Effect of nitrate, ammonium and phosphate on the growth and microcystin production of Korean Microcystis species

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of nitrogen (NO3-N, NH3-N) and phosphorus (PO4-P) on the growth and microcystin production of two bloom-forming Microcystis species (toxic M. aeruginosa MAHC160824 and non-toxic M. viridis MVHC160824).Methodology: The two Microcystis species were isolated from the lower reaches of the Nakdong river, South Korea. In the culture experiments, the average nutrient concentrations (NH3-N, NO3-N and PO4-P) at which Microcystis appeared (> 15°C) was used as control medium. Different concentrations of NH3-N, NO3-N and PO4-P were then employed in nutrient testing (control, vs. 4 times and 16 times higher than the control). Microcystin levels were measured using a UPLC™ (LC MS/MS) system. Results: Both toxic and non-toxic Microcystis strains exhibited a maximum cell density at 30°C and a maximum growth rate at 25-30°C. In the nutrient addition assays, the maximum growth of two Microcystis species were found at nutrient concentrations 4 to 16 times higher than the control (NH3-N: 0.468 mg l-1, PO4-P: 0.100 mg l-1, NO3-N: 32.5 mg l-1). The highest microcystin production levels were found under optimal growth conditions. The microcystin levels of toxic M. aeruginosa MAHC160824 were below the detection limit despite a higher number of cells (> 300,000 cells ml-1) at the same nutrients concentrations as those found in raw water from the Nakdong river. Interpretation: Higher production of microcystin occurs when there is an increase in NH3-N and PO4-P within a restricted range in toxic species M. aeruginosa MAHC160824, else the production is low

Screening for galactosemia: Philippines experience. Newborn Screening Study Group.

Galactosemia is an inborn error of galactose metabolism due to a deficiency of any of the galactokinase, galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT), or epimerase enzymes. The Philippines, with its pilot newborn screening project, has been screening for this disorder for 2 years now. A total of 62,841 babies have been screened using the galactose and galactose-1-phosphate spot test. Confirmatory testing is done by the newborn screening laboratory of the The New Children's Hospital in Westmead, Australia. Two cases of galactosemia: 1 classical galactosemia and 1 galactokinase deficiency have so far been confirmed. Clinical review, problems encountered, and management are described. Long-term outcome of these patients, however, is yet to be determined.

O papel da biópsia renal percutânea no transplante renal / The value of percutaneous renal biopsy in kidney transplantation

A biópsia renal percutânea (BRP) vem sendo utilizada como padräo-ouro para o diagnóstico das disfunçöes renais pós-transplante renal. OBJETIVO. Avaliar o papel atual da BRP como modificadora do diagnóstico e conduta nas disfunçöes renais agudas (DRA) pós-transplante renal. MÉTODOS. Foram estudados 67 pacientes tranplantados renais como disfunçöes renais agudas submetidos a 95 biópsias válidas feitas à beira do leito, sem complicaçöes maiores. RESULTADOS. Foi observado discordância entre o diagnóstico clínico e o patológico em 28 ocasiöes (29,5 por cento). Em 36 situaçöes (37,9 por cento) os resultados dos exames histopatológicos levaram a mudanças no manejo dos pacientes. Entre essas modificaçöes destacam-se: suspensäo do pulso de esteróides (oito casos); nefrectomia do enxerto renal (oito casos); suspensäo ou diminuiçäo da dosagem de ciclosporina (seis casos); início de pulso de esteróides (cinco casos) e início de antibioticoterapia por pielonefrite aguda em quatro casos. O uso de rins de doadores cadavéricos esteve significativamente associado a uma freqüência aumentada de biópsia renais (p < 0,05). CONCLUSAO. Esses resultados demonstram que, apesar da existência de métodos menos invasivos, a BRP permanece sendo um método indispensável no manejo do paciente transplantado renal com DRA