gy, followed by 2 Gy/fraction twice a day, with a 6-h interval, one of the two fractions being delivered as a concomitant boost to reduced fields, up to 66 Gy total dose (off-cord reduction at 46 Gy), shortening the overall treatment time to 4.5 weeks. A contemporary control group of 46 patients with Tpot of >5 days or unknown was treated with conventional fractionation (CF):2 Gy/fraction once a fay, 5 days a week, up to 66 Gy in 6.5 weeks, with fields skrinkage after 46 Gy.Results: All patients completed the accelerated regimen according to protocol and in the prescribed overall treatment time. Immediate tolerance was fairly good: 65% of the patients inthe AF group experienced Grade 3 mucositis vs. 45% in thee CF group (p = n.s.). Symptoms related to mucosal reactions seemed to persist longer in AF than in CF patients. The crude proportion of mild (Grades 1 and 2) late effects on skin (p < 0.01) and salivary glands (p < 0.05) was higher in AF than in CF patients, although these reactions dis not exceed the limits of tolerance. Three patients in the AF and 1 in the CF arm experienced a late Grade 4 bone complication. Actuarial estimates of severe (Grade 3 and 4) late complications showed a 2-year hazard of 33.3% in the AF arm and 49.7% in CF (p = NS). The actuarial 2-year local control rate of the AF patients was 49.4%, while actuarial 2-year overall survival for the same patients was 43.5%.Conclusions:The results suggested that this accelerated regimen is worth testing in a controlled randomized trial to compare different accelerated schedules. Our findings also confirmed the 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine/DNA flow cytometry technique as a suitable method of evaluating tumor cell kinetics in multicenter clinical studies, on conditions thal all measurements are carried out by one most experienced laboratory.

Ethanol-induced changes in insulin-like growth factors and IGF gene expression in the fetal brain.

Brain growth retardation is a major feature of the fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) have been shown to exert significant metabolic and growth-promoting effects. Previously, we showed that circulating levels of IGF-I as well as hepatic gene expression of both IGFs were decreased in newborn offspring of rats fed ethanol during pregnancy. This study investigated the effects of maternal ethanol ingestion on fetal rat brain growth and on levels of IGF-I and IGF-II, as well as their mRNAs, in fetal brain. IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) levels also were determined. Rats were fed 5% w/v ethanol in a liquid diet during gestation (EF group). Weight-matched animals were pair-fed equicaloric control diet (PF group) or were fed ad libitum (AF group). The mean fetal brain weight of EF offspring was 13% and 16% lower (P < 0.01) than that of PF and AF offspring, respectively. Body weight of EF pups was decreased to a greater extent, resulting in higher brain to body weight ratios in EF pups than in either control group (P < 0.05). IGF-I levels in EF pups decreased by 33% and 41% compared with the corresponding PF and AF values (P < 0.01). IGF-I mRNA levels decreased by 27% and 40% compared with PF and AF values, respectively. A positive correlation was observed between brain IGF-I level and brain weight (r = 0.561, P < 0.01). IGF-II levels were not affected despite a 50% decrease in IGF-II expression. In PF animals, the fetal brain IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA levels were reduced by 28% and 21%, apparently in response to undernutrition. IGF-binding proteins levels were low in the EF group but not statistically significant compared with control values. The diminished fetal brain concentration of IGF-I and decreased gene expression of IGFs may play a role in brain growth retardation associated with FAS.

Quality of life following treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma: An assessment with the european organization for research and treatment of cancer questionnaire

Health related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed in the randomised, prospective ARTSCAN study comparing conventional radiotherapy (CF) with accelerated radiotherapy (AF) for head and neck cancer.750 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (of any grade and stage) in the oral cavity, oro-, or hypopharynx or larynx (except T1–2, N0 glottic carcinoma) without distant metastases were randomised to either conventional fractionation (2 Gy/day, 5 days/week in 49 days, total dose 68 Gy) or accelerated fractionation (1.1 + 2.0 Gy/day, 5 days/week in 35 days, total dose 68 Gy). HRQoL was assessed with EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-H&N35 and HADS at baseline, at end of radiotherapy (eRT) and at 3 and 6 months and 1, 2 and 5 years after start of treatment.The AF group reported HRQoL was significantly lower at eRT and at 3 months for most symptoms, scales and functions. Few significant differences were noted between the groups at 6 months and 5 years. Scores related to functional oral intake never reached baseline.In comparison to CF, AF has a stronger adverse effect on HRQoL in the acute phase.

Influence of aflatoxin and fumonisin B1-containing culture material on growing barrows

SUMMARY Aflatoxin (af)-contaminated and fumonisin B1 (fb1)-contaminated (culture material from Fusarium moniliforme) diets were fed singly and in combination to growing cross-bred barrows. Six barrows (3 replicates of 2 each; mean body weight, 17.5 kg) per group were fed: 0 mg of af and 0 mg of fb1/kg of feed (control); 2.5 mg of af/kg of feed; 100 mg of fb1/kg of feed; or 2.5 mg of af plus 100 mg of fb1/kg of feed for 35 days. The effects on production performance, serum biochemical, hematologic, immunologic, and pathologic measurements were evaluated. Body weight, gain, and feed consumption were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) decreased by af and af plus fb1 diets. The fb1 diet decreased feed consumption, and although body weight was numerically decreased, it was not statistically significant. Aflatoxin increased serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity and total iron concentration and decreased urea nitrogen concentration and unsaturated iron-binding capacity. The fb1-alone diet increased serum GGT activity, whereas the af plus fb1 diet increased serum aspartate transaminase, Cholinesterase, alkaline phosphatase, and GGT activities, increased rbc count, triglycerides, and total iron concentrations, and decreased unsaturated iron-binding capacity and urea nitrogen concentration. For the most part, the effects of the af plus fb1 diet on body weight and hematologic measurements could be considered additive. However, the effect of the af plus fb1 diet on cholinesterase and alkaline phosphatase activities was greater than additive and was a synergistic response. One pig in the fb1-diet group and 2 pigs in the combination-diet group died. Postmortem lesions in pigs of the fb1-diet group consisted of ascites and increased liver weight. Observations at necropsy for pigs of the af plus fb1-diet group consisted of hydrothorax, ascites, pulmonary edema, gastric erosions and ulceration, and increased liver and spleen weights. The af diet increased relative liver weight and resulted in liver that was pale, rubbery, and resistant to cutting. Histologic lesions consisted of hepatic necrosis or degeneration, or both, with variable degrees of bile duct proliferation in barrows of the af-diet groups. Renal tubular nephrosis was observed in barrows of the fb1-diet group, but this was not consistent in the af plus fb1-diet group. Cell-mediated immunity, as measured by mitogen-induced lymphoblastogenic stimulation index, was decreased in barrows of the af and fb1-diet groups, and values in barrows given the combination diet were significantly decreased from those in barrows given the single toxin diets. It was concluded that af and fb1 (from culture material), singly or in combination, can adversely affect clinical performance, serum biochemical, hematologic, and immunologic values and induce lesions in growing barrows. For most of the variables we evaluated under our study conditions and dosages of toxins, measurements were affected more by the combination diet than by either single toxin diet, and the toxic responses could be described as additive or more than additive, particularly for induction of liver disease.

Intestinal Permeability. Changes during the First Month

Summary: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of age and feeding pattern on intestinal permeability during the first month of life. The subjects were 72 full‐term, healthy neonates who were (a) exclusively breast‐fed (BF group, n = 36) or (b) artificially fed (CM group, n = 36) with either an adapted formula (AF group, n = 17) or a partly hydrolyzed (hypoantigenic) formula (HA group, n = 19). A lactulose/mannitol (lac/man) intestinal permeability test was performed at 1 and 7 days (steady‐state method, n = 72), then at 30 days of life (single oral load, n = 47). Urinary lactulose and mannitol were measured by HPLC. The mean lac/man urinary ratio dropped from 1.27 ± 0.73 (day 1) to 0.34 ± 0.36 at day 7 and to 0.22 ± 0.21 at day 30. At 7 days BF infants showed a significantly lower lac/man urinary ratio (0.22 ± 0.25) than the CM group (0.47 ± 0.41). The human neonate shows a developmental pattern of sugar intestinal permeability that resembles gut closure observed in other mammals. Intestinal permeability decreases faster in breast‐fed babics than in those fed with adapted or HA formulas.

Initial Experience with the Surgical Management of Morbid Obesity Associated with Symptomatic Gastro-esophageal Reflux: A Comparison between Gastroplasty Alone and Gastroplasty with Anterior Fundoplication.

The optimal management of patients with morbid obesity and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains an unresolved issue. We have performed a vertical banded gastroplasty combined with an anterior fundoplication (VBG + AF) in 28 selected morbidly obese patients with moderate or severe heartburn. The patients who underwent VBG +/- AF are compared to patients who had similar heartburn symptoms and underwent gastroplasty alone during this period. In the VBG + AF group there were two treatment failures (7%). In the gastroplasty group there were 63 patients with 15 treatment failures (24%). These differences were independent of demographic and weight loss variables. These results suggest that VBG +/- AF may provide a superior option for the management of morbidly obese patients with GERD.

Altered cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity following subarachnoid hemorrhage in cats

The authors tested the hypothesis that cerebral blood flow (CBF) reactivity to CO2 was blunted following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Subarachnoid hemorrhage was produced in five cats by performing four cisterna magna injections of blood in each (SAH Group). A second group of six cats was treated with an antifibrinolytic agent (AF) in addition to four cisterna magna blood injections (SAH+AF Group). Four cats received AF and four cisterna magna injections of saline (Control Group). The presence or absence of basilar artery vasospasm was determined by comparing baseline and follow-up selective angiograms. Cerebral blood flow reactivity was determined by randomly varying the concentration of inspired CO2 to alter PaCO2 from 20 to 75 mm Hg. Regional CBF was measured with radiolabeled microspheres. Basilar artery vasospasm was seen following subarachnoid injection of blood but not of saline. Normocapnic CBF was similar in all three groups in the brain stem (mean +/- standard error of the mean: SAH Group 46 +/- 6, SAH+AF Group 46 +/- 6, and Control Group 44 +/- 9 ml/min/100 gm) and in the supratentorial compartment (SAH Group 53 +/- 8, SAH+AF Group 61 +/- 9, and Control Group 51 +/- 13 ml/min/100 gm). At intermediate levels of hypercarbia (PaCO2 50 +/- 3 mm Hg), CBF increased similarly in all three groups (SAH Group 161% +/- 32%, SAH+AF Group 118% +/- 33%, and Control Group 174% +/- 19% compared to baseline); at higher levels of PaCO2 (60 +/- 3 mm Hg), CBF values were SAH Group 265% +/- 50%, SAH+AF Group 205% +/- 47%, and Control Group 159% +/- 30% of baseline. At the highest level of PaCO2 (75 +/- 6 mm Hg), supratentorial CBF did not increase as much in the SAH+AF Group as in the Control Group (179% +/- 59% vs. 463% +/- 58% of baseline, respectively). The authors conclude that, in this model of SAH, there is no change in normocapnic CBF; however, blood flow reactivity to hypercarbia is blunted. It is possible that this may result from a combination of narrowing of proximal large vessels and globally impaired reactivity of small vessels.

The Signal-Averaged Electrocardiogram of P Wave in Patients with Documented Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter and in Patients with Left or Right Atrial Overload without Atrial Fibrillation.

To evaluate the significance of the signal-averaged P wave in various pathological conditions of the atrium, signal-averaged electrocardiograms and echocardiograms were studied in the following 4 groups: (1) 10 normal subjects (control group), (2) 24 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or flutter (AF) (AF group), (3) 12 patients with left atrial overload without AF (LA group), and (4) 10 patients with right atrial overload without AF (RA group). Original P wave durations showed no significant difference among the 4 groups. Filtered P wave durations (F-PDs) in the AF and LA groups were significantly longer than that in the control group. F-PD correlated significantly with left atrial dimension (LAD). F-PD in AF patients with LAD shorter than 40 mm was significantly longer than that in the control group, but there was no significant difference in F-PD between AF patients with LAD longer than 40 mm and the LA group. Root mean square voltages of original P waves were significantly higher in the LA and RA groups than that in the control group, but in AF patients it did not differ from that in the control group. In conclusion, the signal-averaged P wave is useful to predict atrial fibrillation, but prolongation of F-PD is seen not only in patients with AF but also in patients with LA overload.

Alterations of hemostatic markers in elderly patient with atrial fibrillation without a history of stroke

To evaluate whether hemostatic abnormalities contribute to the increased risk of stroke, the authors prospectively studied the hemostatic markers (HM) (beta-TG, PF4, FPA, TAT, PIC, D-dimer) in 34 elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (Af) without a history of stroke (mean age 79.2) and 14 age-matched controls. In the Af group FPA was significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05). Among them, 8 patients showed a similar abnormal HM pattern as in cardioembolic is chemic stroke and in these, 4/8 patients had valvular disease (VD), 2/8 had hypertension (HT), 2/8 had congestive heart failure (CHF), 1/8 had diabetes mellitus (DM) and 1/8 had hyperlipidemia (HL). Eight patients showed the same abnormal HM pattern as atherothrombotic is chemic stroke and of these, 2/8 had HT as complications. Five patients showed combination of a HM abnormal pattern, that was observed in cardioembolic and atherothromboic ischemic stroke. The other 13 patients showed a normal HM pattern, were in these patients, 4/13 had HT, 1/13 had DM, 1/13 had VD, and 1/13 had CHF. The patients with VD complication tended to have embolic HM abnormality. Contrary to previous reports, nonvalvular Af patients do not necessarily tend to have high risk of cardioembolic stroke. Our data suggest difficulties in clinical diagnosis among Af patients with ischemic stroke whether it is cardio embolic or atherothrombotic.

Decreased glucose transporter 1 gene expression and glucose uptake in fetal brain exposed to ethanol

Using pregnant rats fed equicaloric liquid diets (AF, ad libitum-fed controls; PF, pair-fed controls; EF, ethanol-fed), we have previously shown that maternal alcoholism produces a specific and significant decrease of glucose in the fetal brain, which is accompanied by growth retardation. To further define the mechanisms of ethanol-induced perturbations in fetal fuel supply, we have examined (i) the uptake of 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) by dissociated brain cells from fetal rats that were exposed to ethanol in utero and (ii) the steady-state levels of the glucose transporter-1 (GT-1) mRNA. A 9% decrease in brain weight (P < 0.001) and a 54.8% reduction in 2-DG uptake into brain cells (P < 0.02) were found in offspring of EF mothers compared to the AF group. Brain weight correlated with the rate of 2-DG uptake (P< 0.05). Northern blot analysis showed a 50% reduction of GT-1 mRNA in EF brain relative to that in the AF and PF groups. We conclude that glucose transport into the brain is an important parameter altered by maternal ethanol ingestion.

The Effects of Self-Monitoring and Reinforcement on Exercise Adherence

Two behavioral techniques were assessed to determine their effects on subjects' adherence to unsupervised exercise. The subjects were 35 moderately fit persons who had just completed an adult fitness program (AF group) and 42 sedentary individuals who were recruited through the campus newspaper (NEWS group). Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) self-monitoring, (b) reinforcement supplied by another person, or (c) control. All subjects were given instructions on how to exercise and asked to exercise on their own for 18 weeks. Self-monitoring subjects kept written records of their exercise behavior, while reinforcement subjects verbally reported their exercise behavior to another person who periodically administered rewards. Pre- and posttreatment tests on the NEWS group revealed no significant treatment or interaction effects. However, the reinforcement group had an 11% improvement in predicted max VO2 and a 9 bpm improvement in exercise heart rate compared to 7.8%, 5 bpm for the self-monitoring (SM) group and 5.3%, 6 bpm for the control group. T-tests indicated that reward and SM groups improved significantly on these variables, whereas the control group did not. SM (M = 2.07) and reinforcement (M = 2.29) groups reported a significantly higher frequency of exercise per week than the control (M = 1.36) group. The AF subjects were able to maintain their fitness level (with the exception of a small increase in body fat) over the 18-week period. The behavioral interventions had little differential effect on adherence by AF subjects who were already regular exercisers.

Total Parenteral Nutrition with a New Amino Acid Solution for Infants

SummaryThe currently available, commercially prepared amino acid mixtures for intravenous usage do not result in completely normal plasma amino acid patterns. Taking into consideration the known imbalances that occur with the commercial preparations, we designed a new amino acid solution (AF). This solution was prepared to contain a low concentration of those amino acids usually found in increased concentrations in plasma during the course of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with a commercially prepared product (CF) and a high concentration of branched‐chain amino acids and arginine. Plasma amino acid concentrations were determined for nine infants receiving CF (Group A) and eight infants receiving AF (Group B) as the protein source while on TPN for 5 days. These data were compared to 2‐h postprandial values obtained from breast‐fed, growing infants serving as controls. In comparison with controls, the plasma concentrations of threonine, glycine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and lysine were higher in infants in group A, while those of taurine, alanine, valine, cystine, isoleucine, and proline were lower. In group B, the levels of valine and leucine were slightly higher, while those of alanine, cystine, tyrosine, histidine, and proline were lower. Mean nitrogen balances in groups A and B were + 112 and + 170 mg/kg/day, respectively. Therefore, our new amino acid solution may be better for infants receiving TPN.

Hemiplegics after a first stroke: late survival and risk factors.

Scanning 3000 cases admitted for rehabilitation after cerebrovascular accident over a 20 year period produced a sample of 1369 subjects, without age restrictions, admitted within six months of a first stroke of thrombotic etiology. In this sample, survival rates showed no significant difference between men and women. Age at onset, however, clearly influenced survival changes; the expected mean survival was 6 years at 40 and 2 at age 80; average loss of life was 14 years for the whole sample, meaning a vital prognosis two to three times worse than that of the general population. At least 86% of the sample presented one or more of five etiological antecedents to stroke: hypertensive heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation. In 87% of those, HHD and/or PVD were present. Presence of hypertension significantly lowered life expectancy and so did PVD; their influence is felt from the earliest stages. In contrast, diabetes mellitus, the next most common factor, has a late influence, starting about the fifth year after stroke. MI and AF were present in relatively fewer patients, but they contributed towards a considerable decrease in life expectancy, evident from the first stages, the more drastic reduction being observed in the AF group.

The histopathological substratum for atrial fibrillation in man.

Quantitative studies on the histological sections of the atria including sinoatrial (SA) node, SA junction and internodal preferential pathways in 12 hearts with long-term atrial fibrillation (Af group) and in 43 hearts with no arrhythmia (control group) have been carried out. The control group was subdivided into two age-groups, the younger and older over 50 years for the age-matched comparison with the Af group. In the Af group, markedly impaired contiguity of the SA junction, severe fibrosis and lipomatosis of atria were common precipitating factors. Regarding the ratio of SA nodal cells to the area of SA node, and patency of SA node artery, there were no significant difference between the Af group and age-matched (older) control group. In comparison between the two control groups, decreased SA nodal cells, stenosis of SA node artery, impaired contiguity of the SA junction, fibrosis and lipomatosis of atria were more prominent in the majority of the older group than that of the younger. These findings suggest that the pathological lesions of the SA junction and the atrial myocardium in the Af group were the exaggerated aging changes, and these lesions may be the main anatomic substratum for Af.

1672 NON-ASSOCIATION OF CELL CONTENT WITH RESPIRATORY DISTRESS IN ADULT RABBITS ASPIRATING HUMAN AMNIOTIC FLUID (AF)

Aspiration of uncontaminated AF is considered by some to be one cause of neonatal respiratory distress due to alveolar plugging by its cellular content. We examined the degree of respiratory compromise that occurred in adult rabbits after being administered human AF of varying cell counts. Experimental groups received either 4 or 6 cc/kg of human AF (n=15), saline (n=9), a 10% meconium solution (n=10), or nothing (n=6). Saline was used to provide a control fluid without solid elements while meconium was included to ensure that the experimental model could produce a well-characterized aspiration syndrome. There was one death in the AF group, O in the saline group and 5/10 meconium animals died. The epithelial cell count of the AF samples (n=15, mean= 717 cells/ml3, range=15-2370) was slightly higher than previously reported values (Ob Gyn 49:280). There was no correlatio between the cell count of the AF aspirated and the PO2 at 10, 30, 60 and 90 min and 2, 6 and 24 hrs, nor with lung weight or residual volume. Pressure-volume curves of AF animals were nearly identical with those of controls. Histological finding were similar in the AF and control groups with regard to leukocytes, alveolar macrophages and atelectasis. These findings indicate no correlation between AF cell count and the degree of respiratory compromise and lung pathology in adult rabbits.

Occurrence and Interaction ofAspergillus flavuswith Other Fungi on Almonds

PHILLIPS, D. J., B. MACKEY, W. R. ELLIS, and T. N. HANSEN. 1979. Occurrence and interaction of Aspergillusflavus with other fungi on almonds. Phytopathology 69: 829-831. The occurrence of the aflatoxin-producing fungi of the Aspergillusflavus spicifera, Fusarium roseum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Cladosporium group (AF) on samples from 89 locations in California was influenced by cladosporioides, Penicillium funiculosum, and Aspergillus ficuum. The other fungi on the kernels. The influence of these other fungi on AF was presence of other fungi with A. flavus or A. parasiticus generally reduced evaluated in 1975 and 1976 in field plots. Fruit of almond cultivars Milo, the number of isolates of AF that were recovered from hulls and kernels. Nonpareil, and Ne Plus were inoculated before hull dehiscence with dry Fungi requiring high moisture appeared antagonistic to AF in colonizing conidia of aflatoxin-producing aspergilli alone or in combination with almond kernels. U. chartarum reduced the isolation of A. flavus most groups of fungi (1975) or individual isolates (1976). Fungi used included significantly. yeasts, Moniliniafructicola, Ulocladium atrum, U. chartarum, Drechslera shelled almonds was obtained from each of 89 orchards in the Many species of fungi may colonize drying fruit of the almond Central Valley of California; 100 surface disinfested and 100 (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb) (10), including Aspergillus nondisinfested kernels were analyzed for fungi. The relative flavus Link and A. parasiricus Speare (11). These two Aspergillus frequency of occurrence of the various fungi on the kernels was spp. (AF) are widespread on seed and other crops (9,15) and may recorded, and simple correlation coefficients on arcsin square root produce aflatoxins before or after harvest if environmental proportions were computed. conditions are favorable. The AF group has been noted frequently Moisture content was determined on a fresh weight basis for each on almond hulls and kernels, but under natural conditions the fungi sample from the weights of a 50-kernel subsample before and after rarely penetrate the undamaged kernel (5,11,13). In contrast, when oven drying for 48 hr at 86 C. almond fruit was inoculated experimentally in the orchard, the Preparation of inoculum. Fungi isolated from almond hulls were frequency of AF colonization of undamaged kernels was high established in pure culture. Inocula of some fungi other than (2-63%) and depended somewhat on the almond cultivar (11). Aspergillus spp. were prepared from the fungi grown separately on Because of this difference between natural and experimental steam-sterilized carnation straw (10 g of air-dried straw and 15 ml colonization, we evaluated the frequency of occurrence of various of water) in wide-mouth jars closed with muslin. After about 2 wk fungi with AF on almond kernels and initiated experiments on the at room temperature (21 C ± 2 C) the colonized straw, which had interaction among fungi on almond hulls, been air-dried, was crumbled with a glass rod. This crumbled straw was used as inoculum in field-plot testing for antagonism to MATERIALS AND METHODS aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus spp. Conidia and conidial heads of A. flavus or A. parasiticus were Examination of fungi on almonds. Surface disinfested and collected, mixed with dry talc, held several weeks, and used to nondisinfested almond kernels or hulls were tested for the presence inoculate almond fruits. The conidia were from 1 -wk-old toxigenic of fungi. For surface disinfestation, samples were dipped in 70% cultures grown on potato dextrose agar at room temperature. (v/v) ethanol/ H20 for 10 sec, then immediately soaked in 0.5% Inoculation of almond fruits with A. flavus and other fungi. In sodium hypochlorite solution for 5 min. The disinfested samples 1975 and 1976, 45 Milo, Nonpareil, and Ne Plus soft-shelled were aseptically plated on malt-salt medium (MSM) containing almond trees near Fresno, CA, were selected for testing. The trees 7.5% NaCl, 2% malt extract (Bacto, Difco Laboratories, Detroit, were in five blocks, each with three trees per cultivar. About 2 wk MI), and 2% agar. Nondisinfested samples were plated directly on before hull-split, representative fruits were sprayed with 0.01% MSM plus 13 mg/ml of 2,6-dichloro-4-nitroaniline to inhibit sodium hypochlorite solution, rinsed with water, and allowed to

Fifteen Year Experience with Subctaneous Bypass Grafts for Lower Extremity Ischemia

A 15-year experience with 92 subcutaneous arterial bypass grafts for lower extremity revascularization has been reviewed. Fifty-nine AF and 33 FF bypass operations were performed on 89 patients whose average age was 66 years. The overall five-year survival was 33% compared to an expected survival of 80%. 88% of the AF, and 76% of the FF operations were performed for limb salvage, bypass of an aortic aneurysm, or replacement of an infected aortic graft. The remainder were performed for intermittent claudication on patients who were too ill to withstand an intra-abdominal operation. 75% of the patients with AF grafts and 64% of those with FF grafts experienced complete relief of lower extremity ischemia, including all of the patients with claudication. Graft patency was analyzed by the life table method. In the FF series, 74% of the grafts remained patent for one year; 73% for two years; 66% for three years; and 53% for four years. A 50% incidence of thrombosis occurred at the end of two years in the AF group. The patency rate of the AF grafts was also studied with regard to the type of graft material employed: a 50% incidence of thrombosis was reached at 36 months with knitted Dacron; at 18 months with weave-knit Dacron; and at 9 months with woven Dacron. THESE DATA INDICATE THAT: (1) contrary to our previous report, weave-grafts provide adequate blood flow to the lower extremities but do not remain patent as long as more conventional types of reconstruction; (2) subcutaneous grafts should be performed only when an intra-abdominal procedure is contraindicated or life expectancy is limited.

INFLUÊNCIA DO TREINAMENTO CONCORRENTE DE CAPOEIRA E ATLETISMO NO DESEMPENHO MOTOR DE CRIANÇAS PRATICANTES DE FUTSAL

This study aimed to determine the influence of concurrent training and athletic capoeira levels of motor performance in children aged 7 to 10 years indoor football. Study participants were children (n = 39) were male. The subjects were divided into two groups, submitted to concurrent training, the AF group (n = 20) underwent the training of soccer and athletics and FC group (n = 19) soccer and capoeira. To study and evaluate the level of motor performance of the two sample groups, we applied a battery of tests for statistical analysis and checked the normality of the data (Kolmogorov-Smirnov) and applied repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni. We used the statistical packages SPSS (12.0) and Instat (3.0). The results note that in terms of motor proficiency children who practiced FC compared to children who practiced FA had equal values in the components of motor skills, however, both groups showed a trend in weight gain in their motor skills.