El extracto acuoso de Phyllanthus orbicularis K protege al ADN plasmídico del daño inducido por las radiaciones ultravioletas / Phyllanthus orbicularis K aqueous extract protect plasmid DNA against the damage induced by ultraviolet radiation

Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto protector del extracto acuoso de Phyllanthus orbicularis, K ante el daño inducido por las radiaciones UVB y UVC. Material y métodos: Se empleó el ensayo con ADN plasmídico (pBluescript SK II) libre de célula. Se evaluó la capacidad del extracto acuoso de P. orbicularis de inducir roturas de cadenas en el plásmido, a las concentraciones 0,0001-2,0 mg/ml. Se realizaron estudios de protección del extracto frente a las radiaciones UVB y UVC a las concentraciones de 0,1-2,0 mg/ml. Se cuantificó la transmitancia del extracto frente ambos tipos de radiaciones. Resultados: Ninguna de las concentraciones evaluadas resultó genotóxica en 30 min de exposición. Las concentraciones ≥ 1 mg/ml de P. Obicularis sí indujeron roturas de cadenas a tiempos mayores de evaluación. El extracto de P. Orbicularis protegió al ADN frente a las radiaciones UVB y UVC a concentraciones ≥ 0,1 mg/ml y 0,5 mg/ml respectivamente. Conclusiones: En nuestras condiciones experimentales, el extracto acuoso de P. Orbicularis proteg eal ADN frente al daño inducido por las radiaciones UV (AU)

Aim: The aim of this work was to evaluate the protective effect of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus Orbicularis, K from the damage induced by UV radiation. Material and methods: The plasmid-based non cellular system was used. The extract capacity to induce DNA strand breaks was evaluated at 0.0001- 2.0 mg/ml concentrations. The protective effect of extract against UVB and UVC radiation was evaluated at 0.1- 2.0 mg/ml concentrations. The transmittance of extract was measured for both UV radiations. Results: The P. orbicularis aqueous extract was not genotoxic even after 30 min of exposure. Concentrations ≥ 1 mg/ml of extract induced strand breaks at major times of exposition. P. Orbicularis extract protected DNA against UVB and UVC radiation at concentrations ≥ 0.1 mg/ml and 0.5 mg/ml respectively. Conclusions: In our experimental conditions, P. Orbicularis aqueous extract protects DNA from damage induced by UV radiation (AU)

Detection and potential indicators of the presence of hepatitis C virus on surfaces in hospital settings.

AIMS: The risk of hepatitis C virus infection in hospital environments can be assessed not only by studying epidemiological data and work practices, but also by the detection of these viruses (or indicators thereof) in health-care settings, on instruments etc. METHODS: Since standardized techniques specific to this end do not exist, this study was undertaken to apply methods currently used on clinical samples to the assessment of environmental HCV risk, either through direct detection of the virus (RT-PCR), or by probing for haemoglobin as a potential indicator of blood contamination. The tested techniques were applied in a trial environmental monitoring programme undertaken in various hospital laboratories and clinics, during which total bacterial count determinations were performed in parallel with haemoglobin and hepatitis C virus detection. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The data indicate that the applied methods are of value in detecting low levels of contamination in a hospital environment.

[Contribution to the serologic study of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy]. / Contributo allo studio sierologico della toxoplasmosi in gravidanza.

Toxoplasma antibodies in five women sera during the pregnancy were detected by direct agglutination and immunofluorescent tests both for IgG and IgM. The presence and the changes of the IgG and IgM titers are related to the abortion and/or foetal pathology. In order to prevent such a risk the authors suggest to test all the women before or early in the pregnancy for toxoplasma antibodies.

[Relation between a rapid polyvalent test and single antistreptococcal tests]. / Relazione tra un test rapido polivalente e i singoli tests antistreptococcici.

ASO and Streptozyme tests have been comparatively tried on 11,200 sera. The former detected 11.96% positive and the latter 13.5%. The difference was due to a greater sensitivity of the Streptozyme test since the most of the Streptozyme positive and ASO negative sera resulted positive in one or more of the single antistreptococcal tests (SK, ADN, SJ, DNA). Only few of the sera which give rise to a positive Streptozyme reaction were otherwise negative and the positive result could be considered aspecific.