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Introduction: Children with primary immunodeficiency have severe life-threatening infections and a higher prevalence of autoimmune problems, allergy and lymphoproliferative disorders. Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been the only potentially curative option., Patients and Methods: Patients with primary immunodeficiency underwent allogenic stem cell transplantation in the period 1985-2011, and registered in the Spanish Working Party for Bone Marrow Transplantation in Children., Results: One hundred and fifty nine patients underwent 173 allogenic stem cell transplantations, of whom 97 had severe combined immunodeficiency, 30 with immune dysregulation disorders, 25 Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, and 21 phagocyte disorders. The median patient age at diagnosis was 6 months (range: 17 days - 168 months) and the median patient age at transplant was 12 months (range: 1 month - 189 months). The donors were 30 (19%) identical siblings, 40 (25%) alternative family donors, and 89 (56%) unrelated donors. The source of stem cells was bone marrow in 68 (43%), cord blood in 52 (33%), and peripheral blood in 39 (24%). Ninety eight (61.6%) are alive, 57 (35.9%) died. Event-free survival at 10 years was 63%, with 90% for children transplanted from identical siblings, 36% for those transplanted from alternative family donors, and 66% for those transplanted from unrelated donors., Conclusions: The best results have been obtained with identical siblings, but other options may be considered., (Copyright © 2014 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

A cross-sectional study was made on 89 inhabitants and their dogs from a rural community of Yucatan, Mexico, to determine the serological prevalence of some zoonotic parasitic agents. Samples were taken to monitor the presence and intensity of infection with gastrointestinal parasites in dogs. In humans, the serological prevalence of T. canis, T. gondii, and T. spiralis was 29.2%, 91.0%, and 6.7%, respectively. No associations were found between positive cases and studied variables. From the total of blood samples taken from dogs, 87 (97.6%) were seropositive to T. gondii; only 52 viable fecal samples were collected from dogs of which 46.2% had the presence of gastrointestinal parasites with low to moderate intensity; from those, 12% had the presence of T. canis. This study demonstrates the presence of the studied zoonotic agents in the area particularly T. gondii which suggest a common source of infection in dogs and humans and a high number of oocyts present in the environment. Preventive measures must be designed towards good prophylactic practices in domestic and backyard animals (T. canis and T. spiralis). Contaminated sources with T. gondii (food and water) should be further investigated in order to design effective control measures.

Introduction: Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGA) appear in 5-20% of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and are the most common brain tumours in TSC. They are benign tumours, of a glioneural stock, that develop mainly in the first two decades of life, generally close to the foramen of Monro, and can trigger hydrocephalus and intracranial hypertension. It is one of the leading causes of death in TSC. Recently mTOR inhibitors have proved to be a therapeutic alternative to surgical excision. AIM. To describe our experience of using everolimus to treat patients with SEGA and TSC., Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective study of the responses of patients with TSC and at least one SEGA undergoing growth., Results: Three females and three males with a mean age of 12.3 years received treatment. One patient had previously undergone surgery due to SEGA with hydrocephalus. The maximum mean diameter of the SEGA on beginning treatment was 15.3 mm (range: 11.3-24.8 mm). Treatment was established with everolimus, 2.5 mg/day administered orally in patients with a body surface area < 1.2 m2, and 5 mg/day in patients with a body surface area > 1.2 m2. Two patients presented hypertriglyceridemia; one, anorexia; another, a mouth ulcer; and one, amenorrhoea. The mean reduction in the volume of the SEGA at three months of treatment was 46%, and the reduction remained steady in later control examinations (6-25 months)., Conclusions: Treatment with everolimus reduces the size of SEGA associated with TSC with an adequate safety profile, and constitutes an alternative to surgery in certain cases.

The main goal of this study is to compare the effects of pH, uranium concentration, and background electrolyte (seawater and NaClO4 solution) on the speciation of uranium(VI) associated with the marine bacterium Idiomarina loihiensis MAH1. This was done at the molecular level using a multidisciplinary approach combining X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), Time-Resolved Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy (TRLFS), and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). We showed that the U(VI)/bacterium interaction mechanism is highly dependent upon pH but also the nature of the used background electrolyte played a role. At neutral conditions and a U concentration ranging from 5·10(-4) to 10(-5) M (environmentally relevant concentrations), XAS analysis revealed that uranyl phosphate mineral phases, structurally resembling meta-autunite [Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 2-6H2O] are precipitated at the cell surfaces of the strain MAH1. The formation of this mineral phase is independent of the background solution but U(VI) luminescence lifetime analyses demonstrated that the U(VI) speciation in seawater samples is more intricate, i.e., different complexes were formed under natural conditions. At acidic conditions, pH 2, 3 and 4.3 ([U] = 5·10(-4) M, background electrolyte  = 0.1 M NaClO4), the removal of U from solution was due to biosorption to Extracellular Polysaccharides (EPS) and cell wall components as evident from TEM analysis. The LIII-edge XAS and TRLFS studies showed that the biosorption process observed is dependent of pH. The bacterial cell forms a complex with U through organic phosphate groups at pH 2 and via phosphate and carboxyl groups at pH 3 and 4.3, respectively. The differences in the complexes formed between uranium and bacteria on seawater compared to NaClO4 solution demonstrates that the actinide/microbe interactions are influenced by the three studied factors, i.e., the pH, the uranium concentration and the chemical composition of the solution.

Separation of enantiomers remains a challenge owing to their identical physical and chemical properties in an achiral environment, and research on specialized separation techniques such as multidimensional achiral-chiral liquid chromatography continues to resolve individual enantiomers in complex samples. Recent advances in application of multidimensional liquid chromatography applied to chiral analysis are reviewed. For this reason, benefits of achiral-chiral coupling are shown, with emphasis in applications on biological and pharmaceutical fields as well as pesticide analysis. A description of standard instrumental setup in both heart-cut and comprehensive multidimensional liquid chromatography is shown. The most broadly used chiral stationary phases for multidimensional liquid chromatography are summarized. An extensive overview of different interface designs applied to complex samples is presented., (Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

In this study, 10% of all registered fishermen in the coastal towns of Navachiste in Sinaloa, in northwestern Mexico, answered a survey designed to collect data on their perceptions of the following topics: the impact of turtle meat consumption; human health; bycatch; illegal turtle fishing; the illegal sea turtle market; the local economy; pollution; environmental education; the success of protective legislation; and sea turtle-based ecotourism. Perceptions were analyzed using the fuzzy logic method through classification into 5 fuzzy membership sets: VL, very low; L, low; M, moderate; H, high; VH, very high. The 9 topics generated decision areas upon applying fuzzy inference that revealed the membership level of the answers in each fuzzy set. The economic potential of sea turtle-based ecotourism and the economic profitability of the illegal turtle meat market were perceived as VL. Conservation legislation was perceived as H, although inefficiently applied due to corruption. Ecotourism and impacts on sea turtles were perceived as VL, because they were deemed unprofitable activities at the individual and community levels. Environmental education was perceived as L, because it centers on nesting, hatching and releasing turtles and is directed at elementary and middle-school students. While fishers perceive a serious negative impact of fishing activities on sea turtles in the San Ignacio-Navachiste-Macapule area, they do not see themselves individually as part of the problem. Achieving sea turtle conservation in this region requires: suitable ecotourism infrastructure, government investments in promotion, and studies to estimate the minimum number of tourists needed to assure profitability., (© 2012 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd, ISZS and IOZ/CAS.)

Background: Multiple treatments have been used for the unicameral bone cyst lesion, such as steroid application, multiple perforations, bone curettages, partial resection and bone grafting. The purpose of this study was to describe the evolution of children with unicameral bone cyst who were treated with cryosurgery as coadjuvant therapy., Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study over the period between January 2001 and December 2006. Twelve patients were studied and treated at the Pediatric Orthopedics Department of the Pediatrics Hospital at the Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI., Results: Twelve patients were analyzed; all of them were treated with curettage, cryotherapy and bone grafting. In 7 patients, the lesions were located in the humerus (58.3 %), in 3 in the tibia (25 %), in 1 in the ilio-ischiopubic branch (8.3 %), and in 1 in the clavicle (8.3 %). Follow-up ranged from 12 to 36 months. Bone healing required 2 to 3 months after the surgery; the response was complete in 9 (75 %) patients and partial in 3 (25 %). Function was restored in all cases, without recurrences., Conclusions: Cryosurgery as an adjuvant treatment and autologous or homologous bone grafting prevented local recurrence of unicameral bone cyst lesions, favored bone healing and allowed for a full range of motion functionality without complications.

Objective: To evaluate the isoflurane-sparing effects of an intravenous (IV) constant rate infusion (CRI) of fentanyl, lidocaine, ketamine, dexmedetomidine, or lidocaine-ketamine-dexmedetomidine (LKD) in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy., Study Design: Randomized, prospective, blinded, clinical study., Animals: Fifty four dogs., Methods: Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane with one of the following IV treatments: butorphanol/saline (butorphanol 0.4 mg kg(-1), saline 0.9% CRI, CONTROL/BUT); fentanyl (5 μg kg(-1), 10 μg kg(-1) hour(-1), FENT); ketamine (1 mg kg(-1), 40 μg kg(-1) minute(-1), KET), lidocaine (2 mg kg(-1), 100 μg kg(-1) minute(-1), LIDO); dexmedetomidine (1 μg kg(-1), 3 μg kg(-1) hour(-1), DEX); or a LKD combination. Positive pressure ventilation maintained eucapnia. An anesthetist unaware of treatment and end-tidal isoflurane concentration (Fe'Iso) adjusted vaporizer settings to maintain surgical anesthetic depth. Cardiopulmonary variables and Fe'Iso concentrations were monitored. Data were analyzed using anova (p < 0.05)., Results: At most time points, heart rate (HR) was lower in FENT than in other groups, except for DEX and LKD. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was lower in FENT and CONTROL/BUT than in DEX. Overall mean ± SD Fe'Iso and % reduced isoflurane requirements were 1.01 ± 0.31/41.6% (range, 0.75 ± 0.31/56.6% to 1.12 ± 0.80/35.3%, FENT), 1.37 ± 0.19/20.8% (1.23 ± 0.14/28.9% to 1.51 ± 0.22/12.7%, KET), 1.34 ± 0.19/22.5% (1.24 ± 0.19/28.3% to 1.44 ± 0.21/16.8%, LIDO), 1.30 ± 0.28/24.8% (1.16 ± 0.18/32.9% to 1.43 ± 0.32/17.3%, DEX), 0.95 ± 0.19/54.9% (0.7 ± 0.16/59.5% to 1.12 ± 0.16/35.3%, LKD) and 1.73 ± 0.18/0.0% (1.64 ± 0.21 to 1.82 ± 0.14, CONTROL/BUT) during surgery. FENT and LKD significantly reduced Fe'Iso., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: At the doses administered, FENT and LKD had greater isoflurane-sparing effect than LIDO, KET or CONTROL/BUT, but not at all times. Low HR during FENT may limit improvement in MAP expected with reduced Fe'Iso., (© 2013 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia.)

A direct chiral LC-UV method was optimized for the determination of salbutamol (SAL) β2 -agonist in environmental water. Two commercially available columns were evaluated: teicoplanin Chirobiotic-T™ (150 × 2.1 mm i.d., 5 µm) and vancomycin Chirobiotic-V™ (150 × 2.1 mm i.d., 5 µm). Finally, teicoplanin chiral stationary phase was selected for SAL enantiomer resolution. In order to preserve its integrity and maintain the column performance for longer time, the use of additives such as triethylamine (TEA) in the mobile phase was avoided. Experimental design was applied to simultaneously evaluate the influence of several parameters involved in enantiomer separation and to establish the conditions for acceptable resolution and performance in short analysis time. Optimum mobile phase was methanol-20 mM ammonium acetate buffer at pH 4.5 (98:2, v/v). A solid-phase extraction procedure for sample pre-concentration and clean-up allowed the determination of chiral SAL residues in natural water samples spiked at low concentrations in the range 1.0-20 ng mL(-1) . Reproducible recoveries, between 77 and 98%, were obtained and matrix effect was negligible. Injection of sample solutions at low elution strength permitted the SAL enantioresolution in the natural water complex matrix with satisfactory sensitivity and precision., (Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The reality of intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) practice is consistent with an efficient and highly precise radiation therapy technique to safely boost areas at risk for local recurrence. Long-term clinical experience has shown that IORT-containing multi-modality regimens appear to improve local disease control, if not survival in many diseases. Research with IORT is a multidisciplinary scenario that covers knowledge from radiation beam adapted development to advance molecular biology for bio-predictability of outcome. The technical parameters employed in IORT procedures are important information to be recorded for quality assurance and clinical results analysis. In addition, specific treatment planning systems for IORT procedures are available, to help in the treatment decision-making process. A systematic revision of opportunities for research and innovation in IORT is reported including radiation beam modulation, delivery, dosimetry and planning; infrastructure and treatment factors; experimental and clinical radiobiology; clinical trials, innovation and translational research development.

Numerous studies have shown the role of dogs as a reservoir for the American trypanosomiasis, as the bridge connecting sylvatic and peridomestic cycles. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of American trypanosomiasis in the dog population (630 sera) from seven localities in the Yucatan Peninsula (city of Mérida and the towns of Molas, Playa del Carmen, Akumal, Xcalacoop, Xcalac and Xahuachol). These data are key for developing control measures for the disease. The sera were analysed to detect antibodies against Trypanosoma cruzi, using Fe-SOD excreted as the antigenic fraction by ELISA and Western blot as confirmation. The total prevalence found in the Yucatan Peninsula was some 14.76%, with 10.74% in the state of Yucatan (city of Mérida, towns of Molas and Xcalacoop) and 21.34% in the state of Quintana Roo (towns of Playa del Carmen, Akumal, Xcalac and Xahuachol). However, a more thorough epidemiological study of the dog population, both wild and urban, in the Yucatan Peninsula will be required to design a control strategy for these diseases, paying particular attention to the population affected and even broadening the study to other Mexican states as well as neighbouring countries. These results again confirm that iron-superoxide dismutase excreted by T. cruzi constitutes a good source of antigen for serodiagnosis in epidemiological studies., (© 2012 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

American trypanosomiasis, or Chagas disease, is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, and a vaccine would greatly improve disease control. While some studies in mice suggest that a vaccine is feasible, limited efficacy has been observed in dogs. We evaluated here the safety and efficacy of a DNA vaccine encoding TSA-1 and Tc24 antigens in a dog model of acute T. cruzi infection. Mongrel dogs were immunized with two doses of 500 μg of DNA vaccine, two weeks apart, and infected with T. cruzi (SylvioX10/4 strain) two weeks after the second vaccine dose. Another group of dogs was infected first and treated with the vaccine. Disease progression was monitored for up to 70 days post-infection. The vaccine did not induce any critical change in blood parameters, nor exacerbation of disease in vaccinated animals. On the contrary, it prevented anemia and a decrease in lymphocyte counts following T. cruzi infection in vaccinated dogs. Both preventive and therapeutic vaccination significantly reduced parasitemia, cardiac inflammation and cardiac parasite burden, and tended to reduce the development of cardiac arrhythmias. These results indicate that a preventive or therapeutic DNA vaccine encoding TSA-1 and Tc24 antigens is safe and may reduce both parasite transmission and the clinical progression of Chagas disease in vaccinated dogs. This DNA vaccine may thus be an excellent veterinary vaccine candidate. These data also further strengthen the feasibility of a Chagas disease vaccine for humans., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpu is an integral membrane protein that belongs to the viroporin family. Viroporins interact with cell membranes, triggering membrane permeabilization and promoting release of viral particles. In vitro electrophysiological methods have revealed changes in membrane ion currents when Vpu is present; however, in vivo the molecular mechanism of Vpu at the plasma membrane is still uncertain. We used the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a genetic model system to analyze how Vpu ion channel impacts cellular homeostasis. Inducible expression of Vpu impaired cell growth, suggesting that this viral protein is toxic to yeast cultures. This toxicity decreased with extracellular acidic pH. Also, Vpu toxicity diminished as the extracellular K(+) concentration was increased. However, expression of the Vpu protein suppresses the growth defect of K(+) uptake-deficient yeast (Δtrk1,2). The phenotype rescue of these highly hyperpolarized cells was almost total when they were grown in medium supplemented with high concentrations of KCl (100 mM) at pH 7.0 but was significantly reduced when the extracellular K(+) concentration or pH was decreased. These results indicate that Vpu has the ability to modify K(+) transport in both yeast strains. Here, we show also that Vpu confers tolerance to the aminoglycoside antibiotic hygromycin B in Δtrk1,2 yeast. Our results suggest that Vpu interferes with cell growth of wild-type yeast but improves proliferation of the hyperpolarized trk1,2 mutant by inducing plasma membrane depolarization. Furthermore, evaluation of the ion channel activity of the Vpu protein in Δtrk1,2 yeast could aid in the development of a high-throughput screening assay for molecules that target the retroviral protein.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and long-term outcome of surgery combined with intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOERT) as rescue treatment in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic oligotopic extrapelvic cancer., Methods and Materials: From April 1996 to April 2010, we treated 28 patients using 34 IOERT procedures. The main histopathology findings were adenocarcinoma (39%) and squamous cell carcinoma (29%). The original cancer sites were gynecologic (67%), urologic (14%) and colorectal (14%). The location of recurrence was the para-aortic region in 53.5% of patients., Results: Median follow-up was 39 months (1-84 months), during which time 14% of patients experienced local recurrence and 53.5% developed distant metastasis. Overall survival at 2 and 5 years was 57% and 35% respectively. At the time of the analysis, 13 patients were alive, 6 for more than 55 months of follow-up. Local control was not significantly affected by the following histopathologic characteristics of the resected surgical specimen: number of fragments submitted for pathology study (1 to >6), maximal tumor dimension (≤ 2 to ≥ 6 cm), rate of involved nodes (0-100%) and involved resection margin (local recurrence 23% vs 7%; p = 0.21). Local recurrence was significantly affected by microscopic cancer in more than 50% of specimen fragments (38% vs 9%, p = 0.02)., Conclusions: IOERT for recurrence of oligotopic extrapelvic cancer increased long-term survival in patients with controlled cancer and appears to compensate for some adverse prognostic features in local control. Individualized treatment strategies for this heterogeneous category of patients with recurrent cancer will make it possible to optimize results., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A method for the analysis of serotonin (5-HT) and its precursors, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and l-tryptophan (TP) in chocolate samples by capillary liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (cLC-MS) has been developed. Optimum chromatographic conditions were established by using a personalized multifactorial experimental design. Finally the cLC separation was achieved through a mixture of acetonitrile and 5mM ammonium formate at pH 4 (3:97, v/v) as mobile phase in gradient elution, setting the injection volume at 10 μL and using pure water as injection solvent for focusing purposes on the head of the capillary column. For extraction of targets in chocolate samples a new, fast and simple procedure based on the use of acidic extraction medium and sonication was developed. Working in selected ion mode (m/z 177 for 5-HT, m/z 205 for l-tryptophan and m/z 221 for 5-HTP) detection limits were between 0.01 and 0.11 μg g(-1) and linearity was in the concentration range of 0.5-25 μg g(-1). Recoveries higher than 76% with RSDs lower than 8% were obtained from spiked samples for all analytes, showing the effectiveness of the proposed method. Serotonin and its precursors were determined in 5 kinds of commonly consumed chocolates with different cocoa contents (70-100%). The highest serotonin content was found in chocolate with a cocoa content of 85% (2.93 μg g(-1)). Regarding l-tryptophan, the highest content of this amino acid (13.27-13.34 μg g(-1)) was found in chocolate samples with the lowest cocoa content (70-85%). 5-Hydroxytryptophan was not detected in any chocolate samples., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Leishmania spp. has been recorded in humans and in dogs, and numerous studies have demonstrated that dogs act as reservoirs for visceral leishmaniasis. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of three species of the Leishmania genus and possible associated factors in sera of 218 dogs from two different populations in Mérida, Yucatán (Mexico). The sera were analyzed to detect antibodies against L. mexicana, L. braziliensis, and L. infantum using the superoxide dismutase- enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SOD-ELISA) and Western blot as confirmation. The Fe-SOD excreted was used as the antigenic fraction for the three Leishmania species. The prevalence values found were 30.2% (L. mexicana), 8.2% (L. braziliensis), and 11.9% (L. infantum), with L. mexicana seroprevalence being greater than L. braziliensis and L. infantum (p<0.05). Five percent (11/218) of the dogs showed antibodies against L. mexicana/L. braziliensis, 5.5% (12/218) with L. mexicana/L. infantum and 1.8% (4/218) with L. mexicana/L. braziliensis/L. infantum. No relationship (p>0.05) was found between antibodies against L. mexicana and breed, age, physical condition, or cutaneous lesions in dogs. This study provides evidence of antibodies against L. mexicana, L. braziliensis and L. infantum in dog populations from Mérida, Mexico., (Copyright © 2012 Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Synthetic microplastics (≤5-mm fragments) are globally distributed contaminants within coastal sediments that may transport organic pollutants and additives into food webs. Although micro-Fourier-transform infrared (micro-FT-IR) spectroscopy represents an ideal method for detecting microplastics in sediments, this technique lacks a standardized operating protocol. Herein, an optimized method for the micro-FT-IR analysis of microplastics in vacuum-filtered sediment retentates was developed. Reflectance micro-FT-IR analyses of polyethylene (PE) were compared with attenuated total reflectance FT-IR (ATR-FT-IR) measurements. Molecular mapping as a precursor to the imaging of microplastics was explored in the presence and absence of 150-μm PE fragments, added to sediment at concentrations of 10, 100, 500 and 1000ppm. Subsequently, polymer spectra were assessed across plastic-spiked sediments from fifteen offshore sites. While all spectra obtained of evenly shaped plastics were typical to PE, reflectance micro-FT-IR measurements of irregularly shaped materials must account for refractive error. Additionally, we provide the first evidence that mapping successfully detects microplastics without their visual selection for characterization, despite this technique relying on spectra from small and spatially separated locations. Flotation of microplastics from sediments only enabled a fragment recovery rate of 61 (±31 S.D.) %. However, mapping 3-mm(2) areas (within 47-mm filters) detected PE at spiking concentrations of 100ppm and above, displaying 69 (±12 S.D.) % of the fragments in these locations. Additionally, mapping detected a potential PE fragment in a non-spiked retentate. These data have important implications for research into the imaging of microplastics. Specifically, the sensitivity and spatial resolution of the present protocol may be improved by visualizing the entire filter with high-throughput detection techniques (e.g., focal plane array-based imaging). Additionally, since micro-FT-IR analyses depend on methods of sample collection, our results emphasize the urgency of developing efficient and reproducible techniques to separate microplastics from sediments., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Canine Leishmaniasis is widespread in various Mexican states, where different species of Leishmania have been isolated from dogs. In the present study, we describe the detection of L. braziliensis, L. infantum, and L. mexicana in serum of dogs from the states of Yucatan and Quintana Roo in the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico). A total of 412 sera were analyzed by ELISA using the total extract of the parasite and the iron superoxide dismutase excreted by different trypanosomatids as antigens. We found the prevalence of L. braziliensis to be 7.52%, L. infantum to be 6.07%, and L. mexicana to be 20.63%, in the dog population studied. The results obtained with ELISA using iron superoxide dismutase as the antigen were confirmed by western blot analysis with its greater sensitivity, and the agreement between the two techniques was very high.

Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi is a major risk in Latin America, and dogs are believed to be good models for evaluating Chagas disease. Here, we evaluated the clinical and immunopathological alterations developed by mongrel dogs experimentally infected with different infective doses (2,000, 20,000, and 200,000 metacyclic trypomastigotes of Sylvio X10/4 strain kg(-1) via intraperitoneal). Clinical and electrocardiographic parameters, as well as antibody production and pathologic lesions were evaluated. All three doses of this strain of T. cruzi induced a similar pattern of infection characterized by cardiac arrhythmias and severe and diffuse myocarditis. Specific anti-T. cruzi IgG indicated seroconversion by day 14 after infection, and IgG levels increased during the period of evaluation. Mortality was observed only in dogs infected with the medium or high parasite doses, but not in the group infected with a low dose of 2,000 parasites kg(-1). Infection with a low dose of parasites provides an excellent nonlethal model to evaluate the immunopathology of the acute disease in dogs infected with the Sylvio X10/4 strain of T. cruzi.

Segawa disease is a rare dystonia due to autosomal dominant guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase I (adGTPCH) deficiency, affecting dopamine and serotonin biosynthesis. Recently, the clinical phenotype was expanded to include psychiatric manifestations, such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and sleep disturbances. Although cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms may be attributable to dopamine deficiency in the prefrontal cortex and frontostriatal circuitry, intelligence is considered normal in Segawa disease. Our aim was to investigate neuropsychiatric symptoms and intelligence quotients (IQ) in a series of individuals with adGTPCH deficiency. The assessment included a structured clinical interview following the DSM-IV-TR's guidelines, Beck's Depression Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Questionnaire, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), the Oviedo Sleep Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition. Equivalent tests were applied to pediatric patients as appropriate for their age group. Fourteen patients with adGTPCH deficiency were evaluated (seven adult and seven pediatric patients). Depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms were not more common than expected in the general population. However, the seven adults showed impulsivity in the BIS-11; nine individuals had an IQ in the range of borderline intellectual functioning to mild mental retardation, and sleep disturbances were found in four individuals. We found no differences between these results and the motor impairment. In conclusion, our findings would suggest that cognitive impairment, and impulsivity in adults, may be associated with Segawa disease.

The union between mammalian gametes begins with the sperm binding to the zona pellucida (ZP). We studied the interaction between human sperm and ZP by using recombinant human ZP proteins (rhZP). The cDNAs coding for human ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4 were expressed in Sf9 cells and proteins were characterized to determine their competence for sperm binding. Capacitated human sperm binding abilities were analyzed using immobilized rhZP and a well-characterized antihuman sperm antiserum. The results demonstrated that all rhZP proteins were structurally similar to their native counterparts and were specifically recognized, in a dose and time dependent manner, by human sperm. The rhZP4 was the main sperm binder followed by rhZP3 and rhZP2, although combinations of rhZP proteins enhanced sperm adhesion. Moreover, this experimental approach may represent a useful model to study sperm-ZP interactions for research and clinical purposes.

The prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs and factors associated were studied in a rural community of Yucatan (southern Mexico), with special attention to those gastrointestinal parasites potentially transmitted to man. One hundred thirty dogs from 91 households were studied. Fecal samples were processed by the centrifugation-flotation and the McMaster techniques. To determine factors associated with zoonotic parasites in dogs, univariate analysis was performed, using sex, age, and body condition as independent variables. Variables with p < 0.2 were analyzed by a logistic regression. Of 130 dogs, 104 were positive for the presence of intestinal parasites, representing a prevalence of 80%. Eggs of four species of helminths (Ancylostoma caninum, Thichuris vulpis, Toxocara canis, and Dipylidium caninum) and coccidian oocysts were detected. A. caninum was the most prevalent parasite (73.8%), followed by T. vulpis (25.4%), T. canis (6.2%), D. caninum (2.3%), and coccidian oocysts (2.3%). The majority of dogs were infected by only one species of parasite (70/130, 53.8%). Mixed infection caused by two or three zoonotic parasites were discovered in 21.3% (30/130) and 3.1% (4/130), respectively. A. caninum showed the highest egg output (42.3% of dogs had ≥ 500 eggs per gram). Factors associated with zoonotic parasites were age (<2 years old; odds ratio = 5.30, p = 0.029) and body condition (poor body condition; odds ratio = 6.69, p = 0.026). In conclusion, young dogs from rural Yucatan, Mexico, with poor body condition had a higher prevalence of intestinal zoonotic parasites as these factors were associated with a higher risk of becoming infected.

Objectives: Dentistry, like all other health care professions, has in recent years been subjected to an increase in legal pressure by patients. Nevertheless, there are areas of activity in dentistry in which, whether because of their frequency or due to the importance of the damage and sequelae claimed, this legal pressure is greater. Amongst these areas of activity is that of oral surgery., Study Design: To be meticulously analyzed in this report are 63 sentences issued by courts of second instance or higher levels regarding lawsuits involving oral surgery. The data collection file includes 13 variables. The descriptive and comparative statistical study by cross-referencing certain variables provides us with a clear and accurate picture of the lawsuit profile., Results and Conclusions: Implantological surgery was the practice subject to the most claims due to surgery (55.6 percent: 35 sentences), and it drew our attention that in 71.4% of all cases (45 sentences) there was a ruling against the professional. The most frequent range of damage payments was between €18,001 and €60,000 (40.9%: 18 sentences), the highest amount having been €24,000, an important factor to take into account when contracting professional civil liability insurance.

In this paper, the enantiomeric separation of two aryloxyphenoxypropionic esters (fluazifop-butyl and quizalofop-ethyl) and a safener herbicide (mefenpyr-diethyl), which is widely used for protecting crop plants, has been studied by direct liquid chromatography (LC) with UV detection on an α(1)-acid glycoprotein as chiral stationary phase. Optimization of separation conditions was done by factorial experimental design. Experimental factors and ranges selected were propanol (5-10%), phosphate buffer pH (6.5-7.0), and column temperature (15-25 °C). Responses were expressed in terms of enantioresolution (R(s)) and adjusted retention time of the second eluted enantiomer (t(r2)'). The chemometric method used to explore data was response surface analysis. Multiple response analyses were carried out to determine the combination of experimental factors which simultaneously optimize experimental responses. Under optimum conditions for enantioseparation of each herbicide, partially overlapped or fully resolved enantiomers were obtained. Deconvolution tools were employed as an integration method to fit chromatographic data and to achieve a more precise enantiomeric ratio (ER) and enantiomeric fraction (EF) values. Applicability of both direct chiral LC and peak deconvolution methods was evaluated in spiked soil samples at different R/S enantiomeric ratios. Acceptable and reproducible recoveries between 71% and 96% with precision in the range 1-6% were achieved for herbicide-spiked levels from 0.50 to 9.0 μg g(-1). In addition, parameters such as R(s), ER, and EF were calculated and compared with values obtained using the common valley drop integration method.

Purpose: To analyse results of combined treatment of adjuvant radio-chemotherapy (RT-CT) in patients diagnosed with gallbladder cancer (GBC) after complete resection., Methods and Material: From June 1993 until July 2006, 67 patients with a diagnosis of GBC who underwent R0 surgical resection and were staged as T1b-2-3N0-1M0 received adjuvant RT-CT. Radiotherapy consisted of whole abdominal irradiation (20 Gy at 100 cGy daily) plus a boost to the tumour bed for a total of 45-59.4 Gy. Concomitant chemotherapy (fluoropyrimidines) was given. Overall survival (OS) and median survival were analysed in relation to different prognostic factors., Results: With a median follow-up of 90 months, 5-year OS was 41%, in the group who underwent extended cholecystectomy it reached 57% and it was only 27% in those who underwent simple cholecystectomy (p = 0.005). Median survival was 42 months for the whole population, not yet reached for the extended cholecystectomy subgroup and 23 months for the simple cholecystectomy subgroup. When analysing for histological grade, median survival was 23 months for those graded as high grade (III or IV) and 57 months for those of low-unknown grade (p = 0.029). In multivariate analysis, a statistically significant OS benefit was found for those who underwent extended cholecystectomy (p = 0.003)., Conclusions: In the absence of randomised studies, these data support the use of extended cholecystectomy followed by adjuvant RT-CT in patients diagnosed as stages T1b-2- 3N0-1M0 GBC after R0 resection.

The permeability of five benzimidazole derivates with potential cannabinoid activity was determined in two models of membranes, parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) and skin, in order to study the relationship of the physicochemical properties of the molecules and characteristics of the membranes with the permeability defined by the Biopharmaceutics Classification System. It was established that the PAMPA intestinal absorption method is a good predictor for classifying these molecules as very permeable, independent of their thermodynamic solubility, if and only if these have a Log P(oct) value <3.0. In contrast, transdermal permeability is conditioned on the solubility of the molecule so that it can only serve as a model for classifying the permeability of molecules that possess high solubility (class I: high solubility, high permeability; class III: high solubility, low permeability).

The concept of prospective memory is relatively recent. Thus, it is necessary to have instruments to assess it, in interaction with retrospective memory. The Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ; Smith et al., 2000) is an instrument that has been effectively used for assessment in several languages. Nevertheless, there is still no Spanish adaptation. The aim of this study was to translate the PRMQ and obtain information about its psychometric properties. A back translation process was applied to the PRMQ. The resulting PRMQ-S was self-administered to 520 subjects after applying the pilot test. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test competing models of its latent structure. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha. The results showed an adequate internal consistency of the total scale and the Prospective and Retrospective scales were: .89, .84 and .76, respectively. The factor structure was compared with the original study. Our results suggested a disagreement with the tripartite model defended by the authors of the PRMQ. Since there is a high correlation between two factors in the bi-factor model, and the tripartite model showed non-significant loadings to the two specific factors, we recommend that the PRMQ-S be used as one general memory score. We demonstrated adequate psychometric properties of the PRMQ-S if it is used as unique measurement of memory failures. These results are relevant due to the need for a short and accurate instrument in our language that explores memory failures, which has a major impact on the activities of daily living.

Polyamines have been globally associated to plant responses to abiotic stress. Particularly, putrescine has been related to a better response to cold and dehydration stresses. It is known that this polyamine is involved in cold tolerance, since Arabidopsis thaliana plants mutated in the key enzyme responsible for putrescine synthesis (arginine decarboxilase, ADC; EC 4.1.1.19) are more sensitive than the wild type to this stress. Although it is speculated that the over-expression of ADC genes may confer tolerance, this is hampered by pleiotropic effects arising from the constitutive expression of enzymes from the polyamine metabolism. Here, we present our work using A. thaliana transgenic plants harboring the ADC gene from oat under the control of a stress-inducible promoter (pRD29A) instead of a constitutive promoter. The transgenic lines presented in this work were more resistant to both cold and dehydration stresses, associated with a concomitant increment in endogenous putrescine levels under stress. Furthermore, the increment in putrescine upon cold treatment correlated with the induction of known stress-responsive genes, and suggested that putrescine may be directly or indirectly involved in ABA metabolism and gene expression.

The acrosome reaction (AR), an absolute requirement for spermatozoa and egg fusion, requires the influx of Ca²(+) into the spermatozoa through voltage-dependent Ca²(+) channels and store-operated channels. Maitotoxin (MTx), a Ca²(+)-mobilizing agent, has been shown to be a potent inducer of the mouse sperm AR, with a pharmacology similar to that of the zona pellucida (ZP), possibly suggesting a common pathway for both inducers. Using recombinant human ZP3 (rhZP3), mouse ZP and two MTx channel blockers (U73122 and U73343), we investigated and compared the MTx- and ZP-induced ARs in human and mouse spermatozoa. Herein, we report that MTx induced AR and elevated intracellular Ca²(+) ([Ca²(+)](i)) in human spermatozoa, both of which were blocked by U73122 and U73343. These two compounds also inhibited the MTx-induced AR in mouse spermatozoa. In disagreement with our previous proposal, the AR triggered by rhZP3 or mouse ZP was not blocked by U73343, indicating that in human and mouse spermatozoa, the AR induction by the physiological ligands or by MTx occurred through distinct pathways. U73122, but not U73343 (inactive analogue), can block phospholipase C (PLC). Another PLC inhibitor, edelfosine, also blocked the rhZP3- and ZP-induced ARs. These findings confirmed the participation of a PLC-dependent signalling pathway in human and mouse zona protein-induced AR. Notably, edelfosine also inhibited the MTx-induced mouse sperm AR but not that of the human, suggesting that toxin-induced AR is PLC-dependent in mice and PLC-independent in humans.

The present work optimized the initial pH of the medium and the incubation temperature for ligninolytic enzymes produced by the white-rot fungus Anthracophyllum discolor. Additionally, the effect of soya lecithin on mycelial growth and the production of ligninolytic enzymes in static batch cultures were evaluated. The critical micelle concentration of soya lecithin was also studied by conductivity. The effects of the initial pH (3, 4, and 5) and incubation temperature (20, 25, and 30°C) on different enzymatic activities revealed that the optimum conditions to maximize ligninolytic activity were 26°C and pH 5.5 for laccase and manganese peroxidase (MnP) and 30°C and pH 5.5 for manganese-independent peroxidase (MiP). Under these culture conditions, the maximum enzyme production was 10.16, 484.46, and 112.50 U L(-1) for laccase, MnP, and manganese-independent peroxidase MiP, respectively. During the study of the effect of soya lecithin on A. discolor, we found that the increase in soya lecithin concentration from 0 to 10 g L(-1) caused an increase in mycelial growth. On the other hand, in the presence of soya lecithin, A. discolor produced mainly MnP, which reached a maximum concentration of 30.64 ± 4.61 U L(-1) after 25 days of incubation with 1 g L(-1) of the surfactant. The other enzymes were produced but to a lesser extent. The enzymatic activity of A. discolor was decreased when Tween 80 was used as a surfactant. The critical micelle concentration of soya lecithin calculated in our study was 0.61 g L(-1).

We studied surveillance, incidence and outcome of viral infections in children undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in the main pediatric transplant units in Spain. We prospectively collected data from first year post-HCT in every consecutive allogeneic HCT performed during 3 years (N = 215): first HCT = 188 and second HCT = 27; median age = 6.6 years (0.1-20.7). Most patients had acute leukemia (N = 137) and 135 recipients (63%) were CMV seropositive. A total of 46 patients underwent cord blood transplant, 133 patients underwent HCT from alternative donors (62%) and 101 patients received anti-thymocyte globulin. Observational time was completed in 137 patients, whereas the remaining 78 died after a median survival time of 99 days (3-352). CMV was monitored in all patients; adenovirus (ADV) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) were monitored in 101 and 33 patients, respectively. We found 145 viral infections in 103 patients: CMV (n = 42), ADV (n = 32), HHV-6 (n = 7), polyomavirus (n = 20), EBV (n = 6), VZV (n=17) and others (n = 8). CMV infection was significantly higher in seropositive patients (25 vs 7%) (P = 0.02). Extensive chronic GVHD (cGVHD) was significantly associated with an increased rate of viral infections (12 of 16 patients with cGVHD had infections vs 91 of 199 without GVHD) (P = 0.035). In total, 10 patients (4.6%) died of viral infections (CMV = 5, ADV = 3, respiratory = 2). We found a high incidence of viral infection, but mortality was low.

Background: Giardia duodenalis is among the commonest protozoan parasites in the intestinal tract of humans and may cause significant morbidity worldwide. Although there are several antigiardial agents, treatment failures have been commonly reported., Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of chloroquine (CQ) versus metronidazole (MTZ) in the treatment of children with confirmed G duodenalis mono-infection., Methods: A randomized, controlled, open-label trial was carried out at the Cuban Institute of Gastroenterology. One hundred and twenty-two children were randomly assigned to receive either CQ (10 mg/Kg bodyweight twice a day for five days) or MTZ [15 mg/Kg bodyweight divided in three daily does for five days]. All children were asked to provide three faecal samples on days 3, 5 and 7 after treatment completion. Children were considered to be cured, if no Giardia trophozoites or cysts were found in any of the three post-treatment faecal specimens evaluated by direct wet mounts and/or after Ritchie concentration techniques., Results: The frequency of cure was a little higher for CQ than for MTZ but the difference was not statistically significant. Headache was more common in patients treated with CQ as was bitter taste. Yellowish colouration of the urine was more frequent in the MTZ treated group., Conclusion: Chloroquine, for five days, is as efficacious as the recommended treatment with MTZ in children infected with G duodenalis.

This paper describes a multivariate approach to study the effect on chromatographic conditions and to optimize such conditions in capillary liquid chromatography when high injection volumes are required. Several separations have been evaluated by using isocratic and gradient solvent elution, as well as isocratic elution combined with temperature programming. In this study, easily ionisable organic compounds with low logP have been used as representative analytes. Injection volume and nature of the injection solution have been evaluated in order to increase the sensitivity (peak area) and column performance (N values). The equations obtained by multiple linear regressions and response surfaces allow achieving the optimum on-column focusing conditions for chlorophenoxy acids, carbamates and heterocyclic amines., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Ballantyne syndrome or mirror syndrome is a triad consisting of the presence of fetal hydrops, generalized edema placentomegaly mother. May be related to any cause of fetal hydrops. The fetal prognosis is poor in untreated cases, the mother has reference to be the cause or the termination of pregnancy. Present the case of a 26-year-old who developed mirror syndrome secondary to non-immune fetal hydrops of unknown origin, accompanied by preeclampsia.

In the present paper, we have developed a capillary liquid chromatography with MS detection for the determination at ngg⁻¹ levels of four heterocyclic aromatic amines (MeIQx, norharman, harman and harmine), a group of mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds that can potentially be produced in protein-rich food during processing operations. They have been determined in commercial ready-to-eat (RTE) smoked salmon and soft cheese treated with E-beam irradiation. On the basis of experimental design studies and operating conditions of MS detector, best chromatographic conditions were obtained using a Luna® C¹⁸ capillary column (150 mm × 0.3 mm I.D.) with a mixture of acetonitrile-ammonium formate 5 mM pH 3.6 buffer (13:87, v/v) as mobile phase. To improve sensitivity, large injection volumes (20 μL) and injection solutions of low elution strength were employed. Sample preparation procedure included a previous treatment with 1M NaOH, followed by two solid-phase extraction steps; firstly on diatomaceous earth and then on mixed-mode cartridges. Heterocyclic amines were detected neither in irradiated and in non-irradiated samples, indicating that they were not formed by the radiation effect even at doses higher than those indicated in the Food Safety Objective established by regulatory agencies. RTE food samples were spiked at concentration levels in the range 10-30 ngg⁻¹. Recoveries higher than 85% (n=3 for each spiked level) were obtained, showing the effectiveness of the proposed methodology., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We report a comparison of toxic and enzymatic activities of Bothrops alternatus venoms collected from specimens of different regions of Argentina with a pool of these same venoms. We determined lethal, hemorrhagic and pro-coagulant (plasma and fibrinogen) doses, as well as indirect hemolysis, hydrolysis of gelatin and fibrinogen. The electrophoretic pattern of the venoms and that of fibrinogen incubated with each of the venoms was studied by SDS-PAGE. The toxic activities were consistent with those reported for these venoms but with noticeable differences between samples which do not seem related to geographical or climatic characteristics. In some cases the pooled venom showed values close to the individual samples, but it was not representative since at least the half of the venoms (4/9) exhibited very different patterns of toxicity. The potency of some activities in the individual venoms ranged from much higher to much lower than those determined in the pooled venom (0.1 to 3 fold). Not all venoms exhibited thrombin-like activity but all hydrolyzed alpha and beta chains of fibrinogen; however, degradation patterns were not always similar. Variation in activities and toxicities do not seem to be related to geographical or climatic characteristics.

The first report to our knowledge, of hyperinfection by Strongyloides stercoralis (HS) and hypereosinophilia, associated to immune suppression by Rituximab (the only drug received for the last one year and 10 months), in a patient with mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL), is presented. The patient has a 3-year history of MCL, and developed two accesses of HS during 2008, including meningitis, pneumonia and presence of larvae of S. stercoralis in the lungs. We had a unique chance to look at cytotoxicity of filariform larvae in the expectoration after Ivermectin treatment, showing immobilization and death of larvae, associated with eosinophils attached to the cuticle of the parasite.

Manganese peroxidase (MnP) produced by Anthracophyllum discolor, a Chilean white rot fungus, was immobilized on nanoclay obtained from volcanic soil and its ability to degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compared with the free enzyme was evaluated. At the same time, nanoclay characterization was performed. Nanoclay characterization by transmission electronic microscopy showed a particle average size smaller than 100 nm. The isoelectric points (IEP) of nanoclay and MnP from A. discolor were 7.0 and 3.7, respectively, as determined by micro electrophoresis migration and preparative isoelectric focusing. Results indicated that 75% of the enzyme was immobilized on the nanoclay through physical adsorption. As compared to the free enzyme, immobilized MnP from A. discolor achieved an improved stability to temperature and pH. The activation energy (Ea) value for immobilized MnP (51.9 kJ mol(-1)) was higher than that of the free MnP (34.4 kJ mol(-1)). The immobilized enzyme was able to degrade pyrene (>86%), anthracene (>65%), alone or in mixture, and to a less extent fluoranthene (<15.2%) and phenanthrene (<8.6%). Compared to free MnP from A. discolor, the enzyme immobilized on nanoclay enhanced the enzymatic transformation of anthracene in soil. Overall results indicate that nanoclay, a carrier of natural origin, is a suitable support material for MnP immobilization. In addition, immobilized MnP shows an increased stability to high temperature, pH and time storage, as well as an enhanced PAHs degradation efficiency in soil. All these characteristics may suggest the possible use of nanoclay-immobilized MnP from A. discolor as a valuable option for in situ bioremediation purposes., (Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Prickly pear cactus has been an important food source in Mexico since ancient times due to its economical and ecological benefits and potential nutraceutical value. Nevertheless, studies on the nutritional aspects and health benefits have been scarce. The purpose of this study was to assess, apparently for the first time, the folate contents of cladodes of nopal by a microbiological assay, using Lactobacillus casei (ATCC 7469) in extracts that were enzymatically treated to release the bound vitamin, employing single, dual, and trienzymatic procedures, and using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We used Opuntia cladodes of different length sizes. The microbiological assay showed some differences among enzyme treatments and sizes of nopal; the trienzyme treatment (alpha-amylase-protease-conjugase) was more efficient in determining the folate content in nopal, giving 5.0 ng/g in the small size cladodes at 54 h of testing time, while ELISA showed no significant differences in the folate content among sizes of cladodes (5.5-5.62 ng/g at 0 min testing time). Both techniques may be used for the assessment of folate content in cladodes, but ELISA is more rapid and reliable.

For successful fertilization mammalian spermatozoa must undergo the acrosome reaction (AR), an exocytotic event that allows this cell to penetrate the outer layer of the oocyte, the zona pellucida (ZP). Four glycoproteins (ZP1-ZP4) compose the human ZP, being ZP3 the physiological inductor of the AR. This process requires changes in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) involving not fully understood mechanisms. Even in mouse sperm, the pharmacologically documented participation of voltage-gated Ca(2+) (Ca(V)) channels and store-operated channels (SOCs) in the ZP-induced AR is being debated. The situation in human sperm is even less clear due to the limited availability of human ZP. Here, we used recombinant human ZP3 (rhZP3) produced in baculovirus-infected Sf9 cells to investigate the involvement of Ca(V) channels in the human sperm AR. Our findings showed that Ni(2+) and mibefradil at concentrations that block T-type or Ca(V)3 channels, and nimodipine and diltiazem that block L-type or Ca(V)1 channels, significantly inhibited the rhZP3-initiated AR. On the other hand, the AR was insensitive to concentrations of omega-Agatoxin IVA, omega-Conotoxin GVIA and SNX-482 that block P/Q, N and R-type channels, respectively (Ca(V)2 channels). Our overall findings suggest that Ca(V)1 and Ca(V)3 channels participate in human sperm AR. Consistent with this, we detected in human sperm transcripts for the Ca(V)1 auxiliary subunits, alpha(2)delta, beta(1), beta(2) and beta(4), but not the neuronal specific isoforms beta(3) and gamma(2)., (Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A case of meningitis due to Staphylococcus warneri in a patient with a hyperinfection with Strongyloides stercoralis possibly associated with rituximab treatment for mantel cell lymphoma is reported for the first time in the literature. The patient was a 59-year-old woman, with a 3-year history of an apparently well controlled lymphoma after treatment with chemotherapy-immunotherapy and then immunotherapy alone, and diagnosis of strongyloidiasis. Meningitis was diagnosed by cerebrospinal fluid culture and tested with an automated plate system. The patient was successfully treated with vancomycin; although fever and productive cough persisted. Severe gastrointestinal symptoms and pneumonia developed three weeks later. Hyperinfection syndrome by S. stercoralis was diagnosed, with abundant larvae in feces and expectoration.

Changes in free amino acids content and its potential racemization in ready-to-eat foods treated with E-beam irradiation between 1 and 8 kGy for sanitation purposes were studied. A simple heart cut two-dimensional high performance liquid chromatographic method (LC-LC) for the simultaneous enantiomeric determination of three pairs of amino acids used as markers (tyrosine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan) is presented. The proposed method involves the use of two chromatographs in an LC-LC achiral-chiral coupling. Amino acids and their decomposition products were firstly separated in a primary column (C(18)) using a mixture of ammonium acetate buffer (20 mM, pH 6) (94%) and methanol (6%) as the mobile phase. Then, a portion of each peak was transferred by heart cutting through a switching valve to a teicoplanin-chiral column. Methanol (90%)/water (10%) was used as the mobile phase. Ultraviolet detection was at 260 nm. Detection limits were between 0.16 and 3 mg L(-1) for each enantiomer. Recoveries were in the range 79-98%. The LC-LC method combined with the proposed sample extraction procedure is suitable for complex samples; it involves an online cleanup, and it prevents degradation of protein, racemization of L-enantiomers, and degradation of tryptophan. Under these conditions, D-amino acids were not found in any of the analyzed samples at detection levels of the proposed method.

Some of the optimization methods in reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) are based on resolution of the critical band pair. Mobile phase composition is changed systematically to establish those conditions giving an acceptable resolution for such a critical band pair, but sometimes the critical pair may change with the separation conditions, which obliges to identify it for each of those conditions. In the case of ionizable compounds, more than two bands may be involved in resolution, showing--in some cases--changes in the elution order when the mobile phase composition was modified. In this paper, an alternative way that does not identify the critical pair after changing experimental conditions is proposed. The relative separation of the three bands involved in two alternating critical band pairs is evaluated as a sort of conjugate or combined resolution, represented as contour maps vs. two variables (content of organic modifier and pH). These maps are obtained from data of chromatograms made under different separation conditions; these conditions were generated by experimental design and data was mathematically processed with a computer program. Analytes of three families that have acid-base properties, triazines, phenoxyacids, and phenols, were used for this purpose. The chromatographic behavior when elution order reversion of ionizable compounds exists is studied.

The use in the past of an imprecise terminology to designate vascular tumors has contributed to its incorrect diagnosis, and as a consequence, to inadequate treatment. In childhood, different types of vascular tumors may be present. Hemangiomas of infancy are by far the most frequent, and other less common types are congenital hemangiomas (rapidly involuting or RICH and non-involuting or NICH), kaposiform hemangioendothelioma, angioblastoma or tufted angioma and pyogenic granuloma. The correct knowledge and diagnosis, always in a multidisciplinary setting, is required to reduce incorrect diagnosis, unnecessary complementary examinations and invasive tests, and for the patient to receive the most effective and precise treatment in each case. This article reviews the historical evolution, nomenclature and classification of vascular lesions, the different clinical and pathological characteristics of each vascular tumor, the complementary examinations required correct diagnosis, the differential diagnosis, as well as highlighting the treatment options currently available for different vascular tumors and related clinical conditions.

Tityus trivittatus is the Argentinean scorpion reported to cause the majority of human fatalities in the country, however no systematic studies have been conducted with the venom of this species. This communication describes a general biochemical and immunological characterization of the venom obtained from T. trivittatus scorpions collected in the city of Buenos Aires and various provinces of Argentina: Catamarca, Cordoba, Entre Rios, La Rioja, Santa Fe and Santiago del Estero. These are places where human accidents were reported to occur due to this scorpion. For comparative purposes two types of samples were assayed: whole soluble venom obtained by electrical stimulation and supernatant from homogenized venomous glands. Two strains of mice (NIH and CF-1) were used for LD(50) determinations by two distinct routes of administration (intravenously and intraperitoneally). Important variations were found that goes from 0.5 to 12 mg/kg mouse body weight. Samples of soluble venom were always more potent than Telson homogenates. More complex pattern was observed in homogenates compared to soluble venom, as expected. This was supported by gel electrophoretic analysis and high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separations. Additionally, the HPLC profile was enriched in proteins resolved at similar elution times as other known toxins from scorpion venoms studied. Immune enzymatic assays were also conducted comparatively, using four different anti-venoms commercially available for treatment of scorpion stings (Argentinean antidote from INPB, two anti-venoms from Butantan Institute of Brazil and Alacramyn from the Mexican Bioclon Institute). Cross-reactivities were observed and are reported among the various venoms and anti-venoms used. Lung, heart, liver and pancreas pathological modifications were observed on tissues of intoxicated mice. It seems that there are important variations on the venom compositions of the various samples studied and reported here, depending on the geographical area where the scorpions were captured. The results reported here are important for the clinical outcome of human accidents., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The goal of the study described here was to determine if executive dysfunction and impulsivity are related to risk for suicide and suicide attempts in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy., Method: Forty-two patients with temporal lobe epilepsy were recruited. A detailed medical history, neurological examination, serial EEGs, Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, executive function, and MRI were assessed. Multiple regression analysis was carried out to examine predictive associations between clinical variables and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test measures., Results: Patients' scores on the Risk for Suicide Scale (n=24) were greater than 7, which means they had the highest relative risk for suicide attempts. Family history of psychiatric disease, current major depressive episode, left temporal lobe epilepsy, and perseverative responses and total errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test increased by 6.3 and 7.5 suicide risk and suicide attempts, respectively. Executive dysfunction (specifically perseverative responses and more total errors) contributed greatly to suicide risk., Conclusion: Executive performance has a major impact on suicide risk and suicide attempts in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy., (2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)