DNA barcoding of the genus Lepidion (Gadiformes: Moridae) with recognition of Lepidion eques as a junior synonym of Lepidion lepidion.

DNA sequences of cytochrome c oxidase I gene (COI) from Lepidion spp. were employed to test the efficiency of species identification. A sample of 32 individuals from five Lepidion species was sequenced and combined with 26 sequences from other BOLD projects. As a result, 58 Lepidion DNA sequences of the COI gene belonging to eight of the nine recognized Lepidion species were analysed. Sequences were aligned and formed seven clades in a Bayesian phylogenetic tree, where Lepidion lepidion and Lepidion eques grouped jointly. The Kimura 2-parameter genetic distances, among congeners were, on average, 4.28%, 16 times greater than among conspecifics (0.27%). The main diagnostic meristic data of Lepidion spp. were compiled and a detailed morphological revision of the congeneric species L. eques and L. lepidion was made. The eye diameter was significantly different between L. eques and L. lepidion (P < 0.001). The number of anal fin rays ranged from 45 to 51 in L. lepidion and from 47 to 54 in L. eques, but no significant differences were obtained in the mean values of this variable (P = 0.07). According to the morphological and genetic analyses, the results strongly suggest that the Mediterranean codling L. lepidion and the North Atlantic codling L. eques are conspecific, making L. eques a junior synonym of L. lepidion.

Continuous enantioselective esterification of trans-2-phenyl-1-cyclohexanol using a new Candida rugosa lipase in a packed bed bioreactor.

Enantioselective resolution of trans-2-phenyl-1-cyclohexanol (TPCH) by a Candida rugosa lipase, obtained by fermentation in the laboratory, and immobilised on EP100 polypropylene powder has been carried out using isooctane as solvent and propionic acid as esterifying agent. The study have included the utilisation of this biocatalyst in a batch process and the optimisation of the esterification conditions by means of a Box-Hunter-based experimental design. The main variables controlling the process, concentration of acid and alcohol, have been numerically optimised using initial esterification rate as objective function. The optimal concentrations for the batch process were 50 mM for the alcohol and 71 mM for the acid. This esterification reaction kinetics corresponded to a reversible Michaelis-Menten kinetic law for the optimal conditions, which has permitted to select a plug-flow packed bed bioreactor as the most appropriate configuration to minimise the residence time and to avoid shear stress effect on the biocatalyst. The behaviour of the continuous packed bed bioreactor at two different residence times (302 and 582 min) was in accordance with predictions from batch experiments, with slightly deviations (less than 10%). Continuous experiments maintained high values of enantioselectivity (enantiomeric factor was practically 1) and conversion near equilibrium value (35%) when long-time operation was carried out. Besides, long-time stability of biocatalyst has permitted to scale-up the production of enantioenriched (1R,2S)-TPCH propionate to yield gram quantities.

Secretion of the sweet-tasting protein thaumatin by recombinant strains of Aspergillus niger var. awamori.

A recombinant form of the sweet-tasting protein thaumatin has been produced in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger var. awamori. Expression cassettes containing a synthetic gene encoding thaumatin II were prepared and used to transform Aspergillus niger var. awamori strain NRRL312. Several fungal strains capable of synthesizing and secreting thaumatin into the culture medium were generated, and their production capabilities were determined, first in shake flasks and later in a laboratory fermentor. We report the expression and secretion of thaumatin in concentrations of 5-7 mg/l. This recombinant thaumatin is sweet.

Elbow anchylosis due to postburn heterotopic ossification.

In a retrospective study performed on 2280 patients that had had major thermal injuries, six patients experienced elbow anchylosis due to heterotopic ossification (two of them bilaterally). In every patient the ossification was localized at the posterior-medial aspect of the elbow. The treatment of this complication consisted of resection of the bone mass and transposition of the ulnar nerve. Mobilization was begun early, and rehabilitation was kept up for at least 4 months. The results obtained have been evaluated following the criteria of Merle d'Aubigné and Cañadell, who consider a very good result a gain of more than 60% in the arch of flexion-extension of the elbow; good, between 40% and 60%; fair between 20% and 40%; and poor, a gain of less than 20%. In five of the patients (six elbows), the result was very good with an average gain of 73.6% (minimum, 61.5%, maximum, 84.6%). In one patient the result was poor with gain of less than 20%. The incidence of this complication, its treatment, and the results obtained are analyzed.

Frequency and origin of G-6-PD deficiency among icteric newborns in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.

829 icteric newborn males were studied in order to have more information about the frequency of the G-6-PD deficiency and its origin in the population of the Monterrey Metropolitan area (MMA), in northeastern Mexico. For each subject information about the maternal grandparents' birthplace (states of Mexico) was gathered. The newborns were grouped into five geographic areas. It was found that the frequency of G-6-PD deficiency is higher in icterics than in normal newborns. The grandparents of the deficient newborns with variant B belonged to the northeastern states of Mexico where more European genetic contribution was present whereas most of the grandparents of the A- deficient newborns were from the gulf coast states, where the genetic contribution was African.

Tendon reconstruction for postburn boutonnière deformity.

A surgical procedure in which a tendon graft is used to reconstruct the hood of the proximal interphalangeal joint for the correction of the postburn boutonnière deformity is described. The intent is to use the potential of the lateral bands for simultaneous extension of the interphalangeal joints, avoiding their excessive palmar displacement. The technique has been employed in 22 fingers with satisfactory results, except in the small finger.

Erich Lexer's mammaplasty.

A summary of Hans May's biography of Erich Lexer is reproduced, followed by a translation of Lexer's first publication, in Spain in 1921, on the correction of pendular breasts. Lexer's fundamental contributions to mammaplasty are analyzed. This author was the first in the history of mammaplasty to perform breast reduction with an "open" nipple-areola complex transposition, with preservation of the continuity of the skin to the remaining gland. This feature was far ahead of its time, as the techniques based on this concept did not become popular until after 1955. Lexer also was the first to propose subcutaneous mastectomy for treatment of fibrocystic disease, to perform breast augmentation in the ptotic hypoplastic breast with fat flaps, and to use free fat grafts taken from the abdomen or hips for augmentation mammaplasty.

[Relative frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in jaundiced newborn infants in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Nuevo León]. / Frecuencia relativa de la deficiencia de glucosa-6-fosfato deshidrogenasa (G6PD) en neonatos ictéricos del área metropolitana de Monterrey, Nuevo León.

In order to estimate the frequency of G6PD deficiency in the icteric population of the Monterrey metropolitan área (MMA), in the state of Nuevo León, there were studied 829 newborn males were studied. It was found that 13 subjects were deficient of this enzyme, that is equivalent to a frequency of 1.57% and when this frequency was compared with the one that was found an a previous study in a random sample of newborn males (0.66%) no statistical difference was observed, but it was estimated that the icteric newborn males have a relative risk of 2.34 times higher than the population in general to be a G6PD deficient, and this fact suggests the necessity to establish this screening test as a routine for all icteric newborn males, in order to have an opportune detection and an appropriate counselling.

Otoplasty for prominent ears.

A technique for correction of prominent ears is described. It combines the advantages of simplicity and accuracy and provides satisfactory results. Essential points of the technique are perichondrial cartilage scratching at the superior crus and antihelical fold according to Stenström, mattress sutures applied to the perichondrium and soft tissues at the medial surface, and to these we add the trimming of the tail of the helix, thinning of the antitragus, and a double-spindle skin excision at the medial auricular surface. In patients with insufficient curling of the helical rim ("shell-ear" deformity) the base of the helical arch is scratched at its medial surface.

Otoplasty for lop ears.

The classification of malformations of the auricle is reviewed. Hinderer's technique is described. It is based on long oblique skin and cartilage flaps of the upper pole of the ear, taken in opposite directions for expansion of the helical arch, thus preventing a later visible notching at the helical rim. The remaining scapha is straightened and the superior crus and antihelical fold are formed by scratching and sandpaper abrasion of the lateral surface. A deep concha is treated by a cartilage strip expansion from the posterior conchal wall.

Macrotia.

Techniques for treatment of severe and moderate macrotia and for hypertrophy of the earlobe are described. For macrotia, the excision of cartilage at the scapha, helical arch, and skin are performed at different levels to prevent a notching, mainly at the helix. For hypertrophies of the earlobe, through-and-through excisions of two triangular pieces are used with reinsertion of the remaining earlobe at the base.

An unusual case of gigantomasty.

The authors report an unusual case of gigantomasty, of such proportions that it is believed to be the most striking published case, when the ratio of breast weight/body weight is taken into account (24%). The outstanding breast volume and the aggressive and pronounced growth potential of the breast tissue presented unusual problems which required special solutions. The case is presented from its beginning, when the patient was 12 years old up to the completion of treatment with the patient at adult age.

Treatment of the postoperative inverted nipple with or without asymmetry of the areola.

Postoperative inversion of the nipple is a possible complication in reduction mammoplasty, especially when a tendency toward inversion exists prior to surgery. A technique for correction is presented, leaving no more scars than the peri-areolar scar corresponding to the nipple transposition. Dermal flaps are used to prevent recurrence. Any asymmetry in the location of the areolas or excessively high position can be corrected simultaneously.