High-throughput sequencing-based analysis of bacterial communities associated with Barbour's seahorses (Hippocampus barbouri) from Surigao del Norte, Philippines.

This study identified the bacterial community composition associated with Barbour's seahorses (Hippocampus barbouri). Seahorses and samples from the surrounding environment (sediment and water) were collected from Cantiasay Island in Surigao del Norte, Philippines. Genomic DNA was isolated from these samples, and the V1-V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. There were 929 803 sequence reads corresponding to 859 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), which were obtained from the six genomic libraries. The results showed that the most abundant OTUs were affiliated to the phylum Proteobacteria, particularly those belonging to the genera Shewanella, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter and Aeromonas, which were found to be dominant in seahorse gut samples. The only exception was for the skin of male seahorses, which was dominated by members belonging to the genus Bacillus (phylum Firmicutes). These findings on bacterial community structure and composition may shed light on therapeutic claims of Barbour's seahorses and help in the conservation of this species.

Electrochemo-dynamical characterization of polypyrrole actuators coated on gold electrodes.

Polypyrrole coated gold wires were subjected to consecutive square current waves in LiClO4 aqueous solutions using the same constant anodic and cathodic charge. Parallel in situ diameter variations were followed using a laser scan micrometer. The procedure was repeated by changing one experimental variable every time: applied current, electrolyte concentration or working temperature to perform electrochemodynamical characterization of the system. On average, the diameter follows a linear variation of the consumed charge, as expected for any faradaic system, although a high dispersion was attained in the data. Such deviations were attributed to the presence of irreversible hydrogen evolution at the gold/polypyrrole interface at cathodic potentials more than 0.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl, detected and quantified from separated coulovoltammetric responses. Despite this parallel hydrogen evolution the consumed energy during reactions is a robust sensor of the working conditions. In conclusion a gold support, the metal most used for technological applications of conducting polymers, should be avoided when a device is driven by current flow in the presence of aqueous solutions, water contamination or moisture: a fraction of the charge will be consumed by hydrogen generation with possible degradation of the device.

Electro-chemo-biomimetics from conducting polymers: fundamentals, materials, properties and devices.

Conjugated conducting polymers, intrinsic conducting polymers or conducting polymers are complex and mixed materials; their electroactive fractions follow reversible oxidation/reduction reactions giving reversible volume variations to lodge or expel charge-balance counterions and osmotic-balance solvent molecules. The material content (reactive macromolecules, ions and water) mimics the dense intracellular matrix gel of living cells. Here the electropolymerization mechanism is reviewed highlighting the presence of parallel reactions resulting in electroactive and non-electroactive fractions of the final material. Conducting polymers are classified into nine different material families. Each of those families follows a prevalent reaction-driven exchange of anions or cations during oxidation/reduction (p-doping/p-dedoping or n-doping/n-dedoping). Polyaniline families also follow reaction-driven exchange of protons. The polymer/counterion composition changes for several orders of magnitude in a reversible way with the reversible reaction. The value of each of the different composition-dependent properties of the material also shifts in a reversible way driven by the reaction. Each property mimics another change in functional biological organs. A family of biomimetic devices is being developed based on each biomimetic property. Those electrochemical devices work driven by reactions of the constitutive material, as biological organs do. The simultaneous variation of several composition-dependent properties during the reaction announces an unparalleled technological world of multifunctional devices: several tools working simultaneously in one device. Such properties and devices are driven by electrochemical reactions: they are Faradaic devices and must be characterized by using electrochemical cells and electro-chemical methodologies.

Genotoxicity in oral epithelial cells in children caused by nickel in metal crowns.

The micronucleus (MN) assay evaluates the effects of low doses of genotoxic carcinogens and can detect structural lesions that survive mitotic cycles. The objective of this study was to determine both the genotoxicity of nickel (Ni) in buccal epithelial cells and the urinary excretion of Ni in children with metal crowns. This was a prospective longitudinal study based on 37 patients selected at the Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila. MN assays were performed using buccal cells from the 37 patients, and Ni levels were determined from urine samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry at 1 (basal value), 15, and 45 days following the placement of crowns in each patient. Ni urinary excretion levels increased from 2.12 ± 1.23 to 3.86 ± 2.96 mg Ni/g creatinine (P < 0.05) and the frequency of exposed micronuclei increased from 4.67 ± 0.15 to 6.78 ± 0.167/1000 cells (P < 0.05) between 1 and 45 days post-crown placement. These results suggest that odontological exposure to metal crowns results in genotoxic damage at the cellular level of the oral mucosa and an increase in the urinary excretion of Ni within 45 days of exposure.

[A case of hydatid cyst caused by Echinococcus granulosus in Puebla, Mexico, that resulted in successful surgical treatment]. / Un caso de quiste hidatídico por Echinococcus granulosus en Puebla, México, tratado con éxito por cirugía.

We present herein the case of a 16-year-old female from the southern portion of the State of Puebla, Mexico. When gathering her past medical history, it was revealed that she had grown up with pet dogs and that her family raised sheep. Because the patient presented with few symptoms, a benign lesion was suspected, and after laparoscopic exploration, the possibility of surgical management for a non-parasitic cyst was considered. A dull pain in the right hypochondrium persisted and open surgical exploration was performed in which a 6cm young, active, uncomplicated hydatid cyst was discovered. Its surgical removal was successful and the pathologist provided the definitive diagnosis. The three layers characteristic of a parasitic cyst were present and it was histologically consistent with Echinococcus granulosus. Postoperative progression was unremarkable and the control ultrasound study revealed complete restitution of the hepatic parenchyma.

Hand hygiene practices of veterinary support staff in small animal private practice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hand hygiene (HH) practices among veterinary technicians (VT) and veterinary support staff (VSS) in small animal private practice. METHODS: This was a prospective questionnaire-based study involving 182 VT and VSS from 18 small animal hospitals in the USA. Questions asked included gender, number of animals handled per work shift, frequency of hand washing, reason for not washing more frequently, most common available hand washing agent, education regarding the importance of HH and frequency of ring wearing. RESULTS: Less than half of the respondents [76 of 182 (41·7%)] reported washing their hands regularly between handling patients and 154 of 182 (85·6%) believed they should have washed more frequently. The most commonly employed HH agent was hand soap [154 of 182 (84·6%)] and the most common reason cited for not washing more frequently was being too busy [132 of 182 (72·5%)]. Only 96 of 182 (52·7%) respondents were educated by doctors at their hospital regarding the importance of HH. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The HH practices among VT and VSS in small animal private practice is poor. Hand soap was the most commonly employed agent among respondents in this study. Education of VT and VSS regarding the importance of HH requires improvement.

[A new case of a rare anomaly of the biliary tract]. / Un nuevo caso de una rara anomalía de las vías biliares.

We present a 36 year-old female with jaundice, who underwent surgical exploration with the diagnosis of probable biliary fasciolosis vs. Mirizzi´s syndrome. At surgery we found a short common duct leading to the body of gallbladder followed by a long cystic duct draining into the duodenum. Patient underwent hepaticojejunostomy with a Roux Y. The suspicious images of fasciola corresponded to inflammatory nodes in the hepatic hilium. A literature review was conducted and we found very few cases with this rare anomaly, some of them were managed with preservation of a portion of the gallbladder. We discuss the possible implications of this treatment and present an alternative management.

Cadmium, lead and zinc concentrations in water, sediment and oyster (Crassostrea virginica) of San Andres Lagoon, Mexico.

The spatial distribution of cadmium, lead and zinc concentrations in water, sediment and oysters from San Andres Lagoon was evaluated. Significantly higher cadmium (0.33 mg L(-1)) and lead (0.70 mg L(-1)) concentrations in water were observed in front of the mouth of Tigre river, whereas, zinc concentration (5.0 mg L(-1)) was significantly higher in the south part of the lagoon. Similarly, lead and zinc values in sediment (1.01 and 9.29 µg g(-1), respectively) and oyster tissue (0.86 and 3.19 µg g(-1), respectively) were significantly higher in the south part of the lagoon. Levels of cadmium and lead in oyster tissue were positively related to those found in sediment. However, concerning zinc no evident relationship was found. Such differences in regression analyses may be explained by differential bioaccumulation of xenobiotic (cadmium, lead) and essential (zinc) metals.

Evolution of tolerance by magpies to brood parasitism by great spotted cuckoos.

Hosts may use two different strategies to ameliorate negative effects of a given parasite burden: resistance or tolerance. Although both resistance and tolerance of parasitism should evolve as a consequence of selection pressures owing to parasitism, the study of evolutionary patterns of tolerance has traditionally been neglected by animal biologists. Here, we explore geographical covariation between tolerance of magpies (Pica pica) and brood parasitism by the great spotted cuckoo (Clamator glandarius) in nine different sympatric populations. We estimated tolerance as the slope of the regression of number of magpie fledglings (i.e. host fitness) on number of cuckoo eggs laid in non-depredated nests (which broadly equals parasite burden). We also estimated prevalence of parasitism and level of host resistance (i.e. rejection rates of mimetic model eggs) in these nine populations. In accordance with the hypothetical role of tolerance in the coevolutionary process between magpies and cuckoos we found geographical variation in tolerance estimates that positively covaried with prevalence of parasitism. Levels of resistance and tolerance were not associated, possibly suggesting the lack of a trade-off between the two kinds of defences against great spotted cuckoo parasitism for magpies. We discuss the results in the framework of a mosaic of coevolutionary interactions along the geographical distribution of magpies and great spotted cuckoos for which we found evidence that tolerance plays a major role.

A quantitative trait locus for recognition of foreign eggs in the host of a brood parasite.

Avian brood parasites reduce the reproductive output of their hosts and thereby select for defence mechanisms such as ejection of parasitic eggs. Such defence mechanisms simultaneously select for counter-defences in brood parasites, causing a coevolutionary arms race. Although coevolutionary models assume that defences and counter-defences are genetically influenced, this has never been demonstrated for brood parasites. Here, we give strong evidence for genetic differences between ejector and nonejectors, which could allow the study of such host defence at the genetic level, as well as studies of maintenance of genetic variation in defences. Briefly, we found that magpies, that are the main host of the great spotted cuckoo in Europe, have alleles of one microsatellite locus (Ase64) that segregate between accepters and rejecters of experimental parasitic eggs. Furthermore, differences in ejection rate among host populations exploited by the brood parasite covaried significantly with the genetic distance for this locus.

[Utility of verapamil in the treatment of diastolic dysfunction in patients with acromegaly]. / Utilidad del verapamil en el tratamiento de la disfunción diastólica de pacientes acromegálicos.

INTRODUCTION: Diastolic dysfunction is a common complication in patients with acromegaly. By using the metabolic treatment for acromegaly, an improvement in diastolic function is not always achieved and a group of these patients could obtain some benefit from a specific treatment for such a condition. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the utility of verapamil therapy in acromegalic patients with diastolic dysfunction. METHODS: Fourteen patients (7 males and 7 females) with the diagnosis of acromegaly and diastolic dysfunction confirmed by echocardiogram were studied. After six months of treatment with verapamil (240 mg/day) the echo-cardiographic parameters and the functional class (NYHA) of patients were reevaluated. RESULTS: All patients showed an increased basal measurement of the cardiac mass (mean [percentiles 25-75]: 149 g/m2 [128-264]) and no improvement was observed after treatment (182 g/m2 [123-328]). Also, no improvement was found regarding the studied diastolic function parameters: E/A relationship of left ventricle (0.70 [0.54-0.83] versus 0.61 [0.54-0.86]) and isovolumetric relaxation time (146 [119-193] versus 120 [97-169]). A trend towards improvement was indeed found in the functional class, although no statistical differences were observed. CONCLUSION: Our results did not demonstrate a benefit derived from the treatment with verapamil upon the diastolic function in patients with acromegaly.

Single-lead VDD-pacing system incorporating high impedance stimulation: a multicentre study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a new VDD pacing system incorporating a high impedance, single-pass VDD lead. The new lead is a bipolar, steroid-eluting, high impedance lead with a full-ring atrial dipole. METHODS AND RESULTS: The system was implanted in 46 patients with high degree atrioventricular (AV) block. Patients were followed at pre-discharge, 6 weeks, and 3 months. The mean measured P-wave amplitude was stable, with values between 1.18 and 1.43 mV. Atrial sensing was reliable during short-term evaluation at rest and in the sitting position, with AV-synchronous stimulation between 98.79 +/- 6.90% and 99.73 +/- 1.47%. Holter recordings after 6 weeks demonstrated AV-synchronous stimulation in 99.57 1.03% of all P-waves. Lead impedance was stable during follow-up, with mean values between 1000 and 1167 Q. Mean ventricular pacing thresholds (at 0.5 ms) were 0.47 V at implant, 0.49 V at pre-discharge, 0.74 V at 6 weeks, and 0.72 V at 3 months. R-wave amplitude remained stable between 14.9 and 16.7 mV during follow-up. CONCLUSION: This new single-pass VDD lead system provided reliable atrial sensing and stable high impedance stimulation during a 3-month follow-up period.

Enfermedad de Crohn y amiloidosis renal. Fracaso renal agudo

No disponible

[Thrombogenic and endothelial damage markers in patients with ischemic systolic impairment]. / Marcadores de hipercoagulabilidad y daño endotelial en pacientes con disfunción sistólica de origen isquémico.

INTRODUCTION: Anticoagulation is rarely indicated in patients with left ventricular dysfunction who show an increased risk for thromboembolism. In theory, the three arms of the Virchow' triad may be present: abnormal blood flow, endothelial damage and prothrombotic markers. The aim of this study was to identify the last two arms. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We studied 82 consecutive patients with demonstrated ischaemic heart disease and sinus rhythm, and compared them with a control group comprised of 32 healthy subjects matched for age and sex. None or the patients had had an acute coronary event or hemodynamic decompensation within the 3 months prior to inclusion in the study. The plasma concentration or von Willebrand factor and fibrin d-dimer and fibrinogen were determined as endothelial damage and prothrombotic markers, respectively. A fractional shortening less than 29% by echography was defined as ventricular systolic dysfunction. RESULTS: The patients showed significantly higher levels of von Willebrand factor with respect to the control group (109.2 31.9 vs 85.5 32.6%, p < 0.01), with no differences in fibrinogen and fibrin d-dimer values. Twenty-six patients fulfilled criteria of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Patients with left ventricular dysfunction showed higher fibrinogen (386 118 vs 322 102 mg/dl, p = 0.03) and fibrin d-dimer (0.36 0.22 vs 0.26 0.10 g/ml; p = 0.04) levels, with no differences in von Willebrand factor levels. CONCLUSIONS: After acute coronary events, patients with ischaemic heart disease show markers of endothelial damage. However, patients with left ventricular dysfunction show a hypercoagulable state.

Tissue factor/tissue factor pathway inhibitor system and long-term prognosis after acute myocardial infarction.

UNLABELLED: The tissue factor and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) system has been studied in the acute phase of coronary disease but its prognostic importance has been less well assessed. We evaluated its association with recurrent coronary events during long-term follow-up after a myocardial infarction. METHODS: We studied 55 consecutive patients with the following criteria for inclusion: (1) first myocardial infarct; (2) aged < 70 years; (3) non-complicated infarct; (4) low risk effort-test. Blood samples were taken 60-80 days after infarction. Tissue factor, total and free-TFPI were measured. A 4-year follow-up was carried out. Death, unstable angina and new myocardial infarction were considered as poor prognosis. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in tissue factor/TFPI levels between patients and controls. Total-TFPI showed statistical correlation with total cholesterol (r = 0.59), triglycerides (r = 0.34), LDL-cholesterol (r = 40) and Lipoprotein(a) (r = 0.48). Patients with high levels of cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides showed elevated levels of total-TFPI with no differences in free-TFPI. During follow-up, 8 patients showed poor prognosis. There were no statistical associations between tissue factor/TFPI levels and prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: After acute myocardial infarction, we did not find any differences in the tissue factor/TFPI system between controls and patients. The tissue factor/TFPI system showed little value as a prognostic factor.

Anticoagulant therapy modifies fibrinolytic dysfunction in chronic atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the changes in fibrinolytic activation markers before starting anticoagulation, at 1 and 6 months following the introduction of anticoagulant therapy. DESIGN AND METHODS: Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), its endothelial inhibitor (PAI-1), plasmin:antiplasmin complexes (PAPc), modified antithrombin III (ATM), D dimer (D-D) and fibrinogen (FIB) were measured in 36 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. Fifteen of them had rheumatic mitral stenosis and 21 had nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. Basal levels were compared with a sex- and age-matched healthy control group. RESULTS: At baseline, patients with atrial fibrillation showed significantly higher plasma levels of PAI-1, ATM, D-D and FIB levels (p < 0.05) than controls, and no differences in t-PA and PAPc concentrations. Levels of t-PA, PAI-1, ATM and D-D decreased significantly under anticoagulant therapy, whereas FIB levels were not significantly modified. PAPc levels were significantly increased at 6 months in the rheumatic group but did not differ significantly in the nonrheumatic group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chronic atrial fibrillation show a hypercoagulant state and a relatively low fibrinolytic function. After 6 months of anticoagulant therapy, an improvement in fibrinolytic function markers was detected.