Biological response and developmental toxicity of zebrafish embryo and larvae exposed to multi-walled carbon nanotubes with different dimension.

The development and use of nanomaterials are increasing significantly. Among nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes are of particular interest due to its distinctive physicochemical properties. This material composed of sheets of graphite has very high thermal conductivity, metallic-type electrical conductivity, stiffness, toughness and unique ability to bond to itself in an extended network with extraordinary strength. Its application in the industry is continuously growing, which could lead to the accumulation in the environment and a consequent impact on both humans and ecosystems. Considering that environmental systems are dynamic, it is difficult to predict the risks associated with the release of nanomaterials to the environment. Bioindicators are useful tools as primary signals of environmental risk, and their responses reveal the organism and ecosystem health. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with different dimensions and agglomeration pattern on zebrafish embryo and larvae; mainly, studies were focused on physiological and behavioral responses. In embryos, measurements were hatching rate, morphology changes, and viability. In larvae, locomotor activity, heart rate, innate inflammatory response, general and tissue-specific morphology were measured. MWCNT-S (short, wide and mostly dispersed) caused depression of the locomotor activity of larvae, indicating an alteration of the central nervous system, and depression of neutrophil migration activity. MWCNT-L (long, thin and agglomerated) caused malformations during larval development, a decrease of neutrophil migration and alteration of cardiac rhythm. Results obtained for both carbon nanotubes were different, highlighting the importance of dimensions of the same nanomaterial, and also the kind of agglomeration and shape adopted, for the toxic effects on organisms.

Comunicación interna y externa en hospitales públicos bonaerenses / Internal and external communication in Buenos Aires public hospitals

INTRODUCCIÓN La deficiente comunicación en los hospitales públicos de la provincia de Buenos Aires es una problemática constante. Las estrategias implementadas en la mayor parte de ellos no presentan una sistematización en su realización, ni adecuación con las políticas de fortalecimiento de la comunicación del Ministerio de Salud provincial. Es así como surge la necesidad de conocer las características en cada uno de los hospitales y las similitudes y diferencias que puede tener la implementación de este tipo de estrategias en hospitales que, más allá de que se encuentran en la misma región sanitaria, presentan diferencias en torno a la modalidad de atención y organización, entre otras. OBJETIVOS Identificar y analizar las estrategias de comunicación interna y externa de los hospitales públicos de la provincia de Buenos Aires de la Región Sanitaria XI, en función de su adecuación a los objetivos de cada institución de salud. MÉTODOS En el trabajo de campo se realizaron observaciones, entrevistas semiestructuradas y búsqueda de documentación relevante. Para ello se diseñó un protocolo con preguntas-guía, que luego fue sistematizado en una planilla destinada a tal fin. RESULTADOS La mitad de los hospitales analizados no cuentan con un área específica de comunicación que se ocupe de realizar las tareas propias de la disciplina (con personal capacitado). En cuanto a las estrategias utilizadas, se privilegia la comunicación externa masiva a través de plataformas digitales, en lugar de otro tipo de estrategias que tiendan a individualizar a los usuarios o la comunidad en general. En materia de comunicación interna, prevalece la informalidad por sobre los canales formales orientados a organizar los procesos. DISCUSIÓN Se plantea la necesidad no sólo de incorporar áreas o sectores específicos de la comunicación en este tipo de instituciones en pos de fortalecer las relaciones con el exterior, sino también de mejorar las relaciones internas entre el equipo de salud.

In vivo study of teratogenic and anticonvulsant effects of antiepileptics drugs in zebrafish embryo and larvae.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Since AEDs are administered in women in childbearing age, it is critical to study if drugs are capable of inducing developmental toxicity. Along the bibliography available, there is no research comparing teratogenicity and anticonvulsant effect within the same study. In the present study, we evaluated the teratogenic and anticonvulsant effects of six different AEDs: carbamazepine, levetiracetam, lamotrigine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and valproic acid. Zebrafish was the selected animal model because of its small size, rapid external development and similar neurophysiology to mammals. Zebrafish embryo and larvae were exposed to AEDs. Embryo development was monitored by their hatching and morphology. In larvae, locomotor activity was measured as a parameter of neurotoxicity. Finally, anticonvulsant effect was determined after exposure to AEDs in zebrafish larvae treated with the proconvulsant drug pentylenetetrazole. Our results suggest that lamotrigine and phenytoin could be suitable non-teratogenic and efficient anticonvulsant options for epilepsy treatment.

Relation between biophysical properties of nanostructures and their toxicity on zebrafish.

In recent years, the use of commercial nanoparticles in different industry and health fields has increased exponentially. However, the uncontrolled application of nanoparticles might present a potential risk to the environment and health. Toxicity of these nanoparticles is usually evaluated by a fast screening assay in zebrafish (Danio rerio). The use of this vertebrate animal model has grown due to its small size, great adaptability, high fertilization rate and fast external development of transparent embryos. In this review, we describe the toxicity of different micro- and nanoparticles (carbon nanotubes, dendrimers, emulsions, liposomes, metal nanoparticles, and solid lipid nanoparticles) associated to their biophysical properties using this model. The main biophysical properties studied are size, charge and surface potential due to their impact on the environment and health effects. The review also discusses the correlation of the effects of the different nanoparticles on zebrafish. Special focus is made on morphological abnormalities, altered development and abnormal behavior. The last part of the review debates changes that should be made in future directions in order to improve the use of the zebrafish model to assess nanotoxicity.

Alternative amendment for vineyards from by-products of pyro-bituminous shale: Effect on wine amino acids and biogenic amines.

With the aim of looking for a model of agroecological production, the use of by-products from pyro-bituminous shale as amendment, and its effect on wine amino acids and biogenic amines has been evaluated. Field trials aimed to compare the effect of different doses of conventional and limestone shale from by-products of pyro-bituminous. Four replicates for six different fertilization treatments were arranged in a split plot design during 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 vintage. A chromatographic analysis was carried out to evaluate the impact of fertilization treatments on the amino acid and biogenic amine content of wines produced. Results showed few significant differences among fertilization treatments tested according to the amino acids composition of wines, although it seemed that a combination of conventional and pyro-bituminous shale could be the best option. By-products of pyro-bituminous shale seem to be a good partial substitutive amendment for Brazilian vineyards. This research seems to be a new approach for sustainable revalorization of domestic fertilizers to enable minor environmental impacts and lower production costs without detriment to quality.

Probiotic Lactobacillus Strains Stimulate the Inflammatory Response and Activate Human Macrophages.

Lactobacilli have been shown to promote health functions. In this study, we analyzed the mechanism by which four different strains of probiotics affected innate immunity, such as regulation of ROS, cytokines, phagocytosis, bactericidal activity, signaling by NF-κB pp65, and TLR2 activation. The production of ROS was dependent on the concentration and species of Lactobacillus. The results obtained from the tested strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus KLSD, L. helveticus IMAU70129, and L. casei IMAU60214) showed that strains induced early proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-8,TNF-α, IL-12p70, and IL-6. However, IL-1ß expression was induced only by L. helveticus and L. casei strains (after 24 h stimulation). Phagocytosis and bactericidal activity of macrophages against various pathogens, such as S. aureus, S. typhimurium, and E. coli, were increased by pretreatment with Lactobacillus. The nuclear translocation NF-κB pp65 and TLR2-dependent signaling were also increased by treatment with the probiotics. Taken together, the experiments demonstrate that probiotic strains of Lactobacillus exert early immunostimulatory effects that may be directly linked to the initial inflammation of the response of human macrophages.

Caracterización de la intervención fonoaudiológica en la demencia tipo Alzheimer en Chile / Characterization of speech therapist's intervention

Actualmente en Chile es necesario determinar la aproximación fonoaudiológica al concepto de Demencia Tipo Alzheimer y las herramientas de evaluación cognitivas y sociales utilizadas por fonoaudiólogos, ya que debido al aumento de la población de adultos mayores, existe un incremento de patologías neurodegenerativas. Por esto, el objetivo del estudio es caracterizar el abordaje fonoaudiológico en la Demencia Tipo Alzheimer. Metodológicamente, la investigación se efectuó desde una perspectiva descriptiva y transversal, por medio de una encuesta aplicada a 26 fonoaudiólogos para conocer su metodología de trabajo. Los resultados generales evidenciaron que el 43 por ciento de los fonoaudiólogos encuestados define la demencia como un síndrome y que la mayoría utiliza protocolos de evaluación de lenguaje y cognición; además, se determinó que utilizan la escala Frontal Assessment Battery, pero no la escala de Tinetti (evaluación de marcha y equilibrio); desde el punto de vista de la terapia, el 79 por ciento utiliza el programa potencializado, el 54 por ciento usa enfoques combinados directo e indirecto, un 88 por ciento utiliza la estrategia de compensación y el 77 por ciento la facilitación. Por último, los encuestados realizan la intervención a través de un equipo multidisciplinario, demostrando la importancia del abordaje en conjunto para esta patología...

Currently, in Chile, it is necessary to determine the speech therapist’s approach towards Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type and cognitive and social evaluation tools used by Speech Therapist. Due to the fact that the number and proportion of older adults have increased, neurodegenerative pathologies are also on the rise. The aim of the present study is to describe the speech therapist approach in Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type. A descriptive and cross-sectional perspective was used. 26 speech therapists were surveyed to find out the procedures they follow when treating patients with this pathology. Data analysis showed that43 percent of speech therapists define dementia as a syndrome and that most of them use language and cognitive assessment protocols. The use of the Frontal Assessment Battery instead of Tinetti’s scale (Patient’s Gait & Balance Assessment) was also observed. Regarding therapeutic approach, 79 percent use a potentiating programme, 54 percent use both a direct and an indirect approach, 88 percent use compensatory strategy, and 77 percent use a facilitation strategy. Finally, therapists treat this type of patients as part of a multidisciplinary team, which shows and highlights the importance of a group approach to this pathology...

Human papillomavirus 16/18 infections in lung cancer patients in Mexico.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an epitheliotropic, double-stranded DNA virus, and its high-risk genotypes are associated with human cancer. HPV genome has been detected in lung carcinomas in certain places around the world, including Mexico; however, the prevalence of this is unclear. In this study, we examine the frequency of high-risk HPV 16/18 in lung cancer tissues from a Mexican population. METHODS: 39 lung cancer specimens were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using HPV GP5+/GP6+ primers and then were genotyped using specific primers to HPV 16/18. Additionally, in situ hybridization (ISH) was performed using BIO-labeled oligonucleotide probes. RESULTS: Our results identified 15 positive cases (38.46%) for HPV 16 and 1 positive case (2.56%) for HPV 18 by PCR. ISH showed the presence of HPV DNA in 13 of 16 (81%) samples, in agreement with the PCR results. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we detected HPV 16/18 gene sequences in lung cancer samples obtained from Mexican patients by PCR and ISH. We found the highest prevalence of HPV 16 infection in lung adenocarcinomas, suggesting that HPV infection may be associated with lung cancer. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the role of HPV in lung carcinogenesis.

Vesícula biliar multiseptada: una anomalía congénita infrecuente / Multiseptate gallbladder: an unusual congenital anomaly

Multiseptate gallbladder is an extremely rare congenital anomaly characterized by the presence of multiple septa that divide the lumen of the gallbladder. Although some patients are asymptomatic and the anomaly is found incidentally, the most frequent clinical presentation is chronic pain in the right upper quadrant. Ultrasound is the imaging technique of choice for diagnosis, and cholangioMR is used mainly to rule out associated anomalies of the biliary tract. In this article we report the case of a patient with right upper quadrant pain of several years of evolution, where imaging through abdominal ultrasound and MRI allowed a confident diagnosis.

La vesícula biliar multiseptada es una anomalía congénita extremadamente rara, que se caracteriza por la presencia de múltiples septos que dividen la luz de la vesícula biliar. La forma más frecuente de presentación clínica es el dolor crónico en el cuadrante superior derecho, aunque algunos pacientes permanecen asintomáticos y se descubre de manera casual. La técnica de imagen de elección para su diagnóstico es la ecografía y se reserva la resonancia magnética y colangio-resonancia magnética para descartar anomalías asociadas de la vía biliar. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con dolor en hipocondrio derecho de varios años de evolución, a la que se le realizó una ecografía abdominal y posteriormente una resonancia magnética, identificando en ambas pruebas de imagen una vesícula biliar con múltiples septos finos dividiendo su luz.

Liposome/DNA systems: correlation between hydrophobicity and DNA conformational changes.

In a previous work, we found that liposome hydrophobicity could affect deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) association efficiency. Now, we have focused on the possible correlation between liposome hydrophobicity and DNA conformation. DNA lyophilized with cationic vesicles with high hydrophobicity changes its conformation into a more condensed form, probably the C form. With noncharged vesicles, it changes its conformation from B to a partial A form. These results contribute to a better understanding of the interaction between DNA and lipids, suggesting there is direct relationship between hydrophobicity and DNA conformation changes: The higher the hydrophobicity factor, the more pronounced the changes in DNA form, to a more condensed form.

Mouse mammary tumor virus-like gene sequences in breast cancer samples of Mexican women.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports related the presence of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-like gene sequences to human breast carcinoma. The aim of this study was to determine whether MMTV-like env gene sequences are present in breast cancer samples of Mexican women and in breast and lung cancer cell lines. METHODS: Using specific primers for MMTV, we tested 3 breast cancer cell lines, 4 non-small lung cancer cell lines and 119 breast cancer samples from Mexican women. RESULTS: MMTV-like gene sequences were amplified in the lung cancer cell INER-51, but not in the MCF-7 cell line that has been used as a positive control in other reports and in 5 of 119 (4.2%) breast cancer biopsy tissues. Furthermore, the identity of sequences of PCR products from INER-51 and a breast cancer-positive sample are 98 and 99% when compared with the env region of MMTV (GenBank accession No. AY161347). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that MMTV-like gene sequences are present in the Mexican population.

[Absence of HTLV-I/II virus circulation in blood donors from the provinces of Santa Fe and Santiago del Estero]. / Ausencia de circulación de los virus HTLV-I/II en donantes de sangre de las provincias de Santa Fe y Santiago del Estero.

In the present study, we evaluated the seroprevalence of HTLV-I/II infection among the blood donors in Santa Fe and Santiago del Estero provinces. A total of 1327 serum samples from blood donors from Rafaela blood bank of Santa Fe province and 3382 serum samples from blood donors from Dr Edgar Bouzon blood bank of Santiago del Estero province were studied. The antibody screening was done by particle agglutination assay (PA) (SERODIA, Fujirebio Inc., Tokyo, Japan) or by enzyme immuno assay (EIA) (Abbott HTLV-I/HTLV-II EIA, Abbott, Germany). The "in house" indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and Western blot (Bioblot HTLV Biokit, Barcelona, Spain) were used as confirmatory assays. All the samples resulted negative for specific antibodies against HTLV-I/II. These results suggest that HTLV-I/II are not circulating in low risk populations in these provinces or that the prevalences of infection would be lower than that reported by blood banks in other provinces of Argentina.

Ausencia de circulación de los virus HTLV-I/II en donantes de sangre de las provincias de Santa Fe y Santiago del Estero / Absence of HTLV-I/II virus circulation in blood donors from the provinces of Santa Fe and Santiago del Estero

In the present study, we evaluated the seroprevalence of HTLV-I/II infection among the blood donors in Santa Fe and Santiago del Estero provinces. A total of 1327 serum samples from blood donors from Rafaela blood bank of Santa Fe province and 3382 serum samples from blood donors from Dr Edgar Bouzon blood bank of Santiago del Estero province were studied. The antibody screening was done by particle agglutination assay (PA) (SERODIA, Fujirebio Inc., Tokyo, Japan) or by enzyme immuno assay (EIA) (Abbott HTLV-I/HTLV-II EIA, Abbott, Germany). The "in house" indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and Western blot (Bioblot HTLV Biokit, Barcelona, Spain) were used as confirmatory assays. All the samples resulted negative for specific antibodies against HTLV-I/II. These results suggest that HTLV-I/II are not circulating in low risk populations in these provinces or that the prevalences of infection would be lower than that reported by blood banks in other provinces of Argentina.(AU)

Ausencia de circulación de los virus HTLV-I/II en donantes de sangre de las provincias de Santa Fe y Santiago del Estero / Absence of HTLV-I/II virus circulation in blood donors from the provinces of Santa Fe and Santiago del Estero

In the present study, we evaluated the seroprevalence of HTLV-I/II infection among the blood donors in Santa Fe and Santiago del Estero provinces. A total of 1327 serum samples from blood donors from Rafaela blood bank of Santa Fe province and 3382 serum samples from blood donors from Dr Edgar Bouzon blood bank of Santiago del Estero province were studied. The antibody screening was done by particle agglutination assay (PA) (SERODIA, Fujirebio Inc., Tokyo, Japan) or by enzyme immuno assay (EIA) (Abbott HTLV-I/HTLV-II EIA, Abbott, Germany). The "in house" indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and Western blot (Bioblot HTLV Biokit, Barcelona, Spain) were used as confirmatory assays. All the samples resulted negative for specific antibodies against HTLV-I/II. These results suggest that HTLV-I/II are not circulating in low risk populations in these provinces or that the prevalences of infection would be lower than that reported by blood banks in other provinces of Argentina.

Ausencia de circulación de los virus HTLV-I/II en donantes de sangre de las provincias de Santa Fe y Santiago del Estero. / [Absence of HTLV-I/II virus circulation in blood donors from the provinces of Santa Fe and Santiago del Estero]

In the present study, we evaluated the seroprevalence of HTLV-I/II infection among the blood donors in Santa Fe and Santiago del Estero provinces. A total of 1327 serum samples from blood donors from Rafaela blood bank of Santa Fe province and 3382 serum samples from blood donors from Dr Edgar Bouzon blood bank of Santiago del Estero province were studied. The antibody screening was done by particle agglutination assay (PA) (SERODIA, Fujirebio Inc., Tokyo, Japan) or by enzyme immuno assay (EIA) (Abbott HTLV-I/HTLV-II EIA, Abbott, Germany). The [quot ]in house[quot ] indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and Western blot (Bioblot HTLV Biokit, Barcelona, Spain) were used as confirmatory assays. All the samples resulted negative for specific antibodies against HTLV-I/II. These results suggest that HTLV-I/II are not circulating in low risk populations in these provinces or that the prevalences of infection would be lower than that reported by blood banks in other provinces of Argentina.

Rigid multilamellar bilayer cooperativity is modified by non covalently linked neuraminic-5-acid: a spectrophotometric determination.

By means of recording a simple serie of merocyanine 540 spectra, we present a method to calculate the value proportional to co-operative unit size of membranes (n). Our calculations, applied to different liposomal samples processed in the presence or absence of sugars, in high or low ionic strength showed two main results. First, that any temperature cycling in high ionic strength of rigid DPPC bilayers will modify the membrane cooperativity. Second, the presence of polysaccharide Neu-5-ac in solution will always produce a strong drop in co-operativity of a rigid membrane of DPPC, whenever the negative charge is fully exposed. This last result indicates a differential ability of charged Neu-5-ac to disrupt a rigid membrane structure, even in the absence of a covalent linkage and--remarkably-in fully hydrated media.

Meat intake, 'mate' drinking and renal cell cancer in Uruguay: a case-control study.

In the period January 1988-December 1995, a case-control study of diet and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) risk involving 121 cases and 243 hospitalized controls was carried out in Montevideo, Uruguay. After adjusting for major covariates, red meat intake was associated with a 3.4 increase in risk for the highest category of intake, with a significant dose-response pattern. Also, barbecued meat, protein and heterocyclic amine intakes were associated with significant increases in risk of RCC. The consumption of the beverage known as 'mate' (a ocal tea derived from the herb Ilex paraguariensis) was associated with an increased risk of 3.0 for heavy drinkers.

Sialic acid measurement by a modified Aminoff method: a time-saving reduction in 2-thiobarbituric acid concentration.

Our results show that if the 2-thiobarbituric acid concentration is decreased, its co-precipitation with the chromophore is diminished. Subsequent running of this reaction mixture by high-performance liquid chromatography still allows measurement of Neu-5-Ac in the picomole order, with a substantial time and reactive saving, as compared with the original assay.