Pulmonary hypoplasia in Jarcho-Levin syndrome

Jarcho-Levin syndrome, also known as spondylothoracic dysplasia and characterized by short trunk dwarfism, "crab-like" rib cage, with ribs and vertebral defects; it is not uncommon in Puerto Ricans. Many patients die in early infancy due to respiratory compromise associated to lung restriction and the reported cases emphasize mostly the skeletal malformations associated to the syndrome. We report the autopsy findings in a newborn with isolated Jarcho-Levin syndrome emphasizing pulmonary pathology. He was a pre-term male who died of respiratory failure at three hours old and, autopsy findings confirmed the clinical diagnosis. Internal examination showed hypoplastic lungs with normal lobation. The histological structure appeared normal and relatively mature; the diaphragm showed eventration and unilateral absence of musculature. This case shows the worst spectum of the Jarcho-Levin syndrome: pulmonary hypoplasia not compatible with extrauterine life. Since thoracic restriction is present during the fetal period, the degree of pulmonary hypoplasia probably defines survival beyond the neonatal period.

Actividad biorreguladora de cinco especies de peces larvívoros en un criadero natural de culex quinquefasciatus / Biorregulator activity of five species larvivorous fishes in a natural breeding place of culex quinquefasciatus

En el presente trabajo se evaluó la actividad biorreguladora de 5 especies de peces larvívoros: Poecilia reticulata, Gambusia punctata, G. Puncticulata, Limia vittata, Girardinus metallicus en un criadero natural de culex quinquefasciatus. Se determinó que G. punctata y G. puncticulata resultaron los biorreguladores más activos (consumo de larvas), pero por su baja densidad estas condiciones fueron menos efectivos que p. reticulata. Se observó que la abundancia de alimento alternativo dificulta el control de larvas por parte de peces y que para la aplicación exitosa de este método de control biológico hay que tener en cuenta interrelación de las especies de peces larvívoros