Cycloaddition reactions via "on water" protocol reactions: A density functional theory study.

In this work, the reactions of quadricyclane with dimethyl azodicarboxylate (DMAD) and of quadricyclane with diethyl azodicarboxylate (DEAD) in gas phase and in water environments were studied by a first-principles investigation within the framework of auxiliary density functional theory (ADFT). For these type of organic reactions is known that water is required to accelerate them. Since the reason of why this occur is still unknown, this work aims to gain insight into this reaction mechanism. For this investigation, the generalized gradient approximation as well as a hybrid functional were employed. The obtained optimized structures for the reactants, of the products and of the transition states are reported, together with the corresponding frequency analysis results and the reaction profiles. Along the proposed concerted reaction mechanism, a critical points search of the electron density and a charge analysis were performed. The calculated potential energy barriers of these reactions in gas phase and in water environments are compared. In agreement with experiment, the obtained results indicate that both reactions occur faster in water than in gas phase. This study shows that there is a change in the polarity of the two most important carbon atoms of the formed compounds along the reactions and that the decrease of the activation energy barrier which occurs in liquid phase in these reactions is because the structures of the main transition states are stabilized by the water environment. Therefore, the here obtained results demonstrate the important role played by the water-molecule framework into the activation energy barrier and structures of the molecules that participate in the DMAD and DEAD cycloaddition reactions.

Cartesian constraints in QM/MM optimizations.

With the rise of quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) methods, the interest in the calculation of molecular assemblies has increased considerably. The structures and dynamics of such assemblies are usually governed to a large extend by intermolecular interactions. As a result, the corresponding potential energy surfaces are topological rich and possess many shallow minima. Therefore, local structure optimizations of QM/MM molecular assemblies can be challenging, in particular if optimization constraints are imposed. To overcome this problem, structure optimization in normal coordinate space is advocated. To do so, the external degrees of freedom of a molecule are separated from the internal ones by a projector matrix in the space of the Cartesian coordinates. Here we extend this approach to Cartesian constraints. To this end, we devise an algorithm that adds the Cartesian constraints directly to the projector matrix and in this way eliminates them from the reduced coordinate space in which the molecule is optimized. To analyze the performance and stability of the constrained optimization algorithm in normal coordinate space, we present constrained minimizations of small molecular systems and amino acids in gas phase as well as water employing QM/MM constrained optimizations. All calculations are performed in the framework of auxiliary density functional theory as implemented in the program deMon2k.

The epigenetic EZH2/H3K27me3 axis modulates lactotroph tumor cell proliferation.

Interest in epigenetics has gained substantial momentum as a result of their identified role in the regulation of tumor progression as well as their ability to pharmacologically target genes. Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) tend to be inactivated via epigenetic modification, and although emerging evidence has suggested a role for epigenetic factors in PitNET tumorigenesis, the degree to which these factors may be targeted by new therapeutic strategies still remains poorly understood. The objective of the present study was to examine the participation of the EZH2/H3K27me3 axis in the proliferation of lactotroph tumor cells. We demonstrated that the levels of EZH2 and H3K27me3 were increased in murine experimental prolactin (PRL) tumors with respect to a control pituitary, in contrast with the low p21 mRNA levels encountered, with an H3K27me3 enrichment being observed in its promoter region in a GH3 tumor cell. Furthermore, specific EZH2/H3K27me3 axis inhibition blocked the proliferation of primary tumor cell culture and GH3 cells, thereby making it an attractive therapeutic target for PRL PitNETs.

First identification of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in wild ruminants in a zoo in Mexico.

Background and Aim: Paratuberculosis (PTB) is an infectious disease that induces chronic enteritis in ruminants. It is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). In this study, we evaluated the presence of MAP using bacteriological, molecular, and anatomopathological studies, based on the clinical suspicion of PTB in a zoo, in an area housing 10 scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), five giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis), and three blue wildebeests (Connochaetes taurinus). Materials and Methods: From November 2016 to June 2017, fecal samples were collected from individuals of the three species on four occasions, resulting in a total of 56 fecal samples. In addition, five small intestine samples were collected from the necropsies of three adult scimitar-horned oryx females and two oryx calves. MAP identification was performed through isolation in Herrold's medium with egg yolk, mycobactin, and sodium pyruvate, Ziehl-Neelsen staining, IS900 polymerase chain reaction (IS900 PCR), and anatomopathological examination of intestine samples. Results: Diffuse granulomatous enteritis with abundant acid-fast bacilli was found in two out of five intestine samples from adult scimitar-horned oryx females. MAP was isolated in 7/56 (12.5%) of the fecal samples from four scimitar-horned oryx, one giraffe, and two wildebeest samples. Two out of 5 (40%) samples obtained from scimitar-horned oryx tested positive. IS900 PCR yielded five positive samples (two fecal samples and three small intestine samples). MAP isolates were classified as Type C (Cattle) using type-specific PCR. Conclusion: These results demonstrated the presence of MAP in the area evaluated and indicated the importance of both sampling live animals and conducting postmortem examinations. The use of bacteriological and histopathological diagnostic techniques demonstrated in this study will provide insight into the health status and prevalence of paratuberculosis in wild ruminants under human care.

Isomerization Reactions of the Cu15V+ Cluster: A Density Functional Theory Study.

The investigation of the chemical reactivity of complex systems such as transition metal clusters is a very complicated task because often the structures of the corresponding transition states are far from being intuitive. Bimetallic transition metal clusters represent a particular class of complex systems. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) is applied to study the isomerization reactions of the Cu15V+ cluster. Full geometry optimizations of dozens of initial structures taken along Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD) trajectories were performed using a quasi-Newton method in a reduced space Cartesian coordinate system that works considering the internal degrees of freedom. Harmonic frequencies calculations were performed at the optimized structures. To study the isomerization reactions between the obtained stable isomers, a hierarchical transition state algorithm has been applied to locate the transition states of this cluster. The found transition states were than connected with the corresponding minimum structures by calculating the intrinsic reaction coordinates. This work demonstrates the capability of the applied method to study non-intuitive rearrangement mechanisms in complex finite systems and to create networks between minima and transition state structures on their potential energy surface.

Spatial clusters of latent tuberculous infection, Connecticut, 2010-2014.

SETTING: In the United States, tuberculosis (TB) control is increasingly focusing on the identification of persons with latent tuberculous infection (LTBI). OBJECTIVE: To characterize the local epidemiology of LTBI in Connecticut, USA. METHODS: We used spatial analyses 1) to identify census tract-level clusters of reported LTBI and TB disease in Connecticut, 2) to compare persons and populations in clusters with those not in clusters, and 3) to compare persons with LTBI to those with TB disease. RESULTS: Significant census tract-level spatial clusters of LTBI and TB disease were identified. Compared with persons with LTBI in non-clustered census tracts, those in clustered census tracts were more likely to be foreign-born and less likely to be of white non-Hispanic ethnicity. Populations in census tract clusters of high LTBI prevalence had greater crowding, persons living in poverty, and persons lacking health care insurance than populations not in clustered census tracts. Persons with LTBI were less likely than those with TB disease to be of Asian ethnicity, and persons with LTBI were more likely than those with TB disease to reside in a clustered census tract. CONCLUSIONS: Characterizing fine-scale populations at risk for LTBI supports effective and culturally accessible screening and treatment programs.

Manejo perioperatorio del trasplante hepático en la polineuropatía amiloidótica familiar con afectación cardíaca / Perioperative management for liver transplant in a patient with familial amyloid polyneuropathy with heart involvement

La polineuropatía amiloidótica familiar (PAF) es una amiloidosis sistémica causada por la mutación de la transtirretina. La amiloidosis cardíaca, el determinante pronóstico principal de la amiloidosis sistémica, se caracteriza por infiltración del miocardio, dando lugar a cardiomiopatía y alteraciones de la conducción. El trasplante hepático es la única opción curativa para los pacientes afectos de PAF. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 36 años con PAF tipo i con afectación cardíaca propuesto para cirugía de trasplante hepático, la cual fue llevada a cabo con éxito sin eventos perioperatorios de interés (AU)

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is a systemic amyloidosis caused by mutated transthyretin. Cardiac amyloidosis, the major prognostic determinant in systemic amyloidosis, is characterized by infiltration of the myocardium, leading to cardiomyopathy and conduction disturbances. Liver transplantation is the only curative option for patients with FAP. The case is presented of a 36-year-old patient with type i FAP with cardiac involvement, proposed for liver transplant surgery, which was successfully performed without any preoperative event of interest (AU)

[Perioperative management for liver transplant in a patient with familial amyloid polyneuropathy with heart involvement]. / Manejo perioperatorio del trasplante hepático en la polineuropatía amiloidótica familiar con afectación cardíaca.

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is a systemic amyloidosis caused by mutated transthyretin. Cardiac amyloidosis, the major prognostic determinant in systemic amyloidosis, is characterized by infiltration of the myocardium, leading to cardiomyopathy and conduction disturbances. Liver transplantation is the only curative option for patients with FAP. The case is presented of a 36-year-old patient with type i FAP with cardiac involvement, proposed for liver transplant surgery, which was successfully performed without any preoperative event of interest.

Esferocitosis hereditaria complicada con úlceras de miembros inferiores en una paciente embarazada / Hereditary spherocytosis complicated with lower limb ulcers in a pregnant patient

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Growth responses and ion accumulation in the halophytic legume Prosopis strombulifera are determined by Na2SO4 and NaCl.

Halophytes are potential gene sources for genetic manipulation of economically important crop species. This study addresses the physiological responses of a widespread halophyte, Prosopis strombulifera (Lam.) Benth to salinity. We hypothesised that increasing concentrations of the two major salts present in soils of central Argentina (Na2SO4, NaCl, or their iso-osmotic mixture) would produce distinct physiological responses. We used hydroponically grown P. strombulifera to test this hypothesis, analysing growth parameters, water relations, photosynthetic pigments, cations and anions. These plants showed a halophytic response to NaCl, but strong general inhibition of growth in response to iso-osmotic solutions containing Na2SO4. The explanation for the adaptive success of P. strombulifera in high NaCl conditions seems to be related to a delicate balance between Na(+) accumulation (and its use for osmotic adjustment) and efficient compartmentalisation in vacuoles, the ability of the whole plant to ensure sufficient K(+) supply by maintaining high K(+)/Na(+) discrimination, and maintenance of normal Ca(2+) levels in leaves. The three salt treatments had different effects on the accumulation of ions. Findings in bi-saline-treated plants were of particular interest, where most of the physiological parameters studied showed partial alleviation of SO4(2-)-induced toxicity by Cl(-). Thus, discussions on physiological responses to salinity could be further expanded in a way that more closely mimics natural salt environments.

Efectos de la suplementacion dietaria con soja en un modelo experimental de cáncer de colon / Effects of dietary supplementation with soya on a colon cancer experimental model

Objetivos: Estudiar la acción de la leche de soja en la aparición de focos de criptas displásicas (FCD) en un modelo experimental de cáncer de colon y su relación con el estrés oxidativo, la actividad apoptótica y la inestabilidad genómica. Metodología: La inducción de la carcinogénesis se produjo en ratas Wistar machos adultas por inoculación subcutánea de 1,2-dimetilhidrazina (DMH) (20 mg/kg) 2 dosis semanales de DMH durante 8 semanas. Se trabajó con 3 grupos (N=12 c/u): A) Control normal con dieta estándar B) Control de carcinogénesis, inoculados con DMH y dieta estándar C) Experimental: inoculados con DMH, con dieta con leche de soja. Los animales se estudiaron a los 4, 5 y 6 meses después de la última inoculación. El colon fue procesado con técnicas histológicas convencionales, se determinó proteína P53 (inmunohistoquímica) y actividad apoptó- tica (Test de Tunel). En suero se determinó (NO) Óxido Nítrico. En homogenatos de hígado se dosó malonildialdehído (MDA). Resultados: En el período estudiado los animales experimentales no desarrollaron cáncer, en tanto que en los controles de carcinogénesis, se detectaron tumores a partir del 5º mes. La detección de indicadores displásicos (FCD) se relacionó con la sobreexpresión de la proteína P53, el aumento de la actividad apoptótica y la disminución de NO y MDA. Conclusiones: La administración de leche de soja, como suplemento dietario por un tiempo prolongado podría retardar la aparición de FCD. La función anticancerígena se debería a la acción antioxidante de la soja que dismunuiría los daños acumulativos sobre el ADN (AU)

Objectives: to study the effects of soy milk consumption in the occurrence of dysplastic crypt foci (DCF) in an experimental model of colon cancer. To relate oxidative stress with apoptotic activity and genomic unsteadiness. Methods: experimental model of colon cancer was achieved by subcutaneous injections of 1,2-dimetilhidrazina (DMH, 20 mg/Kg) twice a week during eight weeks in adult male Wistar rats. Three groups were studied: A) Normal control: saline injections and standard diet (commercial formula and water ad libitum); B) Carcinogenesis control: DMH inoculation and standard diet; C) Experimental: DMH inoculation, soy diet (commercial formula and soy milk). Four rats of each group were study 4, 5 and 6 months after last inoculation: colon tissue was processed with conventional histological techniques; protein P53 was determined by inmunhistochemistry. Apoptotic activity was measured by Tunel test, Nitric Oxide in serum and malondialdehyde in liver homogenates were also determined. Results: Experimental rats did not develop cancer in the studied period, while we found tumors in carcinogenesis control groups in the 5th month. Dysplastic indicators (DCF) were related with P53 over expression, augmented apoptotic activity and decreases of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde. Conclusions: Soy milk intake as diet supplement for prolonged time could delay de DCF emergence. These anticancers effects may be due to the soy antioxidative action, that could decrease the accumulative ADN damage (AU)

Tuberculosis mortality: death from a curable disease, Connecticut, 2007-2009.

SETTING: Health Department Tuberculosis (TB) Control program, Connecticut, United States OBJECTIVE: 1) To assess TB-relatedness of deaths and missed opportunities among Connecticut patients who died with TB, and 2) to identify factors associated with death. DESIGN: The study population consisted of all persons diagnosed with TB and reported to the Connecticut TB Control Program during 2007-2009. TB Control Program records, medical records, autopsy reports and death certificates of decedents were reviewed. A tool was used to categorize TB-relatedness of deaths and identify missed opportunities in diagnosis and medical treatment among TB-related deaths. Surveillance data regarding TB survivors were used for comparison to identify factors associated with death. RESULTS: During 2007-2009, 20/300 (7%) persons with TB died; 14 (70%) decedents had at least one medical comorbidity and 17 (85%) deaths were TB-related. Among patients who had a TB-related death, 16 (94%) had ≥1 missed opportunity identified. Excess alcohol use (risk ratio [RR] 4.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8-11.0) and age > 64 years (RR 5.7, 95%CI 2.5-13.1) were associated with death. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of deaths among Connecticut TB patients were TB-related. Missed opportunities were common. Excess alcohol use and older age might indicate a need for monitoring to prevent death.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis testing practices in hospital, commercial and state laboratories in the New England states.

SETTING: The mycobacterial laboratory is assuming an increasingly important role in tuberculosis (TB) control in the United States today. OBJECTIVE: To assess mycobacterial laboratory capacity and practices in the New England states, USA. DESIGN: We surveyed 143 hospital and commercial laboratories and five of the six state public health laboratories in New England that offer testing services for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The survey captured information on types of services offered and volume of testing, use of state laboratories for testing, and promptness of reporting results to TB control programs. RESULTS: State laboratories perform the majority of testing services, particularly for more specialized tests. All state laboratories surveyed perform species identification of acid-fast isolates, culture and first-line drug susceptibility testing. Less than 20% of hospital and commercial laboratories offer these services, and 78.6% of hospitals and commercial laboratories refer specimens to state laboratories for culture. CONCLUSION: Surveys of M. tuberculosis testing capacities in a region can help decision makers ensure maintenance of essential services. Hospital and commercial laboratories with lower testing volume might increase efficiency by referring more specimens to state laboratories. State health departments might consider organizing regional laboratory service networks to monitor the provision of services, improve efficiency and oversee quality improvement initiatives.

Changes of lactate levels during cardiopulmonary bypass in patients undergoing cardiac transplantation: possible early marker of morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVES: High levels of lactate are associated with tissue hypoperfusion during cardiac surgery resulting in postoperative morbidity and mortality among patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP). Our goal was to evaluate the change in lactate levels during CBP for their possible predictive value for complications after heart transplant surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January to December 2010 we studied lactate levels in 16 heart transplant patients. Arterial blood samples were collected before, during, and after cardiopulmonary bypass on admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Lactate levels were measured using the cobas B221 (Roche Diagnostic). The neurological, lung, and kidney complications were associated with mortality within 30 days. RESULTS: One patient displayed lactate levels > 2 mmol/L before bypass while 4 (25%) showed levels > 4 mmol/L during CPB. Lactate values higher than or equal to 4 mmol/L on ICU admission occurred in nine patients (56%). Postoperative mortality was higher among the group with levels above below 4 mmol/L on ICU admission (18.7% vs 6.2%). Neurological complications were observed in 22% of patients with elevated levels as opposed to none of the patients with levels below 4 mmol/L. Pulmonary complications were noted in 22% of patients with high lactate values versus 0% among the other group. CONCLUSION: Hyperlactemia above certain levels occurring during CPB serve as a biomarker to identify early postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Missed opportunities to prevent tuberculosis in foreign-born persons, Connecticut, 2005-2008.

SETTING: Factors that influence testing for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among foreign-born persons in Connecticut are not well understood. OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors for LTBI testing and challenges related to accessing health care among the foreign-born population in Connecticut. DESIGN: Foreign-born Connecticut residents with confirmed or suspected tuberculosis (TB) disease during June 2005-December 2008 were interviewed regarding health care access and immigration status. Predictors for self-reported testing for LTBI after US entry were determined. RESULTS: Of 161 foreign-born persons interviewed, 48% experienced TB disease within 5 years after arrival. One third (51/156) reported having undergone post-arrival testing for LTBI. Although those with established health care providers were more likely to have reported testing (aOR 4.49, 95%CI 1.48-13.62), only 43% of such persons were tested. Undocumented persons, the majority of whom lacked a provider (53%), were less likely than documented persons to have reported testing (aOR 0.20, 95%CI 0.06-0.67). Hispanic permanent residents (immigrants and refugees) and visitors (persons admitted temporarily) were more likely than non-Hispanics in the respective groups to have reported testing (OR 5.25, 95%CI 1.51-18.31 and OR 7.08, 95%CI 1.30-38.44, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The self-reported rate of testing for LTBI among foreign-born persons in Connecticut with confirmed or suspected TB was low and differed significantly by ethnicity and immigration status. Strategies are needed to improve health care access for foreign-born persons and expand testing for LTBI, especially among non-Hispanic and undocumented populations.

Primer consenso venezolanode enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico / Venezuelan consensus on gastroesophageal reflux diseases

El Consenso Venezolano de Enfermedad por Reflujo Gastroesófágico (ERGE) se realizó con el objeto de proveer guías para mejorar la identificación, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de este trastorno en el país. Los coordinadores establecieron las líneas de consenso, basado en una revisión sistemática de la literatura médica de los últimos 15 años a partir de 1995. Participaron 55 miembros con el aval de sus respectivas cátedras y sociedades locales de gastroenterología. Éstos revisaron y presentaron los temas con sus niveles de evidencia y grados de recomendación para discutirlos y votarlos en una reunión plenaria. Tras un informe final de los miembros, los coordinadores prepararon las declaraciones finales. El consenso concluyó que la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico tiene una prevalencia estimada del 11,54% en Venezuela, a predominio del sexo femenino (Grado B). El diagnóstico es fundamentalmente clínico, basado en la presencia de síntomas típicos y/o atípicos, e incluso síntomas de alarma que sugieren alguna complicación (Grado B). La endoscopia es importante en la investigación de la presencia de esofagitis de reflujo y laringitis de reflujo (Grado B). Las otras pruebas diagnósticas como lo son la pHmetría esofágica de 24 horas con o sin impedancia intraluminal multicanal son importantes en los pacientes que no tienen esofagitis, tienen síntomas atípicos o cuando hay falla en la respuesta al tratamiento médico (Grado B). La radiología, manometría esofágica y el ultrasonido endoscópico no están indicados en el diagnóstico de la ERGE (Grado B). El objetivo del tratamiento es reducir la exposición ácida en el esófago y con esto: aliviar los síntomas, cicatrizar las lesiones en la mucosa esofágica, prevenir la recurrencia y las complicaciones. Los inhibidores de bomba de protones deberían ser la primera opción en el tratamiento en el síndrome de ERGE y en la esofagitis por reflujo tanto en la fase aguda como durante el mantenimiento...

The Venezuelan Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Consensus was carried out in order to provide guidelines to improve the identification, diagnosis and treatment of this illness in Venezuela.  The coordinators established the consensuslines, based on a systematic revision of the medical literature of the last 15 years starting from 1995. 55 physicians participated with the support of their respective medical schools and local societies. They revised and presented the topics with their respective evidence levels and recommendation grades to discuss and vote them in a plenary meeting. After a final report of the members, the coordinators prepared the definitive declarations. The consensus concluded that GERD prevalence in Venezuela is 11,54%, higher in women than men (Grade B). The diagnosis is mainly clinical, based on the presence of typical and/or atypical symptoms and alarm symptoms that may suggest the presence of complications (Grade B). Endoscopy is important when reflux esophagitis and laryngitis are present (Grade B). Other diagnostic tests as ambulatory 24 hours pH monitoring with or without multichannel intraluminal impedance are important in patients without esophagitis, with atypical symptoms or when there is flaw in the answer to the medical treatment (Grade B). Radiology, esophageal manometry and endoscopic ultrasonography are not indicated in the diagnosis of GERD (Grade B). The objective of the treatment is to reduce the presence of acid in the esophagus and consequently: alleviate the symptoms and heal lesions in the esophagus mucosa to prevent recurrence and complications. Proton pump inhibitors should be the first option drug in the treatment of GERD syndrome andin esophagitis during the acute and the maintenance phase using standard or half dose (Grade A). So far, pokinetics are drugs with a limited use in GERD patients; they stimulate the esophagus/gastric motility...

17ß-oestradiol acts as a negative modulator of insulin-induced lactotroph cell proliferation through oestrogen receptor α, via nitric oxide/guanylyl cyclase/cGMP.

OBJECTIVES: 17ß-oestradiol interacts with growth factors to modulate lactotroph cell population. However, contribution of isoforms of the oestrogen receptor in these activities is not fully understood. In the present study, we have established participation of α and ß oestrogen receptors in effects of 17ß-oestradiol on lactotroph proliferation induced by insulin and shown involvement of the NO/sGC/cGMP pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell cultures were prepared from anterior pituitaries of female rats to evaluate lactotroph cell proliferation using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) detection, protein expression by western blotting and cGMP by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: In serum-free conditions, 17ß-oestradiol and α and ß oestrogen receptor agonists (PPT and DPN) failed to increase numbers of lactotroph cells undergoing mitosis. Co-incubation of 17ß-oestradiol/insulin and PPT/insulin significantly decreased lactotroph mitogenic activity promoted by insulin alone. Both ICI 182780 and NOS inhibitors (L-NMMA and L-NAME) induced reversal of the anti-proliferative effect promoted by 17ß-oestradiol/insulin and PPT/insulin. Moreover, 17ß-oestradiol, PPT and insulin increased sGC α1 protein expression and inhibited ß1, whereas co-incubation of 17ß-oestradiol/insulin or PPT/insulin induced increases of the two isoforms α1 and ß1. 17ß-oestradiol and insulin reduced cGMP production, while 17ß-oestradiol/insulin co-incubation increased this cyclic nucleotide. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that 17ß-oestradiol is capable of arresting lactotroph proliferation induced by insulin through ER α with participation of the signalling NO/sGC/cGMP pathway.

Pruebas complementarias a la problemática del diagnóstico de la infección por los virus B y C en donantes de sangre / Complementary tests for the problem of B and C virus infection diagnosis in blood donors

El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar si las transaminasas hepáticas tienen valor como pruebas complementarias que orienten el diagnóstico de hepatitis B y C, en donantes de sangre con anticuerpos positivos por el método ELISA a estas infecciones virales; teniendo en cuenta que las pruebas confirmatorias como el inmunoensayo recombinante (RIBA) o la prueba de ácidos nucleicos por técnicas moleculares como PCR (RNA HCV) para hepatitis C y DNA viral (PCR) para hepatitis B no se realizan aún en nuestro país debido a sus elevados costos. Se busca sumar esfuerzos en salud pública desde los bancos de sangre debido a la trascendencia de llegar a un diagnóstico en los donantes seropositivos, que hayan sido captados en el tamizaje, para prevenir la propagación de estas hepatitis. Se realizaron pruebas serológicas para hepatitis C, anticuerpos frente al antígeno del core de la hepatitis B y determinaciones de los niveles de GPT o ALT (Transaminasa Glutámica Pirúvica o Alanina Amino Transferasa), GOT o AST (Transaminasa Glutámico Oxalacética o Aspartato Amino Transferasa) en 236 donantes de sangre seropositivos para hepatitis B y C del Banco de Sangre del Hospital de Clínicas de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción-Paraguay. Las transaminasas elevadas fueron clasificadas de acuerdo a los marcadores serológicos positivos para hepatitis B y C, encontrándose niveles elevados en un 13.9% de individuos con anti-HBc, 40% en individuos con anti HCV y 2 de 7 casos en individuos con serología positiva para ambos marcadores serológicos. Casi la mitad de los donantes con marcador serológico positivo para anti HCV presentan elevación de las transaminasas.

The aim of this study was to determine if liver transaminases had value as complementary tests to orientate the diagnosis of hepatitis B and C in blood donors with positive antibody to these viral infections by the EIA method, considering that confirmatory tests such as the recombinant immunoassay (RIBA) or nucleic acid test by molecular techniques such as PCR (HCV RNA) for hepatitis C and viral DNA (PCR) for hepatitis B are not performed in our country due to their high costs. We are looking for joining efforts in public health from the blood banks due to the importance of reaching a diagnosis of seropositive donors who have been detected in the screening to prevent the spread of hepatitises. Serologic tests for hepatitis C, antibodies against the core antigen of hepatitis B and determinations of the levels of ALT or GPT (Alanine aminotransferase or Glutamic pyruvic transaminase), AST or GOT (Aspartate aminotransferase or Glutamic oxalacetic transaminase) were carried out in 236 blood donors seropositive for hepatitis B and C of the Blood Bank of the Hospital de Clinicas, National University of Asuncion, Paraguay. Elevated transaminases were classified according to the positive serological markers for hepatitis B and C finding high levels in 13.9% in donors with anti-HBc, 40% in donors with anti HCV and two of seven cases in donors with positive serology for both serological markers. Almost half of the donors with positive serologic marker for anti HCV had elevated transaminases.

Estudio de Fiebre Amarilla en primates en áreas de brote de los departamentos de San Pedro y Central del Paraguay / Study of Yellow Fever in primates in outbreaks areas of the departments of San Pedro and Central in Paraguay

La Fiebre Amarilla (FA) es una de las más importantes zoonosis que afecta a poblaciones humanas. La FA silvestre es imposible de ser erradicada, manteniéndose activa en zonas tropicales en África y Sudamérica. Todas las especies de primates son susceptibles y se consideran reservorios en el medio silvestre. La mortalidad es baja, se desconoce su valor con precisión, sin embargo existen epizootias con alta mortalidad, en humanos varía entre 20-50%. El objetivo de este trabajo fue buscar evidencias de FA en primates capturados en áreas de brote de FA de los departamentos de San Pedro y Central del Paraguay mediante la técnica de Neutralización por reducción de placas para FA cepa vacunal 17 D. Los resultados en los 35 primates estudiados fueron negativos, quizás por lo tardío del momento en la toma de muestras y bajo número de primates capturados.

Yellow Fever (YF) is one of the most important zoonotic diseases affecting human population. It is impossible to eradicate wild YF remaining active in tropical zones of Africa and South America. All species of primates are susceptible and are considered reservoirs in wild regions. Mortality is low and its precise value is unknown though there are epizootics with high mortality rates and in humans varies between 20-50%. The objective of this study was to search for evidence of YF in primates caught in YF outbreaks areas of the departments of San Pedro and Central in Paraguay through the neutralization technique by plates reduction for YF vaccine strain 17 D. The results in the 35 primates studied were negative, perhaps because of the lateness of the time sampling and the low number of captured primates.