Síndrome intermedio en intoxicación por organofosforados. Serie de casos / Intermediate syndrome in organogosphate poisoning. Case study

Se estima por parte de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, que se presentan alrededor de tres millones de casos asociados a intoxicaciones por plaguicidas. Los plaguicidas se clasifican de acuerdo al grado de toxicidad, medida a través de la dosis letal 50. Los plaguicidas organofosforados son potentes inhibidores de la colinesterasa capaces de causar una toxicidad colinérgica grave tras la exposición cutánea, la inhalación o la ingestión. Los compuestos organofosforados causan múltiples cuadros clínicos, así como manifestaciones de neurotoxicidad a corto y largo plazo. Sin embargo, no se comprende bien la gran variabilidad en la toxicidad y la respuesta al tratamiento entre los agentes organofosforados. En este artículo se revisan tres escenarios clínicos a los cuales nos podremos encontrar con pacientes expuestos a organofosforados, con énfasis en la presentación clínica, tiempo de evolución, medición de la colinesterasa eritrociaria y del tratamiento médico. Se concluye en esta serie de casos que la trascendencia radica, en la diferencia evolutiva de los pacientes ante el manejo, es importante recomendar como parte del tratamiento integral la administración de difenhidramina. (AU)

The World Health Organization estimates around three million cases related to pesticides. Pesticides are classified according to their toxicity which is measured by the lethal dose 50. The pesticides organophosphates are potent cholinesterase inhibitors capable of causing severe cholinergic toxicity following cutaneous exposure, inhalation, or ingestion. Toxicity from organophosphorus agents presents with manifestations of cholinergic excess, and cause neurotoxic effects in humans. However, the great variability in toxicity and treatment response among organophosphorus agents, is not well understood. This article reviews three clinical settings in which the patients were exposed to organophosphates, focusing in variability in toxicity, clinical presentation, direct measurement of erythrocyte cholinesterase, and possibilities for medical treatment. It is concluded in these series that transcendence lies within the evolutive difference from the patients through treatment, it is important to recommend diphenhydramine as part of the comprehensive treatment. (AU)

Manejo de infecciones de las endoprótesis aórticas / Managemente of infections aortic stent-graft

En el siguiente trabajo se discuten los aspectos mas importantes de las infecciones post-EVAR: frecuencia, factores predisponentes, presentación clínica; Así también la conducta terapéutica planteada hasta el momento (AU)

In this paper we discuss the most important aspects of post-EVAR infections: frequency, predisposing factors, clinical presentation, so also the therapeutic raised so far (AU)

Effect of sire breed on carcass characteristics and meat and fat quality of heavy pigs reared outdoor and intended for dry-cured meat production.

A trial was conducted to study the effect of sire line (Duroc (DU) and Pietrain (PI)) on carcass, meat and fat quality of pigs reared outdoor and destined to dry-cured meat production. No differences between sire genotypes were detected in carcass fat thickness (P > 0.10) but carcasses from DU-sired pigs were longer (P < 0.05) and tended to have a higher yield of trimmed shoulders (P = 0.07) and hams (P = 0.06) than carcasses from PI-sired pigs. Loins from DU-sired genotype showed higher (P < 0.05) L* value and lower (P < 0.01) a* value than loins from PI-sired genotype. Pork from DU-sired offspring tended to have higher (P = 0.09) intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage and lower (P < 0.05) moisture proportion than meat from PI-sired offspring. Also, loins from DU-sired pigs had lower (P < 0.001) thawing losses than loins from PI-sired pigs. The subcutaneous fat from the DU-sired line tended to show lower (P = 0.08) percentage of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) than that from the PI-sire line, mostly due to the higher proportion of C18:2 (P = 0.09) and C20:3 (P < 0.01). However, no effect of crossbreed was detected on the total proportion of saturated, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFAs) or PUFAs of IMF (P > 0.10). We conclude that both sire lines can be used successfully under outdoor conditions but DU boars are more adequate than PI boars for the production of heavy pigs intended for the dry-cured meat industry.

Performance and nursing behaviour of beef cows with different types of calf management.

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of calf management during lactation on dam performance and nursing behaviour. Thirty-six multiparous beef cows (aged 7.5 ± 0.52 years) of Parda de Montaña breed (mean live-weight (LW) at calving 566 ± 9.3 kg) with a moderate body condition (mean 2.6 ± 0.02 on a 1 to 5 scale), were assigned to three nursing frequencies from the day after parturition: Once-daily restricted nursing during a 30 min period at 0800 h (RESTR1), twice-daily restricted nursing during two 30 min periods at 0800 and 1530 h (RESTR2) and ad libitum nursing (ADLIB). Cows were fed throughout the experiment 80 MJ/day of metabolizable energy. Cow-calf behaviour recordings were performed on days 30 and 66 of lactation in each treatment. Blood samples were collected fortnightly to analyse non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) by an enzymatic colorimetric method, and twice weekly to determine progesterone concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Cow LW losses (P < 0.05), fat-corrected milk yield (P < 0.05) and calf average daily gain (P < 0.01) during lactation were higher in ADLIB. Nursing frequency affected the mean serum concentrations of NEFA, being lower in RESTR1 (0.18 mmol/l; P < 0.05) than in RESTR2 and ADLIB cows (0.29 and 0.25 mmol/l, respectively). The highest occurrence of nursing bouts was observed in ADLIB, leading to greater nursing duration per day (not statistically compared) in this treatment (58.8 ± 5.84 min) than in their restricted nursing counterparts (22.2 ± 1.42 and 34.3 ± 1.16 min, in RESTR1 and RESTR2, respectively). The nursing system did not affect the proportion of cows cycling within 3 months post partum (58%, 46% and 55% in RESTR1, RESTR2 and ADLIB, respectively; P > 0.05). The majority of cows in all treatments showed a short oestrus cycle after first ovulation (75%, 100% and 83%; P > 0.05). In conclusion, the post-partum luteal function in cows managed under continuous access to calves was similar to restricted nursing frequencies, despite the greater suckling intensity of the formers. Restricting calf presence does not enhance the resumption of ovarian activity when suckler cows are managed in moderate nutritional conditions.

Human neurocysticercosis: rightward hemisphere asymmetry in the cerebral distribution of a single cysticercus.

The distribution of single cysticerci between cerebral hemispheres was studied in 227 adult cases of calcified and vesicular neurocysticercosis (NC). A rightward lateralization of calcified cysticerci was significant only in women, whereas vesicular cysticerci were equally distributed in both hemispheres. Factors related with the differences in the inflammatory response and in the regional cerebral blood flow between genders could be involved.

Effects of suckling frequency and breed on productive performance, follicular dynamics and postpartum interval in beef cows.

One experiment was conducted to determine the influence of suckling frequency (restricted suckling (RS) versus ad libitum suckling (AS)) and breed (Brown Swiss versus Pirenaica) on productive performance, follicular dynamics and postpartum cyclicity resumption in beef cows. Twenty-four spring-calving cows (12 Brown Swiss and 12 Pirenaica) were used. After calving cows were assigned, within breed, to the two suckling frequencies (RS versus AS). During the postpartum period, cows were fed 100% of the daily energy estimated requirements. The study was conducted from calving to either day 90 postpartum or to detection of the second ovulation whenever it came later. The pattern of follicular development was monitored daily by transrectal ultrasonography, and blood samples were collected three times a week to analyse progesterone concentrations by RIA. Body condition score at calving was 2.5 (from 1 to 5). Productive parameters were not significantly affected by suckling frequency. Pirenaica cows gained more weight (P<0.001), while Brown Swiss cows had higher milk yield (P<0.001) and thus their calves grew faster (P<0.05). In the present moderate conditions of nutrition, either suckling frequency or breed did not affect follicular dynamics (on average there were 6.5 follicles in emergence, growth rate of dominant follicle (DF) was 1.3mm per day and maximum diameter of dominant follicle was 13.9mm). There were gradual increases in maximum diameter and growth rate of dominant follicle related to the proximity of the ovulatory waves, and they were defined by third order polynomial equations. Postpartum anoestrous interval (PPI) was markedly affected by the interaction between suckling frequency and breed (P<0.001): ad libitum suckling prolonged significantly the interval from calving to first ovulation in Brown Swiss cows (31.8 day versus 82.7 day, in RS and AS groups, respectively, P<0.05), but not in Pirenaica cows (43.5 day versus 32.6 day, in RS and AS groups, respectively, not statistically significant). It is concluded that in moderate pre- and postpartum nutritional conditions Brown Swiss cows were more susceptible to the suppressor effect of ad libitum suckling on postpartum anoestrous interval than Pirenaica cows, although this breed difference did not seem to be mediated by differences in energy balance or in ovarian follicular dynamics.

Intranasal Cry1Ac protoxin is an effective mucosal and systemic carrier and adjuvant of Streptococcus pneumoniae polysaccharides in mice.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major respiratory pathogen in infants, children and the elderly. Available parenteral anti-pneumococcal vaccines based on type-specific capsular polysaccharides (CPSs) are useful in adults but do not elicit protective immunity in infants and young children. To enhance their immunogenicity, pneumococcal CPSs conjugated to proteins are being developed. Mucosal vaccines may induce mucosal and systemic immune responses, but their development has been hampered by the lack of effective, inexpensive innocuous mucosal adjuvants or immunogenic vaccine carriers. We have demonstrated that the recombinant Cry1Ac protoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis is highly immunogenic and has mucosal and systemic adjuvant effects on proteins coadministered in mice. In this work, we evaluated Cry1Ac as a carrier and adjuvant of S. pneumoniae CPS for the induction of mucosal and systemic antibody responses after intranasal and intraperitoneal immunization in mice. Our results demonstrate that intranasal application of pneumococcal polysaccharides either coadministered or conjugated with Cry1Ac induces higher systemic and mucosal specific antibody responses than those elicited by pneumococcal polysaccharides alone. Adjuvant effects of Cry1Ac on polysaccharides may be appropriate for vaccine design.

Factors affecting animal performance during the grazing season in a mountain cattle production system.

The factors influencing weight changes during the grazing season of Brown Swiss autumn-calving cows and Brown Swiss and Pirenaica spring-calving cows and their calves were studied over an 8-yr period in Spanish mountain conditions. The data set comprised 552 annual production cycles of cows that calved in two consecutive years. The animals grazed on alpine ranges during the summer and on forest pastures in the spring and autumn. They were housed during the winter and fed at different feeding levels (83 to 117% of their energy requirements) throughout the years of study. Weights were recorded every 3 mo and corrected to account for changes of digestive content and fetal growth, using theoretical relationships. Cow weight gains both on forest pastures and high mountain ranges were higher in autumn- than in spring-calving Brown Swiss cows, and therefore also during the whole grazing season (52.1 vs 7.7 kg, respectively, P < 0.001). Therefore, weight at calving and thereafter was significantly higher in autumn- than in spring-calving cows, which was associated with better reproductive performance (35.5 vs 49.1 d from calving to first ovulation, P < 0.01). In the spring-calving herd, Pirenaica cows had slightly higher gains than Brown Swiss cows during the grazing period (18.5 vs 7.7 kg, P < 0.001), mainly due to their higher gains on forest pastures, but their reproductive performance was similar (44.5 vs 49.1 d from calving to first ovulation, respectively, not statistically significant). Gains were higher in multiparous than in primiparous cows (31.1 vs 14.1 kg, respectively, P < 0.001), especially in the case of Brown Swiss cows, which were younger at first calving. Gains were affected by year of study (P < 0.001) and previous weight changes during the housing period (r = -0.35 and r = -0.21 in autumn- and spring-calving cows respectively, P < 0.001). In the case of autumn-calving cows, performance on pasture was also affected by the stage of pregnancy at housing (r = -0.51, P < 0.001). Growth rates through lactation were higher in autumn- than in spring-born calves (P < 0.001), although the shorter lactation period resulted in lower weight at weaning of the former (P < 0.001). Breed was a significant source of variation in the performance of spring-born calves, weights and gains being higher in Brown Swiss than in Pirenaica calves (P < 0.001).

Differences between the large and small intestine in the immunodominant amoebic proteins recognized by IgG and IgA antibodies in BALB/c mice.

We have previously reported that there are differences in the number of predominant amoebic antigens recognized by serum and small intestinal antibodies induced after local and systemic immunization with glutarldehyde-fixed Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites (GFT) in BALB/c mice, by an immunoblot analysis. Moreover, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis, we found differences in the antiamoebic antibody isotype patterns elicited at the large and small intestines. To further characterize the antiamoebic immune response induced in BALB/c mice, after local (oral and rectal) and systemic (intraperitoneal and intramuscular) immunization with GFT, we performed an immunoblot analysis of the amoebic proteins predominantly recognized by immunoglobulins (Ig)G, IgA and IgM in the serum and in the small and large intestines. The present work shows differences between the large and small intestine in the IgG- and IgA-antibody recognition pattern of amoebic proteins, thus confirming and extending our previous findings supporting the compartmentalization of the intestinal immune response. Furthermore, our reported observation that there are differences in the amoebic proteins predominantly recognized by antibodies of different isotypes was extended to the intestines, as some proteins with relative molecular weights of 24-25, 66, 140 kDa are strongly recognized by IgG but not by other antibody isotypes.

Norepinephrine, epinephrine and MHPG levels in chick brain development.

In this study we determined the norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine and methoxy-hydroxy-phenyl-glycol (MHPG) levels in dissected chick telencephalon, diencephalon/mesencephalon and cerebellum in a number of stages from the late embryonic period (E16, E17, E18 and E19) and post-hatching period (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P15 and P30) using HPLC coupled with a coulometric detection system. A mobile phase which permits the detection of NE, epinephrine and MHPG simultaneously is also described. During development, NE levels increase dramatically after hatching in all brain structures studied and are not correlated in the same period with an increase in the MHPG/NE ratio. The values obtained for epinephrine and MHPG were significantly lower than the NE values in all the structures and stages studied. Our results support the notion of a specific role for NE during the first days after hatching.

Immunodulation of rat serum and mucosal antibody responses to Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites by beta-1,3-glucan and cholera toxin.

Systemic and mucosal and immune responses can be manipulated with immunomodulators. Here we show the modulatory effects of cholera toxin (CT) and beta-1,3-glucan (GLU) on the rat antiamebic serum and fecal antibody responses to one or four intraperitoneal (IP) or intragastric (IG) doses of glutaraldehyde-fixed Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites (GFT). One IP dose of GFT maximized serum IgM and IgG antiamebic antibodies on days 4 and 9, respectively; CT coadministration increased IgM antibodies, whereas IgG titers increased with CT or GLU; coproantibodies were undetectable after GFT alone or coadministered with GLU, whereas CT coadministration maximized fecal IgA antibodies on day 6. One IG dose of GFT alone increased serum IgM and IgG antibodies 2.5 times and no further increases were detected using GLU, whereas CT doubled serum IgG antibodies; GFT did not affect the coproantibody responses, whereas GLU coadministration maximized IgG coproantibody levels on day 6 and CT increased IgG and IgA coproantibody levels on the same day. On the other hand, four IG doses of GFT alone or with GLU induced tolerance, whereas GFT alone via the IP route increased serum antibodies slightly and GLU coadministration increased serum IgG antibody titers 300-fold. CT coadministration by both routes increased IgA coproantibodies, and simultaneous CT+GLU coadministration induced lower responses than either CT or GLU. Different antiamebic immune responses might therefore be attained through the use of different immunization routes and immunomodulators to induce protective immunity against intestinal or extraintestinal amebiasis.

Intranasal, rectal and intraperitoneal immunization with protoxin Cry1Ac from Bacillus thuringiensis induces compartmentalized serum, intestinal, vaginal and pulmonary immune responses in Balb/c mice.

Recently we discovered that the Cry1Ac protoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis administered to Balb/c mice intraperitoneally (i.p.) or intragastrically is a systemic and intestinal immunogen as potent as cholera toxin. To further characterize the mucosal immunogenicity of Cry1Ac we additionally tried the intranasal (i.n.) and rectal routes and used enzyme-linked immunoassays to determine anti-Cry1Ac antibody responses in the serum as well as in vaginal and tracheobronchial washes and in the fluids of the large and the small intestine. Immunization by the i.p., i.n. and rectal routes induced IgM, IgG and IgA antibodies in all the mucosal surfaces analyzed, but the magnitude and predominant isotype of each response depended on the route used and the mucosal site analyzed. These data extend our findings on the striking mucosal immunogencity of Cry1Ac and provide additional evidence on the compartmentalization of the mucosal immune system.

Clustering of a molecular dynamics trajectory with a Hamming distance

Based on the properties of discrete point arrangements we introduce the concept of dynamical activity, which allows one to formulate a simple double criterion for locating clusters of homologous conformers in a molecular dynamics trajectory.

Preweaning growth curves in Brown Swiss and Pirenaica calves with emphasis on individual variability.

A quadratic polynomial model with random regression coefficients was used to describe preweaning growth curves of two beef cattle breeds widely used in the Spanish Pyrenees, according to genotype and season of birth effects. In addition, parameters of individual variability that can be used in a stochastic model were obtained. Data recorded indoors from birth to weaning of 217 Brown Swiss calves (3,509 observations) born either in spring or autumn (BS-S, BS-A) and 101 spring-born Pirenaica calves (PI-S, 967 observations) were analyzed. A quadratic model accurately fitted the preweaning weights (R2 = .99). Use of random regression coefficients improved the weaning weight adjustment; the residual variance of the model with intercept and linear random coefficients (9.61 kg2) was smaller than that of the model without them (130.03 kg2). Brown Swiss-S and PI-S calves had similar birth weight (40.9 +/- .96 vs 39.4 +/- .73 kg), but BS-S calves achieved significantly higher weaning weights at 150 d of age (175.2 +/- 2.45 vs 158.4 +/- 3.17 kg). Preweaning growth patterns were different for each season of birth, but there were no differences in weaning weight at 150 d of age (172.9 +/- 2.01 BS-A vs 175.2 +/- 2.45 BS-S). Standardization of weaning weights using a linear approximation could lead to biases, especially when comparing animals from the two calving seasons. The estimate of variances of random parameters should be done within breed and season of birth in order to take into account heteroscedasticity. The variances for BS-A, BS-S, and PI-S were 39.9, 57.6, and 32.2 kg2 for the intercept, respectively, and .0159, .0141, and .0205 kg2 for the linear coefficient. Covariance between the intercept and the linear coefficient (.34 kg2) was only statistically significant in the case of BS-S. The individual variance of weight at 150 d was 424.7 kg2 and 526.7 kg2 for BS-S and PI-S, respectively, almost 65% of the observed variance of weaning weight.

Cry1Ac protoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis sp. kurstaki HD73 binds to surface proteins in the mouse small intestine.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), considered a safe insecticide, produces insecticidal proteins named Cry during sporulation, which possess exceptional immunological properties. In this work using an immunohistochemical test we demonstrated that Cry1Ac protoxin (pCry1Ac) binds to the mucosal surface of the mouse small intestine. Ligand blot assay allowed us to detect, under denaturing conditions, six pCry1Ac-binding polypeptides present in brush border membrane vesicles isolated from the small intestine. Moreover, this protein induced in situ temporal changes in the electrophysiological properties of the mouse jejunum. The data obtained indicate a possible interaction in vivo of Cry proteins with the animal bowel which could induce changes in the physiological status of the intestine.

Autoradiographic characterisation of beta-adrenoceptors in chick brain using [3H]CGP 12177.

An autoradiographic method for labelling beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenoceptors using [3H]CGP 12177 as a radioligand is described as well as the procedure for an autoradiographic saturation kinetic study. The method afforded higher quality autoradiographs as well as an improvement in the tissue preservation when assayed in birds and chick embryos. The results confirmed the K(d) values previously reported for membrane homogenate binding. The use of different radioligands to characterise beta-adrenoceptors, the higher B(max) values found with autoradiography than those obtained by the membrane homogenate binding method and the typical errors in quantifying autoradiography are discussed. It is concluded that the method described here considerably improves autoradiographic beta-adrenergic characterisation.

Characterization of the mucosal and systemic immune response induced by Cry1Ac protein from Bacillus thuringiensis HD 73 in mice.

The present paper describes important features of the immune response induced by the Cry1Ac protein from Bacillus thuringiensis in mice. The kinetics of induction of serum and mucosal antibodies showed an immediate production of anti-Cry1Ac IgM and IgG antibodies in serum after the first immunization with the protoxin by either the intraperitoneal or intragastric route. The antibody fraction in serum and intestinal fluids consisted mainly of IgG1. In addition, plasma cells producing anti-Cry1Ac IgG antibodies in Peyer's patches were observed using the solid-phase enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT). Cry1Ac toxin administration induced a strong immune response in serum but in the small intestinal fluids only anti-Cry1Ac IgA antibodies were detected. The data obtained in the present study confirm that the Cry1Ac protoxin is a potent immunogen able to induce a specific immune response in the mucosal tissue, which has not been observed in response to most other proteins.

Characterization of the mucosal and systemic immune response induced by Cry1Ac protein from Bacillus thuringiensis HD 73 in mice

The present paper describes important features of the immune response induced by the Cry1Ac protein from Bacillus thuringiensis in mice. The kinetics of induction of serum and mucosal antibodies showed an immediate production of anti-Cry1Ac IgM and IgG antibodies in serum after the first immunization with the protoxin by either the intraperitoneal or intragastric route. The antibody fraction in serum and intestinal fluids consisted mainly of IgG1. In addition, plasma cells producing anti-Cry1Ac IgG antibodies in Peyer's patches were observed using the solid-phase enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT). Cry1Ac toxin administration induced a strong immune response in serum but in the small intestinal fluids only anti-Cry1Ac IgA antibodies were detected. The data obtained in the present study confirm that the Cry1Ac protoxin is a potent immunogen able to induce a specific immune response in the mucosal tissue, which has not been observed in response to most other proteins