Phenotype of Aeromonas salmonicida sp. salmonicida cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate receptor protein (Crp) mutants and its virulence in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Precise deletion of genes related to virulence can be used as a strategy to produce attenuated bacterial vaccines. Here, we study the deletion of the cyclic-3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) receptor protein (Crp) in Aeromonas salmonicida, the aetiologic agent of furunculosis in marine and freshwater fish. The Crp protein is a conserved global regulator, controlling physiology processes, like sugar utilization. Deletion of the crp gene has been utilized in live attenuated vaccines for mammals, birds and warm water fish. Here, we characterized the crp gene and reported the effect of a crp deletion in A. salmonicida virulent and non-virulent isolates. We found that A. salmonicida Δcrp was not able to utilize maltose and other sugars, and its generation time was similar to the wild type. A. salmonicida ∆crp showed a higher ability of cell invasion compared to the wild type. Fish challenges showed that A. salmonicida ∆crp is ~6 times attenuated in Oncorhynchus mykiss and conferred protective immunity against the intraperitoneal challenge with A. salmonicida wild type. We concluded that deletion of A. salmonicida crp influences sugar utilization, cell invasion and virulence. Deletion of crp in A. salmonicida could be considered as part of an effective strategy to develop immersion live attenuated vaccines against furunculosis.

Chemical modeling for pH prediction of acidified musts with gypsum and tartaric acid in warm regions.

Winemaking of musts acidified with up to 3g/L of gypsum (CaSO4 2H2O) and tartaric acid, both individually and in combination, as well as a chemical modeling have been carried out to study the behaviour of these compounds as acidifiers. Prior to fermentation gypsum and tartaric acid reduce the pH by 0.12 and 0.17 pH units/g/L, respectively, but while gypsum does not increase the total acidity and reduces buffering power, tartaric acid shows the opposite behaviour. When these compounds were used in combination, the doses of tartaric acid necessary to reach a suitable pH were reduced. Calcium concentrations increase considerably in gypsum-acidified must, although they fell markedly after fermentation over time. Sulfate concentrations also increased, although with doses of 2g/L they were lower than the maximum permitted level (2.5g/L). Chemical modeling gave good results and the errors in pH predictions were less than 5% in almost all cases.

Sonosynthesis of gold nanoparticles from a geranium leaf extract.

A rapid in situ biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is proposed in which a geranium (Pelargonium zonale) leaf extract was used as a non-toxic reducing and stabilizing agent in a sonocatalysis process based on high-power ultrasound. The synthesis process took only 3.5 min in aqueous solution under ambient conditions. The stability of the nanoparticles was studied by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy with reference to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band. AuNPs have an average lifetime of about 8 weeks at 4 °C in the absence of light. The morphology and crystalline phase of the gold nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The composition of the nanoparticles was evaluated by electron diffraction and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). A total of 80% of the gold nanoparticles obtained in this way have a diameter in the range 8-20 nm, with an average size of 12±3 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated the presence of biomolecules that could be responsible for reducing and capping the biosynthesized gold nanoparticles. A hypothesis concerning the type of organic molecules involved in this process is also given. Experimental design linked to the simplex method was used to optimize the experimental conditions for this green synthesis route. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a high-power ultrasound-based sonocatalytic process and experimental design coupled to a simplex optimization process has been used in the biosynthesis of AuNPs.

Catatonia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and cotard syndrome in a 22-year-old woman: a case report.

The following case study describes a 22-year-old woman with depression and symptoms of psychosis who developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome after using Risperidone, thus requiring life support equipment and Bromocriptine, later recovering after seven days. From a psychiatric and neurological point of view, however, the persistence of catatonic syndrome and Cotard syndrome delusions was observed, based on assertions such as "I do not have a heart," "my heart is not beating," "I can not breathe," "I am breaking apart," "I have no head" (ideas of negation) and statements about the patient being responsible for the "death of the whole world" (ideas of enormity). Brain NMR revealed leukoencephalopathy, interpreted as scar lesions caused by perinatal neurological damage, after discarding other pathologies. The patient responded well to electroconvulsive therapy after 11 sessions. Organic vulnerability to these syndromes, as well as their coexistence and clinical differentiation is discussed in the light of the data observed.

Experimental evidence of selective heating of molecules adsorbed in nanopores under microwave radiation.

We have performed in situ quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) measurements on zeolite-guest systems under microwave irradiation, for comparison with corresponding simulations. Both experiment and simulation reveal selective heating of methanol in silicalite, but little to no heating of benzene in silicalite. Effective translational and rotational temperatures extracted from QENS data under microwave heating were found to depend on microwave power. In agreement with simulation, QENS rotational temperatures significantly exceed translational ones at high microwave power, thus providing the first microscopic proof for athermal effects in microwave-driven nanopores.

New, fast and green procedure for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles based on sonocatalysis.

An easy, cheap and green synthetic route, using high-power ultrasounds and sodium citrate dihydrate as non-toxic reducing and stabilizer agent, produces gold nanoparticles in aqueous solution, and at ambient conditions. The time required for the synthesis is 5.5 min. The spherical nanoparticles obtained by this route show a homogeneous size distribution, within the range 5-17 nm, with an average diameter of 10±1 nm. Moreover, 90% of the particles have a diameter ranging from 7 to 13 nm, and their half-life is more than 30 days. The gold nanoparticles synthesized following this route are known as sononanoparticles. Gold sononanoparticles have been characterized by TEM and XRD and their stability has been studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Alternative experimental designs are compared to optimize the proposed synthesis procedure.

Severe anemia from parvovirus b19 infection in pediatric renal transplant recipients: two case reports.

UNLABELLED: Human parvovirus B19 (PVB19) is the etiologic agent of erythema infectiosum (fifth disease), a common childhood exanthema. Immunocompromised patients risk developing chronic infections leading to pure red blood cell aplasia. Herein we have reported our experience with two pediatric renal transplant recipients who had severe pure red cell aplasia in the early period after surgery, accompanying PVB19 infection. FIRST CASE: A 6-year-old boy underwent pro emptive living-related renal transplantation in September 2006. On day 4, he developed abdominal discomfort and diarrhea. After transplantation, he began an asymptomatic drop in hematocrit without reticulocytosis, which was unresponsive to recombinant erythropoietin. Diarrhea also persisted. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive for cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the gastrointestinal tract. PVB19 was confirmed by PCR on a bone marrow sample. He was transfused with packed red cells and treated with ganciclovir and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). His hematocrit increased and diarrhea ended. Six months later anemia recurred requiring a second infusion of IVIG. Subsequently he has done well. SECOND CASE: A 15-year-old boy received a living-related renal transplant in October 2006, after 2 years on automated peritoneal dialysis. One month later he developed a progressive, nonregenerative anemia. A bone marrow aspirate confirmed a PVB19 infection by PCR. He received a blood transfusion and IVIG with a favorable response. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of persistent anemia in immunocompromised hosts with a low reticulocyte count suggests PVB19 infection. IVIG therapy is effective to treat chronic PVB19 infections.

Thermal AFM: a thermopile case study.

In this work, an atomic force microscope (AFM) with an integrated thermal sensor has been used to obtain the local spatial distribution of temperatures in a micromachined thermopile with submicron resolution. In this communication, we will show how the dimensional, structural and functional characteristics of a thermopile suits well with the requirements for AFM thermal imaging, and how a deeper insight of the thermopile operation can be gained with the aid of these advanced scanning probe-based tools.

Implementación de un protocolo para la identificación de vibrio parahaemolyticus a través de PCR / Implementation of a protocol for the identification of vibrio parahaemolyticus by PCR

Vibrio parahaemolyticus es una de las principales bacterias Gram-negativas causantes de toxiinfecciones alimentarias y gastroenteritis aguda en humanos. En peces causa septicemia hemorrágica y ulceraciones de la piel, conviertiéndose en una de las principales causas de pérdidas en las explotaciones piscícolas. El presente trabajo documenta el establecimeinto de un protocolo de identificación de Vibrio parahaemolyticus por la técnica de acción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR). Se realizaron caracaterizaciones genómicas de 24 aislados de Vibrio sp. obtenidos del cepario del laboratorio de Bacteriología de Sanidad Animal CENIAP-INIA en Maracay, estado Aragua, Venezuela. En la identificación genética los aislados fueron caracterizaciones mediante la PCR, siguiendo la metodología descrita por Lee y col. (1) con modificaciones en la extracción del ADN, que se realizó con DNAzol. Los iniciadores utilizados para tal fin fueron: 5`-GCGAATTCGATAGGGTGTTAACC-3` y 5`-CGAATCCTTGAACATACGCAGC-3`. De los 24 aislados analizados por PCR se obtuvieron 7 amplificados, que se identificaron como V. parahaemolyticus

Aislamiento de vibrio cholerae a partir de lisas y tilapias en Venezuela / Isolates of vibrio cholerae from lisas and tilapias in Venezuela

Un importante patógeno humano es vibrio cholerae, causante de diarreas profusas (cólera) y otros desórdenes. Su transmisión está asociada con el consumo de alimentos marinos contaminados. En el presente estudio se realizaron caracterizaciones fenotípicas de 24 aislados de Vibrio sp. obtenidos por necropsia y del cepario del laboratorio de Bacteriología de Sanidad Animal CENIAP-INIA en Maracay, estado Aragua; entre los cuales fue aislado vibrio cholerae proveniente de lisas y tilapsias. Las técnicas de identificación bacteriana se basan en sus características fenotípicas y metabólicas, desarrollo de colonias en medios de cultivos, morfología microscópica y reacciones tintoriales y características bioquímicas basadas en la utilización de sustratos. En los ejemplares de tilapia estudiados se identificó vibrio cholerae no-O1 y en las lisas, predominaron vibrio parahaemolyticus y vibrio cholerae no-O1. Este hallazgo es de gran importancia sanitaria, ya que los peces son de consumo humano, lo que constituye un riesgo en salud pública

Multicomponent analysis of electrochemical signals in the wavelet domain.

Successful applications of multivariate calibration in the field of electrochemistry have been recently reported, using various approaches such as multilinear regression (MLR), continuum regression, partial least squares regression (PLS) and artificial neural networks (ANN). Despite the good performance of these methods, it is nowadays accepted that they can benefit from data transformations aiming at removing baseline effects, reducing noise and compressing the data. In this context the wavelet transform seems a very promising tool. Here, we propose a methodology, based on the fast wavelet transform, for feature selection prior to calibration. As a benchmark, a data set consisting of lead and thallium mixtures measured by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry and giving seriously overlapped responses has been used. Three regression techniques are compared: MLR, PLS and ANN. Good predictive and effective models are obtained. Through inspection of the reconstructed signals, identification and interpretation of significant regions in the voltammograms are possible.

Relationship between sex differences in onset of schizophrenia and puberty.

Some neurodevelopmental hypotheses of schizophrenia have postulated that sex differences in onset of illness could be explained by sexual dimorphism in onset of puberty, suggesting that early maturation accounts for the later onset of illness in women. The objective of this study was to analyse the relationship between age of menarche and age of onset of schizophrenia in a sample of Chilean patients. The medical records of 105 schizophrenic women diagnosed according to DSM-III-R criteria were studied. In all cases age of onset (first psychotic symptoms) and age of menarche were obtained. Pearson's correlation and student's t-test were used to analyse the data. The mean age of menarche in the sample of female patients (12. 98 years, S.D.=1.49) was significantly different from that of the general population of Santiago, Chile (12.53 years, S.D.=1.32) (t=2. 38; P<0.05). The mean age of onset of schizophrenia in female patients (19.92 years, S.D.=5.13) was significantly earlier in the Chilean sample than that reported in European and North American samples (P<0.05). No differences were observed when comparing the mean age at menarche. The subtypes with the earliest onset presented the earliest age of menarche and the subtypes with the latest onsets showed the latest ages at menarche. However, no correlation was observed between the age at onset of illness and the age at menarche, both in the total sample and in the analysis by subtype. The results of this study do not support a correlation between puberty and age of onset of illness.

[Nicotine dependence: 1-year follow-up patients treated with nicotine replacement and group therapy]. / Dependencia de nicotina: seguimiento a un año plazo de pacientes tratados con terapia grupal más reemplazo de nicotina.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is the main single avoidable cause of death in our country. Little research in the treatment of such disorder has been made. AIM: To report the results of a prospective follow up for one year of outpatients from our "Smoker's Clinic" at the Department of Psychiatry of the Catholic University. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-seven patients (84 male, aged 21 to 70 years old), with DSM-IV criteria for nicotine dependence, were included in a total of 18 groups. Each group received an intensive treatment program of 10 sessions with cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention techniques and nicotine replacement. Patients with active psychiatric diseases were not included in the program. RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent of subjects were abstinent at the first month and 50% were still abstinent after twelve months of follow up. We did not find differences in gender, age, previous psychiatric disease, number of cigarettes and breath carbon monoxide level between abstinent and non abstinent patients after 12 months of follow up. CONCLUSION: This intensive nicotine dependence treatment in seriously dependent patients, proved to be successful, regardless of the previous psychiatric history.

Personality patterns and outcome in depressive and bipolar disorders.

Personality traits and disorders have a strong influence on the course and outcome of depressive and bipolar disorders. Studies of the influence of personality disorders (PD) and some PD clusters on outcome of mood disorders are controversial and suggest that more specific assessment of underlying traits or dimensions is needed. Utilizing the Munich Personality test (MP-T) scales of von Zerssen, this study tries to identify specific personality traits that may influence the outcome and clinical course of unipolar endogenous depression and bipolar disorder. Six unipolar depressives and 6 bipolar patients, according to DSM III-R and ICD 10 criteria, were assessed with the MP-T self- and family-reporting scales. Three years later, their outcome scores were correlated with the corresponding premorbid personality profile. Preliminary results show that introversion has a negative effect on outcome of unipolar melancholic depression, while extraversion, esoteric tendencies and rigidity have a positive influence. Neuroticism has a negative influence on outcome of bipolar disorder, but not on unipolar endogenous depression. Data from the literature suggest that neuroticism, hostility and social dysfunction seem to have a negative prognostic value only for nonendogenous depressives and bipolar disorder, thus supporting the notion that the diagnostic distinction between bipolar disorder, endogenous and nonendogenous depression is relevant to prognostic discussions. These observations help to understand the differences between depressive syndromes and their relationship to prognosis, but also to comprehend the role of personality in clinical and theoretical research of mood disorders.

Complex segregation analysis of schizophrenia in Santiago, Chile.

Genetic epidemiologic studies have provided evidence that genetic factors contribute to familial aggregation of schizophrenia. However, the precise mode of inheritance has not been elucidated. The majority of such studies have been carried out in Caucasian populations. The present study was performed in Santiago, Chile, whose population stems from the admixture of Amerindians with Spaniards. The sample consisted of 44 randomly ascertained schizophrenic probands (22 males and 22 females) with ages ranging between 20 and 48 years. The diagnosis was made according to DSM-III-R criteria. Both probands and relatives were interviewed using a structured interview (CIDI) and the DSM-III-R checklist. Complex segregation analysis was carried out using the computer program POINTER. The non-transmission model (Q = H = 0) was rejected as well as the recessive single locus (H = 0, Z = 1). The multifactorial, the single codominant, the non-major locus component, the non-polygenic component transmission model and the non-transmission of a major effect could not be rejected. The model that best fits the data of the present study is that of a mixed model with a great environmental component (93.12%). The frequency of the major gene was estimated at 0.000155. Our results are similar to previous reports in ethnically different populations.

Intolerancia a la ambig³edad en trastornos afectivos y esquizofrénicos: una comparación transcultural / Intolerance of ambiguity in affective and schizophrenic disorders: a transcultural comparison

Intolerancia a la ambig³edad es un constructo de la personalidad y un modelo cognitivo que ha recibido un creciente interés en investigación psicopatológica. En un estudio transcultural se examina la intolerancia a la ambig³edad en una muestra de pacientes hospitalizados con trastornos depresivo unipolar, bipolar, esquizofrénico (DSM III-R) y un grupo control de las clínicas psiquiátricas de la Universidad de Heidelberg y de la Universidad de Chile respectivamente. El grupo de depressivos mayores unipolares de ambos países revelan valores significativamente mayores que los del grupo control, medidos con la escala de Kischkel. En la muestra alemana los unipolares se diferenciaron de los esquizofrénicos y en la chilena de los bipolares. Se encontró una asociacón íntima entre intolerancias a la ambiq³edad y el constructo "Rigidez" de la personalidad primórbida. El significado y las implicancias teóricas y clínicas de estos hallazgos se discuten finalmente. (AU)

Intolerancia a la ambigüedad en trastornos afectivos y esquizofrénicos: una comparación transcultural / Intolerance of ambiguity in affective and schizophrenic disorders: a transcultural comparison

Intolerancia a la ambigüedad es un constructo de la personalidad y un modelo cognitivo que ha recibido un creciente interés en investigación psicopatológica. En un estudio transcultural se examina la intolerancia a la ambigüedad en una muestra de pacientes hospitalizados con trastornos depresivo unipolar, bipolar, esquizofrénico (DSM III-R) y un grupo control de las clínicas psiquiátricas de la Universidad de Heidelberg y de la Universidad de Chile respectivamente. El grupo de depressivos mayores unipolares de ambos países revelan valores significativamente mayores que los del grupo control, medidos con la escala de Kischkel. En la muestra alemana los unipolares se diferenciaron de los esquizofrénicos y en la chilena de los bipolares. Se encontró una asociacón íntima entre intolerancias a la ambiqüedad y el constructo "Rigidez" de la personalidad primórbida. El significado y las implicancias teóricas y clínicas de estos hallazgos se discuten finalmente.

[Genetic factors study in family aggregation of schizophrenia in Santiago, Chile]. / Estudio de factores genéticos en la agregación familiar de la esquizofrenia en Santiago, Chile.

BACKGROUND: Genetic epidemiological studies indicate that genetic factors contribute to a familial aggregation of schizophrenia. The form of inheritance has not been elucidated but most studies have been done in Caucasian populations. AIM: To study the form of inheritance of schizophrenia in an urban population of Santiago, Chile, containing an admixture of Spanish origin individuals with Southamerican aborigines. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty four randomly selected schizophrenic probands, 22 female, aged 28 to 48 years old, were studied. From them, an extensive genealogical reconstitution was performed. Probands and relatives were interviewed using the structured interview CIDI and DSM-III-R check-list. Schizophrenia was diagnosed using DSM-III-R criteria. Complex segregation analysis was done using Pointer program. RESULTS: The hypothesis of a multifactorial inheritance, without the participation of major genes, could not be rejected. Likewise, the major dominant and co-dominant gene forms of transmission could not be rejected. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show the participation of a major dominant locus and a multifactorial component in the inheritance of schizophrenia, as has been reported elsewhere.

Premorbid personality aspects in mood and schizophrenic disorders.

This study examines premorbid personality traits from a self-reported and family-reported perspective on a group of unipolar major depression (n = 27), bipolar (n = 21), and schizophrenic (n = 16) recovered inpatients, and a control group (n = 21). Using the Munich Personality Test (MP-T Scales) of von Zerssen for self-reporting and family-reporting personality traits, and the Kischkel scale for the measurement of "intolerance of ambiguity," we found more "rigidity," less "esoteric tendencies," and more "intolerance of ambiguity" among unipolar depressive patients. Schizophrenic patients showed more esoteric tendencies and less "extraversion." Results confirm the hypothesis supported by many authors regarding a particular personality structure in unipolar major depression characterized by rigidity and ambiguity intolerance. This personality pattern for unipolar depressives seems to be different from the depressive personality disorder proposed by DSM-IV. Schizophrenic individuals differ by means of their self- and family-reported extraversion. Clinical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.

[Tolerance of ambiguity in endogenous psychoses from the transcultural viewpoint]. / Ambiguitätsintoleranz bei endogenen Psychosen aus transkultureller Sicht.

This study tries to determine the relationship between intolerance of ambiguity and different psychiatric disorders classified according to DSM-III-R criteria in two different countries. Inpatients from the psychiatric department of the Universidad de Chile and the psychiatric department of the University of Heidelberg (Germany) with uniplar, bipolar or schizophrenic disorders, as well as normal controls in both cultures completed the Kischkel Intolerance of Ambiguity Scale. The group of unipolar depressive inpatients showed significantly higher scores in both samples. Among the Chilean schizophrenic patients, differences between unipolar and bipolar disorders were seen only in the Chilean sample. Differences between unipolar depressive and schizophrenic patients were evident in the German sample only. The psychopathological and nosological significance of these findings in unipolar depressives is discussed.