Characterization of Pseudomonas chlororaphis from Theobroma cacao L. rhizosphere with antagonistic activity against Phytophthora palmivora (Butler).

AIM: To isolate and characterize rhizobacteria from Theobroma cacao with antagonistic activity against Phytophthora palmivora, the causal agent of the black pod rot, which is one of the most important diseases of T. cacao. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among 127 rhizobacteria isolated from cacao rhizosphere, three isolates (CP07, CP24 and CP30) identified as Pseudomonas chlororaphis, showed in vitro antagonistic activity against P. palmivora. Direct antagonism tested in cacao detached leaves revealed that the isolated rhizobacteria were able to reduce symptom severity upon infection with P. palmivora Mab1, with Ps. chlororaphis CP07 standing out as a potential biocontrol agent. Besides, reduced symptom severity on leaves was also observed in planta where cacao root system was pretreated with the isolated rhizobacteria followed by leaf infection with P. palmivora Mab1. The production of lytic enzymes, siderophores, biosurfactants and HCN, as well as the detection of genes encoding antibiotics, the formation of biofilm, and bacterial motility were also assessed for all three rhizobacterial strains. By using a mutant impaired in viscosin production, derived from CP07, it was found that this particular biosurfactant turned out to be crucial for both motility and biofilm formation, but not for the in vitro antagonism against Phytophthora, although it may contribute to the bioprotection of T. cacao. CONCLUSIONS: In the rhizosphere of T. cacao, there are rhizobacteria, such as Ps. chlororaphis, able to protect plants against P. palmivora. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides a theoretical basis for the potential use of Ps. chlororaphis CP07 as a biocontrol agent for the protection of cacao plants from P. palmivora infection.

[Study of renal function in infants diagnosed with renal pyelectasis in the first year of life]. / Estudio de la función renal en niños diagnosticados de ectasia piélica en el primer año de vida.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate glomerular and tubular function in a group of infants diagnosed with pyelectasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 14 patients diagnosed with renal pelvis dilatation in-utero or during the first year of life. Creatinine concentrations, urinary excretion of calcium, citrate, oxalate, N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), microalbumin and maximum urine osmolality after administration of intranasal desmopressin were determined. The latter three variables were determined at diagnosis and at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: In all patients creatinine levels were normal. In six patients (42.9%) maximum urine osmolality values were abnormal. In four patients NAG/creatinine concentrations were elevated and in another four patients (28.6%) albumin urinary excretion was elevated. These anomalies tended to return to normal but, at the end of the study, three patients (21.4%) showed increased albuminuria and one (7.1%) showed persistently defective renal concentrating capacity. Ten patients showed metabolic urinary anomalies, potentially leading to the formation of stones (isolated hypercalciuria in five [35,7%], hyperoxaluria in two and hypocitraturia in one, and hypercalciuria associated with hyperoxaluria in two). CONCLUSIONS: All patients showed normal glomerular function. Some patients presented increased albuminuria and moderate tubular function abnormalities, both of which tended to return to normal. Although studies with greater numbers of patients are needed, we propose that pyelectasis maybe a predictor of risk for lithiasis at later stages of life.

Estudio de la función renal en niños diagnosticados de ectasia piélica en el primer año de vida / Study of renal function in infants diagnosed with renal pyelectasis in the first year of life

Objetivo: Evaluar las funciones renales glomerular y tubular en un grupo de niños diagnosticados de ectasia piélica. Pacientes y métodos: Se estudió a un grupo de 14 recién nacidos y lactantes diagnosticados de ectasia pielocalicial intraútero o durante el primer año de vida. Se determinaron los valores de creatinina y la eliminación urinaria de calcio, citrato, oxalato, N-acetil-glucosaminidasa (NAG) y microalbúmina. Además, se midió la osmolalidad urinaria máxima tras estimulación con desmopresina. Estos tres últimos parámetros se valoraron en el diagnóstico y al terminar el período de seguimiento. Resultados: Los valores de creatinina fueron normales en todos los casos. La osmolalidad urinaria máxima estaba alterada inicialmente en 6 pacientes (42,9%). También se observó al inicio elevación del cociente NAG/creatinina en 4 casos y de la excreción urinaria de albúmina en otros cuatro (28,6%). Estas anomalías tendieron hacia la normalización aunque, al concluir el estudio, en 3 pacientes (21,4%) existía incremento de la albuminuria y en uno persistía el defecto de la capacidad de concentración (7,1%). Por otra parte, en 10 de los niños se observaron anomalías metabólicas urinarias potencialmente causantes de cálculos (35,7%; hipercalciuria aislada, 5; hiperoxaluria aislada, 2; hipocitraturia, 1; e hipercalciuria asociada a hiperoxaluria, 2). Conclusiones La función glomerular era normal. Algunos de los pacientes presentaron incremento de la eliminación urinaria de albúmina y algunas anomalías, si bien moderadas, de la función tubular. En todo caso, se ha comprobado una tendencia a la normalización de dichos parámetros. Aunque son necesarios estudios más amplios, postulamos la hipótesis de que la presencia de ectasia piélica puede ser un marcador predictor del riesgo de padecer litiasis renal en edades posteriores de la vida (AU)

Macroafectación linfática secundaria a adenocarcinoma de próstata / Lymphatic macroafectation in prostatic adenocarcinoma

El carcinoma de próstata puede manifestarse clínicamente o bien diagnosticarse por los síntomas que origina su extensión locoregional o a distancia. El sistema linfático es la primera estación metastásica del cáncer de próstata, afectándose en un elevado porcentaje de casos, incluso pudiendo simular en ocasiones procesos linfoproliferativos, siendo muy raro llegar al diagnóstico por una macroafectación linfática como primer síntoma. En estos casos al diagnóstico de confirmación se puede llegar por medio del estudio histológico y fundamentalmente inmunohistoquímico mediante la determinación del antígeno prostático específico de una adenopatía. El tratamiento, en estos tumores diseminados, será paliativo mediante hormonoterapia. El pronóstico es, en general, bastante malo con supervivencias muy bajas a los 5 años (AU)

[Massive lymphatic involvement secondary to prostatic adenocarcinoma]. / Macroafectación linfática secundaria a adenocarcinoma de próstata.

Prostatic carcinoma may be diagnosed by the clinic manifestations or by the symptoms for locoregional disemination and distance metastasis. The lymphatic system is the first metastatic station, which is affected in a high percentage of cases. Event it may simulate lymphoproliferatives process and it si uncommon the lymphatic macroaffectation at first. In theses cases, the histologic and immunohistochemical study by the determination of prostatic specific antigen in lymph nodes can provice the diagnosis. Treatment of these tumors is palliative with hormonotherapy. Prognosis is bad with a low survival at five years.

[A preliminary study of total peripheral parenteral nutrition; with 65.5% branched-chain amino acids in surgical patients]. / Estudio preliminar sobre una nutrición parenteral periférica completa; con un 65.5% de AACR en enfermos quirúrgicos.

Presentation of the first results obtained from our study, the objective of which is to discover a benefit in the nutritional state following the administration of a greater amount of branched chain amino-acids in parenteral solutions using the peripheral method, during the first 7 days of the postoperative period, in neoplastic patients subjected to surgery of the digestive tract.