ABSTRACT
Phoneutria nigriventer spider venom contains several cysteine-rich peptide toxins that act on different ion channels. Despite extensive studies on its venom and description of cDNA sequences of several of its toxin precursors, the gene structure of these toxins remains unknown. Methods: Genomic regions encoding the precursors of three previously characterized P. nigriventer toxins - PnTx1, PnTx2-5 and PnTx4(5-5) - were amplified by PCR using specific primers. PCR fragments were cloned and sequenced. Obtained sequences were compared with their corresponding cDNA sequences. Results: The size of PCR fragments obtained and sequences corresponding to genomic regions encoding for the toxin precursors matched their cDNA sequences. Conclusions: Despite a few nucleotide substitutions in the genomic regions encoding for the toxin precursors when compared with cDNA sequences, the results of the present work indicate that P. nigriventer toxins do not contain introns in their genes sequences.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Spider Venoms , Introns , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Sequence Analysis , Cysteine , NucleotidesABSTRACT
Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar y confirmar la estructura trifactorial de la Escala Barratt de Impulsividad (BIS-11) propuesta para adultos (Patton, Stanford y Barratt, 1995) en una muestra de 600 niños y adolescentes entre 9 y 17 años de edad (M = 12.9, DT = 2.3). Para el análisis factorial los datos fueron divididos aleatoriamente en dos. Con la primera submuestra se realizó el Análisis Factorial Exploratorio, en el que se identificaron tres dimensiones. Posteriormente, con la segunda submuestra se llevó a cabo el Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio. La solución factorial resultante de 19 ítems arroja adecuados indicadores de ajuste (CFI = .909, IFI = .912, RMSEA = .043 CI [.032 - .054], x2/gl = 1.561). El alfa Cronbach total ha sido a = .795. Las escalas obtienen coeficientes aceptables para estas edades, Impulsividad Atencional con a = .641, Impulsividad Motora a = .659 e Impulsividad no Planificadora a = .727.
Abstract The aim of this study was to identify and confirm the trifactorial structure of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) proposed for adults by Patton, Stanford and Barratt (1995) in a sample of children and adolescents. The sample consisted of 600 children between of 9 and 17 years old (M = 12.9, SD=2.3). For the factorial analysis the data were divided into two random samples. In the first subsample the Exploratory Factorial Analysis was performed, and three dimensions were identified. Subsequently, in the second subsample, Confirmatory Factor Analysis was performed. The factorial solution of 19 items showed adequate fit (CFI = .909, IFI = .912, RMSEA = .043 CI [.032 - .054], x2/gl = 1.561). The total Cronbach alpha was a = .795. Each scale has acceptable coefficients: Attentional Impulsiveness a = .641, Motor Impulsiveness a = .659 and Non-planning Impulsiveness a = .727.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Adolescent , Surveys and Questionnaires , Impulsive Behavior , Psychometrics , Reproducibility of Results , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Age FactorsABSTRACT
Abstract Background Hadruroides lunatus is the most abundant scorpion species in the Peruvian central coast, where most of the accidents involving humans are registered. In spite of its prevalence, there are only very few studies on H. lunatus envenomation. The aim of the present study was to analyze the cardiorespiratory alterations caused by H. lunatus envenomation in rodents. Methods Wistar rats injected with H. lunatus scorpion venom were submitted to electrocardiography. After euthanasia, rat lungs were collected and histopathologically analyzed. Mouse cardiomyocytes were used to perform immunofluorescence and calcium transient assays. Data were analyzed by ANOVA or Students t-test. The significance level was set at p 0.05. Results It was observed that H. lunatus venom increased heart rate and caused arrhythmia, thereby impairing the heart functioning. Lungs of envenomed animals showed significant alterations, such as diffuse hemorrhage. In addition, immunofluorescence showed that H. lunatus venom was capable of binding to cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes incubated with H. lunatus venom showed a significant decrease in calcium transient, confirming that H. lunatus venom exerts a toxic effect on heart. Conclusion Our results showed that H. lunatus venom is capable of inducing cardiorespiratory alterations, a typical systemic effect of scorpionism, stressing the importance of medical monitoring in envenomation cases.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Background Hadruroides lunatus is the most abundant scorpion species in the Peruvian central coast, where most of the accidents involving humans are registered. In spite of its prevalence, there are only very few studies on H. lunatus envenomation. The aim of the present study was to analyze the cardiorespiratory alterations caused by H. lunatus envenomation in rodents. Methods Wistar rats injected with H. lunatus scorpion venom were submitted to electrocardiography. After euthanasia, rat lungs were collected and histopathologically analyzed. Mouse cardiomyocytes were used to perform immunofluorescence and calcium transient assays. Data were analyzed by ANOVA or Student’s t-test. The significance level was set at p< 0.05. Results It was observed that H. lunatus venom increased heart rate and caused arrhythmia, thereby impairing the heart functioning. Lungs of envenomed animals showed significant alterations, such as diffuse hemorrhage. In addition, immunofluorescence showed that H. lunatus venom was capable of binding to cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes incubated with H. lunatus venom showed a significant decrease in calcium transient, confirming that H. lunatus venom exerts a toxic effect on heart. Conclusion Our results showed that H. lunatus venom is capable of inducing cardiorespiratory alterations, a typical systemic effect of scorpionism, stressing the importance of medical monitoring in envenomation cases.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Heart/drug effects , Scorpion Venoms/adverse effects , Scorpion Venoms/toxicity , Electrocardiography/methods , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Rats, Wistar , Scorpion Venoms/administration & dosageABSTRACT
In this work, polyclonal antibodies anti-human Factor IX were produced in New Zealand rabbits by immunization with commercial pure human FIX (hFIX) (Octanyne®, Octapharma, USA). The serum containing immunoglobulins anti-hFIX was useful to detect hFIX antigen in human plasma fractions submitted to anionic exchange chromatographic process and with a large yield. Immunoassays (ELISA) using bovine serum albumin, trypsin and peptides generated by cleavage assays with trypsin as digestion enzyme was performed and revealed adequate specificity of the polyclonal antibodies produced.
Neste trabalho foram produzidos anticorpos policlonais anti-fator IX humano em coelhos New Zealand imunizados com FIX humano (hFIX) comercial puro (Octanyne®, Octapharma, EUA). O soro contendo as imunoglobulinas anti-hFIX foi útil para a detecção do antígeno hFIX em frações do plasma humano submetido a cromatografia de troca iônica. Imunoensaios (ELISA) usando soro-albumina bovina, tripsina e peptídeos gerados por ensaios de clivagem com tripsina com enzima de digestão foram realizados e revelaram especificidade adequada dos anticorpos policlonais produzidos.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Pregnancy , Adult , Toxoplasmosis/diagnosis , Toxoplasmosis/prevention & control , Toxoplasmosis/transmissionABSTRACT
Se hace un recuento de la epidemiología, del diagnóstico, de la evolución y la profilaxis de la toxoplasmosis. Para que la toxoplasmosis sea congénita es indispensable que la infección sea adquirida durante el embarazo que cursa. Se estudia la formación de anticuerpos en la madre y en el feto. Se analizan los criterios que deben primar para el inicio del tratamiento en la mujer embarazadaA