Antimicrobial susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori and mechanisms of clarithromycin resistance in strains isolated from patients in Uruguay.

The prevalence and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori have not yet been investigated in Uruguay. The objective of this study was to assess the susceptibility of H. pylori to the most frequently used antibiotics and to determine the mechanism of resistance to clarithromycin. Seventy-nine isolates were obtained from gastric biopsies of 50 adult patients during two periods, 2001 and 2006. The former group enrolled the general population (GP), the latter group Afro-descendant (AD) subjects. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of clarithromycin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, metronidazole, and levofloxacin were determined using the E-test technique. Amplification was achieved through PCR and nucleic acid sequencing to detect mutations in the site of action of clarithromycin in the rRNA gene 23S. No amoxicillin or tetracycline-resistant strains were found. Clarithromycin resistance was found in 12% of the patients overall: 19.4% resistance in AD patients and no resistance in the GP group. This difference was statistically significant. The highest resistance was seen with metronidazole (36%), present in similar proportions in the two groups: 36.8% (GP) and 35.5% (AD). One GP patient and one AD patient had levofloxacin-resistant strains. Sequencing analysis of gene 23S rRNA showed that only mutation in position 2143 was presented in all clarithromycin-resistant strains.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori and mechanisms of clarithromycin resistance in strains isolated from patients in Uruguay

The prevalence and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori have not yet been investigated in Uruguay. The objective of this study was to assess the susceptibility of H. pylori to the most frequently used antibiotics and to determine the mechanism of resistance to clarithromycin. Seventy-nine isolates were obtained from gastric biopsies of 50 adult patients during two periods, 2001 and 2006. The former group enrolled the general population (GP), the latter group Afro-descendant (AD) subjects. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of clarithromycin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, metronidazole, and levofloxacin were determined using the E-test technique. Amplification was achieved through PCR and nucleic acid sequencing to detect mutations in the site of action of clarithromycin in the rRNA gene 23S. No amoxicillin or tetracycline-resistant strains were found. Clarithromycin resistance was found in 12% of the patients overall: 19.4% resistance in AD patients and no resistance in the GP group. This difference was statistically significant. The highest resistance was seen with metronidazole (36%), present in similar proportions in the two groups: 36.8% (GP) and 35.5% (AD). One GP patient and one AD patient had levofloxacin-resistant strains. Sequencing analysis of gene 23S rRNA showed that only mutation in position 2143 was presented in all clarithromycin-resistant strains(AU)

Correlación entre las concentraciones séricas de apolipoproteína B y colesterol LDL en una muestra poblacional. Utilidad de la apolipoproteina B para valorar riesgo aterogénico / Correlation between serum concentrations of apolipoprotein B and LDL cholesterol in a population sample. Usefulness of apolipoprotein B to value atherogenic risk

La apolipoproteina B (apoLp B) es el principal constituyente proteico de la vía aferente del colesterol a los tejidos periférico. Se ha propuesto que sea un mejor marcador de enfermedad cardiovascular que el colesterol LDL(cLDL). El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar las concentraciones plasmáticas de apoLp B, su relación con el cLDL, el valor deseable y de alto riesgo, y evaluar las hiperapolipoproteinemias B en pacientes con cLDL por debajo del valor de riesgo (cLDL<160 mg/dl). Se estudiaron 265 muestras de pacientes en el Hospital Universitario. Se determinó apolipoproteina B, CT, TG, cHDL y cálculo de cLDL. Cuando el valor de cLDL fue < 130 mg/dl, el valor de apoLp B fue < 98 mg/dl, un valor deseable. Para un valor de cLDL > 160 mg/dl, el valor de apoLp B fue > 120 mg/dl, un valor de riesgo alto. De los pacientes con cLDL<160 mg/dl (n=202), un 3,5% tuvieron valores de apoLp B mayores de 120 mg/dl. Encontramos un valor deseable de apoLp B de 98 mg/dl y un valor de riesgo alto de 120 mg/dl. Un 3,5% de pacientes que teniendo valores de cLDL de 160 mg/dl presentaron apolipoproteina B>120 mg/dl, que podría corresponder a pacientes con hiperapolipoproteinemia B. Es en estos pacientes con sospecha de alto riesgo coronario pero que presentan cLDL por debajo del nivel de riesgo, en quienes se recomienda dosificar apoLp B, como factor emergente de riesgo coronario.

Apolipoprotein B (apoLp B) is the main protein component of the cholesterol delivery route to peripheral tissues. It has been proposed as a better predictor of cardiovascular disease than LDL cholesterol. The aims of this study were to determine the serum concentration of apoLp B, its relation with LDL cholesterol, its "desirable" and "high risk" limits and to evaluate patients with hyperapolipoproteinemia B and cLDL below risk values. A total of 265 subjects were randomly selected from a population referred for lipid studies to the Hospital Universitario. We measured concentrations of apoLp B, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and calculated LDL cholesterol. When LDL cholesterol was < 130 mg/dl, apoLp B value was < 98 mg/dl, which corresponds to a "desirable" limit. When LDL cholesterol was >160 mg/dl, apoLp B value was > 120 mg/dl, corresponding to a "high risk" limit. Of all patients with LDL cholesterol < 160 mg/dl (n=202), 3.5% had apolipoprotein B > 120 mg/dl. We found a desirable apoLp B value of 98 mg/dl and high risk apoLp B value of 120 mg/dl. In the patients with LDL cholesterol below 160 mg/dl, 3.5% showed apoLp B values above 120 mg/dl and they were considered patients with hyperapolipoproteinemia B. In this population with suspicion of coronary disease but without risk LDL cholesterol values, the measurement of apoLp B, as an emerging coronary risk factor, is strongly recommended.

Comparative effects of dietary corn, fish and Krill oils on intestinal glycosylation.

Antarctic Krill is considered as a valuable protein resource for animal and human nutrition. Due to the high content of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 family, Krill consumption could be also interesting in cardiovascular diseases. In the search for the demonstration of the absence of toxicity of Krill, we studied the effect of Krill oil, as compared to fish and corn oil, on the rat intestinal fucosylation process at weaning, a very sensitive model of the influence of nutritional factors. Krill oil containing diets were very well tolerated as compared to other currently used oils and induced only slight modification in fucose and mannose proportions in intestinal glycoprotein sugars. These modifications were not reflected in the enzymatic activities involved in the fucosylation pathway. These results confirm the harmlessness of Krill derived products and their possible use in human nutrition.

[Topical Vitamin E and ultraviolet radiation on human skin]. / Vitamina E tópica y radiación ultravioleta en piel humana.

The point is the relation between the tissue damage caused by UV radiations, the production of free radicals (lipoperoxidation) and the particular action of vitamin E on human skin. Through histopathologic changes and malondialdehyde dosification results, are analyzed, therefore a close relation between UV radiation, free radicals, lipoperoxidation, and tissue damage, is proved on human skin. Furthermore the protective action of topic vitamin E antioxidant which diminishes the lipoperoxidation and the tissue damage is apparent.

Efecto del hábito de fumar sobre las lipoproteínas plasmáticas / Effedt of smoking on the plasmas lipoproteins

Las lipoproteínas plasmáticas han sido objeto de estudios tendientes a poner de mainfiesto al tabaquismo como un factor de riesgo en el desarrollo de la aterosclerosis. Con tal fin en este trabajo se estudian las LP en dos poblaciones cuya única diferencia manifiesta es que una de ellas está compuesta por fumadores de más de 20 cigarrillos por día por más de 3 años. Los resultados muestran un aumento de las LP aterogénicas, de la familia LP B y una disminución de las LP antiaterogénicas de la familia LP A1, con un descenso significativo de los índices de riesgo aterogénico. En suma, esto revela un aumento del poder aterogénico metabólico del plasma de los fumadores. Se concluye que las variaciones producidas en un factor de riesgo aterogénico, las LP, por un factor de riesgo coronario, el tabaquismo, llevan a una alteración metabólica de las mismas que acelera el proceso aterosclerótico en los fumadores. Se plantean los posibles mecanismos actuantes

Efecto del hábito de fumar sobre las lipoproteínas plasmáticas / Effedt of smoking on the plasmas lipoproteins

Las lipoproteínas plasmáticas han sido objeto de estudios tendientes a poner de mainfiesto al tabaquismo como un factor de riesgo en el desarrollo de la aterosclerosis. Con tal fin en este trabajo se estudian las LP en dos poblaciones cuya única diferencia manifiesta es que una de ellas está compuesta por fumadores de más de 20 cigarrillos por día por más de 3 años. Los resultados muestran un aumento de las LP aterogénicas, de la familia LP B y una disminución de las LP antiaterogénicas de la familia LP A1, con un descenso significativo de los índices de riesgo aterogénico. En suma, esto revela un aumento del poder aterogénico metabólico del plasma de los fumadores. Se concluye que las variaciones producidas en un factor de riesgo aterogénico, las LP, por un factor de riesgo coronario, el tabaquismo, llevan a una alteración metabólica de las mismas que acelera el proceso aterosclerótico en los fumadores. Se plantean los posibles mecanismos actuantes (AU)

Enzymatic screening of human uterine cervical biopsies in nonpregnant and pregnant women at parturition.

Twelve enzymatic activities, involved in the metabolism of proteins, collagen, glycosaminoglycans, or in the energy metabolism, were studied in 72 cervical biopsies obtained after delivery of the placenta and in 12 cervices obtained by hysterectomy in nonpregnant patients. Although these activities display high interindividual variations, they are greatly and significantly increased at parturition as compared to the nonpregnant state, with the exception of creatine kinase, which is maximum in cervices obtained from nulliparous nonpregnant women. The activities are low in the group of women who are 35 to 40 years old. The other studied factors (blood group, parity, pregnancy duration, labor length, treatment, state of the cervix at the 9-month examination) have no clear influence on the enzymatic levels. The results are discussed in relation to the well-known structural changes of the cervix at parturition.

[Mechanism of lipid inhibitory effect on intestinal fucosyl-transferase in the rat]. / Etude du mécanisme de l'effet inhibiteur des lipides sur la fucosyl-transférase intestinale de rat.

High-fat diets decrease microsomic and soluble fucosyl-transferase activities in rat intestinal mucosa. This inhibition is not due to qualitative (pHi) or quantitative (relative activities) changes ion three isoenzymes, nor is it caused by alterations in the kinetic behaviour of these enzymes (Km, V). It is also not due to a direct effect of the fatty acids on the enzyme activities. It seems reasonable to suggest that a decreased biosynthesis of the fucosyl-transferase occurs as a result of the high-fat diets.