Response of ligninolytic macrofungi to the herbicide atrazine: dose-response bioassays / Respuesta de macrohongos ligninolíticos al herbicida atrazina: bioensayos dosis-respuesta

The effect of atrazine concentrations on mycelial growth and ligninolytic enzyme activities of eight native ligninolytic macrofungi isolated in Veracruz, México, were evaluated in a semi-solid culture medium. Inhibition of mycelial growth and growth rates were significantly affected (p = 0.05) by atrazine concentrations (468, 937, 1875, and 3750 mg/l). In accordance with the median effective concentration (EC50), Pleurotus sp. strain 1 proved to be the most tolerant isolate to atrazine (EC50 = 2281.0 mg/l), although its enzyme activity was not the highest. Pycnoporus sanguineus strain 2, Daedalea elegans and Trametes maxima showed high laccase activity (62.7, 31.9, 29.3 U mg/protein, respectively) without atrazine (control); however, this activity significantly increased (p < 0.05) (to 191.1, 83.5 and 120.6 U mg/protein, respectively) owing to the effect of atrazine (937 mg/l) in the culture medium. Pleurotus sp. strain 2 and Cymatoderma elegans significantly increased (p < 0.05) their manganese peroxidase (MnP) activities under atrazine stress at 468 mg/l. The isolates with high EC50 (Pleurotus sp. strain 1) and high enzymatic activity (P. sanguineus strain 2 and T. maxima) could be considered for future studies on atrazine mycodegradation. Furthermore, this study confirms that atrazine can increase laccase and MnP activities in ligninolytic macrofungi.

Se evaluó el efecto de diferentes concentraciones de atrazina sobre el crecimiento micelial y la actividad enzimática de ocho macrohongos ligninolíticos aislados en Veracruz, México. La inhibición del crecimiento micelial y la tasa de crecimiento diaria fueron significativamente (p < 0,05) afectadas por todas las dosis de atrazina (468, 937, 1875 y 3750 mg/l) adicionadas al medio de cultivo. De acuerdo con la concentración efectiva media (CE50), Pleurotus sp. cepa 1 fue el aislamiento más tolerante a la atrazina (CE50 = 2281 mg/l), aunque sus actividades enzimáticas no fueron altas. Pycnoporus sanguineus cepa 2, Daedalea elegans y Trametes maxima mostraron actividades altas de lacasa (62,7, 31,9 y 29,3 U mg/proteína, respectivamente) en ausencia de atrazina (control); estas actividades se incrementaron (p < 0,05) significativamente (191,1, 83,5 y 120,6 U mg/proteína, respectivamente) en presencia de atrazina (937 mg/l) en el medio de cultivo. Pleurotus sp. cepa 2 y Cymatoderma elegans incrementaron significativamente (p < 0,05) sus actividades de manganeso peroxidasa (MnP) bajo la concentración de 468 mg/l de atrazina. Los aislamientos con alta CE50 (Pleurotus sp. cepa 1) y alta actividad enzimática (P. sanguineus cepa 2 y T. maxima) podrían ser considerados para futuros estudios en la micodegradación de atrazina. Además, el presente estudio confirma que la atrazina puede incrementar las actividades lacasa y MnP en macrohongos ligninolíticos.

Enhancement of ligninolytic enzyme activities in a Trametes maxima-Paecilomyces carneus co-culture: Key factors revealed after screening using a Plackett-Burman experimental design

Background In the industrial biotechnology, ligninolytic enzymes are produced by single fungal strains. Experimental evidence suggests that co-culture of ligninolytic fungi and filamentous microfungi results in an increase laccase activity. In this topic, only the ascomycete Trichoderma spp. has been studied broadly. However, fungal ligninolytic-filamentous microfungi biodiversity interaction in nature is abundant and poorly studied. The enhancement of laccase and manganese peroxidase (MnP) activities of Trametes maxima as a function of time inoculation of Paecilomyces carneus and under several culture conditions using Plackett-Burman experimental design (PBED) were investigated. Results The highest increases of laccase (12,382.5 U/mg protein) and MnP (564.1 U/mg protein) activities were seen in co-cultures I3 and I5, respectively, both at 10 d after inoculation. This level of activity was significantly different from the enzyme activity in non-inoculated T. maxima (4881.0 U/mg protein and 291.8 U/mg protein for laccase and MnP, respectively). PBED results showed that laccase was increased (P < 0.05) by high levels of glucose, (NH4)2SO4 and MnSO4 and low levels of KH2PO4, FeSO4 and inoculum (P < 0.05). In addition, MnP activity was increased (P < 0.05) by high yeast extract, MgSO4, CaCl2 and MnSO4 concentrations. Conclusions Interaction between indigenous fungi: T. maxima-P. carneus improves laccase and MnP activities. The inoculation time of P. carneus on T. maxima plays an important role in the laccase and MnP enhancement. The nutritional requirements for enzyme improvement in a co-culture system are different from those required for a monoculture system.

Relaciones entre los hongos filamentosos y solubilizadores de fosfatos con algunas variables edáficas y el manejo de cafetales / Filamentous and phosphate solubilizing fungi relationships with some edaphic parameters and coffee plantations management

Soil properties and the environment have multiple outcomes on fungal communities. Although, the interaction effects between management intensity, pH, available phosphorus, organic carbon, soil texture and different fractions of water stable macro-aggregates on the communities of microscopic filamentous fungi (MFF), iron phosphate solubilizing fungi (PSF-Fe), and iron and calcium phosphate solubilizing fungi (PSF-(Fe+Ca)), have been previously evaluated in field conditions, this has never been performed in terms of their combined effects, neither with phosphate solubilizing fungi. To assess this, we collected 40 composite soil samples from eight Mexican and Colombian coffee plantations, with different management intensities and physico-chemical edaphic parameters, during 2008-2009. We isolated different communities of MFF, PSFFe and PSF-(Fe+Ca), by wet sieving and soil particles culture in Potato-Dextrose-Agar from soil samples, and we classified isolates in terms of their phosphate solubilizing ability. Following the principal component analysis results, we decided to analyze fungal communities and abiotic factors interactions for each country separately. Structural Equation Models revealed that organic carbon was positively associated to MFF richness and number of isolates (λ>0.58), but its relationship with PSF-Fe and PSF-(Fe+Ca) were variable; while the available phosphorus, pH and water stable macro-aggregate fractions did not show a clear pattern. Management intensity was negatively related to PSF-Fe (λ≤-0.21) morphotype richness and the number of isolates in Colombian coffee plantations. We found that the relationships of clay and organic carbon content, and available phosphorus and soil pH, with the species richness and number of isolates of MFF, PSF-Fe and PSF-(Fe+Ca) were highly variable; this made impossible to generalize the responses between saprotrophic fungal groups and geographic zones. The management intensity was not related to species richness and number of isolates of MFF in any coffee areas, while for PSF the relationship could not be defined. The different water stable macro-aggregates fractions did not show a defined pattern in relation to the species richness and the number of isolates of saprophytic and phosphate solubilizing fungi (PSF). This study highlights the need to take into account edaphic and geographic context in order to reach a better understanding of the intensity management effects on MFF and PSF function in agroecosystems.

El suelo y sus propiedades tienen múltiples relaciones con las comunidades fúngicas. El efecto conjunto de la intensidad de manejo y las variables edáficas, incluida la estabilidad de agregados sobre las comunidades de hongos microscópicos filamentosos (HMF), solubilizadores de fosfato de hierro (HSP-Fe) y solubilizadores tanto de fosfato de hierro como de calcio (HSP-(Fe+Ca)) no han sido evaluadas en campo. A partir de 40 muestras edáficas de ocho plantaciones de café de Colombia y México, con diferentes intensidades de manejo (IMPC) y con diferencias en sus variables edáficas, se aislaron y evaluaron las comunidades de HMF, HSP-Fe y HSP-(Fe+Ca) durante 2008-2009. Empleando modelos basados en ecuaciones estructurales se encontró que el carbono orgánico se relacionó positivamente con la riqueza y abundancia de HMF (λ>0.58) y fue variable en su relación con HSP-Fe y HSP-(Fe+Ca). Las relaciones del fósforo disponible, pH y las fracciones de macro-agregados fueron altamente variables. El IMPC se relacionó negativamente con HSP-Fe (λ≤-0.21) en cafetales colombianos. Se discuten las interacciones para cada conjunto de variables (químicas, estabilidad de macro-agregados y de manejo de plantación) y se explican las relaciones resultantes. Las relaciones de cada variable son inseparables del contexto edáfico y geográfico, los cuales imprimen marcadas diferencias.

Primer caso de hemoglobina Koln (codon98 GTC mayor ATG) en Costa Rica / First case of hemoglobin Koln (codon98 GTC mayor ATG) in Costa Rica

La exposición a ciertos medicamentos puede provocar anemia hemolítica con presencia de cuerpos de Heinz en sangre periférica. Esta anemia puede presentarse por sobredosis de medicamentos, tanto en individuos sanos como en personas con deficiencias enzimáticas como la glucosa-6-fosfato deshidrogenasa, o en presencia de hemoglobinas inestables. Este reporte muestra un caso de anemia hemolítica con cuerpos de Heinz, debido a la presencia de una hemoglobina inestable, cuyos estudios moleculares y HPLC confirmaron el primer caso descrito de hemoglobina Koln (Val98Met) en Costa Rica.

Exposure to certain drugs may result in hemolytic anemia with the appearance of Heinz-bodies in red blood cells. Thistype of hemolytic anemia may occur by simple drug overdosage in absence of any known abnormality, such as innormal persons or in patients with erithroid enzyme defects (e.g. G6PD deficiency) or unstable hemoglobins.1 The present report shows a Heinz-body hemolytic anemia because of an abnormal hemoglobin. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and molecular analysis confirmed the first case of Hemoglobin Köln in Costa Rica.

Hemoglobinas anormales en la población neonatal de Costa Rica

Abnormal haemoglobins in the newborn human population of Costa Rica. Hemoglobinopathies are hereditary autosomic recessive diseases. A total of 70 943 samples of whole blood collected by heel prick in filter paper (S&S 903) from throughout Costa Rica (October 2005-October 2006) were analyzed to detect variants of hemoglobin by the iso-electric focusing technique. Eight hundred ninety one cases presented some variant, for a frecuency of 1/79. Five cases are homozygous for hemoglobin S (sickle cell disease) and one shows the double heterozygous genotype SC. in this study the S and C variants of hemoglobin, although with some local differences, are widespread all over the country. Thus, the prevention of new cases is important through the testing of hemoglobin in the Costa Rican National Newborn Screening Program, together with a interdisciplinary National Program of Education for the disease and carrier status (AS/AC) for patients, families and medicar personnel. This is the basis for proper genetic counseling, to improve treatment and to reduce morbi-mortality. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (3): 995-1001. Epub 2008 September 30.

Se han analizado un total de 70 943 muestras de sangre total en papel filtro S&S 903 de neonatos de Costa Rica (octubre 2005 a Octubre 2006) con el fin de detectar variantes de hemoglobina mediante la técnica de isoelectroenfoque. Se detectaron 891 casos con alguna variante para una frecuencia de 1/79. Se clasifican 5 casos homocigotos para hemoglobina S (anemia drepanocítica o anemia falciforme) y un caso doble heterocigoto para SC. En este estudio se demuestra que las variantes fenotípicas de hemoglobina S como la C, se encuentran distribuidas por todo el país con algunas diferencias locales, razón por la cual es importante que la prevención de nuevos casos se realicé a través de nuestro Programa Nacional de Tamizaje de Hemoglobinas junto con un Programa Nacional interdisciplinario de Educación para el portador del rasgo (AS/AC) como, para el enfermo y su familia; al igual que la instauración de programas dirigidos a médicos generales y enfermeras en todas las regiones de salud del país, para asegurar consejo genético a portadores y enfermos, y a la vez, mejorar los sistemas de tratamiento a los pacientes para reducir la morbi -mortalidad.

Evolution and innovations of the National Neonatal and High Risk Screening Program in Costa Rica: [review]

We present the evolution, organization and results of the National Neonatal and High Risk Screening Program in Costa Rica (PNT). This program has been working uninterruptedly for more than fourteen years. Costa Rica currently has a literacy rate of 95%. To August 2004 the rate of infant mortality was 9.74 per 1000 births and to 2003, life expectancy was 76.3 years for men and 81.1 years for women. The control of infectious and parasitic diseases, as well as of severe malnutrition, has given room to a prevalence of chronic diseases with a pathology profile similar to that of a developed country. The clinical observation, mainly starting from early 70s, of a growing number of patients with mental retardation and other disabilities caused by congenital hypothyroidism and hereditary metabolic diseases that could have been prevented in many cases with an early diagnosis and opportune treatment, led us to the decision to implement a systematically massive neonatal screening for these diseases. The presence of a single Public System of Social Security in Costa Rica, which currently includes from primary health care up to the hospitals of tertiary attention, with a single Children's Hospital for the whole country, as well as communication facilities, are factors that offered, in principle, favorable conditions for this effort, even for a developing country. To September 2004, 835,217 children have been screened. There is a coverage of 95.1% of the newborns in the country. Also to this date, 259 children with congenital hypothyroidism, 18 with phenylketonuria, 20 with the maple syrup disease, 30 with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and 10 with galactosemia have been detected, confirmed and treated, for a total of 337 children that were spared of mental retardation, other disabilities and even death. Massive neonatal screening for organic acidemias recently started in June of 2004. Cystic fibrosis is under a pilot study and the screening for hemoglobinopathies and...

Tratamiento en el esguince del tobillo: vendaje funcional y ultrasonido / Treatment in the sprain of ankle: functional bandage and ultrasound

En el presente reporte preliminar se evaluó el efecto de un tratamiento funcional para esguince del tobillo (grado I y II), con lesión del ligamento peroneo astragalino anterior. Siete pacientes pertenecientes al sistema de mutualidades,fueron sometidos a un protocolo de tratamiento consistente en vendaje funcional (taping) y ultrasonido. Las variables dependientes en estudio fueron: a) prueba de posición en punta de pies; b) signo de tirón anterior; e) dolor; d) goníometría; e) extensión de tratamiento. El análisis estadístico se realizó por t de student y chi cuadrado. Los resultados obtenidos indican que el tratamiento funcional produjo mejoría en las pruebas defunción-estabilidad y de dolor, de manera altamente significativas (p< O.05 y p< O.Ol repectivamente). No hubo significativa variación en la goniometría ni en el tiempo de permanencia en el sistema de accidentes de trabajo. Si bien es evidente el beneficio del tratamiento funcional, debido al tamaño de la muestra, no es posible formular conclusiones definitivas. En forma cautelosa se extrapola la ventaja de un tratamientofuncíonal más precoz