An accessible method to standardize polyethylene microsphere (<100 µm) concentrations for zooplankton ingestion experiments.

The ubiquity of microplastics has caused alarm as to the impact of these materials on aquatic life, leading to experimental studies to understand these effects. In zooplankton bioassays, microspheres (Ms) are often used as a proxy to represent aquatic microplastic contamination due to their homogeneity and small sizes (<100 µm). The present study proposes an accessible protocol that does not require highly specialized equipment for the creation of Ms stock solutions and environmentally realistic experimental concentrations and describes some common issues. Adult females of the calanoid copepod Centropages furcatus underwent treatments of two Ms sizes at experimental concentrations of 10 Ms/mL. They consumed on average 0.9 ± 2.6 Ms/mL of 45-53 µm Ms, and 2.4 ± 1.1 Ms/mL of 38-45 µm Ms. The results are not directly comparable with other studies due to the wide variety of methods used but successfully demonstrate the reproducibility of the proposed protocol.

Eutrophication assessment and environmental management perspectives of Tóbari: an arid subtropical coastal lagoon of the Gulf of California.

Coastal lagoons are vulnerable to eutrophication processes. In this study, we evaluate the eutrophication process in the restricted, arid subtropical Tóbari coastal lagoon, located in the eastern coast of the Gulf of California, where the main source of nutrient inputs and other pollutants is agricultural wastewater from the Yaqui Valley. The Assessment of Estuarine Trophic Status (ASSETS) model and the Trophic State Index (TRIX) were used to evaluate eutrophication. Overall, ASSETS showed that the Tóbari lagoon has a moderate eutrophication process, with seasonal symptoms of hypoxia, increased phytoplankton biomass, dominance of macroalgae (indicative of nutrient enrichment), and blooms development of potentially harmful algae species. The TRIX showed that the lagoon is mesotrophic most of the year. Challenges of environmental management detected correspond to reducing the input of nutrients and others contaminants from anthropic sources: agriculture, shrimp farming, livestock, and urban zones.

Probiotic Bacterium and Microalga Interaction on Rearing Kumamoto Oyster Crassostrea sikamea Spat.

This study assessed in vitro interaction between Bacillus bacteria and microalgae and their posterior in vivo effect on rearing Kumamoto oyster Crassostrea sikamea. The probiotic strains Bacillus licheniformis (MAt32), B. subtilis (MAt43) and B. subtilis (GAtB1) were individually inoculated in triplicate into 250 mL flasks containing 1 × 104 colony forming units (CFU) mL-1 of bacteria and 4.5 × 104 cell mL-1 of microalgae (Isochrysis galbana or Chaetoceros calcitrans) to evaluate their growth during a 7-day culture. Single cultures of microalgae or bacilli served as control. Additionally, C. sikamea spat was treated for 28 days with four single/combined bacillus treatments in triplicate at a concentration of 1 × 106 CFU mL-1 as follows: (a) control, without treatments; (b) combination of two antibiotics (10 mg L-1); (c) B. licheniformis; (d) B. subtilis; (e) B. subtilis subtilis and (f) mixed bacilli. The results showed a significantly (P < 0.05) increased growth of Bacillus strains co-cultured with microalgae, while the growth of I. galbana co-cultured with bacteria was not reduced significantly (P > 0.05) compared with the control group. C. sikamea spat treated with Bacillus showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher growth and survival than the control group. In this study, C. calcitrans microalgae were susceptible to the presence of probiotic bacteria. Nonetheless, this reduction in microalgal growth observed in vitro increased growth and survival of C. sikamea spat exposed to probiotic bacteria when compared to spat without probiotics.

Novel RNAi delivery systems in the control of medical and veterinary pests.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a transformative technology with great potential to control, study or even protect insects and acarines through the knockdown of target gene expression. RNAi offers unprecedented levels of control, but fundamental to its successful deployment is the need to deliver 'trigger' RNA in an appropriate fashion giving due consideration to potential barriers of RNAi efficiency, safety, and the intended purpose of the knockdown. This short review focusses on recent innovations in RNAi delivery that are designed for, or could be adapted for use with, insect and acarine pests of medical or veterinary importance.

Assessment of the removal mechanism of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions by olive stone.

The objectives of this study were to study the removal mechanism of Cr(VI) by natural olive stone (OS) and to present a sequential-batch process for the removal of total chromium (original Cr(VI) and Cr(III) derived from reduction of Cr(VI) during biosorption at acidic conditions). First, experiments were conducted varying pH from 1 to 4, and showed that a combined effect of biosorption and reduction is involved in the Cr(VI) removal. Then, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and desorption tests were employed to verify the oxidation state of the chromium bound to OS and to elucidate the removal mechanism of Cr(VI) by this material. The goal of these tests was to confirm that Cr(III) is the species mainly absorbed by OS. Finally, the possibility of total chromium removal by biosorption in a sequential-batch process was analyzed. In the first stage, 96.38% of Cr(VI) is removed by OS and reduced to Cr(III). In the second stage, approximately 31% of the total Cr concentration was removed. However, the Cr(III) released in the first stage is not completely removed, and it could suggest that the Cr(III) could be in a hydrated compound or a complex, which could be more difficult to remove under these conditions.

Caracterización de la discapacidad en población con limitaciones permanentes en movilidad o autocuidado, Girón, Colombia / Characterization of disabled people with permanent limitations in mobility and self-care in Giron, Colombia

Objetivo: Determinar las características de la población con limitaciones permanentes en movilidad y autocuidado de 17 barrios del área urbana del municipio de Girón, Santander 2012-2013. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, observacional y transversal, que utilizó el Registro para la localización y caracterización de las personas con discapacidad (RLCPD), diseñado por el Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE). Estudiantes de fisioterapia previamente entrenados entrevistaron a cuidadores o personas con discapacidad. Resultados: Se encuestó a 189 personas, el 50,3% mujeres, el 45,5% tenía entre 60 y 100 años de edad y el 79,9% presentó alteraciones en el movimiento del cuerpo, las manos, los brazos y las piernas. En relación con las actividades y la participación, al 91% se le dificultó caminar, correr, saltar; al 41,3% llevar, mover, utilizar objetos con las manos. En las funciones corporales comprometidas, el 60,3% correspondía a movilidad. La enfermedad general fue la mayor causa de discapacidad (33,9%). Conclusiones: Las personas con limitaciones permanentes en la movilidad y el autocuidado en el área urbana de Girón en un alto porcentaje son adultas mayores pertenecientes a un estrato socioeconómico. Las limitaciones en el movimiento predominantes son las de manos, brazos y piernas, teniendo afectación en al menos dos estructuras corporales

Objective: To determine the characteristics of people with permanent limitations in mobility and self-care in 17 districts of the urban area of Giron, Santander 2012-2013. Materials and methods: A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted using the tool Register for the Location and characterization of the disabled people (RLCDP), designed by the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE). Previously trained physiotherapy students interviewed caregivers or disabled people. Results: A total of 189 people were studied of 50.3% women, and 45.5% between 60 and 100 years old. A large majority (79.9%) had alterations in body movement, hands, arms and legs. As regards activities and participation, 91% had difficult to walk, run, jump, and 41.3% found it difficult to lead, move, and use objects with hands. Of the bodily functions, 60.3% involved mobility. General illness diseases were the main cause of disability (33.9%). Conclusions: A high percentage of persons with permanent mobility limitations and caring for themselves in the urban area of Girona are older adults from socioeconomic level 2. The predominant mobility limitations are in the hands, arms, and legs, with involvement in at least two body structures

Mononucleosis infecciosa y trombopenia grave / Infectious mononucleosis and severe thrombocytopenia

La mononucleosis infecciosa por el virus de Epstein-Barr es habitualmente una enfermedad benigna y autolimitada. Se presentan 2 casos clínicos ingresados en la misma semana, con sospecha de coinfección por otros virus (citomegalovirus y virus herpes humano 6), que presentaron trombopenia grave en la fase aguda de la enfermedad. La evolución y el tratamiento fueron diferentes en cada caso(AU)

Infectious mononucleosis by Epstein-Barr virus is usually a benign self-limiting disease. We present two cases admitted in the same week, with suspected co-infection by other viruses (cytomegalovirus and human herpes virus 6), which showed severe thrombocytopenia in the acute phase of the disease. The progress and treatment were different in each case(AU)

Isolation and characterization of infectious Vibrio sinaloensis strainsfrom the Pacific shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Decapoda: Penaeidae)

Infectious diseases especially those caused by bacterial and viral pathogens are serious loss factors in shrimp farming. In this study, bacteria were isolated from the gut and hepatopancreas of stressed shrimps obtained from a commercial farm. The isolates were screened on Thiosulfate citrate bile salt sucrose (TCBS) agar plates for the selection of Vibrio species. Presumptive vibrios were characterized through tests for hemolytic and enzymatic activity, hydrophobicity, growth and molecular identification. Three experimental infections were conducted in order to confirm the pathogenicity of selected bacterial strains VHPC18, VHPC23, VHPC24 and VIC30. In the third experimental challenge the LD50 was obtained, it lasted 10 days with 10 shrimp, weighing 6.9±1.1g, per tank. The treatments in triplicate were: (1) saline solution (control group); (2) 2×10(5)CFU/shrimp; (3) 4×10(5)CFU/shrimp; (4) 2×10(6)CFU/shrimp; (5) 4×10(6)CFU/shrimp, and (6) 8×10(6)CFU/shrimp. In all challenges, water parameters measured during the experimental period remained within optimum ranges. Pathogenicity tests confirmed that the mixture of four vibrio isolates, identified as Vibrio sinaloensis, was virulent for L. vannamei. The LD50 value was 1.178×10(5)CFU/g body weight. V. sinaloensis may act as opportunistic pathogens for cultured L. vannamei. Rev. Biol. Trop. 60 (2): 567-576. Epub 2012 June 01.

Las enfermedades de etiología infecciosa, especialmente las causadas por patógenos bacterianos y virales ocasionan graves pérdidas en el cultivo de camarón blanco Litopenaeus vannamei. En este estudio se caracterizo: la actividad enzimática y hemolítica; hidrofobicidad; crecimiento e identificación molecular de vibrios aislados del intestino y hepatopancreas de camarones estresados, obtenidos de una granja comercial, en medio Agar Tiosulfato Citrato Bilis Sacarosa. Además, se realizaron tres infecciones experimentales para confirmar la patogenicidad de las cepas bacterianas seleccionadas VHPC18, VHPC23, VHPC24 y VIC30. En la tercera infección experimental se obtuvo la LD50, el reto duro 10 días, con 10 camarones por tanque con un peso de 6.9±1.1g. Los tratamientos se realizaron por triplicado: (1) solución salina (grupo control); (2) 2×10(5)UFC/camarón; (3) 4×10(5)UFC/camarón; (4) 2×10(6)UFC/camarón; (5) 4×10(6)UFC/camarón y (6) 8×10(6)UFC/camarón. En todos los retos, los parámetros del agua permanecieron dentro de los intervalos óptimos. Las pruebas de patogenicidad confirmaron que la mezcla de cuatro aislados de Vibrio, identificados como Vibrio sinaloensis, fue virulenta para L. vannamei. El valor de la LD50 fue de 1.178×10(5)UFC/g de peso corporal. Los resultados permiten establecer que las cepas de V. sinaloensis pueden actuar como patógenos oportunistas en L. vannamei cultivado.

Isolation and characterization of infectious Vibrio sinaloensis strains from the Pacific shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Decapoda: Penaeidae).

Infectious diseases especially those caused by bacterial and viral pathogens are serious loss factors in shrimp farming. In this study, bacteria were isolated from the gut and hepatopancreas of stressed shrimps obtained from a commercial farm. The isolates were screened on Thiosulfate citrate bile salt sucrose (TCBS) agar plates for the selection of Vibrio species. Presumptive vibrios were characterized through tests for hemolytic and enzymatic activity, hydrophobicity, growth and molecular identification. Three experimental infections were conducted in order to confirm the pathogenicity of selected bacterial strains VHPC18, VHPC23, VHPC24 and VIC30. In the third experimental challenge the LD50 was obtained, it lasted 10 days with 10 shrimp, weighing 6.9+1. Ig, per tank. The treatments in triplicate were: (1) saline solution (control group); (2) 2xl0(5)CFU/shrimp; (3) 4xl05CFU/shrimp; (4) 2x10(6)CFU/shrimp; (5) 4x10(6)CFU/shrimp, and (6) 8x10(6)CFU/shrimp. In all challenges, water parameters measured during the experimental period remained within optimum ranges. Pathogenicity tests confirmed that the mixture of four vibrio isolates, identified as Vibrio sinaloensis, was virulent for L. vannamei. The LD50 value was 1.178x10(5)CFU/g body weight. V sinaloensis may act as opportunistic pathogens for cultured L. vannamei.

Isquemia de médula espinal tras embolización de arteria bronquial y toracotomía derecha / Spinal cord ischemia after bronchial artery embolization and right thoracotomy

Paciente de 74 años sometido a neumonectomía derechapor hemoptisis recurrentes, al que antes de la cirugíase había realizado varias embolizaciones en arteriasbronquiales y que presentó en el postoperatorio unaparaplejía de origen isquémico. Tanto la toracotomíapara una intervención pulmonar como la embolizaciónde arterias bronquiales han sido descritas en la literaturacomo causas de isquemia medular. Se analizan losposibles mecanismos desencadenantes de esta lesión(AU)

Bronchial artery embolization was attempted severaltimes in a 74-year-old man undergoing right pneumonectomyfor persistent hemoptysis. Paraplegia developedafter surgery. Both thoracotomy for lung surgery andbronchial artery embolization have been reported tocause spinal cord ischemia. We analyze the possiblemechanisms through which such ischemia may develop(AU)

Competency of Anopheles stephensi mysorensis strain for Plasmodium vivax and the role of inhibitory carbohydrates to block its sporogonic cycle.

BACKGROUND: Despite the abundance of studies conducted on the role of mosquitoes in malaria transmission, the biology and interaction of Plasmodium with its insect host still holds many mysteries. This paper provides the first study to follow the sporogonic cycle of Plasmodium vivax in a wild insecticide-resistant mysorensis strain of Anopheles stephensi, a major vector of vivax malaria in south-eastern Iran. The study subsequently demonstrates that host-parasite sugar binding interactions are critical to the development of this parasite in the salivary glands of its mosquito host. The identity of the receptors or sugars involved was revealed by a receptor "pre-saturation" strategy in which sugars fed to the mosquitoes inhibited normal host-parasite interactions. METHODS: Anopheles stephensi mysorensis mosquitoes were artificially infected with P. vivax by feeding on the blood of gametocytaemic volunteers reporting to local malaria clinics in the Sistan-Baluchistan province of south-eastern Iran. In order to determine the inhibitory effect of carbohydrates on sporogonic development, vector mosquitoes were allowed to ingest blood meals containing both gametocytes and added carbohydrates. The carbohydrates tested were GlcNAc, GalNAc, arabinose, fucose, mannose, lactose, glucose and galactose. Sporogonic development was assessed by survival of the parasite at both the oocyst and sporozoite stages. RESULTS: Oocyst development was observed among nearly 6% of the fed control mosquitoes but the overall number of mosquitoes exhibiting sporozoite invasion of the salivary glands was 47.5% lower than the number supporting oocysts in their midgut. Of the tested carbohydrates, only arabinose and fucose slightly perturbed the development of P. vivax oocysts at the basal side of the mosquito midgut, and the remaining sugars caused no reductions in oocyst development. Strikingly however, sporozoites were completely absent from the salivary glands of mosquitoes treated with mannose, GalNAc, and lactose. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that An. stephensi in southern Iran has the potential to survive long enough to be re-infected and transmit vivax malaria several times, based on the average adult female longevity (about 30 days) and its gonotrophic cycle (2-3 days) during the malaria transmission season. Certain sugar binding interactions are important for the development of P. vivax sporozoites, and this information may be instrumental for the development of transmission blocking strategies.

Plasma lipid peroxidation in sporadic Parkinson's disease. Role of the L-dopa.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). There are several methods to measure oxidative stress, being lipid peroxidation (LPO) one of the most frequently used. Endogenous plasma LPO was determined by a spectrofluorimetric method in fifty two patients with sporadic PD and in forty controls. To know the maximum capacity of lipids to peroxidate, LPO was also measured after co-incubation with Fe2+/H2O2 (exogenous LPO). All PD patients were taken L-dopa and the effect of this treatment on LPO levels was additionally studied. Urine catecholamines and their main metabolites were also analyzed, and their possible correlation to LPO statistically studied. Endogenous plasma LPO levels were 33% higher in PD group than in control group (P<0.001). Exogenous plasma or oxidizability was also higher in PD patients compared to controls (20%, P<0.05). The intake of L-dopa was negatively dose-related to endogenous and exogenous plasma LPO. In conclusion, plasma of PD patients has elevated levels of LPO and also is more prone to peroxidation than that in the control group. The results also suggest an antioxidant effect of L-dopa.

[Maternal and fetal morbidity in patients with premature rupture of the membrane after 27-week gestation. Causes and costs]. / Condiciones atribuibles y costos de la morbilidad materno-fetal en pacientes con ruptura prematura de membranas después de las 27 semanas de gestación.

Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) occurs in a third of the childbirths preterm, this represents 8% of all pregnancies, with same morbidity and mortality in developing and developed countries, PROM is the more common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, making this obstetric complication a worldwide problem of health, since it contributes to the economic problem for the cost risen in medical attention for both, mothers and live birth. PROM is considered a mutifactorial entity. This study was carried out in the Hospital de Ginecología y Obstetricia of the Centro Médico "La Raza" in Mexico City, where women entered in serial form with pregnancies from 27 to 34 weeks of gestation and spontaneous PROM, without any other pathology. 120 patients were included, with 26.8 +/- 5.9 year-old age. The gestational age with more frequency of PROM were from 30 to 33 weeks, 22.5% of the patients had 4 days with PROM, 6 of this cases arrived up to 13 days with this complication at delivery. 2.5% of the patients presented deciduitis, with adequated response to the use of antibiotics. When analyzing the hospital stay, a stay was observed from 4 to 7 days (5.26 +/- 1.96 M +/- SD), with a total cost for maternal stay of 2 millions 445,650 pesos. Those babies born had an average of 23 days of hospital stay and the total cot of the days of stay was 4 millions 963,978 pesos. Other costs were the attention of maternal and pediatrics specialty, the obstetric resolution of the pregnancy, obstetric ultrasonography and crystallographies. Thus, the total costs of the attention of this complication in these patients with PROM was of 10 millions 296,988 pesos. The international reference is the American dollar that was in 10 pesos for dollar to the moment of this study. The maternal morbidity is low to that described in previous studies, but in spite of the exhaustive efforts on the prevention, prediction, diagnosis and treatment, the premature rate due to PROM has not diminished, however the rate of neonatal survival has been increased and the morbidity has diminished.

[Mortality attributable to tobacco use in Mexico]. / Mortalidad atribuible al consumo de tabaco en México.

OBJECTIVE: To study the mortality attributable to tobacco and alcohol consumption. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Deaths occurring in 1998, abstracted from the mortality statistics registry in the Coyoacan District of Mexico City, were classified by cause as: Cardiovascular Diseases, Respiratory Diseases, and Neoplasias. Relatives of the deceased were interviewed to answer a questionnaire on tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking. RESULTS: Smoking during the last ten years of life was significantly associated with cardiovascular disease in men aged 70 years or older (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.18-3.58). Persistent smoking in the last year of life was significantly associated with deaths from neoplasias and respiratory diseases in women aged 70 years or older (OR: 7.24, 95% CI 1.71-30.53; OR: 4.82 95% CI 1.41-16.50, respectively). The regression model for cardiovascular disease showed that subjects with intense tobacco consumption were almost twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.1-2.8, p < 0.01). The population attributable risk for cardiovascular disease was 45%. CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco smoking is an important predictor of dead among the elderly in Mexico. Tobacco control programs should also be targeted to the elderly.

C(5)H(7)O(2)(+) ions: the correlation between their thermochemistry in acidic solution and their chemistry in the gas phase

Each of a series of C(5)H(6)O(2) isomeric carboxylic acid and unsaturated lactones (1-7) was protonated in both concentrated sulfuric acid and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. The thermally induced transformations of the protonated species were then studied over a temperature range of -30 to +160 degrees C. In the case of alpha,beta-unsaturated lactones, protonation took place on the carbonyl oxygen and gave the corresponding stable O-protonated species. Conversely, unconjugated lactones and acetylenic acid 7 were converted even at low temperature into the diprotonated ketoacid 8H(2)()o(+2)() by the acid-catalyzed addition of water to the C-protonated precursor. Upon being heated at 160 degrees C, this acid gave protonated 1,3-cyclopentanedione. In the absence of water, decarbonylation followed by polymerization was observed in lactones 4 and 5. The CIMS spectra of compounds 1-7 were recorded using methane, ammonia, and moist air as reagent gases to determine the correlation between the fragmentation routes in the gas phase and the transformations observed in solution. Ammonia and moist air enabled us to determine the different proton affinities of these compounds. The data obtained in strong acids were used to assign reasonable structures to the gas-phase ions.

Factores que influyen en el cumplimiento del control prenatal en mujeres que asisten a la atención del parto al maternológico German Urquidi de Mayo a Septiembre año 1993 / Factors that influence the fulfillment of the prenatal control in women who attend to delivery care to the matermnologico German Urquidi from May to September 1993

De todos los fenómenos a los que se enfrenta la especie humana, el nacimiento de un nuevo ser es posiblemente el más importante, singular y conmovedor, guarda relación directa con la familia y la salud del núcleo familiar, en cuanto a la reproducción constituye el pilar en que descansa una sociedad sana. No obstante la importancia durante la práctica de materno infantil se observó la inasistencia al control prenatal, siendo ésta la razón que motivó a la investigación, a determinar los factores socioeconómicos, culturales y ginecoobstétricos que influyeron en el cumplimiento del control prenatal en mujeres que asisten a la atención del parto al Maternológico Germán Urquidi de mayo a septiembre en Cochabamba