Genome size in three species of Glandularia and their hybrids / Tamaño del genoma en tres especies de Glandularia y sus híbridos

In this work the relationship between genome size of Glandularia species and the meiotic configurations found in their hybrids are discussed. Glandularia incisa (Hook.) Tronc., growing in two localities of Corrientes and Córdoba provinces, Argentina, with different ecological conditions, showed inter-population variability of the 2C-value. The DNA content found in the Corrientes locality (2.41 pg) was higher than that obtained in the Córdoba locality (2.09 pg) which has more stressful environmental conditions than the former. These values are statistically different from those that were found in Glandularia pulchella (Sweet) Tronc. from Corrientes (1.43 pg) and in Glandularia perakii Cov. et Schn from Córdoba (1.47 pg). The DNA content of the diploid F1 hybrids, G. pulchella × G. incisa and G. perakii × G. incisa, differed statistically from the DNA content of the parental species, being intermediate between them. Differences in the frequency of pairing of homoeologous chromosomes were observed in the hybrids; these differences cannot be explained by differences in genome size since hybrids with similar DNA content differ significantly in their meiotic behavior. On the other hand, the differences in the DNA content between the parental species justify the presence of a high frequency of heteromorphic open and closed bivalents and univalents with different size in the hybrids.

En el presente trabajo se discute la relación entre el tamaño del genoma en especies de Glandularia y las configuraciones meióticas encontradas en sus híbridos. El valor 2C mostró variabilidad interpoblacional en muestras de Glandularia incisa (Hook.) Tronc. coleccionadas en dos localidades con diferentes condiciones ecológicas (provincias de Corrientes y Córdoba, Argentina). El contenido de ADN encontrado en Corrientes (2,41 pg) fue mayor que el obtenido en Córdoba (2,09 pg) donde se registran condiciones ambientales más estresantes. Estos valores son estadísticamente diferentes de los determinados en Glandularia pulchella (Sweet) Tronc. de Corrientes (1.43 pg) y en Glandularia perakii Cov. et Schn de Córdoba (1.47 pg). El contenido de ADN de los híbridos diploides F1, G. pulchella × G. incisa y G. perakii × G. incisa, difirió estadísticamente del contenido de ADN registrado en las especies parentales siendo intermedio entre ellas. Las diferencias observadas en la frecuencia de apareamiento de cromosomas homeólogos no pueden explicarse por diferencias en el tamaño del genoma, ya que híbridos con un contenido de ADN similar difieren significativamente en su comportamiento meiótico. Sin embargo, la diferencia en el contenido de ADN entre las especies parentales explica la presencia de una alta frecuencia de bivalentes heteromórficos tanto abiertos como cerrados y univalentes con diferentes tamaños.

Inseminação em ovelhas por videolaparoscopia por meio de acesso único: relato de caso / Videolaparoscopic insemination in sheeps: case report

A inseminação artificial (IA) proporciona melhoramento genético, intensifica o manejo animal e possibilita a utilização de sêmen de reprodutores que se encontram em diferentes regiões do país, bem como de animais de alto valor zootécnico que já morreram ou de machos que possuem subfertilidade. Por peculiaridades anatômicas das ovelhas, a inseminação artificial intrauterina transcervical é dificultosa. Dessa forma, bons resultados na IA são alcançados quando há deposição do sêmen diretamente dentro do útero, realizada por meio de laparoscopia. Atualmente, diversas técnicas laparoscópicas são utilizadas para inseminação; os métodos rotineiramente empregados são realizados através de dois ou três portais de acesso. O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de verificar a viabilidade de uma nova técnica de inseminação videolaparoscópica intrauterina em ovelhas, com o uso de um acesso único, visando a um procedimento mais eficaz, mais rápido, com menor trauma tecidual e com menor contaminação bacteriana, a fim de minimizar o desconforto pós-operatório. A média do tempo cirúrgico foi de 5,92 minutos. Não foram encontradas dificuldades para realização dos procedimentos, e os animais recuperaram-se sem nenhuma complicação. A utilização de um único acesso mostrou-se eficaz, pois reduziu o tempo cirúrgico e não apresentou complicações.(AU)

Artificial Insemination (AI) provides genetic gain, enhances animal management and enables the use of semen from rams that are in different regions of the country, high-value livestock animals that have died or males who have subfertility. Because of anatomical peculiarities of sheep, transcervical intrauterine insemination is troublesome, thus good results in IA are achieved when there is deposition of semen directly into the uterus, performed by laparoscopy. Currently, various techniques are used for laparoscopic insemination, those routinely employed are conducted using two or three access portals. This study aims to verify the feasibility of a new laparoscopic intrauterine insemination in sheep using a single access, aiming at a more effective and faster procedure with less tissue trauma, minimizing post-operative discomfort and lower bacterial contamination. The mean operative time was 5,92 minutes, there were no difficulties in the procedures and the animals recovered without complications. The use of a single access was effective, reducing the time of the surgery and complications weren't observed.(AU)

Megacolon tóxico en una paciente con colitis seudomembranosa / Toxic megacolon in a patient with colitis pseudomembranous

La colitis seudomembranosa es una patología relacionada con el uso de antibióticos. En raras ocasiones, evoluciona a megacolon tóxico que podría requerir resolución quirúrgica. Comunicamos el caso de una mujer de 22 años, que recibió amoxicilina/ácido clavulánico unos días antes de la consulta. Presentó diarrea, fiebre y vómitos. Radiografía y tomografía computarizada de abdomen: distensión de colon derecho >6 cm. Toxina para Clostridium: positiva. Comienza con el tratamiento médico y requiere cirugía por megacolon tóxico. El megacolon tóxico es una complicación infrecuente de la colitis seudomembranosa. Es rara en pacientes jóvenes y sin comorbilidades. Se llega al diagnóstico mediante los criterios de Jalan. La tasa de mortalidad se aproxima al 70%. Se debe mantener alto nivel de alerta ante signos de toxicidad sistémica y la dilatación colónica es diagnóstica de la entidad. El uso indiscriminado de antibióticos constituye un serio factor de riesgo.(AU)

Pseudomembranous colitis is a condition associated with the use of antibiotics. On rare occasions, it evolves to toxic megacolon which may require surgical resolution. We report the case of a 22-year-old woman who received amoxicillin/clavulanic acid a few days before the consultation. She referred diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Radiography and computed tomography of abdomen: distension of the right colon >6 cm. Clostridium toxin: positive. Medical treatment is administered and surgery is needed for toxic megacolon. Toxic megacolon is an infrequent complication of pseudomembranous colitis. It is rare in young patients without comorbidities. The diagnosis is reached using the Jalan criteria. The mortality rate approaches 70%. A high level of alertness should be maintained for signs of systemic toxicity and colonic dilation is diagnostic of the entity. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics is a serious risk factor.(AU)

Incremento na dissolução da caffeine em base de ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer: desenvolvimento farmacotécnico de géis anti-celulite / Dissolution enhancement of caffeine in the ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer base: pharmaceutical development of anti-cellulite gels

A hidrolipodistrofia ginóide (HLDG), popularmente conhecida como ?celulite?, consiste em uma alteração patológica do tecido adiposo e da função veno- linfática. Géis contendo caffeine tem sido empregados no tratamento não-invasivo da HLDG, oferecendo resultados satisfatórios a baixos custos. Devido a baixa hidrossolubilidade da caffeine, este gel apresenta como principal inconveniente a formação de precipitados/ grumos, oriundos da precipitação da caffeine na base hidrofílica (gel). Este trabalho tem como objetivo o incremento na dissolução da caffeine em gel de Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, através da adição de adjuvantes como o citric acid e o sodium benzoate, além de solução hidroalcoólica, empregada como co-solvente da caffeine. O incremento na dissolução da caffeine foi verificado através da determinação do seu teor nos géis. Além disso, todas as amostras foram submetidas a análises macroscópicas e determinações de pH e viscosidade. A análise macroscópica permitiu a nítida visualização dos precipitados/grumos nos géis preparados sem os adjuvantes, enquanto que o emprego dos mesmos originou géis sem a presença de precipitados. A determinação do teor de caffeine demonstrou que os adjuvantes e co-solvente quase dobraram a concentração deste ativo nos géis. O pH do gel e a concentração de citric acid não influenciaram na dissolução da caffeine. Por outro lado, esses parâmetros influenciaram negativamente na viscosidade dos géis, o que parece ter sido ocasionado pela instabilidade do ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP copolymer em valores baixos de pH. Com isso, o aumento na dissolução da caffeine no gel anti-celulite parece ter sido ocasionada pela formação de sais hidrossolúveis com os adjuvantes empregados.(AU)

Gynoid hydrolipodystrophy, popularly known as cellulite, is a pathological alteration of the adipose tissue and the venous-lymphatic system. Gels containing caffeine has been used as a non-invasive treatment of cellulite offering satisfactory results at low costs. Due to the low aqueous solubility of caffeine, this gel has a major drawback, which is the formation of a drug precipitate in the hydrophilic excipient (ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP copolymer gel). The aim of this work is to increase the dissolution of caffeine in the gel by adding adjuvants such as citric acid and sodium benzoate, as well as a water-alcohol solution as a co-solvent for caffeine. The increase in the dissolution of caffeine was verified by determining its content in the gel. In addition, all samples were subjected to macroscopic analysis, pH determinations and viscosity measurements. Macroscopic analysis allowed a clear visualization of a white precipitate in the gels prepared without the adjuvants, whereas the use of both adjuvants and the water-alcohol solution avoided the precipitation of caffeine. Determination of caffeine content showed that the adjuvants and co-solvent nearly doubled the concentration of this drug in the gels. The pH of the gel and the concentration of citric acid did not influence the dissolution of caffeine, whereas the viscosity of the gel was negatively influenced by these parameters, which seems to be caused by the instability of ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP copolymer at low pH. Thus, the increase in the dissolution of caffeine seems to have been caused by the formation of water-soluble salts with the adjuvants used.(AU)

Behavioral meaningful opioidergic stimulation activates kappa receptor gene expression

The periaqueductal gray (PAG) has been reported to be a location for opioid regulation of pain and a potential site for behavioral selection in females. Opioid-mediated behavioral and physiological responses differ according to the activity of opioid receptor subtypes. The present study investigated the effects of the peripheral injection of the kappa-opioid receptor agonist U69593 into the dorsal subcutaneous region of animals on maternal behavior and on Oprk1 gene activity in the PAG of female rats. Female Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g at the beginning of the study were randomly divided into 2 groups for maternal behavior and gene expression experiments. On day 5, pups were removed at 7:00 am and placed in another home cage that was distant from their mother. Thirty minutes after removing the pups, the dams were treated with U69593 (0.15 mg/kg, sc) or 0.9% saline (up to 1 mL/kg) and after 30 min were evaluated in the maternal behavior test. Latencies in seconds for pup retrieval, grouping, crouching, and full maternal behavior were scored. The results showed that U69593 administration inhibited maternal behavior (P < 0.05) because a lower percentage of kappa group dams showed retrieval of first pup, retrieving all pups, grouping, crouching and displaying full maternal behavior compared to the saline group. Opioid gene expression was evaluated using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A single injection of U69593 increased Oprk1 PAG expression in both virgin (P < 0.05) and lactating female rats (P < 0.01), with no significant effect on Oprm1 or Oprd1 gene activity. Thus, the expression of kappa-opioid receptors in the PAG may be modulated by single opioid receptor stimulation and behavioral meaningful opioidergic transmission in the adult female might occur simultaneously to specific changes in gene expression of kappa-opioid receptor subtype. This is yet another alert for the complex role of the opioid ...

Modificación de las reservas orgánicas secundaria a sugerencias alimentarias en alumnos de la Licenciatura en Nutrición de la UBA / Changes in organic reserves following food suggestions in students of nutrition (bachelor) from the university of Bs. As

Introducción: La valoración del estado nutricional como indicador de salud, permite la identificación de grupos de riesgo, ya sea por déficit o exceso de la reservas, aceptándose que dichos factores aumentan la morbimortalidad por enfermedades asociadas. Esta realidad no es ajena a la población universitaria. En Estados Unidos, el sobrepeso y la obesidad resultan frecuentes, asociados a una historia familiar de obesidad, mientras que en nuestro ámbito el sobrepeso y la obesidad no superan el 12%. Una investigación realizada en la carrera de Licenciatura en Nutrición de la Universidad de Buenos Aires en el año 2005 evidenció una alta incidencia de reservas proteicas disminuidas (31%). Objetivo: Valorar las modificaciones logradas en las reservas orgánicas secundarias a sugerencias alimentarias. Material y Métodos: Del total de alumnos valorados (n=120), fueron seleccionados aquellos con reserva proteica (RP) disminuida (n=60) y con reserva calórica (RC) aumentada (n=14). Para la valoración de dichas reservas se aplicó el Método de Fraccionamiento Antropométrico propuesto por Drinkwater y Ross. Se procedió a sugerir una terapia nutricional para la corrección de la alteración encontrada. Al año se valoraron ambas reservas nuevamente. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas (p=0.0155; α=0.05) entre la primera medición de RP (2.00 ± 0.12) y la siguiente (2.05 ± 0.19). En relación a la RC se observaron diferencias significativas (p=0.030; α=0.05) entre la primera medición (1.83 ± 0.40) y la siguiente (1.61 ± 0.44). Conclusiones: La incidencia de sobrepeso y obesidad fue de 11.6%. Luego de las sugerencias alimentarias el 64.2% disminuyó dicha reserva, obteniendo un diagnóstico de normalidad. Sin embargo, cabe señalar la alta incidencia de alumnos que presentaron RP disminuidas (50% del total medido). De ellos, agravaron la desnutrición el 30% en el período de estudio, a pesar de las pautas alimentarias sugeridas.

Emulsões O/A contendo Cetoconazol 2,0%: avaliação da estabilidade acelerada e estudos de liberação in vitro / O/W Emulsion Containing 2.0% Ketoconazole: Accelerated Stability Test and in vitro Release

Os objetivos do estudo foram desenvolver e avaliar a estabilidade físico-química de emulsões O/A contendo cetoconazol a 2,0% e determinar seu perfil de liberação in vitro. As formulações foram preparadas com bases auto-emulsionáveis com diferentes características químicas. A estabilidade do sistema foi avaliada de acordo com o Guia para Realização de Testes de Estabilidade em Produtos Farmacêuticos, utilizando diferentes temperaturas (4ºC, 37ºC e 45ºC) por um período de tempo de três meses. Os parâmetros avaliados durante o ensaio foram: as características organolépticas,o pH, o comportamento reológico e a concentração do ativo. A emulsão considerada estável foi submetida ao ensaio de liberação in vitro utilizando célula de difusão de Franz. A quantificação do cetoconazol na formulação e na solução receptora foi realizada por método espectrofotométrico no ultravioleta a 244 nm. Dentre as formulações testadas, somente aquela preparada com álcool cetoestearílico e estearato de polietilenoglicol (PEG20) manteve suas características físico-químicas estáveis durante o teste. O estudo de liberação in vitro demonstrou que o fármaco foi liberado do sistema gradualmente no decorrer do tempo, apresentando uma cinética pseudo zero ordem.

The goal of this work was to develop and assess the physicochemical stability of O/W emulsions containing 2.0% ketoconazole and to determine their in vitro release profile. These formulations were prepared with self-emulsifying bases that differed in their chemical characteristics. The stability of the system was assessed, as recommended in the Guide to Drug Product Stability Tests, over 3 months at 3 different temperatures (4ºC, 37ºC and 45ºC). The characteristics assessed during the test were the organoleptic properties, pH, rheological behavior and drug concentration. The most stable emulsion was subjected to an in vitro release test in a Franz diffusion cell system. The ketoconazole in both the formulation and receptor phase was determined by UV spectrophotometry at 244 nm. The O/W emulsion prepared with cetearyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol (PEG20) stearate was the only one that maintained its physicochemical characteristics throughout the test. The in vitro release test demonstrated that the drug was released gradually, exhibiting pseudo zero-order kinetics.

Gut permeability to lactulose and mannitol differs in treated Crohn's disease and celiac disease patients and healthy subjects

The gut barrier monitors and protects the gastrointestinal tract from challenges such as microorganisms, toxins and proteins that could act as antigens. There is evidence that gut barrier dysfunction may act as a primary disease mechanism in intestinal disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the barrier function towards sugars after the appropriate treatment of celiac disease and Crohn's disease patients and compare the results with those obtained with healthy subjects. Fifteen healthy volunteers, 22 celiac disease patients after 1 year of a gluten-free diet, and 31 Crohn's disease patients in remission were submitted to an intestinal permeability test with 6.0 g lactulose and 3.0 g mannitol. Six-hour urinary lactulose excretion in Crohn's disease patients was significantly higher than in both celiac disease patients (0.42 vs 0.15 percent) and healthy controls (0.42 vs 0.07 percent). Urinary lactulose excretion was significantly higher in celiac disease patients than in healthy controls (0.15 vs 0.07 percent). Urinary mannitol excretion in Crohn's disease patients was the same as healthy controls (21 vs 21 percent) and these values were significantly higher than in celiac disease patients (10.9 percent). The lactulose/mannitol ratio was significantly higher in Crohn's disease patients in comparison to celiac disease patients (0.021 vs 0.013) and healthy controls (0.021 vs 0.003) and this ratio was also significantly higher in celiac disease patients compared to healthy controls (0.013 vs 0.003). In spite of treatment, differences in sugar permeability were observed in both disease groups. These differences in the behavior of the sugar probes probably reflect different mechanisms for the alterations of intestinal permeability.

El fraccionamiento antropométrico en estudios poblacionales / Anthropometric fractioning in populational studies

Este estudio fue realizado con el objeto de determinar las posibilidades operativas del método de fraccionamiento en comparación con la antropometría clásica como es el peso, la talla, circunferencia muscular del brazo, pliegue tricipital y BMI a nivel poblacional

Biodegradación de hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos y su aplicación en la biorremediación de suelos y lodos contaminados / Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and its application to bioremediation of contaminated soils and sludges

Los hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos (HAPs) son un grupo de contaminantes prioritarios debido a sus propiedades tóxicas, mutagénicas y cancerígenas. Se encuentran en alta concentración en muchos suelos y lodos, principalmente aquellos asociados con las industrias del petróleo, producción de gas y preservación de la madera. El uso de microorganismos para la remediación de suelos y lodos contaminados está ganando interés como una técnica promisoria en comparación con prácticas convencionales como el relleno en tierra, la incineración o la extracción por solvente. Este artículo revisa las variables que controlan la biodegradación en fase sólida y en fase barro. La aceptación de la biorremediación exige demostrar: eficiencia, confiabilidad, predictibilidad de su desempeño de campo a partir de estudios de laboratorio y ventaja económica. Su efectividad puede ser reducida debido a algunas limitaciones en la biodegradación de HAPs de alto peso molecular y a fallas en el control de factores que dependen de la escala (transporte de masa, heterogeneidades espaciales, pérdidas abióticas). Se revisa también la metodología usada en la evaluación sistemática de la biorremediación

Study of Bacillus sp. culture conditions to promote production of unhairing proteases

The substitution of chemical depilatory agents in the leather industry by proteolytic enzymes produced by Bacillus species has an important economical and environmental impact. In previous assays, a Bacillus sp. showing a promising depilatory activity was isolated. In this paper, a culture medium that stimulated the synthesis and segregation of depilatory proteases, was selected. The influence of pH, oxygen supply rate (KLaC*), and inoculum age was evaluated on cell growth and protease production. Assays were carried out in lab bioreactors (1.2-1.4 l) at 37 degrees C. Five different media that differed in carbon and nitrogen sources were tested. pH ranged from 4.0 to 8.5. KLaC* varied between 40 and 470 mmol/lh. The best medium culture for protease production contained: nutrient broth (Britania) 8 g/l, yeast extract (Britania) 3 g/l, and mineral salts. Protease production was more effective at pH of 6.7, KLaC* of 360 mmol/lh, and inoculum age of 12 hours. These experimental conditions led to the following results: maximum proteolytic activity 2700 U/ml, overall volumetric protease productivity 300 u/ml-h, average specific growth rate 0.62 h-1, and average specific protease production rate 2.50 x 10(5) U/gh.

Biodegradabilidad en suelo de hidrocarburos residuales en fondos de tanques de almacenamiento de petróleo / [Biodegradability in soil of residual hydrocarbons in petroleum tank bottoms]

Biodegradability of hydrocarbons on soils can be applied to the treatment of residues (land treatment) from petroleum refinery as well as the cleaning of contaminated soils (bioremediation). In this paper we have studied the biodegradability of hydrocarbons from petroleum tank bottom sludges on soil by the autochthonous microbial community. Lab assays were conducted in 1l-beakers under the following conditions: hydrocarbon load 5.3

, total aerobic microorganisms 2.7 x 10(7) CFU/g, hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms (HDM) 2.5 x 10(5) cells/g, incubation temperature 25 degrees C, pH 7.0-7.6, and moisture 10-15

. Soil had the following composition: sand 25

, and clay 20

. Different levels and kind of fertilizers were evaluated. Fertilization increased the rate and the quantity of hydrocarbons degraded. It was degraded about 40

of hydrocarbons in 30-90 days according to the fertilization effected. During biodegradation, the HDM increased 760 times. Assays conducted outdoor on trays showed a similar limit of biodegradation. Changes with time in the fungi population, hydrocarbon class, carbon level, and saturated hydrocarbon profiles were measured too. Data suggests the use of microorganisms having a greater metabolic capacity, specially to degrade those hydrocarbon classes that they have shown to be more resistant to biodegradation (aromatics, resins and asphaltenes).