Classification of immature stage habitats of Culicidae (Diptera) collected in Córdoba, Argentina.

In order to classify mosquito immature stage habitats, samples were taken in 42 localities of Córdoba Province, Argentina, representing the phytogeographic regions of Chaco, Espinal and Pampa. Immature stage habitats were described and classified according to the following criteria: natural or artificial; size; location related to light and neighboring houses; vegetation; water; permanence, movement, turbidity and pH. Four groups of species were associated based on the habitat similarity by means of cluster analysis: Aedes albifasciatus, Culex saltanensis, Cx. mollis, Cx. brethesi, Psorophora ciliata, Anopheles albitarsis, and Uranotaenia lowii (Group A); Cx. acharistus, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. bidens, Cx. dolosus, Cx. maxi and Cx. apicinus (Group B); Cx. coronator, Cx. chidesteri, Mansonia titillans and Ps. ferox (Group C); Ae. fluviatilis and Ae. milleri (Group D). The principal component analysis (ordination method) pointed out that the different types of habitats, their nature (natural or artificial), plant species, water movement and depth are the main characters explaining the observed variation among the mosquito species. The distribution of mosquito species by phytogeographic region did not affect the species groups, since species belonging to different groups were collected in the same region.

Adult testicular torsion.

A case of testicular torsion is described in a sixty-four-year-old man. Although unusual in this age group, the diagnosis of testicular torsion should be considered in older patients presenting with unilateral testicular pain. Early recognition and surgical intervention may reverse testicular ischemia and avert unnecessary orchiectomy.

Influence of paternal immunity on idiotype expression of offspring.

The immune response of the rat to group A streptococcal carbohydrate (SACHO) and an associated idiotype, Id-1, was used to examine the effect of paternal immunity on Id-1 and SACHO-specific antibody expression by the offspring. First litters, conceived before immunization of the father, had significantly higher Id-1 levels than litters conceived by the same parental pairs after hyperimmunization of the father (P greater than 0.01). Total anti-SACHO levels were not affected. The effect appeared to be independent of the level of Id-1 expressed by the father or grandfather. No significant difference in Id-1 production was found between offspring of actively immune, neonatally Id-1 suppressed fathers and fathers expressing high levels of Id-1. We suggest that the paternal immunoregulatory influence acts via the maternal immune system to modify the idiotype repertoire expressed in the immune response of the offspring, and is not the result of genetic transmission of a trait acquired by the father. Some possible mechanisms of transmission are discussed.

Life Saver: a complete team approach incorporated into a hospital-based program.

Both military and civilian settings have shown that a team approach through an excellent prehospital Emergency Medical Services system, an organized regional communication system, access to rapid air evacuation with a "complete" medical team on board, and dedicated trauma resources allows a critically ill or injured patient optimal chances for survival. The Life Saver airborne emergency service, operated by Carraway Methodist Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama, is a "complete team" concept with a well trained emergency physician and a critical care flight nurse aboard every flight. The physician upgrades the level of care at the scene of an accident, lessens the referring physician's anxiety, maintains an intensive care unit environment during transport and intervenes if a life threatening emergency occurs, which cannot be predicted prior to lift-off. This report describes the development, operations, and results in the aeromedical transport of 1047 patients from January 2, 1981 to December 31, 1982. Trauma transports accounted for 47.5%, nonsurgical problems 47.8% and nontraumatic surgical patients representing the remaining 4.7%. The in-flight mortality was 0%. This type service is not appropriate for all hospitals to provide, but should be considered by major trauma and cardiac referral centers.