Restricted access property supramolecular solvents for combined microextraction of endocrine disruptors in sediment and sample cleanup prior to their quantification by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A supramolecular solvent (SUPRAS) made up of inverted hexagonal aggregates of decanol was here proposed for the simultaneous microextraction of representative estrogenic disruptors (EDs) [viz. estrone (E1), 17ß-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and bisphenol A (BPA)] in sediments and sample cleanup. The SUPRAS contains aqueous cavities, the size of which can be tailored by controlling the environment for decanol self-assembly. The method involved the stirring of the sample (0.3g of sediment) with 0.4mL of SUPRAS for 10min, subsequent centrifugation for extract separation from solid matrix components and direct analysis of the extract by liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/QQQMS-MS). Driving forces for the microextraction of EDs in the SUPRAS involved both dispersion and hydrogen bond interactions. This mixed-mode mechanism resulted in high extraction efficiencies for EDs (viz. recoveries between 93 and 104%) and that allowed to reach low method detection limits (viz. 0.03, 0.3, 0.28, 0.4 and 0.08ngg(-1) for E1, E2, E3, EE2 and BPA, respectively) without the need for extract evaporation. The size of the aqueous cavities of the SUPRAS selected was no large enough to allow humic acids to efficiently diffuse through them. So the SUPRAS behaved as a restricted access material for these macromolecules thus facilitating sample cleanup. The method was applied to the determination of the targeted EDs in sediments from three rivers in the Southern Spain. The concentrations found ranged between below the MDL and 6.4ngg(-1). The sample treatment here proposed greatly simplifies the procedures currently used for the determination of EDs in sediments using LC/MS-MS.

[Overweight and associated pathologies in adult women]. / Exceso de peso y patologías asociadas en mujeres adultas.

UNLABELLED: Overweight and obesity represent an important public health problem in the world, including developed and underdeveloped countries, as contributing factors for non transmissible chronic illnesses in the adult, affecting both sexes, but especially to women. OBJECTIVE: To associate excess in weight to the presence of comorbidities in adult women. METHODOLOGY: 130 women, age 25 to 70 years with body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m(2) were assessed. Weight, height, arm, waist and hip circumferences, tricipital and subescapular skinfolds. BMI, waist/hip ratio (W/H ratio) and fatty area were determined. Presence of diabetes mellitus (DM); high blood pressure (HBP), dyslipidemia and arthropathy were assessed. Overweight and obesity were classified according to OMS criteria. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 11.0. RESULTS: 24,6% of women (n = 32) were overweight; 38,5% (n = 50) were obese I; 23,8% (n = 31) were obese II; and 13,1% (n = 17) had obesity III. Associated pathologies were present in 80,8% of the studied women: 46,9% (n = 61) with dyslipidemia; 42,3% (n = 55) with HBP; 33,1% (n = 43) with arthropaties; and 16,2% (n = 21) with DM. Overweight and obese I women showed a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia (56%) and (52%), respectively; while in Obese II and Obese III, 38,7% and 47,1% presented HBP respectively. There was a positive correlation (Spearman) among DM, HBP and dyslipidemia (p < 0,05) with age; and significant correlation (Pearson, p < 0,05) between W/H ratio and DM. CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of associated pathologies in the valued women, being the most frequent dyslipidemia, HBP and arthropathy, which are directly proportional with the age and the IC/C.

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis to methyldibromoglutaronitrile in hand degreasing toilet paper.

We inform about a case of occupational allergic contact dermatitis (OACD) to methyldibromoglutaronitrile (MDBGN) in industrial hand degreasing moist toilet paper. To our knowledge, this is the first published case of OACD to MDBGN in industrial hand degreasing toilet papers. A cause-effect relationship seems to be clearly established. We believe that physicians must keep in mind that MDBGN is a strong allergen either mixed or as a single component of industrial moist toilet papers. MDBGN must be taken into account for OACD at an appropriate work environment.

Exceso de peso y patologías asociadas en mujeres adultas / Overweight and associated pathologies in adult women

El exceso de peso, representa un problema de salud de importancia en países desarrollados, por ser un factor de riesgo, de alta prevalencia, para enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles del adulto, que afectan a ambos sexos, sobre todo al femenino. Objetivo: Asociar el grado de exceso de peso con la presencia de comorbilidades en mujeres adultas. Metodología: 130 mujeres, edad 25 a 70 años, e índice de masa corporal (IMC) > 25 kg/m2. Se evaluó peso, talla, circunferencia de brazo, cintura, cadera, pliegues tricipital y subescapular. Se determinó IMC, índice cintura/cadera (IC/C) y área grasa. El exceso de peso fue clasificado según la OMS; se evaluó la presencia de diabetes mellitus (DM); hipertensión arterial (HTA), dislipidemias y artropatías. Los datos fueron analizados mediante el programa estadístico SPSS versión 11.0. Resultados: El 24,6% (n = 32) presentó sobrepeso; 38,5% (n = 50) obesidad I; 23,8% (n = 31) obesidad II; 13,1% (n = 17) obesidad III. El 80,8% presentó alguna comorbilidad; 46,9% (n = 61) dislipidemia; 42,3% (n = 55) HTA; 33,1% (n = 43) artropatías; 16,2% (n = 21) DM. Los grupos con sobrepeso (SP) y obesidad I, presentaron mayor frecuencia de dislipidemia, (56%) y (52%) respectivamente; mientras que en obesidad II (ObII) y obesidad III (ObIII), el 38,7% y 47,1% presentó HTA, respectivamente. Hubo correlación positiva (Spearman) entre DM, HTA y dislipidemia (p < 0,05) al correlacionarlos con la edad; y correlación significativa (Pearson, p < 0,05) entre IC/C y DM. Conclusión: Se encontró una elevada prevalencia de patologías asociadas en las mujeres evaluadas, siendo las más frecuentes dislipidemias, HTA y artropatías, con un incremento directamente proporcional a la edad e IC/C

Overweight and obesity represent an important public health problem in the world, including developed and underdeveloped countries, as contributing factors for non transmissible chronic illnesses in the adult, affecting both sexes, but especially to women. Objective: To associate excess in weight to the presence of comorbidities in adult women. Methodology: 130 women, age 25 to 70 years with body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2 were assessed. Weight, height, arm, waist and hip circumferences, tricipital and subescapular skinfolds. BMI, waist/hip ratio (W/H ratio) and fatty area were determined. Presence of diabetes mellitus (DM); high blood pressure (HBP), dyslipidemia and arthropathy were assessed. Overweight and obesity were classified according to OMS criteria. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 11.0. Results: 24,6% of women (n = 32) were overweight; 38,5% (n = 50) were obese I; 23,8% (n = 31) were obese II; and 13,1% (n = 17) had obesity III. Associated pathologies were present in 80,8% of the studied women: 46,9% (n = 61) with dyslipidemia; 42,3% (n = 55) with HBP; 33,1% (n = 43) with arthropaties; and 16,2% (n = 21) with DM. Overweight and obese I women showed a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia (56%) and (52%), respectively; while in Obese II and Obese III, 38,7% and 47,1% presented HBP respectively. There was a positive correlation (Spearman) among DM, HBP and dyslipidemia (p < 0,05) with age; and significant correlation (Pearson, p < 0,05) between Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of associated pathologies in the valued women, being the most frequent dyslipidemia, HBP and arthropathy, which are directly proportional with the age and the IC/C

[Hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia prevalence in obese children: increased risk of cardiovascular disease?]. / Prevalencia de hiperlipidemia e hiperglicemia en niños obesos: riesgo aumentado de enfermedad cardiovascular?

UNLABELLED: In Venezuela, cardiovascular diseases have represented the first mortality cause since year 1967. Evidence have shown that early lesion of coronary atherosclerosis can be observed at infancy in close association to obesity and diabetes, suggesting that preventive measures should be initiated at that time. OBJECTIVE: To study presence of hyperlipidemia or hyperglicemia in obese children as risk indicators. METHODOLOGY: 121 children (aged 8.7 +/- 3.43 years), with body mass index above 90th percentile for age (Fundacredesa) were studied. Serum cholesterol and its fractions (HDL-C and LDL-C), triglycerides and fasting glucose by enzymatic-colorimetric methods were determined, Cut-off points from Fundacredesa were used for cholesterol and triglycerides, while from National Cholesterol Education Program and American Diabetes Association, were used for LDL-C and HDL-C, and glucose, respectively. Children were grouped by age: Group 1: 2-5.11 years (19%); Group 2: 6-8.11 years (28.1%); and Group 3: elder than 9 years (52.9%). Statistical analysis was performed considering gender and age. RESULTS: Mean values for cholesterol were at risk level in males Group 1. Mean values for HDL-c were at risk level for girls Group 1 and 3 and males Group 3. Mean values for triglycerides were at risk level for girls Group 1 and 3 and males Group 2; but high levels were found in males from Group 1 and 3. LDL-C was at aceptable values for all the groups. No hyperglicemia was found. CONCLUSION: Low and at risk HDL-c and high triglycerides as lipid profile in these obese children indicate a high risk for cardiovascular disease, being males the more affected. A high proportion of the children fulfilled three criteria for Metabolic Syndrome. Dietary control and modification on food pattern and physical activity should be implemented.

Prevalencia de hiperlipidemia e hiperglicemia en niños obesos ¿riesgo aumentado de enfermedad cardiovascular? / Hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia prevalence in obese children: increased risk of cardiovascular disease?

Las enfermedades cardiovasculares representan la primera causa de muerte en Venezuela desde el año 1967. Existen evidencias que demuestran que la lesión temprana de la aterosclerosis coronaria se inicia en la infancia con marcada asociación a la obesidad y diabetes, por lo que su prevención debe iniciarse en esa época. Objetivo: Estudiar la presencia de hiperlipidemia e hiperglicemia en niños obesos como indicadores de riesgo. Metodología: Se seleccionaron 121 niños (edad 8,7±3,43 años), con índice de masa corporal mayor al P90 para su edad (Fundacredesa). Se determinó colesterol sérico total y fracciones (HDL-C y LDL-C), triglicéridos y glicemia en ayunas por métodos enzimáticos-colorimétricos. Se utilizaron puntos de corte para colesterol y triglicéridos según referencia nacional (Fundacredesa), para las LDL-C y HDL-C, los criterios del National Cholesterol Education Program y para glicemia según la American Diabetes Association. La muestra se agrupó por edad en: 2-5,11 años (19%): Grupo 1; 6-8,11 años (28,1%): Grupo 2 y mayores de 9 años (52,9%): Grupo 3. Análisis estadístico por genero y grupo etario. Resultados: El colesterol se ubicó en "riesgo" en los varones Grupo 1. Las HDL-C en riesgo en las niñas de Grupo 1 y Grupo 3 y en los varones Grupo 3. Los triglicéridos, se ubicaron en niveles de "riesgo" para las niñas Grupo 1 y Grupo 3 y varones Grupo 2 y en rango "elevado" en los varones Grupo 1 y Grupo 3. Las LDL-C, se ubicaron en todos los grupos en rango "aceptable" y no se encontró hiperglicemia en los niños evaluados. Conclusión: El perfil bajo de HDL y elevado de triglicéridos, sugiere un mayor riesgo de estos niños obesos a enfermedad cardiovascular, con mayor afectación en el género masculino. Una elevada proporción de ellos cumple con tres criterios definitorios de Síndrome metabólico por lo que se recomienda control dietario y modificaciones en el patrón de alimentación y de actividad física (AU)

In Venezuela, cardiovascular diseases have represented the first mortality cause since year 1967. Evidence have shown that early lesion of coronary atherosclerosis can be observed at infancy in close association to obesity and diabetes, suggesting that preventive measures should be initiated at that time. Objective: To study presence of hyperlipidemia or hyperglicemia in obese children as risk indicators. Methodology: 121 children (aged 8,7 ± 3,43 años), with body mass index above 90th percentile for age (Fundacredesa) were studied. Serum cholesterol and its fractions (HDL-C y LDL-C), triglycerides and fasting glucose by enzymatic-colorimetric methods were determined, Cut-off points from Fundacredesa were used for cholesterol and triglycerides, while from National Cholesterol Education Program and American Diabetes Association, were used for LDL-C and HDL-C, and glucose, respectively. Children were grouped by age: Group 1: 2-5,11 years (19%); Group 2: 6-8,11 years (28,1%); and Group 3: elder than 9 years (52,9%). Statistical analysis was performed considering gender and age. Results: Mean values for cholesterol were at risk level in males Group 1. Mean values for HDL-c were at risk level for girls Group 1 and 3 and males Group 3. Mean values for triglycerides were at risk level for girls Group 1 and 3 and males Group 2; but high levels werefound in males from Group 1 and 3. LDL-C was at aceptable values for all the groups. No hyperglicemia was found. Conclusion: Low and at risk HDL-c and high triglycerides as lipid profile in these obese children indicate a high risk for cardiovascular disease, being males the more affected. A high proportion of the children fulfilled three criteria for Metabolic Syndrome. Dietary control and modification on food pattern and physical activity should be implemented (AU)

Medida del resultado de las intervenciones sanitarias en España: una aproximación mediante el análisis temporal y espacial de la mortalidad evitable entre 1986-2001 / Health system interventions assessment in Spain: an approach through the analysis of the time trends and the geographical variability of avoidable mortality between 1986 -2001

Fundamento: Muchos estudios proponen la mortalidad evitable(ME) como indicador para monitorizar los servicios de salud aunquesu generalización está limitada por el gran número de listas de causasutilizadas. El objetivo es analizar la evolución temporal del período1986-2001 y la distribución geográfica de la mortalidad evitable utilizandouna lista de causas consensuada.Métodos: Se analiza la mortalidad evitable global (ME) y agrupadaen causas ISAS (intervenciones de los servicios sanitarios) ycausas IPSI (políticas intersectoriales). Se analiza la evolución temporalajustando una recta de regresión de Poisson o un modelo deregresión de Joinpoint, según el caso, y se estima el porcentaje decambio anual (PCA). Para la distribución geográfica se calculan losíndices de mortalidad estandarizada (IME) por provincia y la razónde mortalidad comparativa (RMC) de cada provincia entre la primeray la segunda parte del periodo temporal.Resultados: Entre 1986-2001 la mortalidad evitable se redujo(PCA -1,68; IC:-1,99 a -1,38) algo más que la no-evitable (PCA -1,28; IC:-1,40 a -1,17). La mayor disminución se observó en la mortalidadpor causas ISAS (PCA del -2,77; IC: -2,89, -2,65) mientrasque la mortalidad por causas IPSI aumentó entre 1986-1990 (PCAdel 4,86; IC: 3,32 y 6,41), se mantiene constante de 1990-1995 (PCAdel -0,03; IC: -2,32 y 2,31) y disminuyó de 1995-2001 (PCA del -3,57; IC: -4,72 y -2,40). Conclusiones: Durante el período estudiado la mortalidad evitableha tenido una reducción mayor que la no evitable y se observandiferencias importantes entre provincias que sería necesario monitorizarpara tratar de identificar posibles disfunciones en los serviciossanitarios. La mortalidad es superior por causas ISAS en la zona surde España y por causas IPSI en algunas provincias costeras y estepatrón no varió mucho en el período analizado

Background: Many studies have proposed Avoidable Mortality(ME) to monitor the performance of health services although itsusefulness is limited by the multiplicity of the avoidable mortalitylists being used. Time trends from 1986-2001 and the geographicaldistribution of avoidable mortality by provinces, are presented forSpain.Methods: An Avoidable Mortality consensus list is being used.It includes avoidable mortality through the intervention of healthservices (ISAS in Spanish) and through health policy interventions(IPSI in Spanish). Time trends are analyzed adjusting Poisson orJoinpoint regression models and the annual percentages of change(APC) are estimated. Changes in geographical distribution betweenthe first half of the analysed period and the second are tested bymeans of standard mortality ratios (SMR) and comparative mortalityrates (CMR) for each province.Results: Between 1986 and 2001 avoidable mortality decreased(APC: -1.68; CI: -1.99 and -1.38) slightly more than non-avoidablemortality (APC: -1.28; CI: -1.40 and -1.17). Higher reduction wasobserved for ISAS mortality (APC: -2.77; CI: -2.89 and -2.65) andan irregular trend for IPSI (between 1986-1990 increase APC: 4.86;CI: 3.32 and 6.41, between 1990-95 stabilization APC: -0.03; CI: -2.32 and 2.31 and finally 1995-2001 decrease APC: -3.57; CI: -4.72and -2.40). Conclusions: Avoidable mortality decreased more than nonavoidable mortality and important geographical variability can beobserved among provinces which should be monitored in order toidentify the health services weaknesses. The higher ISAS mortalitywas observed in southern provinces and the higher IPSI mortality insome areas on the coast. The pattern is somewhat similar for bothanalyzed periods

Cambios en la patogenicidad de eimeria acervulina en presencia de aflatoxina B1 en pollos de engorde / Patonenicity changes of eimeria acervulina in presence of aflatoxin B1 in broiler chickens

Con objeto de estudiar los efectos de la Aflatoxina B1 (AFB1), Eimeria acervulina (E. acervulina) y la combinación de ambos factores, sobre los pollos de engorde, se realizó un estudio bajo un diseño completamente aleatorizado con arreglo factorial 32, con dos factores: niveles de AFB1 de no detectables, 20 y 200 mg/kg y tres niveles de infestación con E. acervulina de 0, 250.000 y 500.000 oocystos. El experimento contó con un total de 216 aves y una duración de 5 semanas. El alimento fue contaminado con un estándar de AFB1 y se verificó los niveles deseados con la técnica de inmunoafinidad Aflatest©. Cada réplica recibió alimentación adálibitum y a la cuarta semana fueron inoculados con oocystos de E. acervulina. A la quinta semana, se realizó la necropsia y toma de muestras para histología y parasitología. Los frotis por aposición para E. acervulina resultaron positivos para los tratamientos donde hubo infección. Los resultados histológicos para E. acervulina evidencian los efectos de los dos niveles de inóculo sobre el duodeno. Cuando están presentes las dos variables se presentan dos situaciones. Para el nivel de 20 mg/kg de AFB1, hubo un aumento de la patogenicidad por E. acervulina para ambos inóculos, en cambio para el nivel de 200 mg/kg de AFB1, por el efecto de erosión epitelial de ésta sobre la vellosidad, hubo una disminución de la patogenicidad para los dos inóculos de E. acervulina. Sobre la ganancia de peso no se evidenció interacciones estadísticamente significativa entre las variables; hubo influencia tanto de la AFB1 con sus dos niveles, como con los dos inóculos de E. acervulina, produciendo una disminución estadísticamente significativa en comparación con el tratamiento control. En conclusión, existe evidencia de que niveles de 20 mg/kg de AFB1 pareciesen hacer al duodeno más susceptible para la infección con E. acervulina, mientras que nivel de 200 mg/kg de AFB1 parece disminuir la patogenicidad de E. acervulina.

Botriomicosis: infección bacteriana granulomatosa poco frecuente: revisión de la literatura / Botriomycosis: unusual bacterial granulomatosis infection: review of literature

Se designa como botriomicosis a la infección granulomatosa crónica causada por bacterias, que afectan piel y vísceras. Fue descrita por primera vez en 1870 por Bollinger. El primer caso en humanos se reportó en 1910, por Archibald. Clínicamente mimetiza patologías neoplásicas (Slootmaekers, 1997) e infecciones micóticas o por actinomicetos (Picou, 1979). Histológicamente puede presentarse con características comunes a micosis e infecciones bacterianas especificas. Staphylococcus aureus es el agente más frecuente (wu, 1978), junto a Pseudomonas sp. E. coli Neisseria sp. (Bishop 1076; Fain 1997; Washburn 1985). Se caracteriza macroscópicamente por lesiones nodulares de contenido purulento, con tendencia a fistulizar; y microscópicamente por granulomas con agrupaciones bacterianas, generalmente en racimos, embebidas en un amatriz hialina eosinofílica (Shlossberg, 1998), contenida en una cápsula fibrosa, apariencia que semeja los gránulos actinomicóticos. La forma cutánea es la más frecuente y con mejor pronóstico, a diferencia de la forma visceral. Se asocia con fibrosis quística (Katnelsen, 1964) alteraciones en la inmunidad celular (Buckley, 1968), enfermedad granulomatosa crónica (Washburn. 1985), diabetes mellitus (Leibowitz, 1981), pacientes VIH-positivos (Toth, 1987) y como infección oportunista poco frecuente (Klassen, 1996). El diagnóstico se realiza por demostración del agente a través de coloraciones, cultivo y otras técnicas, y al excluir hongos y actinomicetos (Brown, 1990). El tratamiento es en base a antibioticoterapia prolongada, escisión quirúrgica (Chu, 1994) y otras técnicas complementarias (Leffell, 1989)

Riesgo nutricional en el último trimestre de embarazo según consumo de energía y nutrientes / Nutritional risk from energy and nutrient intake at the third trimester of pregnancy

Una alimentación inadecuada durante el período de gestación influye en el crecimiento del feto y en el bienestar de la embarazada. La evaluación dietética es una herramienta importante para identificar el riesgo de una inadecuada ingesta de nutrientes y patrón de consumo alimentario deficiente. A fin de definir el Riesgo Nutricional materno se evaluó el consumo calórico y de nutrientes de 122 puérperas, del Hospital "Angel Larralde", Valencia, en un "Día Típico" del último trimestre de gestación. Para valorar la ingesta, se usó Recordatorio de 24 horas, analizando con un programa computarizado según RDA Americano y Tabla de Composición de Alimentos de Venezuela. El consumo calórico promedio fue 1908 ± Kcal., con una adecuación dietaria de 89,8 por ciento de RDA (Aceptable: 85 por ciento-115 por ciento). Las ingestas promedio de proteínas, calcio, hierro, zinc y ácido Fólico mostraron adecuaciones deficientes (<85 por ciento del RDA), mientras que para las vitaminas A y C las adecuaciones fueron mayores de 115 por ciento lo que se considera elevado según las RDA. La prevalencia de ingestas inadecuadas para calorías, proteínas, calcio, hierro, zinc y ácido fólico fueron 44,2 por ciento, 56,5 por ciento, 74,5 por ciento, 81,1 por ciento, 95 por ciento y 100 por ciento respectivamente. La población estudiada presenta un alto riesgo nutricional, dada la alta proporción de mujeres con dietas inadecuadadas en calorías y otros nutrientes. Se recomienda un programa de educación nutricional para la embarazada

Resistencia de pseudomonas aeruginosa a la gentamicina, tobramicina y amikacina en Venezuela / Resistance of pseudomonas aeruginosa at the gentamicen, tobramycin and amikacina in Venezuela

Se realizó una revisión de la resistencia de 20.030 cepas de pseudomonas aeruginosa a la gentamicina (GM), tobramicina (NN) y amikacina (AN), mediante el método de difusión en agar, siguiendo las normas de eficiencia de la NCCLS, obtenidas del Proyecto de Vigilancia de la Resistencia a los Antimicrobianos en Venezuela durante los años 1988-1998. En 1988, el menor porcentaje de resistencia correspondió AN (19 por ciento), seguido de NN (23 por ciento) y GM (27 por ciento). En 1992 se aprecia una disminución en los porcentajes de resistencia, siendo el más bajo para NN (12 por ciento). Para los años 1996 y 1997, se refleja un aumento en los porcentajes de resistencia y para el año 1998 éstos vuelven a disminuir, manteniendo los porcentajes de resistencia similares a los del año 1988. La elevada resistencia de pseudomonas aeruginosa a estos aminoglicosidos es parecida a la encontrada en estudios realizados en otros países

Field study of vaccination of cattle with Brucella abortus strains RB51 and 19 under high and low disease prevalence.

OBJECTIVE: To assess humoral and protective immunity in cattle vaccinated by 12 months with Brucella abortus vaccine strains RB51 and 19 under field conditions of high and low brucellosis prevalence. ANIMALS: 450 seronegative female cattle: 330 three to eight months old (calves), and 120 ten to twelve months old (heifers). PROCEDURES: Ranch A had high prevalence (39%) of brucellosis, and ranch B had low prevalence (2%), as determined by results of conventional serologic testing: agar gel immunodiffusion and the ring test. Seronegative cattle were vaccinated once or twice with 5 x 10(9) colony-forming units of B abortus strain RB51 or once with strain 19. After vaccinating 285 cattle with strain RB51 and 165 with strain 19, 74 (26%) and 30 (18%), respectively, were bred to seropositive bulls, then were kept within the infected herd of origin. RESULTS: All cattle vaccinated with strain 19 seroconverted 30 days later. All 285 cattle vaccinated with strain RB51 had negative results for all serologic tests, including agar gel immunodiffusion. All RB51-vaccinated cattle that became pregnant had negative results for the ring test and for conventional serologic tests after their first calving. CONCLUSIONS: Strain RB51 can be used as a live organism vaccine without inducing antibody titers that interfere with serodiagnosis, and induced 100% protection against field strain B abortus-induced abortion in cattle vaccinated at least 1 year before mating to an infected bull. Vaccination with strain 19 under similar conditions was less effective than vaccination with strain RB51.

[Toxic effects of ammonium metavanadate on the growth and number of the offspring of Swiss albino mice]. / Efectos tóxicos del metavanadato de amonio sobre el crecimiento y número de crías de ratones albinos suizos.

The present research show, an statistical study of the effects of ammonium metavanadate (AMV) on size, weight and number of offsprings of 56 albino swiss mice (male and female) was carried out. These mice ingested AMV in concentration of 100 and 200 ppm "ad libitum" since birth, continuing throughout breasting until mating. The control group received water free from the metal. The statistical results, obtained by the Duncan and Tukey method, were the following: a significant drop in body size in 200 ppm concentration of AMV, and in tail size in a concentrations of 100 and 200 ppm. A significant increase was observed in the number of the offsprings on the groups treated with AMV on a concentration of 200 ppm with respect to the control group.

Venezuelan field trials of vaccines against brucellosis in swine.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate live attenuated Brucella abortus RB51, killed B suis cells, O-polysaccharide (OPS) from B abortus 1119-3 and OPS from B suis 1330, for protection of swine against B suis challenge exposure under farm conditions. ANIMALS: 10 infected boars, 160 unvaccinated control sows and their 1,040 progeny, and 610 vaccinated sows and their 6,600 progeny. PROCEDURE: Gilts (45 to 65 days or 4 to 6 months old) were vaccinated or not vaccinated. For the latter gilts, additional variables studied were dose, number of doses, and delivery route. Mature gilts were mated with 4 infected boars, then serologic reaction to Brucella spp, results of bacteriologic culture of vaginal secretions, presence of abortion, and litter size were assessed. Various tissues obtained from aborted fetuses were obtained for culture of Brucella spp. RESULTS: About 40% of unvaccinated control gilts seroconverted to Brucella spp, 27% were positive for OPS precipitation by use of agar gel immunodiffusion, 23% aborted their fetuses, and the remaining gilts had litters of 5 to 8 pigs. Killed B suis cells provided the following protection: 25% of vaccinates were seropositive, 5% had positive results of agar gel immunodiffusion, 5% aborted, and the remaining gilts had litters of 7 to 8 pigs. Gilts that received live RB51 or OPS vaccine were protected. Serologic reactions were always negative, abortion did not occur (i.e., 100% were protected), and litter size was 10 to 12 pigs. CONCLUSIONS: Live attenuated B abortus RB51 or purified OPS was effective in protecting gilts against B suis infections. Dose (10(6) to 10(9) cells, 100 to 500 micrograms, respectively), number of doses (1 or 3), or route (IM or PO) made little difference. Further research is required to determine why these 2 vaccine candidates are similar in protection effectiveness and whether they can be used after infection as a treatment.

Serological and bacteriological study of swine brucellosis.

A serological and bacteriological study was performed with sera taken from 2,228 swine from six states in Venezuela. None of the animals were vaccinated against brucellosis, and the prevalence of the disease varied from 5 to 89% on farms located in these states. Our studies indicated that the animals could be categorized into four groups depending on the degree of reactivity in serological tests. Brucella suis biovar 1 was isolated from the lymph nodes, spleens, and semen samples of seropositive animals and identified by oxidative metabolic techniques. B. suis could not be isolated from tissues of seronegative swine even from farms with cases of the disease (detected by serology). Results suggest that, although the immunodiffusion assay using Brucella melitensis B115 polysaccharide B or B. abortus 1119-3 O-polysaccharide could be useful in the detection of active infections, it is perhaps not as sensitive as some of the other standard serological tests used in this study for the detection of swine brucellosis.

Variación hematológica en bovinos jóvenes vacunados contra la leptopirosis / The hematologic changes after a leptopira monovalent vaccine in bovines 18 months were observed

Se observaron las variaciones hematológicas durante un mes, en bovinos < 18 meses inoculados con una vacuna monovalente de leptospira, se midieron títulos de anticuerpos (Ac), los cuales comenzaron a incrementarse a los siete días postvacunación (x: 1/15) y alcanzaron su máximo a los 21 días (x: 1/960). Al análisis estadístico se obtuvieron diferencias significativas (P< 0,05) en la proporción de monocitos (9,0 por ciento), aumento en la segunda semana; el número de eritrocitos (5,7x10 6/µ) Hc (26,1 por ciento) y la VESG (11,6 mm) incrementaron hacia la tercera semana, mientras que la resistencia de glóbulos rojos a solución salina hipotónica aumentó (0,45 por ciento de Nacl) y se observó una leucocitosis (9,6x 103/µ) hacia la cuarta semana. Las variaciones hematológicas observadas en los bovinos vacunados contra la leptopirosis fueron : en la primera semana se inició la producción de anticuerpos aglutinantes y alcanzan su máximo hacia la tercera y cuarta semana.A la segunda semana se nota una ligera leucopenia y hay una monocitosis. hacia la tercera semana hay un aumento en el número de eritrocitos, el hematócrito, así como también la velocidad de eritrosedimentación globular, y en la cuarta semana disminuyen los eritrocitos, el hematócrito y aumenta aún más la resistencia de los glóbulos rojos a solución salina hipotónica, así como también la velocidad de eritrosedimentación globular

Nuclear accumulation of estradiol derived from the aromatization of testosterone is inhibited by hypothalamic beta-receptor stimulation in the neonatal female rat.

We previously reported that hypothalamic beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation prevents testosterone (T)-induced androgenization (defeminization) of the female neonatal rat hypothalamus. It was hypothesized that hypothalamic beta-receptor stimulation blocks androgenization by reducing the nuclear accumulation of estradiol (E2) derived from the aromatization of T. Various adrenergic agonists and antagonists were injected intracerebrally in 4-day-old female rats. [3H] T and its 3H-metabolites (including E2) were extracted from hypothalamic nuclear pellets, and separated from one another with thin-layer chromatography and/or Celite chromatography. The ratio of recovered [3H] T and E2 in the control groups was arbitrarily assigned as a 100% conversion and nuclear accumulation. Phenoxybenzamine, an alpha-antagonist, and isoproterenol and isoxsuprine, beta-agonists, inhibited the nuclear accumulation of E2 to 66.7%, 69.0% and 85.0% of control, respectively. A nonadrenergic, specific, competitive aromatase inhibitor, 1,4,6-androstratrien-3,17-dione (ATD) inhibited aromatization (and subsequent nuclear accumulation) to 39.0% of control. The beta-antagonist, hydroxybenzylpindolol, specifically prevented the inhibition of nuclear accumulation produced by phenoxybenzamine, isoproterenol and isoxsuprine, but did not alter the inhibition of aromatization produced by ATD. These studies support the hypothesis that beta-receptor stimulation prevents androgenization of the brain by inhibiting either the aromatization of T to E2 or the nuclear uptake of E2.