Resumo O extrato bruto de Marcetia macrophylla mostrou atividade antioxidante, fotoprotetora e antinociceptiva, sendo em seguida investigado como ingrediente ativo em uma formulação fotoprotetora. Assim, o extrato de M. macrophylla apresentou atividade antioxidante com IC50 de 3,43 mg/mL (teste de sequestro do DPPH∙) e Fator de Proteção Solar de 20,25 (FPS/UV-B, 250 µg/mL) e UV-A de 78,09% (teste de fotobranqueamento do trans-resveratrol). A atividade antinociceptiva usando o teste in vivo de contorções abdominais induzidas por ácido acético foi superior a todos os padrões testados (99,14% na dose de 200 mg/Kg). A análise por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada a detector de fotodiodos e espectroscopia de massas multi-estágio (CLAE-DAD-EM/EM) possibilitou a caracterização dos flavonoides quercetina-3-O-hexosídeo, quercetina-3-O-pentosídeo e quercetina-3-O-desoxihexosídeo. A formulação farmacêutica contendo o extrato ativo bruto de Marcetia macrophylla foi preparada e os testes físico-químicos (características organolépticas, análise de pH e centrifugação), o UVB in vitro (fator de proteção solar, FPS) e UVA (β-caroteno) foram investigados. A formulação apresentou resultados satisfatórios frente aos parâmetros físico-químicos avaliados e ativos contra UV. Assim, M. macrophylla apresentou atividades biológicas com potencial uso em preparações fitofarmacêuticas.

Abstract The antioxidant, photoprotective and antinociceptive Marcetia macrophylla active extract was investigated as an active ingredient in a sunscreen cream formulation. Thus, the M. macrophylla extract showed IC50 of 3.43 mg/ml of the antioxidant (DPPH∙ scavenging test) and Sun Protection Factor of 20.25 (SPF/UV-B, at 250 µg/ml) and UV-A of 78.09% (photobleaching trans-resveratrol test). The antinociceptive activity was superior to all standards tested using the in vivo acetic acid-induced writhing test (99.14% at the dose of 200 mg/kg) and the high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and mass spectroscopy multi-stage (HPLC-DAD-MS/MS) enabled the structural characterization of the quercetin-3-O-hexoside, quercetin-3-O-pentoside and quercetin-3-O-desoxihexoside. The pharmaceutical formulation containing the Marcetia macrophylla crude active extract was prepared and the physicochemical tests (organoleptic characteristics, pH analysis and centrifugation), the in vitro UVB (sun protection factor, SPF) and UVA (β-carotene) using the spectroscopic method were investigated. The formulation showed satisfactory results concerning the physicochemical parameters evaluated and active against the UV test. Thus, M. macrophylla showed biological activities with potential use in pharmaceutical preparations.

Resumo Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram avaliar o potencial antibacteriano do óleoessencial de tomilho sobre V. alginolyticus e V. parahaemolyticys e produzir microcápsulas através do processo de secagem por aspersão (spray dryer). Os compostos químicos do óleo essencial de tomilho e das microcápsulas foram identificados e quantificadaos. Foi preparada uma emulsão de óleo em água (O/A) e em seguida foram produzidas microcápsulas em um spray dryer utilizando-se óleo essencial de tomilho e maltodextrina como material de parede na proporção de 1:4 respectivamente. Entre os vários compostos identificados, o timol apresentou maior concentração. O óleo essencial de tomilho e as microcápsulas exibiram atividade antibacteriana sobre V. parahaemolyticus e V. alginolyticus. O processo de secagem por aspersão não afetou a atividade antibacteriana do óleo essencial de tomilho.

Abstract The aims of this research were first, to evaluate the antibacterial potential of commercial thyme essential oil against V. alginolyticus and V. parahaemolyticys and second, using the spray drying technique to produce microcapsules. chemical compounds of thyme oil and microcapsules were identified and quantified being thymol the chemical component present at the highest concentration. Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions were prepared and the microcapsules were obtained with a spray dryer using maltodextrin as wall material (ratio 1:4). Thyme oil and the microcapsules exhibited antimicrobial activity against V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus. The spray drying process did not affect the antimicrobial activity of thyme essentialoil.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar e comparar a concentração de α-tocoferol no leite colostro e no soro de mães diabéticas e saudáveis.MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, realizado com 51 parturientes voluntárias, sendo 20 diagnosticadas com diabetes melito gestacional e 31 sem nenhuma doença associada. Coletaram-se as amostras de soro e de colostro em jejum no pós-parto imediato e o α-tocoferol foi analisado por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). Para definir o estado nutricional de vitamina E, adotou-se ponto de corte sérico (697,7µg/dL). O teste t de Student para variáveis independentes comparou as concentrações médias de α-tocoferol no soro e no colostro entre os grupos controle e com diabetes melito gestacional. A correlação de Pearson testou a relação entre a concentração de α-tocoferol no soro e no colostro para ambos os grupos. As diferenças foram consideradas significantes quando p<0,05.RESULTADOS: As concentrações de α-tocoferol no colostro foram 1.483,1±533,8µg/dL para as mulheres do Grupo Controle e 1.368,8±681,8µg/dL para as diabéticas, não havendo diferenças (p=0,50). Entretanto, no soro das puérperas controle, a concentração de α-tocoferol foi 1.059,5±372,7µg/dL e, nas diabéticas, 1.391,4±531,5µg/dL, com p<0,01. Não houve correlação entre a concentração de α-tocoferol no soro e no colostro para o Grupo Controle. Resultado semelhante foi encontrado para o grupo com diabetes melito gestacional.CONCLUSÕES: Os grupos apresentaram estado nutricional adequado quanto à vitamina E. Não houve associação entre diabetes melito gestacional e mudanças na concentração de α-tocoferol no colostro.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the levels of α-tocopherol in colostrum and in the serum of healthy and diabetic mothers.METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 51 volunteer mothers, 20 with the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus and 31 without associated diseases. Serum and colostrum samples were collected in fasting in the immediate postpartum period and α-tocopherol was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In order to define the nutritional status of vitamin E, the cutoff point for the serum (697.7µg/dL) was adopted. Student's t-test for independent variables compared the average concentrations of α-tocopherol in the serum and in the colostrum between control and gestational diabetes mellitus groups. Pearson's correlation was used to assess the relationship between the concentration of α-tocopherol in serum and colostrum for both groups. Differences were considered significant when p<0.05.RESULTS: The α-tocopherol concentration in colostrum was 1,483.1±533.8µg/dL for Control Group and 1,368.8±681.8µg/dL for diabetic women, without differences between groups (p=0.50). However, α-tocopherol concentration in the serum was 1,059.5±372.7µg/dL in the Control Group and 1,391.4±531.5µg/dL in the diabetic one (p<0.01). No correlation was found between the concentration of α-tocopherol in the serum and in the colostrum for control and diabetic groups.CONCLUSIONS: The groups had adequate nutritional status of vitamin E. Gestational diabetes was not associated with changes in α-tocopherol concentration in colostrum.

OBJETIVO:Evaluar y comparar la concentración de α-tocoferol en la leche calostro y en el suero de madres diabéticas y sanas.MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal, realizado con 51 parturientes voluntarias, siendo 20 diagnosticadas con diabetes mellitus gestacional y 31 sin cualquier enfermedad asociada. Se recogieron las muestras de suero y de calostro en ayuno en el postparto inmediato y se analizó el α-tocoferol por cromatografía líquida de alta eficiencia (CLAE). Para definir el estado nutricional de vitamina E, se adoptó el punto de corte sérico (697,7µg/dL). El análisis estadístico se realizó con la prueba t de Student para variables independientes a fin de comparar las concentraciones medianas de α-tocoferol en el suero entre los grupos control y con diabetes mellitus gestacional. Ese análisis también fue realizado para comparar los promedios de α-tocoferol en el calostro en los grupos estudiados. Se utilizó la correlación de Pearson para evaluar la relación entre la concentración de α-tocoferol en el suero y en el calostro para ambos grupos. Las diferencias fueron consideradas significativas cuando p<0,05.RESULTADOS: Las concentraciones de α-tocoferol en el calostro fueron 1.483,1±533,8µg/dL para las mujeres del Grupo Control y 1.368,8±681,8µg/dL para las diabéticas, no habiendo diferencias (p=0,50). Sin embargo, en el suero de las puérperas control, la concentración de α-tocoferol fue 1.059,5±72,7µg/dL y, en las diabéticas, 1.391,4±531,5µg/dL, con p<0,01). No hubo correlación entre la concentración de α-tocoferol en el suero y en el calostro para el Grupo Control. Resultado semejante fue encontrado para el grupo con diabetes mellitus gestacional.CONCLUSIONES: Los grupos presentaron estado nutricional adecuado respecto a la vitamina E. No hubo asociación entre diabetes mellitus gestacional y concentración de α-tocoferol en el calostro.

Apresenta um conjunto de fontes documentais que integram o Arquivo de Antropologia Física, de responsabilidade do Setor de Antropologia Biológica do Museu Nacional/UFRJ. O arquivo contém importante documentação sobre o Primeiro Congresso Brasileiro de Eugenia, realizado em 1929, no Rio de Janeiro, em comemoração ao centenário da Academia Nacional de Medicina. Além de originais dos trabalhos apresentados no evento - alguns inéditos -, constam também nesse arquivo documentos reunidos pela secretaria do Congresso, como convocações para a sua realização, ficha dos inscritos, correspondências, recortes de jornais e revistas com artigos sobre eugenia, bem como moções, relatórios e atas finais, constituindo acervo fundamental para a compreensão da história da eugenia no Brasil.

The article presents a set of documental sources that are part of the physical anthropology archive administered by the National Museum's biological anthropology sector (UFRJ). The archive holds important documentation on the first Brazilian congress of eugenics, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1929, in celebration of the National Academy of Medicine centennial. In addition to the originals of papers presented at the event (some unpublished), the archive also contains a series of documents compiled by the congress organizers, including announcements of the event, attendee registrations, correspondence, newspaper and magazine clippings of articles on eugenics, as well as motions, reports, and final minutes, all of which makes this collection invaluable in understanding the history of eugenics in Brazil.

O diagnóstico de bronquiolite aguda é essencialmente clínico. A utilidade de exames laboratoriais, em particular do doseamento da proteína C reactiva (PCR), não está bem estabelecida. O objectivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a relação entre o valor da PCR e os marcadores indirectos de gravidade em doentes com diagnóstico de bronquiolite. Foram incluídos no estudo todos os doentes admitidos no Serviço de Pediatria do HSJ durante o ano de 2006 e que tiveram como diagnóstico principal bronquiolite, tendo sido feita uma revisão retrospectiva do processo clínico desses doentes. Foram incluídos 176 doentes com idades compreendidas entre zero e 36 meses (mediana de 4 meses); 63,1% eram do sexo masculino. O doseamento da PCR tinha sido efectuado em 94,3% dos doentes, com valores compreendidos entre zero e 256mg/L e com mediana de 11 mg/L. O valor da PCR, na população estudada, apresentou uma relação estatisticamente significativa com a admissão em unidade de cuidados intensivos (UCI) (p=0,008), a duração do internamento hospitalar (p=0,025) e a necessidade de oxigenoterapia (p=0,022). Desta forma, este trabalho coloca a hipótese de o valor de PCR poder ser um marcador de gravidade e ter significado prognóstico em doentes com bronquiolite. Mais estudos são necessários para validar estes resultados e esclarecer se existe uma relação real entre as variáveis estudadas ou se esta é produzida pelo efeito confundidor de outras infecções.

A diagnosis of bronchiolitis is made clinically and the use of supportive laboratory examinations, including the quantification of C reactive protein (CRP), is not well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between CRP value and indirect markers of disease severity in patients with bronchiolitis. This study included the patients diagnosed with bronchiolitis admitted to the Pediatrics Department of S. João Hospital in 2006. A retrospective review was made through analysing clinical files. 176 patients aged 0 to 36 months (median of 4 months) were included. 63.1% were males. CRP level was measured in 94.3% of the patients, with values ranging from zero to 256 mg/L and a median of 11 mg/L. CRP value in this population had a statistically significant relation with admission to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (p=0.008), length of hospital stay (p=0.025) and need for supplementary oxygen during hospital stay (p=0.022). This work raises the hypothesis that the CRP value on admission might be a marker of disease severity and have prognostic significance in patients with bronchiolitis. Further investigation is necessary to validate these results and exclude the potential confounding effect of associated infections.

É do conhecimento geral que os valores do potencial de ruptura da passivação (Eb) e do potencial em circuito aberto (Eocp) são parâmetros importantes para avaliar a resistência à corrosão dos materiais metálicos. Contudo, pelo menos no que se refere a aços inoxidáveis a literatura apresenta resultados muito divergentes. Vários factores poderão contribuir para a referida diversidade de valores, entre eles, o acabamento ou tratamento final da superfície. Este estudo pretende avaliar a influência do acabamento superficial na rugosidade média (Ra), tensão residual (t) e resposta electroquímica dos aços em estudo. De modo a serem atingidos os objectivos foram preparadas amostras de ambos os aços com diferentes acabamentos com lixas de SiC, sendo efectuadas medidas de rugosidade, de tensão residual e realizados ensaios electroquímicos de polarização potenciodinâmica. Os ensaios electroquímicos foram realizados na célula Avesta com amostras de ambos os aços com diferentes acabamentos superficiais, em soluções aquosas de NaCl 1 M e MgCl2 0,5 M. Das medidas efectuadas conclui-se que não há uma variação significativa nos valores de Eocp e Eb com o aumento da rugosidade média para os dois aços em estudo, tanto no meio de cloreto de sódio como no meio de cloreto de magnésio. Pelo que se conclui que o tratamento final e composição da solução, no que se refere ao catião, não afectam significativamente os parâmetros electroquímicos.

It is well known that the breakdown potential (Eb) and the open circuit potential (Eocp) are important parameters to evaluate the resistance of metallic materials against corrosion. Nevertheless, the literature presents scattered values of these parameters for stainless steels (SS). Many factors may contribute to this dispersion of published Eb and Eocp values. It has been proposed that the finishing and/or final treatment of the surface is one of those factors. To address this question, the influence of the surface finishing on the average roughness (Ra), residual stress (t) and electrochemical behaviour of DIN 1.4404 and DIN 1.4410 have been considered. Samples from both steels were prepared with different finishing degrees with SiC paper. Roughness, residual stress and electrochemical tests were performed on samples with various surface finishing. Electrochemical studies were conducted in an Avesta cell and steel electrodes immersed in 1 M NaCl or 0.5 M MgCl2 aqueous solutions. We found that when steels are immersed in sodium chloride or magnesium chloride aqueous solutions there is no significant change in the variation of the Eocp and Eb values as the average roughness increases and therefore we can conclude that these parameters are not affected by the final treatment or by the solution composition.

Quantificou-se a produção mensal de folhada, a sua concentração em nutrientes e a quantidade dos mesmos devolvidos anualmente ao solo, em povoamentos florestais de Castanea sativa Miller (CS), Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel), Franco var. menziesii (PM), Pinus nigra Arnold subsp. laricio (PN) e Pinus pinaster Aiton, (PP), localizados no Norte de Portugal, próximo de Vila Pouca de Aguiar. A média anual de folhada produzida nos dois anos de estudo foi de 6910, 4115, 3934 e 2759 kg ha-1, respectivamente para PN, PP, PM e CS, com fortes diferenças entre o primeiro e o segundo ano, que se atribui a acentuadas diferenças nas respectivas condições climáticas. As resinosas produziram folhada ao longo do ano, com maior abundância em Agosto e Setembro (PP) ou em Setembro e Outubro (PN e PM ); no caso da CS, a queda de folhada e observou-se sobretudo em Outubro e Novembro. As folhas e agulhas constituem a componente mais importante da folhada, com percentagens de 83, 78, 68 e 55 %, respectivamente em PM, CS, PP e PN. A concentração de N foi mais elevada nas folhas de CS e agulhas de PM, respectivamente 11,3 e 10,9 g kg-1, contra 7,3 e 5,5 g kg-1 nas agulhas de PN e PP. Destaca-se o maior teor de Ca na espécie PM (9,4 g kg-1) do que nas outras espécies, o que acarreta uma maior devolução ao solo na primeira (34,5 kg ha-1 ano-1) do que nas segundas (9,3 a 14,4 kg ha-1 ano-1), com reflexo nas características químicas da camada superficial do solo, sobretudo um maior decréscimo da acidez do solo sob a PM do que sob as PP e PN.

Monthly litterfall production, nutrient concentration and nutrient devolution to the forest floor through litterfall were assessed in four forest stands of Castanea sativa Miller (CS), Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel), Franco var. menziesii (PM), Pinus nigra Arnold subsp. laricio (PN) and Pinus pinaster Aiton, (PP), located close to Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Northern Portugal. Mean annual amounts of litterfall measured during two years decreased in the order PN > PP > PM > CS respectively, 6910, 4115, 3934 and 2759 kg ha-1. Values showed high inter-annual variation, which can be ascribed to the different climatic conditions during the study period. Coniferous species showed a continuous litterfall production, with higher amounts in August and September for PP, September and October for PN and PM. In the case of the CS, there was not litterfall production during part of the year and the highest amounts were observed in October and November. Concerning the proportion of the several components in the litterfall, needles and leaves were largely predominant in the following order PM > CS > PP > PN, respectively 83, 78, 68 and 55 %. Concentration of nitrogen in the leaves of CS and needles of PM was higher (respectively 11.3 and 10.9 g kg-1) than in PN and PP needles (respectively 7,3 and 5,5 g kg-1). Concentration of Ca in PM (9,4 g kg-1) was also higher than in the other species, implying an higher amount of Ca returned to the forest floor (34.5 kg ha-1 year-1) in the former than in the other species (9.3 to 14.4 kg ha-1 year-1), which positively favour soil surface layer chemical properties in stands of the first species.

Nós relatamos a ocorrência de florescimentos de cianobactérias e a presença de cianotoxinas em amostras de água do reservatório Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves (06° 08’ S; 37° 07’ W) situado no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, na região semi-árida do Brasil. Cianobactérias foram identificadas e quantificadas nos períodos seco e chuvoso do ano 2000. Cianotoxinas tais como, microcistinas, saxitoxinas e cilindrospermopsinas foram quantificadas por HPLC e ELISA. Florescimentos tóxicos mistos de Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Microcystis spp (M. panniformis, M. protocystis, M. novacekii) e Aphanizomenon ssp (Aphanizomenon gracile, A. cf. manguinii, A. cf. issastschenkoi) foram persistentes e representaram 90-100% da comunidade fitoplanctônica ao longo do período estudado. No período de chuvas, florescimentos tóxicos de Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii coincidiram com maiores valores de saxitoxinas (3,14 µg.L-1). Entre o período de chuva e estiagem, ocorreram florescimentos tóxicos de Microcytis spp, excedendo o valor mínimo aceitável para consumo humano (8,8 µg.L-1). Na estiagem, baixas concentrações de saxitoxinas foram detectadas em florescimentos menos intensos com co-dominância de Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Microcystis spp e Aphanizomenon spp. Nossos resultados revelaram a presença de microcistinas (8,8 µg.L-1) e saxitoxinas (3,14 µg.L-1) na água bruta, a partir da segunda quinzena de abril até o final de maio de 2000. A ocorrência de blooms tóxicos de cianobactérias no reservatório em estudo aponta um risco permanente de cianotoxinas em águas de abastecimento e indica a necessidade da implementação de medidas de controle das florações, visando à melhoria da qualidade da água. A exposição das populações locais às cianotoxinas, pela sua potencial acumulação em musculatura de peixes, também deve ser considerada.

We report the occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms and the presence of cyanotoxins in water samples from the Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves reservoir (06° 08’ S and 37° 07’ W), located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. The cyanobacterial species were identified and quantified during the rainy and dry seasons in the year 2000. Cyanotoxins such as microcystins, saxitoxins and cylindrospermopsins were analyzed and quantified using HPLC and ELISA methods. The mixed toxic blooms of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Microcystis spp (M. panniformis, M. protocystis, M. novacekii) and Aphanizomenon spp (Aphanizomenon gracile, A. cf. manguinii, A. cf. issastschenkoi) were persistent and represented 90-100% of the total phytoplankton species. Toxic cyanobacterial blooms from the Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves reservoir were analyzed and found to have three phases in relation to the annual cycle. During the rainy season, an intense toxic bloom of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii was recorded along with saxitoxins (3.14 µg.L-1). During the transition period, between the rainy and dry seasons, different species of Microscytis occurred and microcystin as high as 8.8 µg.L-1 was recorded. In the dry season, co-dominance of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Microcystis spp and Aphanizomenon spp occurred and the concentrations of saxitoxin remained very low. Our results indicate the presence of microcystins (8.8 µg.L-1) and saxitoxins (3.14 µg.L-1) into the crude water, with increasing concentrations from the second fortnight of April to late May 2000. The occurrence of toxic blooms in this reservoir points to a permanent risk of cyanotoxins in supply waters, indicating the need for the implementation of bloom control measures to improve the water quality. Exposure of the local population to cyanotoxins through their potential accumulation in fish muscle must also be considered.

Objective: To determine that an educative intervention during pregnancy has effects on the pregnancy, delivery and newborn. Method: A semi experimental study design was made in series of normal cases with 940 primiparous, since 20 weeks of gestation in two Municipal Centers of Health, Concepción, Chile, between 2001 and 2004. It was applied an educative intervention in 8 sessions to 40 primiparous with his respective partner and doula. The results were compared with a reference group of 55 normal primiparous. Results: The comparison between the study and reference groups show significant difference in: pregnancy pathology, 17.5% versus 47.3% (p<0.05); use of oxytocin, 40 % versus 78.2% (p<0.01); need of episiotomy, 64.9% versus 100% (p<0.01); caesarean section rate, 7.5% versus 27.3% (p<0.01). Conclusion: Education during gestation using protocols in the prenatal control reduced the number of unnecessary routine intervention during pregnancy and birth

Objetivo: Aplicar una intervención educativa durante la gestación y observar los efectos sobre el embarazo, parto y recién nacido. Método: Se realizó un estudio con diseño semi experimental de serie de casos con 40 primíparas normales, desde las 20 semanas de gestación en dos Centros de Salud Municipales de Concepción, Chile, desde 2001 a 2004. Se aplicó la intervención educativa en 8 sesiones a las gestantes con su pareja y doula. Los resultados se compararon con un grupo de referencia de 55 primíparas normales. Resultados: La tasa de cesárea fue de 7,5% en el grupo estudio y 27,3% en el grupo de referencia (p<0,01); hubo patología del embarazo en 17,5% versus 47,3% (p<0,05); uso de ocitocina en 40% versus 78,2% (p<0,01); episiotomía en 64,9% versus 100% (p<0,01). El Apgar <7 al primer minuto fue 5% grupo estudio y 5,4% grupo referencia, diferencia no significativa. Conclusiones: La educación en el control prenatal utilizando protocolos, reduce el número de intervenciones rutinarias e innecesarias durante el embarazo y parto

Chromium is a pollutant present in tannery wastewater, its removal is necessary for protection of the environment. Penisetum purpureum, Brancharia decumbens and Phragmites australis were grown hydroponically in experimental gravel beds to determine their potential for the phytoremediation of solutions containing 10 and 20 mg Cr dm-3. These concentrations, similar to tannery wastewater after initial physico-chemical treatment were used with the aim of developing an economic secondary treatment to protect the environment. All the systems achieved removal efficiencies of 97 - 99.6% within 24 hours. P. purpureum and B. decumbens removed 78.1% and 68.5% respectively within the first hour. Both P. purpureum and B. decumbens were tolerant of the concentrations of chromium applied, but P. purpureum showed the greatest potential because its faster growth and larger biomass achieved a much greater chromium removal over the whole length of time of the experiment.

Molecular dynamics simulation was used to study structural and dynamical properties of InSb. The effective potential takes into account two and three-body interactions, considering atomic-size effects and charge-charge, charge-dipole, and dipole-dipole interactions between 1000 particles, 500 In and 500 Sb, initially within a cubic box of side L=32.397 Å . The effect of hydrostatic pressure and temperature on the structural properties like pair distribution function, coordination number, volume change and bond angle distribution and on dynamical properties like vibrational density of states, phonon anharmonicity, dynamic Debye-Waller factor, thermal expansion coefficient and structural phase transformations are correctly described, in excellent agreement with the experimental results.

We describe the ultrastructural abnormalities of the small bowel surface in 16 infants with persistent diarrhea. The age range of the patients was 2 to 10 months, mean 4.8 months. All patients had diarrhea lasting 14 or more days. Bacterial overgrowth of the colonic microflora in the jejunal secretion, at concentrations above 10(4) colonies/ml, was present in 11 (68.7%) patients. The stool culture was positive for an enteropathogenic agent in 8 (50.0%) patients: for EPEC O111 in 2, EPEC O119 in 1, EAEC in 1, and Shigella flexneri in 1; mixed infections due to EPEC O111 and EAEC in 1 patient, EPEC O119 and EAEC in 1 and EPEC O55, EPEC O111, EAEC and Shigella sonnei in 1. Morphological abnormalities in the small bowel mucosa were observed in all 16 patients, varying in intensity from moderate 9 (56.3%) to severe 7 (43.7%). The scanning electron microscopic study of small bowel biopsies from these subjects showed several surface abnormalities. At low magnification (100X) most of the villi showed mild to moderate stunting, but on several occasions there was subtotal villus atrophy. At higher magnification (7,500X) photomicrographs showed derangement of the enterocytes; on several occasions the cell borders were not clearly defined and very often microvilli were decreased in number and height; in some areas there was a total disappearance of the microvilli. In half of the patients a mucus-fibrinoid pseudomembrane was seen partially coating the enterocytes, a finding that provides additional information on the pathophysiology of persistent diarrhea.

The time dependent current in disordered systems under a step applied voltage for a planar synmetry is deduced according to the continuous time random walk approximation. Known dielectric response functions like Cole-Cole, Davidson-Cole, Havriliak-Negami and a few others are used as hopping time distribution functions in order to generate conductive responses. A theoretical relation exists between the dielectric and the conductive response which is the same one prevailing between the time derivative of the creep and the relaxation function, as found long ago by Gross (J.Appl.Phys.,18, 212, (1947)). A truncated version of the Widder method, in connection with MapleTM software facilities, was employed to obtain graphical primitives of Laplace transforms.