Molecular typing, antibiotic resistance profiles and biocide susceptibility in Salmonella enterica serotypes isolated from raw chicken meat marketed in Venezuela.

INTRODUCTION: Salmonella is a common bacterial cause of foodborne diarrhea worldwide. The purpose of this study was to characterize antimicrobial resistance and susceptibility to biocides in Salmonella enterica serotypes isolated from raw chicken meat, as well as to study the genetic relationship between strains and virulence profiles. METHODS: Nine Salmonella enterica strains (5 S. Heidelberg; 2 S. Enteritidis; 1 S. Typhimurium and 1 S. Meleagridis) recovered from raw chicken meat marketed in the urban area of Mérida, Venezuela, were studied. Phenotypic characterization was based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing as well as detection of extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) by double-disc synergy. The susceptibility to biocides was determined using the dilution-neutralization methods. The detection of quinolone resistance-determining regions of gyrA, gyrB, and parC genes, bla ESBLs genes, plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants and virulence genes (invA and spvC) was carried out by PCR. All strains were typed using PFGE. RESULTS: Multidrug-resistance was evident in 6 of 9 strains studied. However, all Salmonella serotypes were susceptible to the tested biocides. Genotypic characterization determined that 5 strains harbored the bla CTXM-2, 4 bla TEM-1 and 3 qnrB19 genes. All strains were positive for the invA gene. The spvC gene was detected in 4 of them. PFGE grouped Salmonella strains into 4 different patterns that represented individual serotypes. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides valuable information on antibiotic resistance, biocide susceptibility profiles, virulence gene content and genetic diversity of Salmonella enterica serotypes isolated from raw chicken meat marketed in Venezuela, and evidenced a health risk for consumers.

Association of Transferable Quinolone Resistance Determinant qnrB19 with Extended-Spectrum ß -Lactamases in Salmonella Give and Salmonella Heidelberg in Venezuela.

Four nontyphoidal Salmonella strains with resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and nonclassical quinolone resistance phenotype were studied. Two S. Give were isolated from pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis, and two S. Heidelberg were recovered from raw chicken meat. Phenotypic characterization included antimicrobial susceptibility testing and detection of extended-spectrum ß -lactamases (ESBLs) by the double-disc synergy method. The detection of quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDR) of gyrA, gyrB, and gyrC genes, bla ESBLs genes, and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants was carried out by molecular methods. Plasmid analysis included Southern blot and restriction patterns. Transferability of resistance genes was examined by transformation. bla TEM-1 + bla SHV-12 genes were detected in S. Give SG9611 and bla TEM-1 + bla CTX-M-2 in the other three strains: S. Give SG9811, S. Heidelberg SH7511, and SH7911. Regardless of origin and serovars, the qnrB19 gene was detected in the 4 strains studied. All determinants of resistance were localized in plasmids and successfully transferred by transformation. This study highlights the circulation of qnrB19 associated with bla TEM-1, bla SHV-12, and bla CTX-M-2 in S. Give and S. Heidelberg in Venezuela. The recognition of factors associated with increasing resistance and the study of the molecular mechanisms involved can lead to a more focused use of antimicrobial agents.

Effect of Jatropha curcas peptide fractions on the angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activity.

Hypertension is one of the most common worldwide diseases in humans. Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in regulating blood pressure and hypertension. An evaluation was done on the effect of Alcalase hydrolysis of defatted Jatropha curcas kernel meal on ACE inhibitory activity in the resulting hydrolysate and its purified fractions. Alcalase exhibited broad specificity and produced a protein hydrolysate with a 21.35% degree of hydrolysis and 34.87% ACE inhibition. Ultrafiltration of the hydrolysate produced peptide fractions with increased biological activity (24.46-61.41%). Hydrophobic residues contributed substantially to the peptides' inhibitory potency. The 5-10 and <1 kDa fractions were selected for further fractionation by gel filtration chromatography. ACE inhibitory activity (%) ranged from 22.66 to 45.96% with the 5-10 kDa ultrafiltered fraction and from 36.91 to 55.83% with the <1 kDa ultrafiltered fraction. The highest ACE inhibitory activity was observed in F2 (IC50 = 6.7 µg/mL) from the 5-10 kDa fraction and F1 (IC50 = 4.78 µg/mL) from the <1 kDa fraction. ACE inhibitory fractions from Jatropha kernel have potential applications in alternative hypertension therapies, adding a new application for the Jatropha plant protein fraction and improving the financial viability and sustainability of a Jatropha-based biodiesel industry.

Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Peptides of Chia (Salvia hispanica) Produced by Enzymatic Hydrolysis.

Synthetic angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE-I) inhibitors can have undesirable side effects, while natural inhibitors have no side effects and are potential nutraceuticals. A protein-rich fraction from chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seed was hydrolyzed with an Alcalase-Flavourzyme sequential system and the hydrolysate ultrafiltered through four molecular weight cut-off membranes (1 kDa, 3 kDa, 5 kDa, and 10 kDa). ACE-I inhibitory activity was quantified in the hydrolysate and ultrafiltered fractions. The hydrolysate was extensive (DH = 51.64%) and had 58.46% ACE-inhibitory activity. Inhibition ranged from 53.84% to 69.31% in the five ultrafiltered fractions and was highest in the <1 kDa fraction (69.31%). This fraction's amino acid composition was identified and then it was purified by gel filtration chromatography and ACE-I inhibition measured in the purified fractions. Amino acid composition suggested that hydrophobic residues contributed substantially to chia peptide ACE-I inhibitory strength, probably by blocking angiotensin II production. Inhibitory activity ranged from 48.41% to 62.58% in the purified fractions, but fraction F1 (1.5-2.5 kDa) exhibited the highest inhibition (IC50 = 3.97 µg/mL; 427-455 mL elution volume). The results point out the possibility of obtaining bioactive peptides from chia proteins by means of a controlled protein hydrolysis using Alcalase-Flavourzyme sequentional system.

Asociación entre las concentraciones de malondialdehído (MDA) y las alteraciones neurológicas en personas expuestas ocupacionalmente a mercurio / Association between Concentrations of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Neurological Abnormalities in People Occupationally Exposed to Mercu / Associação entre concentração de malondialdeído (MDA) e anormalidades neurológicas em pessoas ocupacionalmente expostoa ao mercúrio

Se cree que la neurotoxicidad por mercurio metálico se debe a la inducción del estrés oxidativo (determinado por aumento de las concentraciones de malondialdehído, MDA), pero se desconoce si la mayor concentración de MDA implica mayor cantidad de alteraciones neurológicas. Objetivo: establecer la asociación entre las concentraciones urinarias de MDA y la gravedad de la neurotoxicidad en individuos expuestos a mercurio. Materiales y métodos: se recurrió a un estudio transversal. Se incluyeron hombres entre 18 y 60 años laboralmente expuestos a mercurio. Se tomaron 110 unidades de análisis de una base de datos. Se obtuvo información de historias clínicas con énfasis en la evolución neurológica, de la concentración de mercurio en orina de 24 horas y de análisis de MDA en orina. Se compararon concentraciones de MDA entre quienes tenían alteraciones neurológicas contra quienes no las tenían y se evaluaron las diferencias de las concentraciones de esta sustancia de acuerdo con la gravedad neurológica; se realizó un análisis de correlación entre concentraciones urinarias de MDA con las concentraciones urinarias de mercurio. Resultados: como resultado se obtuvo que las concentraciones de MDA en los individuos expuestos a mercurio y que presentaron alteraciones neurológicas no fueron diferentes de las concentraciones de los individuos expuestos pero sin alteraciones neurológicas. Sus concentraciones tampoco estuvieron asociadas con la gravedad. No hubo correlación entre las concentraciones urinarias de MDA y mercurio. Conclusión: será necesario buscar otras muestras biológicas diferentes a la orina que reflejen lo que ocurre en el sistema nervioso central (SNC), o buscar otras razones fisiopatológicas que expliquen la presencia de las manifestaciones clínicas en estos individuos.

It is believed that mercury neurotoxicity is due to induction of oxidative stress [as determined by increased concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA)], but we don't know if to have higher concentrations of MDA involves to have more neurological disorders. Objective: To establish association between urinary concentrations of MDA and the severity of neurological abnormalities in people exposed to mercury. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was done. Inclusion criteria: men between 18 and 60 years with occupational exposure to metallic mercury. The sample was taken from a database of 110 patients exposed to mercury. Information was gathered from medical records with emphasis on neurologic outcome, from the mercury concentration in urine of 24 hours and from urinary MDA analysis. For statistical analysis, nonparametric tests were used for comparisons between concentrations of MDA among those with neurological disorders vs. those without disorders and to evaluate differences in the concentrations of this substance according to the severity of these alterations; it was performed correlation analysis between urinary concentrations of MDA and urinary concentrations of mercury. Results: The concentrations of MDA in patients exposed to mercury with neurological abnormalities were not different from those without abnormalities. MDA concentrations neither were associated with the severity of clinical findings. There was no correlation between MDA and urinary mercury concentrations. Conclusion: It will be necessary to search biological samples other than urine that could reflect what occurs in CNS or look for other pathophysiological causes to explain the presence of clinical findings in these patients.

Acredita-se que a neurotoxicidade do mercúrio metálico devido à indução de estresse oxidativo [conforme determinado pelo aumento das concentrações de malondialdeído (MDA)], mas não sabe se quer ter maiores concentrações de MDA envolve mais alterações neurológicas. Objetivo: estabelecer a associação entre a concentração urinária do MDA e da gravidade da neurotoxicidade em expostos ao mercúrio. Materiais e métodos: Estudo transversal. Ele incluiu homens entre 18 e 60 expostos ao mercúrio. Levou 110 unidades de análise de um banco de dados. As informações foram coletadas dos prontuários médicos, com ênfase na evolução neurológica, a concentração de mercúrio na urina de 24 horas e MDA na análise da urina. Testes não paramétricos foram utilizados para comparar as concentrações de MDA em pacientes com distúrbios neurológicos vs aqueles que não tê-los e avaliar as diferenças na concentração desta substância em função da gravidade dos distúrbios, foi feita uma análise de correlação entre as concentrações urinárias MDA com concentrações urinárias de mercúrio. Resultados: As concentrações de MDA no exposto a alterações de mercúrio e neurológico não foram diferentes daquelas expostas, mas sem distúrbios neurológicos. Seus níveis não foram associados com a gravidade. Não houve correlação entre o MDA e concentrações urinárias de mercúrio. Conclusão: Será necessário procurar outras amostras biológicas de urina que não reflectem o que ocorre no SNC ou procurar outras razões fisiopatológicas explicar a presença das manifestações clínicas nesses indivíduos.

Profiles of enteropathogens in asymptomatic children from indigenous communities of Mérida, Venezuela.

INTRODUCTION: In Latin America, gastrointestinal infections represent one of the main causes of death among indigenous groups, with a mortality rate three times greater than in the general population. In this study, the carrier state of enteropathogens and the epidemiological risk factor in asymptomatic children from indigenous communities of Mérida, Venezuela, were determined. METHODOLOGY: Fifty-eight healthy children, 5 years of age and under, were clinically and epidemiologically evaluated. Fecal samples were tested for a range of classic enteropathogens. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests (AST) were performed by dilution methods. RESULTS: Of the specimens studied, there were 34 (58.6%) positive samples, and a single enteropathogen was detected in 22 (64.6%) of these. Associations of two and three enteropathogens were observed in 10 (29.3%) and two (5.8%) cases, respectively. Blastocystis hominis (16; 47.0%) and Salmonella spp. (15; 43.9%) were the most frequently detected enteropathogens. Carriage of enteropathogens was most frequent in children older than two years. The variety of food in the daily diet was the risk factor strongly associated with the presence of parasites and/or enteric bacteria (p = 0.024 < 0.05 and p = 0.000 < 0.05, respectively). The majority of these bacteria were susceptible to the antibiotics tested in vitro. CONCLUSION: This study shows a high prevalence of enteropathogen carriage in asymptomatic children aged five and under from indigenous communities; this result is statistically related to the consumption of food. These findings stress the need of continuous epidemiological surveillance in vulnerable populations, as an important step to prevent the morbidity and mortality due to gastrointestinal infections.

EFECTO DE DENSIDAD POBLACIONAL DE HUEVOS SOBRE VIABILIDAD Y TIEMPO DE DESARROLLO DE Drosophila melanogaster (DROSOPHILIDAE) / Effect Of Eggs Population Density On Viability And Time Of Development Of Drosophila melanogaster (Drosophilidae)

Para estimar el efecto de la densidad poblacional de huevos sobre la viabilidad huevoadulto de Drosophila melanogaster se realizaron tres tratamientos en frascos con medio de cultivo agar-banano: a densidad de 10, 50 y 90 huevos. La variable de respuesta fue la proporción de individuos adultos emergidos desde la aparición del primer imago hasta 15 días después de la siembra. Las viabilidades huevo-adulto promedio fueron 0,320, 0,338 y 0,328 para las densidades de 10, 50 y 90 huevos respectivamente. No se evidenciaron diferencias significativas entre los tres tratamientos (p>0.05). Por lo tanto, no se detectó en este estudio influencia de la densidad poblacional de huevos sobre la viabilidad huevo-adulto. Probablemente debido a que la proporción entre el número de huevos y la cantidad de medio fue suficientemente alta para no generar competencia en otros estadios del desarrollo huevo/adulto.

For estimating the effect from population density of eggs over viability egg-adult in Drosophila melanogaster, it was made three treatments in flasks with agar-banana culture media: densities of 10, 50 and 90 eggs. The effect evaluated was the adult’s proportion that emerged after 15 days of planting. The mean proportions of viability egg-adult were 0.32, 0.338 and 0.328 for the density of 10, 50 and 90 eggs respectively. Significant differences in viability were not evident (p>0.05). Consequently, it was not found effects from the eggs densities in the present study over egg-adult viability. These results probably were due to that the relation among number of eggs and quantity of culture media was not enough of a high for generate competition at another stadiums through the egg-adult development.

Bioequivalencia de dos formulaciones de Metformina, tabletas de 850 mg, en voluntarios sanos colombianos / Bioequivalence of two metformin formulations: 850 mg tablets in healthy colombian volunteers

Introducción: la metformina es un antihiperglicemiante útil en el manejo de la diabetes mellitus tipo II, del que se encuentran en el mercado colombiano tanto el producto innovador como diferentes formulaciones genéricas. Para garantizar la seguridad y eficacia de estas últimas, es necesario demostrar su bioequivalencia con respecto al producto innovador.Objetivo: determinar si el producto Dimefor®/Metformina MK es bioequivalente con el producto Glucophage? (referencia) cuando se administran en dosis iguales a un grupo de voluntarios sanos.Método: el estudio se realizó sobre veinticuatro voluntarios que cumplieron con los requisitos de inclusión y decidieron participar espontáneamente después de ser informados sobre su función en el estudio. Se utilizó un diseño aleatorio cruzado, en dos períodos, dos secuencias y doble ciego. Se administró una dosis única de 850 mg de cada producto y se tomaron muestras de sangre por un período de 24 horas. La cuantificación de la metformina se realizó por HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography). Para la determinación estadística de bioequivalencia se utilizó la prueba de Schuirmann.Resultados: los dos productos fueron bioequivalentes con intervalos de confianza contenidos entre 80.0 por ciento y 125.0 por ciento para ln ABC0-8 (84.6 por ciento-100.0 por ciento), ln Cmax (89.1 por ciento-109.0 por ciento) e ln ABC0-Tmax (83.4 por ciento-101.4 por ciento) y entre 80.0 por ciento y 120.0 por ciento para Tmax (85.1 por ciento y 109.8 por ciento).

INTRODUCTION: Metformin is an orally active antidiabetic agent used to treat type II diabetes; it is found in the Colombian market in both the innovator brand and the generic formulations. The latter have to prove some biopharmaceutical quality outcomes to guarantee interchangeable proprieties. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the drug Dimefor®/Metformina MK is bioequivalent to the reference product Glucophage®, when the products are administrated, at the same dose, to a group of healthy volunteers. METHOD: The study was made with 24 healthy volunteers who met the inclusion criteria and spontaneously decided to participate after being thoroughly informed. We used a two-sequence threeperiod randomized, crossed and double-blind study. The volunteers took an 850 mg dose of each medicine; then, blood samples were taken throughout 24 hours and the metformin quantification in plasma was determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with UV detection (HPLC/UV). For statistical analysis, Schuirmann's test was used. RESULTS: The study showed that both preparations are bioequivalent; confidence intervals for ln AUC0-∞, ln Cmax, ln AUC0-Tmax and Tmax were [84.6-100.0%], [89.1-109.0%], [83.4­01.4%] and [85.1-109.8% ], respectively.

Programa de educacion participativa sobre aspectos generales y especificos de la patologia y el cuidado del recien nacido de alto riesgo para padres de ninos hospitalizados en la unidad neonatal del hospital Infantil Lorencita Villegas de Santos / Participative educational program on general and specific aspects of pathology and care of high risk newborns for parents of children hospitalized in the neonatal unit of hospital Infantil Lorencita Villegas de Santos

Se diseno un programa educacional sobre los cuidados al recien nacido de alto riesgo con el proposito de estimular la participacion de los padres en el cuidado de sus hijos.. El programa esta integrado por 6 unidades asi: regulacion de la temperatura corporal; bano, vestido y masaje; manejo del problema de salud; estimulacion; identificacion de signos de alarma y lactancia materna. El programa se desarrollo con el 64% de los padres de los recien nacidos que ingresaron a la unidad neonatal del Hospital Infantil Lorencita Villegas de Santos en Bogota, desde el 11 de Julio hasta el 11 de Sept. de 1987. Como resultados del mismo se observo reconocimiento oportuno de los signos de alarma que presentaba el recien nacido y solocitud de ayuda adecuada; incremento de la continuacion del cuidado en el hogar; fortalecimiento de la relacion padre-hijo con las actividades de estimulacion, reduccion de la ansiedad de los padres frente al hijo en el ambiente de la unidad neonatal y fomento de la relacion entre el grupo de padres de ninos con problemas neonatales y con el personal de la unidad. Se recomienda implementar programas como este en los servicios de neonatologia y hacer estudios adicionales para medir su impacto en la morbimortalidad neonatal, el tiempo de hospitalizacion y la influencia que este tipo de educacion a los padres ejerce sobre el desarrollo de sus hijos..