Alcohol Solutions (alcohol + solution)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Pleiotropic effect of a locus on chromosome 4 influencing alcohol drinking and emotional reactivity in rats

GENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 3 2003
E. Terenina-Rigaldie
A QTL search in a segregating F2 intercross between HEP (High-Ethanol Preferring line) and wistar-kyoto (WKY, a low-alcohol consuming strain) rats identified a locus on chromosome 4 linked to the consumption of a 5% alcohol solution offered as a free choice with water (Terenina-Rigaldie et al. submitted). In order to confirm and analyse the influence of this locus, F2 rats were selected according to their genotype at the markers flanking the QTL and bred in order to obtain two groups of rats homozygous HEP/HEP (,HIGH' line) or WKY/WKY (,LOW' line) at the QTL, the rest of the genome being randomly inherited from one or the other founder strain. These two groups of animals displayed large differences in emotional reactivity (open field, elevated-plus maze), sensitivity to taste reinforcers (saccharin, quinine) and alcohol consumption (either forced or as a free choice with water). These results confirm the influence of this locus on alcohol intake and emotional reactivity traits, and suggest a pleiotropic effect of the gene(s) involved. Current research aims at the identification of this (these) gene(s). [source]


Sodium thiosulfate as an effective antioxidant substance at experimental mycotoxin zearalenon poisoning

JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 2002
M. K. Karagyozyan
Mycotoxin zearalenon (MZ) in concentration 2.5,15.0 ,g/mL of alcohol solution activates the reactions of monoamines biosynthesis, while 20.0,25.0 ,g/mL of MZ has a contrarary effect. The molecular mechanism of changes noticed is conditioned by action of MZ on numerous proteins functioning in chromaffin granules mainly in their membranes, such as the cytochrome B561, an acidic cooper-containing protein and the membrane-bound form of dopamine-,-monooxigenase, which catalyses the reaction of transformation of dopamine into noradrenaline. It has been established also that in the brain mitochondrial and microsomal membranes the MZ induces pronounced abnormalities in the ratio of phospholipid-phospholipid interrelations. These changes are conditioned by significant intensification of the phospholipase A2 and phosphatidylserine (PS) decarboxylase activites, with formation of high concentrations of lysophosphatidylcholines, free polyenic fatty acids, lipid peroxides and by increasing of PS quantity in the systems studied. Using on this background single intramuscular administration of 1.0 mL of 10.0% aquaus solution of sodium thiosulfate (ST) normalizes and establishes the initial level of phospholipid (PL) metabolism intensity. The content of PL in the investigated membranes remains unchanged if ST was administrated before the MZ poisoning modulation. Antioxidant properties of ST are conditioned in particular by elevation of PS quantity, which are of great importance in stimulation of cell respiratory function, hence the cell activity in general. [source]


Inflexible and Indifferent Alcohol Drinking in Male Mice

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 7 2010
Heidi M. B. Lesscher
Background:, Alcoholism is characterized by compulsive alcohol intake, but this critical feature of alcoholism is seldom captured in preclinical studies. Here, we evaluated whether alcohol-preferring C57BL/6J mice develop compulsive alcohol drinking patterns, using adulteration of the alcohol solution with quinine, in a limited access choice paradigm. We assessed 2 independent aspects of compulsive drinking: (i) inflexible alcohol intake by testing whether mice would drink bitter alcohol solutions if this was their only source of alcohol and (ii) indifferent drinking by comparing intake of aversive and nonaversive alcohol solutions. Methods:, Male C57BL/6J mice consumed alcohol for 2 or 8 consecutive weeks. The alcohol solution was then adulterated with graded quinine concentrations, and the effect on alcohol intake was determined. Results:, C57BL/6J mice rapidly developed compulsive alcohol drinking patterns. Adulteration of the alcohol solution with an aversive quinine concentration failed to reduce intake, indicative of inflexible drinking behavior, after only 2 weeks of alcohol experience, although quinine adulteration did suppress the acquisition of alcohol drinking in naïve mice. After 8 weeks of alcohol consumption, the mice also became indifferent to quinine. They consumed an aversive, quinine-containing alcohol solution, despite the simultaneous availability of an unadulterated alcohol solution. Prolonged alcohol ingestion did not alter the sensitivity to the bitter taste of quinine itself. Conclusion:, These findings demonstrate the staged occurrence in mice of 2 distinct behavioral characteristics of alcoholism, i.e., inflexible and indifferent alcohol drinking. [source]


The ,1 -Adrenergic Receptor Antagonist, Prazosin, Reduces Alcohol Drinking in Alcohol-Preferring (P) Rats

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 2 2009
Dennis D. Rasmussen
Background:, Preliminary evidence suggest that noradrenergic signaling may play a role in mediating alcohol drinking behavior in both humans and rats. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that blockade of ,1 -adrenergic receptors will suppress alcohol drinking in rats selectively bred for alcohol preference (P line). Methods:, Adult male P rats were given 24-hour access to food and water and scheduled access to a 15% (v/v) alcohol solution for 2 hours daily. Rats were injected IP with the ,1 -adrenergic receptor antagonist, prazosin (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 mg/kg body weight), once a day at 15 minutes prior to onset of the daily 2-hour 2-bottle choice, alcohol versus water, access period for 2 consecutive days and then 3 weeks later for 5 consecutive days. Results:, Prazosin significantly reduced (p < 0.01) alcohol intake during the initial 2 daily administrations, and this reduction of alcohol intake was maintained for 5 consecutive days by daily prazosin treatment in the subsequent more prolonged trial (p < 0.05). The prazosin-induced reduction of alcohol intake was not dependent upon drug-induced motor impairment since increases in water drinking (p < 0.05) were exhibited during the 2-hour access periods during both 2- and 5-day prazosin treatment. Conclusions:, The results indicate that the noradrenergic system plays a role in mediating alcohol drinking in rats of the P line and suggest that prazosin,a safe, well-characterized, and well-tolerated drug,may be an effective pharmacotherapeutic agent for the treatment of alcohol use disorders. [source]


A Mouse Model of Prenatal Ethanol Exposure Using a Voluntary Drinking Paradigm

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 12 2003
Andrea M. Allan
Background: The incidence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is estimated to be as high as 1 in 100 births. Efforts to better understand the basis of prenatal ethanol-induced impairments in brain functioning, and the mechanisms by which ethanol produces these defects, will rely on the use of animal models of fetal alcohol exposure (FAE). Methods: Using a saccharin-sweetened alcohol solution, we developed a free-choice, moderate alcohol access model of prenatal alcohol exposure. Stable drinking of a saccharin solution (0.066%) was established in female mice. Ethanol then was added to the saccharin in increasing concentrations (2%, 5%, 10% w/v) every 2 days. Water was always available, and mice consumed standard pellet chow. Control mice drank saccharin solution without ethanol. After a stable baseline of ethanol consumption (14 g/kg/day) was obtained, females were impregnated. Ethanol consumption continued throughout pregnancy and then was decreased to 0% in a step-wise fashion over a period of 6 days after pups were delivered. Characterization of the model included measurements of maternal drinking patterns, blood alcohol levels, food consumption, litter size, pup weight, pup retrieval times for the dams, and effects of FAE on performance in fear-conditioned learning and novelty exploration. Results: Maternal food consumption, maternal care, and litter size and number were all found to be similar for the alcohol-exposed and saccharin control animals. FAE did not alter locomotor activity in an open field but did increase the time spent inspecting a novel object introduced into the open field. FAE mice displayed reduced contextual fear when trained using a delay fear conditioning procedure. Conclusions: The mouse model should be a useful tool in testing hypotheses about the neural mechanisms underlying the learning deficits present in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Moreover, a mouse prenatal ethanol model should increase the opportunity to use the power of genetically defined and genetically altered mouse populations. [source]


Influence of a polymeric solution buffer layer on the chemical bath deposition of polycrystalline PbS films

PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 10 2005
Y. González-Alfaro
Abstract Polycrystalline thin films of PbS grown on glass substrates previously coated with PbS colloidal particles in a polyvinyl alcohol solution were obtained by chemical bath deposition (CBD). The X-ray diffraction procedures showed evidence of polycrystalline films of cubic PbS with a preferred normal orientation of the planes [100] with the growth direction. The film texture showed a strong influence of the initial conditions of the surface. Moreover, changes in colour, morphology and grain size of the films were observed by optic and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) showed a dependence of the thickness and roughness of the PbS films with the growth initial conditions. A kinetic growth model is proposed to explain the changes in the structure and morphology of the PbS. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Conformation of , zeins in solid state by Fourier transform IR

BIOPOLYMERS, Issue 6 2003
Lucimara A. Forato
Abstract The major maize storage proteins (, zeins) are deposited as an insoluble mass in the protein bodies of the endosperm. Because they are insoluble in water, most structural studies are performed in alcohol solutions. To solve the question raised by several authors about denaturation of the , zein structure by alcohol, we analyze the secondary structure of , zeins prepared with and without solubilization in alcohol (corn gluten meal and protein bodies with high concentrations of , zeins and traces of , zeins). The secondary structures of , zeins are analyzed in the solid state by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR) in KBr pellets and solid-state 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The proportion of secondary structures obtained by FTIR of , zeins prepared with and without solubilization in alcohol yield almost identical proportions of , helices and , sheets. The proportion of , helices (43%) agrees with that measured by circular dichroism in an alcohol solution. However, the proportion of , sheets (28%) is higher than the one measured by the same technique. Gluten and protein body samples with high , zein content showed higher , sheet and lower , helix proportions than that obtained for , zein preparations. The solid-state 13C-NMR spectra show the carbonyl peak for the , zeins at , 176 and for the sample rich in , zeins at , 172, which demonstrates the presence of a high content of , helices and , sheets, respectively. These results indicate that alcohol solubilization does not affect the conformation of , zeins, validating the secondary structure measurements in solution. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Biospectroscopy), 2003 [source]


CO2 Fixation and Transformation by a Dinuclear Copper Cryptate under Acidic Conditions

CHEMISTRY - AN ASIAN JOURNAL, Issue 6 2007
Jia-Mei Chen
Abstract CO2 fixation and transformation by metal complexes continuously receive attention from the viewpoint of carbon resources and environmental concerns. We found that the dinuclear copper(II) cryptate [Cu2L1](ClO4)4 (1; L1=N[(CH2)2NHCH2(m -C6H4)CH2NH-(CH2)2]3N) can easily take up atmospheric CO2 even under weakly acidic conditions at room temperature and convert it from bicarbonate into carbonate monoesters in alcohol solution. The compounds [Cu2L1(, - O2COH)](ClO4)3 (2), [Cu2L1(,-O2COR)](ClO4)3 (3: R=CH3; 4: R=C2H5; 5: R=C3H7; 6: R=C4H9; 7: R=C5H11; 8: R=CH2CH2OH), [Cu2L1(, - O2CCH3)](ClO4)3 (9), and [Cu2L1(OH2)(NO3)](NO3)3 (10) were characterized by IR spectroscopy and ESI-MS. The crystal structures of 2,6 and 10 were studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. On the basis of the crystal structures, solution studies, and DFT calculations, a possible mechanism for CO2 fixation and transformation is given. [source]


Pervaporation separation of sodium alginate/chitosan polyelectrolyte complex composite membranes for the separation of water/alcohol mixtures: Characterization of the permeation behavior with molecular modeling techniques

JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 4 2007
Sang-Gyun Kim
Abstract Polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) membranes were prepared by the complexation of protonated chitosan with sodium alginate doped on a porous, polysulfone-supporting membrane. The pervaporation characteristics of the membranes were investigated with various alcohol/water mixtures. The physicochemical properties of the permeant molecules and polyion complex membranes were determined with molecular modeling methods, and the data from these methods were used to explain the permeation of water and alcohol molecules through the PEC membranes. The experimental results showed that the prepared PEC membranes had an excellent pervaporation performance in most aqueous alcohol solutions and that the selectivity and permeability of the membranes depended on the molecular size, polarity, and hydrophilicity of the permeant alcohols. However, the aqueous methanol solutions showed a permeation behavior different from that of the other alcohol solutions. Methanol permeated the prepared PEC membranes more easily than water even though water molecules have stronger polarity and are smaller than methanol molecules. The experimental results are discussed from the point of view of the physical properties of the permeant molecules and the membranes in the permeation state. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2634,2641, 2007 [source]


Inflexible and Indifferent Alcohol Drinking in Male Mice

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 7 2010
Heidi M. B. Lesscher
Background:, Alcoholism is characterized by compulsive alcohol intake, but this critical feature of alcoholism is seldom captured in preclinical studies. Here, we evaluated whether alcohol-preferring C57BL/6J mice develop compulsive alcohol drinking patterns, using adulteration of the alcohol solution with quinine, in a limited access choice paradigm. We assessed 2 independent aspects of compulsive drinking: (i) inflexible alcohol intake by testing whether mice would drink bitter alcohol solutions if this was their only source of alcohol and (ii) indifferent drinking by comparing intake of aversive and nonaversive alcohol solutions. Methods:, Male C57BL/6J mice consumed alcohol for 2 or 8 consecutive weeks. The alcohol solution was then adulterated with graded quinine concentrations, and the effect on alcohol intake was determined. Results:, C57BL/6J mice rapidly developed compulsive alcohol drinking patterns. Adulteration of the alcohol solution with an aversive quinine concentration failed to reduce intake, indicative of inflexible drinking behavior, after only 2 weeks of alcohol experience, although quinine adulteration did suppress the acquisition of alcohol drinking in naïve mice. After 8 weeks of alcohol consumption, the mice also became indifferent to quinine. They consumed an aversive, quinine-containing alcohol solution, despite the simultaneous availability of an unadulterated alcohol solution. Prolonged alcohol ingestion did not alter the sensitivity to the bitter taste of quinine itself. Conclusion:, These findings demonstrate the staged occurrence in mice of 2 distinct behavioral characteristics of alcoholism, i.e., inflexible and indifferent alcohol drinking. [source]


Matrix dependence of blue light emission from a novel NH2 -functionalized dicyanoquinodimethane derivative

JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2006
Marek Szablewski
Abstract The reactions of primary and secondary amines with (cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-diylidene)-dimalononitrile (TCNQ) lead to mono- and disubstituted dicyanoquinodimethane derivatives and fluorescence emission has been observed for several of these compounds. We report the luminescence properties, synthesis and crystal structure of the novel dicyanoquinodimethane derivative 2-{4-[amino-(2,6-dimethyl-morpholin-4-yl)-methylene]-cyclohexa-2,5- dienylidene}-malononitrile (Ammor), a unique example of an asymmetric dicyanoquinodimethane derivative in which one of the nitrile groups has been replaced with an NH2 moiety, which provides a reactive centre for potential further substitution or tethering to larger molecules or polymers. The luminescence properties of the title compound were investigated in a variety of environments, including alcohol solutions at room temperature and a glass-forming solvent at low temperature. The fluorescence quantum yields and Stokes' shifts of the blue emission were found to be very sensitive to the matrix. The crystal structure of the subject compound was determined, revealing that the molecules are non-planar in the ground state. The environmentally sensitive emission is discussed in terms of the conformational change during photoexcitation and the constraint imposed on this by the matrix. This behaviour is also compared with that of other related amino-functionalized dicyanoquinodimethane derivatives. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Anomalous concentration dependence of the coordination behavior of Cl, ion to Ln3+ ion (Ln3+ = rare-earth ion) in anhydrous LnCl3 alcohol solutions

JOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 7 2007
Y. Yoshimura
Abstract Raman spectroscopic measurements were carried out for the anhydrous LnCl3·20ROH·XLiCl solutions (Ln3+ = La3+, Lu3+, X = 0,3; ROH = MeOH, EtOH, n -PrOH) in the liquid state. The salt concentration (X) dependence of the wavenumber for the Ln,Cl stretching Raman band (,Ln,Cl) is examined in conjunction with the formation of chloro-rare-earth complexes. We have obtained very intriguing results including the fact that the chloro complexations of the middle rare-earth ions (e.g. gadolinium, holmium ions, etc.) in the MeOH and EtOH solutions show peculiar behavior with regard to the salt concentration dependence: the ,Ln,Cl wavenumber increases with the increasing chloride concentration. However, the ,Ln,Cl wavenumbers of the light and heavy rare-earth (e.g. lanthanum, lutetium, etc.) salt solutions show normal behavior; i.e. ,Ln,Cl decreases with the increasing chloride concentration. On the other hand, in the n -PrOH solutions, the ,Ln,Cl frequency in the solutions of all the rare-earth elements exhibits a normal behavior. We now present a possible mechanism for this anomalous concentration dependence of coordination of Cl, ions to Ln3+ ions in anhydrous LnCl3 alcohol solutions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Ultrasonic extraction and HPLC determination of anthraquinones, aloe-emodine, emodine, rheine, chrysophanol and physcione, in roots of Polygoni multiflori

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS, Issue 4 2009
Yue Jiao
Abstract Introduction Polygoni multiflori, one of traditional Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of various diseases commonly associated with aging, is known to contain active anthraquinone ingredients. However, the content of the anthraquinones varies among P. multiflori samples with collection season and sites. Thus, simple, reliable and accurate analytical methods for determining of anthraquinones in P. multiflori products are needed for the quality control and pharmacological studies. Objective To develop an HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of five anthraquinones, aloe-emodine, rheine, emodine, chrysophanol and physcione, in the roots of P. multiflori. Methodology Anthraquinones were extracted from the roots of P. multiflori using aqueous alcohol solutions or hot water under ultrasonication. Separation and quantitation of anthraquinones was accomplished using a reversed-phase C18 column with the mobile phase of methanol,water,phosphoric acid (600:400:1), and the detection wavelength of 254 nm. Results Seventy per cent aqueous ethanol showed the highest extraction efficiency for anthraquinones from roots of P. multiflori when compared with four other extraction solvents tested. All calibration curves were linear over the concentration range tested with the square of correlation coefficients >0.999. The detection limits (S/N = 3) were 0.89, 1.1, 1.6, 1.7 and 2.0 ng for chrysophanol, aloe-emodine, rheine, emodine and physcione, respectively. Emodine and physcione were found in the samples tested at concentrations of 0.341 and 0.197 mg/g, respectively. Conclusion The described HPLC methods are simple, accurate and selective techniques for separation and quantification of anthraquinones in roots of P. multiflori and other plant samples. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Effect of ,-irradiation on the physical properties and dyeability of poly(vinyl butyral) blends with polystyrene and poly(ethylene glycol)

POLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 6 2008
Horia M. Nizam El-Din
Cast films of polymer blends essentially based on poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) and equal ratios of polystyrene (PS) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were prepared from benzene and butyl alcohol solutions of the individual polymers. The effect of ,-irradiation on the thermal decomposition and tensile mechanical properties was investigated. Moreover, the effect of ,-irradiation on the dye affinity of PVB/PS and PVB/PEG for basic and acid dyestuffs was studied. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) study showed that the unirradiated PVB polymer films prepared in benzene displayed higher thermal stability than the same polymer films prepared in butanol. However, in all cases the thermal stability was found to increase with increasing ,-irradiation dose. On the other hand, PVB/PS blend possesses higher thermal stability than PVB/PEG, as shown from the determination of the weight loss (%) at different heating temperatures, the temperatures of the maximum rate of reaction and the activation energy. While, pure PS films showed the stress-strain behavior of brittle polymers, PVB/PS films showed the behavior of tough polymers with yielding properties. The results of dyeing clearly showed that the solvent type, blend composition, and irradiation dose are determining factors for the dye affinity for basic or acid dyes. For example, unirradiated PVB films prepared from butanol displayed a higher affinity for the basic and acid dyes than the same polymer prepared from the same benzene. However, PVB prepared from butanol showed higher affinity to the dyes than PS prepared from the same solvent. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers [source]


Conformation of , zeins in solid state by Fourier transform IR

BIOPOLYMERS, Issue 6 2003
Lucimara A. Forato
Abstract The major maize storage proteins (, zeins) are deposited as an insoluble mass in the protein bodies of the endosperm. Because they are insoluble in water, most structural studies are performed in alcohol solutions. To solve the question raised by several authors about denaturation of the , zein structure by alcohol, we analyze the secondary structure of , zeins prepared with and without solubilization in alcohol (corn gluten meal and protein bodies with high concentrations of , zeins and traces of , zeins). The secondary structures of , zeins are analyzed in the solid state by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR) in KBr pellets and solid-state 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The proportion of secondary structures obtained by FTIR of , zeins prepared with and without solubilization in alcohol yield almost identical proportions of , helices and , sheets. The proportion of , helices (43%) agrees with that measured by circular dichroism in an alcohol solution. However, the proportion of , sheets (28%) is higher than the one measured by the same technique. Gluten and protein body samples with high , zein content showed higher , sheet and lower , helix proportions than that obtained for , zein preparations. The solid-state 13C-NMR spectra show the carbonyl peak for the , zeins at , 176 and for the sample rich in , zeins at , 172, which demonstrates the presence of a high content of , helices and , sheets, respectively. These results indicate that alcohol solubilization does not affect the conformation of , zeins, validating the secondary structure measurements in solution. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Biospectroscopy), 2003 [source]


High Stability of the Polyproline,II Helix in Polypeptide Bottlebrushes

CHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 29 2008
Afang Zhang Prof.
Abstract Polymer bottlebrushes with monodisperse oligoproline side chains were efficiently synthesized, and the conformation of the peptide side chains in different solvents was investigated. Polymers with number-average degrees of polymerization (DPn) of 89 and 366 were obtained by polymerization of the macromonomer in iPrOH/MeCN (1:1) and hexafluoroisopropanol, respectively. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra of the bottlebrush polymers in the neutral and charged states reveal that the oligoproline side chains attain stable polyproline,II (PPII) helical conformations not only in aqueous solution, but also in aliphatic alcohol solutions. Dense attachment of oligopeptides onto a linear polymer chain did not lead to an increase in helix content. The possible effects of the main-chain length on the conformational stability were examined. The switching between the polyproline,I (PPI) and PPII helical conformations for the oligoproline side chains in aliphatic alcohol solutions is believed to be inhibited by the overcrowded structure in the polymer bottlebrushes. [source]


Identification of risk factors associated with nosocomial infection by rotavirus P4G2, in a neonatal unit of a tertiary-care hospital

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 3 2009
R. Herruzo
Abstract A rotavirus outbreak in newborns admitted to the ,La Paz' University Hospital, Madrid was detected, followed up and controlled. Uninfected children were selected as control subjects. Samples of faeces were taken once or twice weekly from all the newborns, including those who were asymptomatic and who were admitted to the neonatal unit for early detection of rotavirus and the positive were separated from the rest of the neonates. Contact-related precautions were taken for all patients, and alcohol solutions were used for hand washing. During the months of the outbreak, 1773 children were admitted to the hospital, 131 of whom were affected by the rotavirus infection (7.4%). Of these, 72 (55%) had symptomatic infections. In the first month of the outbreak, nine cases of necrotizing enterocolitis were diagnosed (one patient developed massive intestinal necrosis). The infections (symptomatic and asymptomatic) presented a bimodal distribution caused by a new outbreak of rotavirus type P4G2 after two patients who had acquired the infection outside the hospital were admitted when the first outbreak was subsiding. The characteristics of cases and controls were analysed using bivariate and multivariate methods (non-conditional multivariate logistic regression) to identify four risk factors strongly associated with rotavirus infection: premature birth, infections other than rotavirus, malformation, and changes in glycaemia and/or presence of jaundice. [source]