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The natural characteristics of biological agents by themselves allow their potential use for hostile purposes or in armed conflict and it would be impossible to foresee all possible dissemination methods of these entities. The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) is intended to prohibit the development, production, stockpiling and acquisition or transfer of biological and toxin weapons. The National Center for Agricultural Health (CENSA), when enrolled in the registry reorganizes internal safeguarding culture collections activity to ensure compliance to Resolution 2 / 2004 CITMA. With this objective, a system for inventory and retained control of biological material that demonstrates compliance with the regulations established in the country to ensure confidence in the handling of biological material, equipment and technologies and satisfy the requirements of the CAB, while also ensuring the processes of research, production and technical-services which in this center are developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which discussed how SURFACEN inhibits the growth of bacteria causing respiratory infections. The incubation of the Gram positive bacteria Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus with SURFACEN led to a decrease in bacterial growth. Likewise, the incubation of the Gram negative bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli with SURFACEN ended in a dose-dependent decrease in the volume of colony-forming units.

CIKRON-H and its major component were evaluated under stress conditions through the chromatographic profile, tannin indicators and polymerized polyphenolic compounds. Liquid chromatography with a reverse phase colum (C18) and methanol at 60% as mobile phase was used. The indicators that better reflect the degradation of the major component in CIKRON-H were total tannins, percentage of polymerized polyphenolic compounds (PPC) and chromatographic profile. The major compound partially purified showed a higher effect to oxidation than the product, increasing its coloration. Hydrogen peroxide constituted the best model to simulate an oxidation in the product under stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of the product CIKRON-H was evaluated in two presentations at real time during 12 months (flasks of polyethylene of high density with capacity for 30 and 500 mL). The indicators: pH, total tannins (TT), percentage of polymerized polyphenolic compounds (PPC), chromatographic profile of PPC and inhibition halo of the product did not show significant differences (p<0.05) between these presentations at zero time. The indicators that most varied in the time were: percentage and chromatographic profile of PPC and inhibition halo of the product, showing a significant regression coefficient (p<0.00001) from multiple regression analysis. The in vivo study for the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity and the accelerating effect in the cure process of skin wounds of the CIKRON-H lots at 12 months presented a similar behavior with a lot of new CIKRON-H (two months old). The validity period of the product CIKRON-H was established in 12 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of the microorganisms has been a key when facing and solving serious problems in humanity. This study involves the use of living cultures, and if their importance is proved, they should be maintained and preserved in a collection. For the establishment and operation of such collection at the National Center for Animal and Plant Health (CENSA), the requirements of the World Federation Culture Collection (WFCC, 1999) ISO 9001:2000, the Regulations of the Good Manufacture and Laboratory Practices, as well as the government dispositions for the management of biological agents were used. Such establishment allowed the development of aspects like: documentation, identification, authenticity, purity, viability and stability of strains; maintenance of equipment; procedures supplying and exchanging strains; long term security; control of the environmental conditions; audits; fulfillment of the legislations; staff; training and biosafety. Practical recommendations have been offered for the people in charge of collections of microorganisms and for the establishment of a Quality System that assures the management of biological agents which participate in the research, production and service processes offered by the scientific institution of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A long-term shelf stability or shelf life of a formulation is a critical factor in obtaining a quality product; moreover in natural products since they are often prone to deterioration, especially during storage. The stability of three pilot batches of a semisolid gel was evaluated at 5 ± 3 ℃ during the second year. They were obtained from R. mangle L bark aqueous extract. Lots were produced at pilot scale and packaged in internally lacquered aluminum tubes of 25 g. Physical-chemical and microbiological indicators were evaluated after 24 months of storage and compared with those obtained at the initial time and after 12 months. All batches showed stable organoleptic properties, pH 6 to 7, extensibility area of 30-50 cm², microbial limit <10² CFU/g, antimicrobial activity between 8-10 mg/g and rheological behavior of a non-newtonian fluid type Herschel Bulkley, without significant differences with the earlier times. The concentration of total tannins showed variation over time; however, this indicator was within the acceptance limit for a 13-30 mg/g formulation. These results allowed proposing a shelf life of the product of two years under the storage conditions tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Center of Animal and Plant Health has a technology for manufacturing an agriculture bionematicide known as KlamiC. It is obtained from the strain of the fungus SD 187 IMI Pochonia chlamydosporia var. catenulata (Kamyscho ex Barron and Onions) Zare and W. Gams, which is a biological control agent of root-knot nematodes. For five years, 98 batches of 25 kg at pilot scale have been produced, representing more than 1500 kg of product. The quality indicators of the product KlamiC have remained within the ranges established for the product with an average concentration of 1,6x107 chlamydospore.g of substrate-1, 91,32% viability of chlamydospores, 77,04% parasitism of M. incognita eggs, 5,43% water content and a concentration of micro-pollutants of 8,1x104 CFU.g of product-1. The application of the fermentation technology in solid state in polypropylene bags under the fulfillment of good manufacturing practices has enabled the obtaining of a quality inoculum, mainly used in characterization studies for toxicological and ecotoxicological testing, formulation, as well as in applications in sheltered crops and intensive orchards to demonstrate the capabilities of the fungus to settle in the soil and reduce nematode populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuban mangroves constitute the 5% of the country surface and they are distributed in the whole coast of the island. One of the species represented is Rhizophora mangle L. (red mangrove). From the bark of this plant, new drugs for human and veterinary use have been obtained. All the areas studied in the western region showed values of soluble substances (>14.5 mg/ml); ash (< 12%); total tannins (>6 mg/ml) and percentage of polymerized polyphenolic compounds (PPC) (>90%). Rhizophora mangle bark can be collected in every season. It is stable for more than one year when being stored in polyethylene sacks in a fresh place at room temperature (25 ± 5°C) with a relative humidity between 70-90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No properly evaluated surfactants are currently available in Cuba for the treatment of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and it is not known whether SURFACEN(c) and the SP-A protein are suitable for the formulation of this type of product. This study evaluated the biophysical, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of SURFACEN®, as well as the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of SP-A, to assess the potential for their use as the pharmacological basis of this new therapeutic product. Results proved that the biophysical properties of the Cuban surfactant are similar to those of the native surfactant, with superior interfacial characteristics when compared to CUROSURF® and thermotropic characteristic which are qualitatively different to those of homologous preparations. Similarly, in vivo models, showed that its anti-inflammatory activity decreases pulmonary edema, myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde concentrations and the total counts of inflammatory cells, restoring the normal values of the macrophage-polymorphonuclear ratio as well. A dose of 100 mg/kg, in a pleurisy model, decreased pleural exudation to levels comparable to those achieved by indomethacin. During in vitro assays, it also inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor a (TNF α) in activated monocytes, as well as the expression of the ICAM-1 adhesion molecule in endothelial cells. Studies in five pathogenic strains proved that it exhibits antibiotic activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria usually associated to respiratory infections. On the other hand, it is shown that pig or porcine SP-A can scavenger hydroxyl radicals and hypochlorous acid, can chelate iron, and has a protective effect in lung mitochondria and microsomes exposed to hydroxyl radicals. SP-A also protected SURFACEN® from the oxidative action of hypochlorous acid and hydroxyl radicals, as demonstrated by the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and a lower modification of the tensoactive properties of the surfactant when treated with these chemicals, as well as by the protection of the polyunsaturated fatty acids present in SURFACEN®. These new biophysical and immunomodulatory properties are the pharmacological supports for a prospective pharmaceutical formulation based on this surfactant and this protein, which can be used for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome. This study contributes to the search and endorsement of a pharmaceutical formulation that may become the choice therapy for a problem that currently remains unsolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En Cuba no se dispone de un surfactante idóneo para el tratamiento del síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo (SDRA), y se desconoce si el SURFACEN® y la SP-A reúnen las cualidades que permitan formular un producto adecuado para tales fines. Por ello, se evaluaron las propiedades biofísicas, antiinflamatorias y antimicrobianas del SURFACEN®, así como la actividad antioxidante y antibacteriana de la SP-A, para determinar si constituyen bases farmacológicas para la nueva indicación terapéutica. Los resultados demostraron que el surfactante cubano presenta propiedades biofísicas similares al surfactante nativo. Se destaca por poseer propiedades interfasiales superior a CUROSURF®, y por sus características termotrópicas, cualitativamente diferentes en comparación con las preparaciones homólogas. Asimismo, su acción antiinflamatoria en modelos in vivo disminuye el edema pulmonar, la actividad mieloperoxidasa, las concentraciones de malondialdehído, las células inflamatorias totales y restablece la relación macrófago-polimorfonuclear. En un modelo de pleuresía, con una dosis de 100 mg/kg, disminuyó el grado de exudado pleural y mostró un efecto comparable con la indometacina. En ensayos in vitro, inhibió la producción de factor de necrosis tumoral a (TNF α) en monocitos activados, así como la expresión de la molécula de adhesión ICAM-1 en células endoteliales. Los estudios con cinco cepas patógenas demostraron que posee actividad antibiótica frente a bacterias grampositivas y gramnegativas causantes de infecciones respiratorias. La SP-A porcina evidenció actividad secuestradora para el radical hidroxilo y el ácido hipocloroso, así como capacidad quelante de hierro, además de un efecto protector a mitocondrias y microsomas del pulmón expuestos al radical hidroxilo. A su vez, la SP-A protegió al SURFACEN® de la acción oxidativa generada por el ácido hipocloroso y por el radical hidroxilo. Esto se constató por la inhibición de la peroxidación lipídica y la menor modificación de las propiedades tensoactivas, así como por la protección de los ácidos grasos poliinsaturados de SURFACEN®. Las nuevas propiedades biofísicas y las inmunomodulatorias sirven de fundamento farmacológico para una futura formulación farmacéutica, a partir de este surfactante y de esa proteína, para el tratamiento del síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo. Este estudio contribuye a la búsqueda y sustentación de una formulación farmacéutica que pueda constituir la terapia de elección a un problema no resuelto aún en nuestros días. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3 liquid culture media: triptose soya broth supplemented with equine serum (TSB-es)/without supplement (TSB) and Casman broth (CB) were evaluated under different incubation conditions at 10% of CO2 and under aerobic conditions. There were no significant differences in the values of optic density for the TSB-es and CB media. However, on establishing the protein profile by PAGE-SDS for the evaluated conditions, the presence of protein of 14 kDa and the values of optic density allowed the selection of the CB medium for the culture of Gardnerella vaginalis. The sensitivity to different pH in this medium was studied. pH 7.2 proved to be optimum and it was established its growth cynetics. The analysis by PAGE-SDS of the complete cells corresponding to different clinical isolates of G. vaginalis with biochemical variations made possible to characterize the protein profile in this medium and showed similarity between the isolates.