El oficio de cuidar a otro: "cuando mi cuerpo está aquí pero mi mente en otro lado" / Taking Care of Another Person: "When my Body is Here But my Mind is Somewhere Else" / O ofício de cuidar de outro: "quando meu corpo está aqui, mas minha mente em outro lado"

Resumen Introducción: se busca comprender el significado que tiene ser cuidador informal de un paciente en el Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe de Medellín, durante un periodo de hospitalización, entre los años 2012 a 2015. Desarrollo: se parte de un enfoque cualitativo, y se desarrolla el método conocido como Teoría Fundamentada propuesto por Strauss y Corbin. Se entrevistaron 20 cuidadores. Las entrevistas fueron transcritas para luego ser analizadas por medio de codificación abierta y axial, de ahí se definieron, finalmente, tres categorías analíticas. Conclusiones: Cumplir con las tareas que exige ser el cuidador informal de un enfermo implica dividirse en dos ámbitos distintos: mantener el cuerpo al lado del enfermo hospitalizado, mientras que la mente sigue afuera, ocupándose de las otras esferas de la vida; y es que ser cuidador implica tiempo completo y estar hospitalizado con el paciente. El cuidador asume una sobrecarga de responsabilidades que tiene graves implicaciones en su estado de salud, lo que puede compensarse por el compromiso, el apoyo familiar y de la institución de salud. Urge ocuparse de las necesidades del cuidador desde la oferta y el acompañamiento de los sistemas de salud.

Abstract Introduction: To understand the meaning of being a patient's informal caregiver at Pablo Tobón Uribe Hospital in Medellin during a hospitalization period from 2012 to 2015. Development: This was a qualitative study that used the methodology known as grounded theory, which was proposed by Strauss and Corbin. A total of 20 caretakers were interviewed. The interviews were first transcribed and then analyzed via open axial coding. This ultimately led to the definition of three analytical categories. Conclusions: Fulfilling the tasks demanded by the role of the informal caregiver of a sick person implies separating own self into two distinct contexts: On the one hand, the caretaker's body should be next to the hospitalized patient, but, on the other hand, his/her mind is still outside, still taking care of some unrelated business. In fact, being a caregiver is a full-time job as it implies being hospitalized together with the patient. Caregivers have an excessive amount of responsibilities and this has a strong negative impact on their health. This can be compensated with their own commitment and the support of their relatives and the healthcare providing institution. It is urgent to address the needs of caregivers via the offers and support of healthcare systems.

Resumo Introdução: busca-se compreender o significado que tem ser o cuidador informal de um paciente no Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe de Medellín, durante um período de hospitalização, entre os anos 2012 a 2015. Desenvolvimento: parte-se de um enfoque qualitativo, desenvolvendo o método conhecido como Teoria Fundamentada proposto por Strauss e Corbin. Entrevistaram-se 20 cuidadores. As entrevistas foram transcritas para posteriormente ser analisadas através de codificação aberta e axial, definindo finalmente três categorias analíticas. Conclusões: cumprir com as tarefas que exige ser o cuidador informal de um doente, implica dividir-se em dois âmbitos distintos: manter o corpo ao lado do doente hospitalizado, enquanto que a mente segue fora ocupando-se das outras esferas da vida; ser cuidador implica tempo completo e estar hospitalizado com o paciente. O cuidador assume uma sobrecarga de responsabilidades que tem graves implicações em seu estado de saúde, o que pode compensar-se pelo compromisso, o apoio familiar e da instituição de saúde. Urge ocupar-se das necessidades do cuidador desde a oferta e o acompanhamento dos sistemas de saúde.

Antimicrobial Activity of Actinobacteria Isolated From the Guts of Subterranean Termites.

Subterranean termites need to minimize potentially pathogenic and competitive fungi in their environment in order to maintain colony health. We examined the ability of Actinobacteria isolated from termite guts in suppressing microorganisms commonly encountered in a subterranean environment. Guts from two subterranean termite species, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and Reticulitermes tibialis Banks, were extracted and plated on selective chitin media. A total of 38 Actinobacteria isolates were selected for in vitro growth inhibition assays. Target microbes included three strains of Serratia marcescens Bizio, two mold fungi (Trichoderma sp. and Metarhizium sp.), a yeast fungus (Candida albicans (C.P. Robin) Berkhout), and four basidiomycete fungi (Gloeophyllum trabeum (Persoon) Murrill, Tyromyces palustris (Berkeley & M.A. Curtis) Murrill, Irpex lacteus (Fries) Fries, and Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd). Results showed both broad and narrow ranges of antimicrobial activity against the mold fungi, yeast fungus, and S. marcescens isolates by the Actinobacteria selected. This suggests that termite gut-associated Actinobacteria produce secondary antimicrobial compounds that may be important for pathogen inhibition in termites. Basidiomycete fungi were strongly inhibited by the selected Actinobacteria isolates, with G. trabeum and T. versicolor being most inhibited, followed by I. lacteus and T. palustris The degree of inhibition was correlated with shifts in pH caused by the Actinobacteria. Nearly all Actinobacteria isolates raised pH of the growth medium to basic levels (i.e. pH ∼8.0-9.5). We summarize antimicrobial activity of these termite gut-associated Actinobacteria and examine the implications of these pH shifts.

Genetic Analysis of Termite Colonies in Wisconsin.

The objective of this study was to document current areas of subterranean termite activity in Wisconsin and to evaluate genetic characteristics of these northern, peripheral colonies. Here, amplified fragment-length polymorphism was used to characterize levels of inbreeding, expected heterozygosity, and percent polymorphism within colonies as well as genetic structure among populations sampled. Genetic analysis revealed two species of termites occur in Wisconsin, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and Reticulitermes tibialis Banks, both found in the southern half of the state. Colonies of both species in Wisconsin are thought to represent the northern boundary of their current distributions. Measurements of within colony genetic variation showed the proportion of polymorphic loci to be between 52.9-63.9% and expected heterozygosity to range from 0.122-0.189. Consistent with geographical isolation, strong intercolony genetic differences were observed, with over 50% of FST values above 0.25 and the remaining showing moderate levels of genetic differentiation. Combined with low levels of inbreeding in most collection locations (FIS 0.042-0.123), we hypothesize termites were introduced numerous times in the state, likely by anthropogenic means. We discuss the potential effects of these genetic characteristics on successful colony establishment of termites along the northern boundary compared with termites in the core region of their distribution.

Isolation of retro-transcribed RNA from in vitro Mycosphaerella fijiensis-infected banana leaves.

High polyphenol and polysaccharide levels in plant tissues such as banana fruit and leaves constitute a significant challenge to the extraction of sufficient amounts of high-quality RNA required for cDNA library synthesis and molecular analysis. To determine their comparative effectiveness at eliminating polyphenols, polysaccharides and proteins, three protocols for RNA extraction from in vitro banana plantlet leaves were tested: Concert(TM) Plant RNA isolation kit, a small-scale protocol based on Valderrama-Cháirez, and a modified version of the Valderrama-Cháirez protocol. RNA quantity and purity were evaluated by UV-spectrophotometry using DEPC-treated water and Tris-HCl, pH 7.5. Purity was greater using Tris-HCl. The Concert(TM) Plant protocol produced the poorest quality RNA. Reverse transcription into cDNAs from RNA isolated from in vitro banana plantlet leaves infected with Mycosphaerella fijiensis using the modified Valderrama-Cháirez protocol, followed by PCR using primers designed against gamma-actin from banana and M. fijiensis, yielded products of the anticipated size. In addition, this protocol reduced the processing time, lowered costs, used less expensive equipment, and could be used for other plants that have the same problems with high polyphenol and polysaccharide levels.

Estado actual del manejo de recesiones gingivales mediante cirugía plástica periodontal

El término cirugía mucogingival ha sido introducido desde los años 50. A partir de este momento se ha publicado una variedad de literatura relacionada con el tema. Es frecuente observar como los pacientes relatan preocupación ante la presencia de recesiones gingivales que generan incomodidades como: demanda estética, hipersensibilidad, caries radicular y pérdida dental. Para corregir estos inconvenientes se ha llevado a cabo procedimientos que han ayudado a tener una correcta predecibilidad de los resultados. Es importante realizar un buen diagnóstico preoperatorio de las características de la zona afectada y las condiciones generales de cada paciente. De esta manera podremos seleccionar la técnica más adecuada para cada caso, asegurar el éxito del tratamiento y el bienestar de los pacientes.(AU)

Substrate specificity and antifungal activity of recombinant tobacco class I chitinases.

Endochitinases contribute to the defence response of plants against chitin-containing pathogens. The vacuolar class I chitinases consist of an N-terminal cysteine-rich domain (CRD) linked by a glycine-threonine-rich spacer with 4-hydroxylated prolyl residues to the catalytic domain. We examined the functional role of the CRD and spacer region in class I chitinases by comparing wild-type chitinase A (CHN A) of Nicotiana tabacum with informative recombinant forms. The chitinases were expressed in transgenic N. sylvestris plants, purified to near homogeneity, and their structures confirmed by mass spectrometry and partial sequencing. The enzymes were tested for their substrate preference towards chitin, lipo-chitooligosaccharide Nod factors of Rhizobium, and bacterial peptidoglycans (lysozyme activity) as well as for their capacity to inhibit hyphal growth of Trichoderma viride. Deletion of the CRD and spacer alone or in combination resulted in a modest <50% reduction of hydrolytic activity relative to CHN A using colloidal chitin or M. lysodeikticus walls as substrates; whereas, antifungal activity was reduced by up to 80%. Relative to CHN A, a variant with two spacers in tandem, which binds chitin, showed very low hydrolytic activity towards chitin and Nod factors, but comparable lysozyme activity and enhanced antifungal activity. Neither hydrolytic activity, substrate specificity nor antifungal activity were strictly correlated with the CRD-mediated capacity to bind chitin. This suggests that the presence of the chitin-binding domain does not have a major influence on the functions of CHN A examined. Moreover, the results with the tandem-spacer variant raise the possibility that substantial chitinolytic activity is not essential for inhibition of T. viride growth by CHN A.

Sequence of the cry11Bb11 gene from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. medellin and toxicity analysis of its encoded protein.

The nucleotide sequence of the cry11Bb1 gene from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. medellin was determined. The corresponding protein has a deduced molecular mass of 88.2 kDa, and is 60.9% and 83% identical to the proteins Cry11Aa1 and Cry11Ba1, respectively. The Cry11Bb1 protein contains five repetitive blocks of 16 amino acids at the C terminal part. It is highly toxic to first instar laboratory reared Aedes aegypti, Anopheles albimanus and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae.

Involvement of laser photo-CIDNP (chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization)-reactive amino acid side chains in ligand binding by galactoside-specific lectins in solution.

For proteins in solution the validity of certain crystallographic parameters can be ascertained by a combination of molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations and NMR spectroscopy. Using the laser photo-CIDNP (chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization) technique as a measure for surface accessibility of histidine, tyrosine and tryptophan, the spectra of bovine galectin-1 and Erythrina corallodendron lectin (EcorL) are readily reconcilable with the crystallographic data for these two proteins. The results emphasise the role of Trp68/Trp69 for carbohydrate binding in bovine galectin-1/chicken galectins and of Trp194 in murine galectin-3. This feature derived from the crystal structure of bovine galectin-1 is maintained in solution for the prototype human homologue, two avian galectins and the chimera-type murine galectin-3, as the spectra corroborate the CIDNP-inferable spatial parameters of the four calculated models for binding-site architecture. In EcorL, Tyr106/Tyr108 are constituents of the extended combining pocket, which can be shielded in solution by ligand presence. Discrepancies between results from modelling and CIDNP measurements concern primarily the lack of reactivity of histidine residues for human and avian prototype galectins and of Tyr82/Tyr229 of the plant lectin. Site-directed mutagenesis of EcorL is assumed to provide information on the role of a certain residue for functional aspects. When single-site mutants of EcorL ([Ala106]EcorL, [Ala108]EcorL, [Ala229]EcorL) were subjected to molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations, the apparent surface accessibilities even of spatially separated amino acid side chains could non-uniformly be affected. This conclusion is supported by the assessment of the spectra for the mutant proteins. On the basis of these CIDNP-results modelling of the binding-site architecture of the lectin indicates the occurrence of notable alterations in the orientation of Tyr106/Tyr108 phenyl rings. The implied potential effect of single-site mutations on conformational features of a protein will deserve attention for the interpretation of studies comparing wild-type and mutant proteins.

C-terminal post-translational proteolysis of plant lectins and their recombinant forms expressed in Escherichia coli. Characterization of "ragged ends" by mass spectrometry.

Electrospray mass spectrometry was used to accurately measure the molecular masses of single chain lectins from legume seeds and also of three recombinant lectins, expressed in Escherichia coli. The five single chain lectins, Erythrina corallodendron lectin, soybean and peanut agglutinins, Dolichos biflorus lectin, and Phaseolus vulgaris hemagglutinin E, all showed evidence of C-terminal proteolytic processing, in some cases to "ragged" ends, when their masses were compared to those expected from their cDNA sequences and their known carbohydrate chains. Recombinant forms of the lectins from E. corallodendron, soybean, and peanut also showed C-terminal trimming, but not to the same points as the natural forms. Discrepancies between the protein and cDNA sequences of the E. corallodendron lectin were resolved by combined liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry peptide mapping and protein sequencing experiments, and the presence of a second glycosylation site was demonstrated. Our data show that all of these lectins undergo C-terminal proteolytic processing of a readily attacked peptide segment. This trimming is frequently imprecise, and the resulting heterogeneity may be a major contributor to the appearance of isolectin forms of these proteins.

Differences in the cross-linking activities of native and recombinant Erythrina corallodendron lectin with asialofetuin. Evidence for carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions in lectin-glycoprotein complexes.

A previous study showed that several multivalent galactose-specific lectins including the 14-kDa lectin from calf spleen and the lectins from Erythrina indica, Erythrina cristagalli, and soybean agglutinin formed specific cross-linked complexes with the glycoprotein asialofetuin (ASF) [Mandal, D. K., & Brewer, C. F. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 8465-8472]. In the present study, we have used quantitative precipitation analysis to compare the cross-linking activities of the Gal/GalNAc-specific lectin from Erythrina corallodendron (ECorL) and the recombinant protein (rECorL) which lacks the covalently linked heptasaccharide chains of the native lectin, with ASF. At low concentrations of ASF relative to the lectin, native dimeric ECorL binds to each of the three terminal Gal residues of the three N-linked triantennary chains of ASF and precipitates as a cross-linked complex at a ratio of 1:9 ASF/lectin (monomer). With increasing concentrations of ASF, the 1:9 complex changes to a 1:3 ASF/lectin complex, and at higher ASF concentrations, a 1:1 cross-linked complex forms. However, rECorL, which possesses the same specificity and binding affinity as the native lectin, forms only the 1:9 and 1:3 ASF/lectin complexes. Other Erythrina lectins examined, all of which have covalently attached carbohydrate and are structurally similar to ECorL, show the same cross-linking behavior as native ECorL. On the other hand, the dimeric 14-kDa calf spleen lectin which lacks covalently attached carbohydrate forms only 1:9 and 1:3 cross-linked complexes with ASF [Mandal, D. K., & Brewer, C. F. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 8465-8472].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Modification by site-directed mutagenesis of the specificity of Erythrina corallodendron lectin for galactose derivatives with bulky substituents at C-2.

Examination of the three-dimensional structure of Erythrina corallodendron lectin (ECorL) in complex with a ligand (lactose), the first of its kind for a Gal/GalNAc-specific lectin [(1991) Science 254, 862-866], revealed the presence of a hydrophobic cavity, surrounded by Tyr108 and Pro134-Trp135, which can accommodate bulky substituents such as acetamido or dansylamido (NDns) at C-2 of the lectin-bound galactose. Comparison of the primary sequence of ECorL with that of soybean agglutinin, specific for galactose and its C-2 substituted derivatives, and of peanut agglutinin, specific for galactose only, showed that in soybean agglutinin, Tyr108 is retained, and Pro134-Trp135 is replaced by Ser-Trp, whereas in peanut agglutinin, the former residue is replaced by Thr and the dipeptide by Ser-Glu- Tyr-Asn. Three mutants of ECorL were therefore constructed: L2, in which Pro134-Trp135 was replaced by Ser-Glu-Tyr-Asn; Y108T, in which Tyr108 was replaced by Thr and the double mutant L2; Y108T. They were expressed in Escherichia coli, as done for recombinant ECorL [(1992) Eur. J. Biochem. 205, 575-581]. The mutants had the same hemagglutinating activity as native or rECorL. Their specificity for galactose, GalNAc and Me beta GalNDns was examined by inhibition of hemagglutination and of the binding of the lectin to immobilized asialofetuin; in addition, their association constants with Me alpha GalNDns and Me beta GalNDns were measured by spectrofluorimetric titration. The results showed that Y108T had essentially similar specificity as the native and recombinant lectins. The affinity of L2 and L2;Y108T for galactose was also the same as ECorL, but they had a lower affinity for GalNAc and markedly diminished affinity for the dansyl sugars (up to 43 times, or 2 kcal, less). This appears to be largely due to steric hindrance by the two additional amino acids present in the cavity region in these mutants. Our findings also provide an explanation for the inability of PNA to accommodate C-2-substituted galactose derivatives at its primary subsite.

Carcinoma primario de duodeno

Se estudiaron lesiones neoplásicas relacionadas con el carcinoma del intestino delgado. Hemos conciderado documentar esta lesión por su importancia. Se muestran los aspectos de la obstrucción mediante la clínica, endoscopia, biopsia y radiología. Se analizaron origen,síntomas y todo lo relacionado con el carcinoma intestinal, así como las mejores terapias

Cloning, sequence analysis and expression in Escherichia coli of the cDNA encoding a precursor of peanut agglutinin.

The cDNA coding for pre-peanut agglutinin (PNA) was isolated from a bacterial expression library. It codes for a polypeptide of 273 amino acids composed of a hydrophobic signal peptide of 23 amino acids and a mature protein of 250 amino acids. The sequence of the latter is identical to that of native PNA, determined very recently by conventional methods, except that it contains 14 additional amino acids at the C-terminus. Bacterial cells harboring a plasmid with the prePNA-cDNA, produced two PNA cross-reacting proteins: one migrated on SDS-PAGE identically with the native lectin (apparent mol. wt. 31 kDa); the other, at 35 kDa, was a beta-galactosidase pre-PNA fusion protein. The former protein possessed an N-terminal sequence identical to that of the mature, native PNA, suggesting that it was processed from the 35 kDa prePNA precursor. Only the 31 kDa protein was exported into the bacterial periplasmic space, and had the ability to bind to galactose-Sepharose. The isolated processed protein had the same hemagglutinating activity as the native lectin, when assayed with sialidase-treated human erythrocytes. Like the native lectin, it did not agglutinate the untreated cells, was not inhibited by N-acetylgalactosamine, and was inhibited by Gal beta 1----3GalNAc 30-times more strongly than by galactose.

Expression of Erythrina corallodendron lectin in Escherichia coli.

The cDNA of the Erythrina corallodendron lectin (ECorL) has been expressed in Escherichia coli. For this purpose, an NcoI site was inserted into the cDNA coding for the lectin precursor [Arango, R., Rozenblatt, S. & Sharon, N. (1990) FEBS Lett. 264, 109-112] immediately before the codon GTG (103-105) which codes for the N-terminal valine of the mature lectin. This introduced an ATG codon for a methionine preceding the valine. The mutated cDNA was ligated into pUC-8, then subcloned into the expression vector pET-3d, which carries a strong promoter derived from gene 10 of the phage T7. The recombinant plasmid was introduced into the E. coli lysogenic strain BL21(DE3). Recombinant ECorL was expressed by growing the bacteria in the presence of isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside. Most of the recombinant lectin was found in an insoluble aggregated form as inclusion bodies and only a small part was in the culture medium in a soluble active form. Functional recombinant lectin was recovered from the inclusion bodies by solubilization with 6 M urea in cyclohexylaminopropane sulfonate pH 10.5, renaturation by 10-fold dilution in the same buffer and further adjustment of the pH to 8.0. The recombinant lectin, obtained at a yield of 4-7 mg/l culture, had, by gel filtration, a slightly lower molecular mass (56 kDa) than the native lectin, and was devoid of covalently linked carbohydrate; it was, however, essentially indistinguishable from native ECorL by other criteria, including its dimeric structure, Western blot analysis with anti-ECorL polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, and Ouchterlony double-diffusion analysis with polyclonal antibodies, as well as hemagglutinating activity and specificity for mono- or disaccharides.

Killing of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis conidia by pulmonary macrophages and the effect of cytokines.

The ability of conidia, the infectious form of the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, to be killed in vitro by murine pulmonary macrophages was studied. Mice were immunized by intravenous injection of killed conidia, which resulted in cellular immunity demonstrated by delayed type hypersensitivity in vivo and macrophage migration inhibition factor production in vitro. Resident pulmonary macrophages from non-immune mice were able to significantly kill the conidia (28%). Such macrophages treated with supernatants (cytokines) from antigen-stimulated immune mononuclears had a markedly enhanced ability to kill conidia (73%). These results show that activated pulmonary macrophages are potent killers of conidia of P. brasiliensis and that immune mononuclears play a role in activation of macrophages. Activated macrophages may be important for pulmonary defense against the initial stages of infection with this fungus.

Training course on code implementation.

PIP: The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) is a coalition of over 40 citizen groups in 70 countries. IBFAN monitors the progress worldwide of the implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. The Code is intended to regulate the advertising and promotional techniques used to sell infant formula. The 1991 IBFAN report shows that 75 countries have taken some action to implement the International Code. During 1992, the IBFAN Code Documentation Center in Malaysia conducted 2 training courses to help countries draft legislation to implement and monitor compliance with the International Code. In April, government officials from 19 Asian and African countries attended the first course in Malaysia; the second course was conducted in Spanish in Guatemala and attended by officials from 15 Latin American and Caribbean countries. The resource people included representatives from NGOs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and North America with experience in Code implementation and monitoring at the national level. The main purpose of each course was to train government officials to use the International Code as a starting point for national legislation to protect breastfeeding. Participants reviewed recent information on lactation management, the advantages of breastfeeding, current trends in breastfeeding and the marketing practices of infant formula manufacturers. The participants studied the terminology contained in the International Code and terminology used by infant formula manufacturers to include breastmilk supplements such as follow-on formulas and cereal-based baby foods. Relevant World Health Assembly resolutions such as the one adopted in 1986 on the need to ban free and low-cost supplies to hospitals were examined. The legal aspects of the current Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and the progress in the 12 BFHI test countries concerning the elimination of supplies were also examined. International Labor Organization conventions on maternity legislation also need to be implemented to support breastfeeding.^ieng

Cloning and sequence analysis of the Erythrina corallodendron lectin cDNA.

Examination of the hemagglutinating activity of extracts from seeds of Erythrina corallodendron at various maturation stages revealed that the level of lectin increases markedly past mid-maturation. Seeds at this stage of maturation served as a source of mRNA for the construction of an expression cDNA library in the vector lambda Zap, which generates fusion proteins with an N-terminal portion of beta-galactosidase. The library was screened with rabbit polyclonal anti-ECorL antiserum. Four immunopositive clones were isolated. Western blot analysis of cell extracts from one of the clones (pIEcL-B) showed a 36 kDa protein that reacted with the antiserum, as well as with a mouse monoclonal antibody raised against the lectin. DNA sequence analysis by the chain termination method revealed that clone pIEcl-C has an insert of 1017 bp with the entire coding sequence of ECorL, beginning with an initiation codon ATG at position 26 and ending with stop codon TAA at position 868. This fragment encodes a polypeptide of 281 amino acids consisting of a signal leader sequence of 25 amino acids and a mature protein of 256 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence from this fragment is identical to the sequence of the first 244 amino acids of ECorL, as determined at the protein level, except at 7 positions.

Prevalencia de infeccion por citomegalovirus: en candidatos a trasplante renal y en sus donadores / Prevalence of cytomegalovirus infection: in candidates for kidney transplantation and their donors

Durante 1986 y 1987 se estudiaron un total de 330 candidatos a trasplante renal , 109 donadores intrafamiliares, 26 donadores cadavericos y 71 individuos normales, para detectar la presencia de IgG contra citomegalovirus, como evidencia de infeccion previa con este agente viral. La prevalencia de infeccion entre los receptores fue de 94% y entre los donadores intrafamiliares fue de 93%; entre los donadores cadavericos, sin embargo, la prevalencia fue solamente de 73% la cual resulto similar a la prevalencia encontrada para los individuos normales que fue de 75%. Durante el mismo periodo se hicieron 40 diagnosticos de citomegalovirus por citologia de orina de igual numero de pacientes trasplantados con sospecha clinica de la infeccion; seis de estos pacientes desarrollaron neumonia, presumiblemente como consecuencia de la infeccion por el virus.

Growth and production of iron chelants by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis mycelial and yeast forms.

The mycelial and yeast forms of the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis were cultured in a chemically defined liquid medium with different iron concentrations and the growth measured spectrophotometrically. The iron binding capacity of culture supernatants was measured by a colorimetric assay. Both the mycelial and yeast forms were able to grow in media containing trace amounts of iron (0.02 mgl-1) but when the iron chelant 1.10 phenantroline was added there was a delay in the initiation of growth of the yeast and almost total inhibition of the mycelium. When iron excess was added to media containing phenantroline, this inhibitory effect was reversed, partially for the mycelial, and completely for the yeast form. For both mycelial and yeast forms, the iron binding capacity of the culture supernatants was greater in media with low iron concentrations.