Correlation and path analysis of biomass sorghum production.

Sorghum biomass is an interesting raw material for bioenergy production due to its versatility, potential of being a renewable energy source, and low-cost of production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic variability of biomass sorghum genotypes and to estimate genotypic, phenotypic, and environmental correlations, and direct and indirect effects of seven agronomic traits through path analysis. Thirty-four biomass sorghum genotypes and two forage sorghum genotypes were cultivated in a randomized block design with three replicates. The following morpho-agronomic traits were evaluated: flowering date, stem diameter, number of stems, plant height, number of leaves, green mass production, and dry matter production. There were significant differences at the 1% level for all traits. The highest genotypic correlation was found between the traits green mass production and dry matter production. The path analysis demonstrated that green mass production and number of leaves can assist in the selection of dry matter production.

[Fluconazole in treatment of urinary candidiasis. Experience with 24 patients]. / Fluconazol en el tratamiento de la candidiasis urinaria. Experiencia en 24 pacientes.

Since fluconazole achieves high urine concentrations, we assessed its usefulness in the treatment of urinary candidiasis. We studied 24 patients (8 male) aged 23 to 97 years old, that presented pyuria with a negative urine culture for bacteria and fungal colony counts in urine of 10(4) CFU/ml or more. Isolated strains were Candida albicans in 20 cases, Candida kefyr in one case, Candida glabrata in one case and Candida spp in two cases. All patients were treated with fluconazole in doses of 50 to 100 mg/day for 2 to 4 weeks. The fungus was eradicated in 21 patients (88%), the infection persisted in two (8.5%) and one had a relapse (4.2%). Two patients had transient elevations of transaminases, one had abdominal pain and one, a purpuric syndrome without thrombocytopenia in whom the drug was discontinued. It is concluded that fluconazole is efficacious and safe in the treatment of urinary candidiasis.

[Primary HIV infection. Clinical and serologic characteristics]. / Infección primaria por el VIH. Características clínicas y serológicas.

An acute clinical picture of variable intensity may occur during the initial primary phase of HIV infection, it may however pass unnoticed. We report 12 seronegative subjects (11 male homosexuals, 1 female heterosexual, aged 18 to 44 years old), that presented an acute clinical picture preceding seroconversion. All had a sudden beginning, resembling an acute mononucleosis in 10 and with an aseptic meningitis in two. Intensity and duration were variable, lasting a mean of 14 (range 5-44) days an remaining asymptomatic thereafter. Most patients presented a discrete leukopenia with lymphopenia at the expense of CD4 lymphocytes, followed by an absolute lymphocytosis in some, with an increase in CD8 lymphocytes. All became positive for HIV; circulating HIV antigen was identified in three and IgM anti-HIV antibodies were detected during the symptomatic period by third generation ELISA in other three. It is concluded that the clinical picture of primary HIV infection has identifiable clinical serological and immunological features and its recognition has diagnostic and preventive implications.

[Isolation of several species of the genus Aspergillus from soil of intrahospital ornamental plants]. / Aislamiento de diversas especies del género Aspergillus de la tierra de plantas ornamentales intrahospitalarias.

The earth of ornamental plants is one of the main reservoirs of Aspergillus type of fungi in hospital areas. We studied 174 ornamental interior plants from a hospital at Santiago. Samples were obtained from the soil surface and sowed in Sabouraud-glucose agar, adding streptomycin and G-penicillin. After 72 h of culture, at least one strain of Aspergillus was isolated from 140 samples (80.5%). The most frequently isolated strain was A fumigatus (129 samples), followed by A niger (75 samples). A fumigatus and A niger were the only isolated strains in 65 and 11 samples respectively. These findings confirm that ornamental plants can be important reservoirs of Aspergillus strains, a potential infectious agent for immunocompromised patients, in hospital areas.