Photosynthesis and biochemical characterization of the green alga Chlamydopodium fusiforme (Chlorophyta) grown in a thin-layer cascade.

Photosynthesis, growth and biochemical composition of the biomass of the freshwater microalga Chlamydopodium fusiforme cultures outdoors in a thin-layer cascade were investigated. Gross oxygen production measured off-line in samples taken from the outdoor cultures was correlated with the electron transport rate estimated from chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements. According to photosynthesis measurements, a mean of 38.9 ± 10.3 mol of photons were required to release one mole of O2, which is 4.86 times higher than the theoretical value (8 photons per 1 O2). In contrast, according to the fluorescence measurements, a mean of 11.7 ± 0.74 mol of photons were required to release 1 mol of O2. These findings indicate that fluorescence-based photosynthesis rates may not be fully replace oxygen measurements to evaluate the performance of an outdoor culture. Daily gross biomass productivity was 0.3 g DW L-1 day-1 consistently for 4 days. Biomass productivity was strongly affected by the suboptimal concentration at which the culture was operated and by the respiration rate, as the substantial volume of culture was kept in the dark (about 45% of the total volume). As the cells were exposed to excessive light, the photosynthetic activity was mainly directed to the synthesis of carbohydrates in the biomass. In the morning, carbohydrate content decreased because of the dark respiration. Per contra, protein content in the biomass was lower at the end of the day and higher in the morning due to carbohydrate consumption by respiration. The data gathered in these trials are important for the future exploitation of Chlamydopodium fusiforme as a potential novel species in the field of microalgae for the production of bio-based compounds.

Effects of UV Radiation on Photosynthesis, Antioxidant Capacity and the Accumulation of Bioactive Compounds in Gracilariopsis longissima, Hydropuntia cornea and Halopithys incurva (Rhodophyta).

The red macroalgae Hydropuntia cornea, Gracilariopsis longissima and Halopithys incurva were cultured for 14 d under laboratory conditions, in enriched seawater with a high nutrient content (N-NH4+ and P-PO43- ) and two radiation regimes: PAR (400-700 nm) and PAB (280-700 nm). The UV radiation effects under high availability of nutrients on growth, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, carotenoids and phycobiliproteins), photosynthetic activity and biochemical composition were studied. Maximum quantum yield (Fv /Fm ) was not significantly different among the PAR and PAB treatments during the experiment. However, the maximum electronic transport rate (ETRmax ) increased over time, showing the highest values in PAR for H. incurva and H. cornea, whereas for G. longissima it was found in PAB. Photosynthetic efficiency (αETR ) decreased over time in the first two species, but increased in G. longissima. Saturation irradiance (EkETR ) and maximum nonphotochemical quenching (NPQmax ) increased in PAB with time up to 80% and 30%, respectively, indicating a photosynthetic acclimatization like that of sun-type algae. Five MAAs were identified in all species using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The total content of MAAs increased over time, being 30% higher in H. incurva, 40% in G. longissima and 50% in H. cornea in PAB than in the PAR treatment. Finally, the antioxidant activity was also higher in the PAB treatment. All of the species presented an effective mechanism of photoprotection based on the accumulation of photoprotective compounds with antioxidant activity, as well as a high dissipation of excitation energy (high NPQmax ).

Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation (UV-A+UV-B) on the Antioxidant Metabolism of the Red Macroalga Species Acanthophora spicifera (Rhodophyta, Ceramiales) From Different Salinity and Nutrient Conditions.

Acanthophora spicifera (M.Vahl) Børgesen is a macroalga of great economic importance. This study evaluated the antioxidant responses of two algal populations of A. spicifera adapted to different abiotic conditions when exposed to ultraviolet-A+ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-A+UV-B). Experiments were performed using the water at two collection points for 7 days of acclimatization and 7 days of exposure to UVR (3 h per day), followed by metabolic analyses. At point 1, water of 30 ± 1 practical salinity unit (psu) had concentrations of 1.06 ± 0.27 mm NH 4 + , 8.47 ± 0.01 mm NO 3 - , 0.17 ± 0.01 mm PO 4 - 3 and pH 7.88. At point 2, water of 35 ± 1 psu had concentrations of 1.13 ± 0.05 mm NH 4 + , 3.73 ± 0.01 mm NO 3 - , 0.52 ± 0.01 mm PO 4 - 3 and pH 8.55. Chlorophyll a, phycobiliproteins, carotenoids, mycosporins, polyphenolics and antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and guaiacol peroxidase) were evaluated. The present study demonstrates that ultraviolet radiation triggers antioxidant activity in the A. spicifera. However, such activation resulted in greater responses in samples of the point 1, with lower salinity and highest concentration of nutrients.

UVA and UVB Photoprotective Capabilities of Topical Formulations Containing Mycosporine-like Amino Acids (MAAs) through Different Biological Effective Protection Factors (BEPFs).

The safety and stability of synthetic UV-filters and the procedures for evaluating the photoprotective capability of commercial sunscreens are under continuous review. The influence of pH and temperature stressors on the stability of certain Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) isolated at high purity levels was examined. MAAs were highly stable at room temperature during 24 h at pH 4.5⁻8.5. At 50 °C, MAAs showed instability at pH 10.5 while at 85 °C, progressive disappearances were observed for MAAs through the studied pH range. In alkaline conditions, their degradation was much faster. Mycosporine-serinol and porphyra-334 (+shinorine) were the most stable MAAs under the conditions tested. They were included in four cosmetically stable topical sunscreens, of which the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and other Biological Effective Protection Factors (BEPFs) were calculated. The formulation containing these MAAs showed similar SPF and UVB-BEPFs values as those of the reference sunscreen, composed of synthetic UV absorbing filters in similar percentages, while UVA-BEPFs values were slightly lower. Current in vitro data strongly suggest that MAAs, as natural and safe UV-absorbing and antioxidant compounds, have high potential for protection against the diverse harmful effects of solar UV radiation. In addition, novel complementary in vitro tests for evaluation of commercial sunscreens efficacy are proposed.

UV Photoprotection, Cytotoxicity and Immunology Capacity of Red Algae Extracts.

This study was designed to evaluate the potential use of algal extracts in cosmeceuticals, including factors related to biosecurity. The aqueous crude extracts of Hydropuntia cornea and Gracilariopsis longissima showed a good photoprotective capacity (Sun Protection Factor, SPF) due to, among other reasons, the presence of five types of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) detected by high pressure liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) (Palythine, Asterina-330, Shinorine, Porphyra-334, and Palythinol). The toxicity of the extracts was evaluated by the MTT assay, which is based on the metabolic reduction of MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] by the action of the mitochondrial enzyme succinate dehydrogenase. This assay was carried out in vitro in three cell lines: one related to the immune system (murine macrophages of the immune system: RAW264.7) and two human cell lines related to the skin (gingival fibroblasts: HGF, and immortalized human keratinocytes: HaCaT). Both extracts showed no cytotoxic activity in both types of human cells, whereas they showed cytotoxicity in murine tumor cells of the immune system (macrophages: RAW264.7). On the other hand, the immunological activity in the murine macrophage RAW264.7 was studied at a concentration lower than 100 µg mL-1 and lower than the EC50, and evaluated by the production of pro-inflammatory compounds through an immunosorbent assay linked to enzymes such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or anti-inflammatory/proinflammatory enzymes such as interleukin-6 (IL-6). Both algae extracts induced the biosynthesis of TNF-α and IL-6. The production of TNF-α was much higher than that observed in the control (at a concentration of the aqueous extract higher than 5 µg mL-1). These results support the theory that the extracts of H. cornea and G. longissima actively induce the production of cytokines. In summary, the extracts of these species did not show cytotoxicity in human cells, and they present with immunomodulatory and photoprotection capacity.

Production of Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids from Gracilaria vermiculophylla (Rhodophyta) Cultured Through One Year in an Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) System.

This study evaluates the production of biomass and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) throughout the year in Gracilaria vermiculophylla (Rhodophyta) collected in Ria de Aveiro (Portugal). The algae were grown in outdoor tanks in seawater with the addition of fishpond effluents under two different water flows (100 and 200 L h-1) in an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system (tanks 1200 L; 1.5 m2) and different algal densities (3, 5, and 7 kg m-2). MAA content in IMTA seaweeds was significantly affected by the interaction of time and stocking density, but not by the water flow. The highest MAA content was observed in April (about 3.13 mg g-1 DW) followed by May (1.79 mg g-1 DW). Seaweed biomass productivity was higher in May (372.06 g DW m-2 week-1) than in April (353.40 g DW m-2 week-1). Four MAAs were identified by HPLC and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in G. vermiculophylla: Porphyra-334, Shinorine, Palythine and Asterina-330. The highest levels of Porphyra-334 and Shinorine were reached from November to January and the Palythine + Asterina-330 from April to August. Taking into account the average biomass and MAA production of G. vermiculophylla growing in this IMTA system (8.56 g of MAA in 18 m2 culture along 8 months; 35.5% produced in April), a total amount of 71.33 g MAA year-1 could be produced in this system by scaling up to 100 m2. MAAs could be further used as photoprotector and antioxidant compounds in cosmetic products.

El lavado de manos: prevención de infecciones trasmisibles / Handwashing: preventing transmissible infections

Introducción: Las enfermedades trasmisibles en el entorno sanitario se encuentran entre las principales causas de muerte y de incremento de la morbilidad en pacientes hospitalizados. En la historia del control y la prevención de las infecciones, nunca antes se había desarrollado una campaña a nivel mundial sobre la higiene de las manos, la cual contribuyó a disminuir la morbimortalidad en la población hospitalaria mediante la promoción de prácticas tan básicas y a la vez tan esenciales como las del lavado de manos. Se ha podido constatar que las infecciones nosocomiales generalmente se propagan a través de las manos del personal sanitario, visitantes de la comunidad. Al realizar una adecuada higiene de las manos, se mejora la salud de millones de personas y se ofrece una atención más segura a los pacientes. Objetivo: Resumir procedimientos básicos relacionados con el lavado de las manos que demuestren su importancia en la prevención de las enfermedades trasmisibles Conclusiones: Esta acción sigue siendo la medida primordial para reducir la incidencia y la propagación de enfermedades trasmisibles(AU)

Introduction: Transmitted diseases in the sanitary environment are among the main causes of death and increased morbidity in hospitalized patients. In the history of control and prevention of infections, a campaign had never before been developed at world level on hygiene of hands, which contributed to diminish morbidity-mortality in hospital population by promoting practices so basic and so essential as handwashing. It has been confirmed that nosocomial infections generally spread through the hands of sanitary personnel, visitors of the community. When carrying out an appropriate hygiene of hands, the health of million people is improved and a safer attention is provided to patients. Objective: To summarize basic procedures related with handwashing that demonstrate its importance in preventing transmissible diseases Conclusions: This action is still the principal measure to reduce the incidence and propagation of transmissible diseases(AU)

Influenza A H1N1: Provincia Sancti Spíritus. Junio 2009 a marzo 2010 / Influenza A H1N1: Sancti Spíritus province from June of 2009 to March of 2010

Introducción: La gripe A (H1N1) surge en el año 2009 con un incremento importante en la morbilidad por enfermedades respiratorias, entidad que se ha convertido en una pandemia causada por una variante del Influenzavirus A de origen porcino (subtipo H1N1). Objetivo: Describir el comportamiento de la pandemia de Influenza A H1N1 en la provincia de Sancti Spíritus. Material y Método: Se realizó una investigación descriptiva en el período comprendido entre junio del 2009 y marzo del 2010. Resultados: Durante el período analizado se confirmó el diagnóstico en 46 pacientes. No se reportaron fallecidos por esta infección. Los grupos de edad con mayor morbilidad fueron los de 11 a 20 (32,6 porciento) y de 21 a 30 (28,20 porciento). No existió diferencia significativa entre ambos sexos. Las mujeres embarazadas con un promedio de 30,4 semanas de gestación fueron afectada en un 26.0 porciento. Los síntomas respiratorios de mayor frecuencia fueron: La fiebre alta en el 89,13 porciento, los episodios de tos persistentes con un 67,39 porciento, la congestión nasal y el malestar general con el 32,61 porciento y la rinorrea y el dolor de garganta en el 30,43 porciento. Conclusiones: El primer caso confirmado de Influenza fue importado de los Estados Unidos. La incidencia y letalidad de los casos fue baja. No se reportaron fallecidos en el período. Las embarazadas integraron uno de los grupos más vulnerables. El diagnóstico y tratamiento oportuno influyó favorablemente en la evolución de los pacientes(AU)

Introduction. Influenza A (H1N1) appears in the year 2009 with an important increment in morbidity for breathing diseases, entity that has become a pandemic caused by a variant of the Influenza virus A of a swinish origin (subtype H1N1). Objective. To describe the behavior of the Influenza A H1N1 pandemic in the province of Sancti Spíritus. Material and method: A descriptive research was made in the period from June of 2009 to March of 2010. Results. Diagnosis was confirmed in 46 patients. No deaths were reported from this infection. The age groups with the greatest morbilidy were the ones from 11 to 20 (32,6 percent) and from 21 to 30 (28,20 percent). No significant difference was found between both sexes. Pregnant women with an average of 30,4 weeks of gestation were affected in 26,0 percent. The most common breathing symptoms were: high fever in 89,13 percent, persistent episodes of cough with 67,39 percent, nasal congestion and general malaise with 32,61 percent and rhinorrea and sore throat in 30,43 percent. Conclusions: The first confirmed case of influenza was imported from the United States. The incidence and lethality of cases were low. No deaths were reported in this period. Pregnant women integrated one of the most vulnerable groups. Diagnosis and timely treatment influenced favorably the evolution of patients(AU)

Evaluación de la cirugía mínima invasiva. Hospital Universitario Camilo Cienfuegos Sancti Spíritus. 2001 / Assessment of minimally invasive surgery. Â"Camilo CienfuegosÂ" University HospitalÂ". Sancti Spíritus.2001

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo prospectivo en el Hospital Universitario "Camilo Cienfuegos" de Sancti-Spíritus, del 1ro de Junio del 2000 al 30 de Junio del 2001, con el propósito de destacar, el rol de enfermería en el trabajo que se realiza en el quirófano de cirugía laparoscópica. La población de estudio la constituyeron los 434 casos intervenidos quirúrgicamente en el salón No. 12 (Cirugía Laparoscópica), donde el sexo femenino predominó en ambas técnicas quirúrgicas con 302 casos (79,47 %.). El mayor porciento en cirugía laparoscópica correspondió al grupo de 26 a 35 años de edad con un 27,36 (52) y en la cirugía convencional el grupo predominante fue el de 36 a 45 con un 23,15 % (44). En cuanto a los casos operados el 44.73% tomo un tiempo que duró entre 25 y 39 minutos en la cirugía laparoscopia el cual se considera un tiempo adecuado, la cirugía convencional tubo un mayor tiempo quirúrgico. Al relacionar los diagnósticos de enfermería con ambas cirugías, se constató que la cirugía convencional aportó los por cientos más relevantes por ser más cruenta que la de mínimo acceso.