Confinamiento involuntario durante la Pandemia COVID -19: Costos en la salud mental y psicosocial / Involuntary confinement during the COVID -19 Pandemic: Mental and psychosocial health costs

Resumen Objetivo: Identificar costos del confinamiento involuntario por la pandemia COVID -19 en la salud mental y psicosocial. Materiales y Métodos: Se realiza una revisión exploratoria documental del confinamiento involuntario y las afecciones o costes en el ser humano, se realizó una búsqueda en bases de datos bibliográficos y a través de internet en revistas y organismos públicos de cuatro descriptores y sus combinaciones, salud mental, salud psicosocial, costos en la pandemia COVID -19, confinamiento involuntario, entre los años 2019 a 2021. Luego de la localización de 20 estudios se realizó una selección y análisis de la documentación, excluyendo 5 de ellos que no eran relevantes para el objetivo, para el análisis de datos se estructuró la información, en costos en la salud mental identificando afectaciones neurofisiológicas como la confusión en el sistema lucha-huida y la hiperactivación y/o hipoactivación del sistema nervioso y en costos psicosociales ante el confinamiento como la sensación de amenaza anticipada y continua, ansiedad, miedo, tristeza, dolor, depresión, sobre estrés, traumas, vulnerabilidad y cambios culturales. Resultados: La pandemia COVID-19 es inédita, histórica, multinacional y de impacto multidimensional, la falta de mitigación de esta y el tiempo excedido de resistirla ha expuesto al ser humano a continuos estresores que erosionan la seguridad y causan incertidumbre, aunado a ello, durante la pandemia el confinamiento ha traído consigo altos costos en la salud mental de tipo neurológicos y psicosociales tales como el sobre-estrés, síntomas ansioso-depresivos, vulnerabilidad en la integridad personal y social. Conclusiones: Se requiere generar estrategias de bienestar emocional para disminuir el impacto en la salud mental, psíquica y al entramado social a partir de propiciar la recuperación de redes de empatía, benevolencia, compasión, apoyo solidario, colectivizando el dolor y las perdidas, diluyendo el impacto de esta al recuperar la confianza y seguridad en uno mismo, en los otros.

Abstract Objective: To identify the costs of involuntary confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the mental and psychosocial health. Materials and methods: An exploratory documentary review of involuntary confinement and its costs in the human nature was carried out. Four descriptors and their combinations, mental health, health psychosocial, costs in the COVID -19 pandemic, and involuntary confinement were searched in bibliographic databases and online in journals and public organizations from 2019 to 2021. 20 studies were found. After selecting and analyzing the documentation five studies were excluded as they were not relevant. To analyze the data, the information was classified in mental health costs, identifying neurophysiological effects such as confusion in the fight-flight system and hyperactivation and/or hypoactivation of the nervous system, and in psychosocial costs in the face of confinement, such as the feeling of anticipated and continuous threat, anxiety, fear, sadness, pain, depression, over stress, trauma, vulnerability, and cultural changes. Results: The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented, historical, multinational and has a multidimensional impact. The lack of mitigation and the time exceeded resisting it has exposed the humans to continuous stressors that undermine confidence and cause uncertainty. In addition, during the pandemic, confinement brought with it high mental health costs of a neurological and psychosocial nature, such as overstress, anxious-depressive symptoms, vulnerability in personal and social integrity. Conclusions: It is necessary to generate emotional well-being strategies to reduce the impact on mental and psychic health and the social fabric by promoting the recovery of networks of empathy, benevolence, compassion, solidarity support, collectivizing pain and losses, thus recovering confidence and security in oneself and in others.

Streptococcus thermophilus Phages in Whey Derivatives: From Problem to Application in the Dairy Industry.

Fifteen samples of whey protein concentrate (WPC) were tested against 37 commercial Streptococcus thermophilus strains to detect infective bacteriophages. Seventy-three diverse phages were isolated from 12 samples, characterized by using DNA restriction patterns and host range analyses. Sixty-two of them were classified as cos, two as pac, and nine as 5093, according to PCR multiplex assays. Phage concentration was greater than 104 PFU/g for 25.3% of isolated phages. Seven phages showed an unusual wide host range, being able to infect a high number of the tested strains. Regarding thermal resistance, pac phages were the most sensitive, followed by cos phages, those classified as 5093 being the most resistant. Treatments at 85 °C for 5 min in TMG buffer were necessary to completely inactivate all phages. Results demonstrated that the use, without control, of these whey derivatives as additives in dairy fermentations could be a threat because of the potential phage infection of starter strains. In this sense, these phages constitute a pool of new isolates used to improve the phage resistance of starter cultures applied today in the fermentative industry.

Alteraciones psíquicas a partir de vivir violación sexual múltiple: retos pendientes / Psychic alterations due to multiple sexual violation: Pending challenges

La violación sexual múltiple gesta en la víctima alteraciones que se traducen en secuelas de daño y sufrimiento a la psique y a las estructuras mentales. El objetivo del presente estudio versa en visibilizarlas e identificarlas para enriquecer el estudio de alteraciones psicológicas de la victimización y con ello contribuir con evidencias y nuevos hallazgos al escenario del trauma psicológico y el manejo e intervención en el pos escenario violento. El método que se plantea es una investigación cualitativa, de tipo exploratorio, descriptiva e interpretativa, en la cual se retoma la narrativa testimonial de tres mujeres víctimas directas. Los resultados arrojan alteraciones en términos de sobre estimulación, disminución, deprivación o confusión respecto a las huellas de dolor y sufrimiento, amenaza suspendida, proxémica rota, redisparadores del miedo y en el sistema de ataque de huida se aprecia que estas cinco alteraciones tienen como base común el miedo extremo. Se concluye que se deben incluir estos hallazgos en los tratamientos terapéuticos con el fin de mitigar las alteraciones de la victimización y a su vez contribuir con el neuroderecho al visibilizar estas consecuencias en su psiquis y en las estructuras mentales; con ello se busca darle mayor relevancia legal a la contundencia de los daños y la necesidad del acompañamiento terapéutico victimológico, que conceda el paso no solo a la recuperación y bienestar de las mujeres, sino también a restituir la integridad personal que les fue arrebatada.

Alerta Verde: proyecto de intervención para afrontar la violencia comunitaria hacia el alumnado universitario / Green Alert: intervention project to address community violence against university students / Alerta Verde: projeto de intervenção para enfrentar a violência comunitária contra estudantes universitários

Resumen Se presenta la experiencia del proyecto Alerta Verde, una investigación-acción participativa encaminada a afrontar la violencia comunitaria hacia el alumnado universitario en el sureste de México. El proyecto es gestionado por 15 estudiantes voluntarios, con el objetivo de generar el cuidado de la integridad personal del alumnado universitario mediante cuatro acciones que se orientan a propiciar conductas prosociales de cuidado mutuo y solidario que son: determinar sitios inseguros y sitios seguros, medidas básicas para su protección y seguridad, atención en caso de ser víctima del delito e instaurar un pase de lista virtual para monitorear su trayecto de casa a la universidad y viceversa. Al implementar este proyecto 300 alumnos aceptan participar en él. Los resultados evidencian la necesidad de involucrar activamente a la universidad e indican que la vía idónea para hacerlo es a través de los medios y tecnologías de comunicación. Se concluye que se consigue tener participación de la población al solidarizarse para cuidar la integridad personal; se requiere que las acciones sean continuas, preventivas y no como recurso emergente de hechos violentos. Es fundamental apoyar a los estudiantes universitarios que con sus propios recursos y energía han apuntado a una necesidad imperante: el derecho a resguardar su integridad personal en su paso por la universidad.

Abstract The experience of the Green Alert project is presented, a participatory action research aimed at tackling urban violence against university students in southeastern Mexico. It is managed by 15 student volunteers, the objective is to generate care for the personal integrity of university students through four actions aimed at promoting prosocial behaviors, which are: determining unsafe places and safe places, basic measures for their protection and security, attention to If you are a victim of crime, establish a virtual roll call to monitor your journey from home to university and vice versa. By implementing, it is possible to obtain acceptance by 300 students. The results show the need to actively involve the university and indicate that the best way to do it is through the media and communication technologies. It is concluded that it is possible to have participation of the population by solidarity to take care of personal integrity, it is required that the actions be continuous and preventive and not as an emerging resource from violent acts. It is important to support students who, with their own resources and energy, have pointed to a prevailing need, the right to protect their personal integrity during their time at university.

Resumo É apresentada a experiência do projeto Alerta Verde, uma pesquisa de ação participativa voltada para o enfrentamento da violência comunitária contra estudantes universitários no sudeste do México. É gerenciado por 15 alunos voluntários, o objetivo é gerar cuidados para a integridade pessoal dos universitários por meio de quatro ações voltadas para a promoção de comportamentos pró-sociais de cuidados mútuos e solidários que são: determinar locais inseguros e locais seguros, medidas básicas para sua proteção e segurança, atenção em caso de vítima de crime, estabelecer um passe de lista virtual para monitorar sua jornada de casa para a universidade e vice-versa. Ao implementar é possível obter a aceitação por 300 alunos. Os resultados mostram a necessidade de envolver ativamente a universidade e indicam que a maneira ideal de fazê-lo é através das tecnologias de mídia e comunicação. Conclui-se que é possível ter a participação da população demonstrando solidariedade para cuidar da integridade pessoal, é necessário que as ações sejam contínuas, preventivas e não como um recurso emergente de eventos violentos. É essencial apoiar estudantes universitários que, com recursos e energia próprios, apontaram para uma necessidade predominante, o direito de proteger sua integridade pessoal em seu tempo na universidade.

Impacto en la parentalidad en hombres abusados en su infancia / Impact on parenting in men sexual abused in their childhood / Impacto na parentalidade em homens vítimas de abuso na infância / Impact de l'abus sexuel vécu dans l'enfance sur la parentalité des hommes

Resumen: Objetivo: Conocer como afecta el abuso vivido en la infancia, en la experiencia de parentalidad actual. Materiales y métodos: La metodología de investigación es cualitativa, exploratoria, descriptiva, la técnica para la obtención de datos fue la entrevista, centrada en el abuso vivido en el pasado y la experiencia actual de paternaje con base a lo vivido, la muestra fue intencional de 6 hombres que son padres, cuya participación es voluntaria, luego de exponerles el objetivo de la misma, se obtiene su consentimiento informado y con ello el relato verbal. El proceso de análisis de las narrativas obtenidas, permite identificar evolución diacrónica del relato, identificando categorías de análisis comunes de los participantes. Resultados: A partir de entrevistar a seis hombres, que son padres, cuyas edades oscilan entre los 26 a los 38 años de edad, se obtuvieron las narrativas del relato, identificándose las siguientes categorías: violencia vivida en la infancia, daños, consecuencias y repercusiones en la vida adulta, experiencia del abuso en su paternaje y tipo de parentalidad. Conclusiones: El trauma que dejo la violencia, creó una huella psíquica que repercute de manera reactiva o transformativa en su experiencia de paternaje, se identifican ideas en torno a justificar la conducta de sus padres, figuras parentales o de autoridad, la experiencia del paternaje actual remueve eventos del abuso del pasado y con ello se desnormaliza la violencia vivida, se identifican también las consecuencias en la vida adulta y la falta de estrategias efectivas de manejo de la conducta hacia sus hijos. El presente estudio intenta poner énfasis en la importancia de desnaturalizar la crianza violenta y prevenir con ello dañar el proceso evolutivo de los menores, para ello se requiere generar una parentalidad positiva basada en elegir criar libre de cualquier tipo de abuso infantil.

Abstract Objective: To know how childhood abuse affects, in the current parenting experience. Materials and methods: The research methodology is qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, the technique used to obtain data was the interview, focused on abuse lived in the past and the current experience of parenting based on past events, the sample was intentional from 6 men who are fathers, whose participation is voluntary, after explaining the purpose of the same, their informed consent is obtained and with it the verbal storytelling. The process of analysis of narratives obtained allows us to identify the diachronic evolution of the story by identifying common categories of analysis of the participants. Results: After interviewing six men, who are parents whose ages range from 26 to 38 years old, the narratives of the story were obtained, identifying the following categories: violence experienced in childhood, damages, consequences and repercussions in the adult life, experience of abuse in parenthood and type of parenting. Conclusions: The trauma left by the abuse created a psychic imprint that has a reactive or transformative impact on their parenting experience, ideas are identified around to justify the behavior of their parents, parental or authority figures, the current parenting experience removes past abuse events and thereby violence experienced is not normal. The consequences in adulthood and the lack of effective behavior management strategies towards their children are also identified The present study tries to emphasize the importance of changing violent upbringing and there by prevent damage to the evolutionary process of young children. This requires to generate a positive parenting based on choosing to raise free of any type of child abuse.

Resumo Objetivo: Conhecer como o abuso infantil afeta, na atual experiência dos pais. Materiais e métodos: A metodologia da pesquisa é qualitativa, exploratória, descritiva, a técnica de obten9áo de dados foi a entrevista focada no abuso vivido no passado e a experiência atual da paternidade com base no que foi vivido, a amostra foi intencional 6 homens que são pais cuja partição é voluntária, após explicar o objetivo da mesma, obtém-se o consentimento informado e, com ela, o relato verbal. O processo de análise das narrativas obtidas nos permite identificar a evolu9ao diacrónica da história, identificando categorias comuns de análise dos participantes. Resultados: Após a entrevista com seis homens, pais com idades entre 26 e 38 anos, foram obtidas as narrativas da história, identificando as seguintes categorias: violência vivenciada na infância, danos, consequências e repercussões na vida adulta, experiência de abuso na paternidade e tipo de paternidade. Conclusões: O trauma que a violência deixou para trás criou uma marca psíquica que afeta reativa ou transformativamente a experiência dos pais, são identificadas idéias que justificam o comportamento de seus pais, pais ou figuras de autoridade, a experiência atual dos pais remove os eventos de abuso passados e, desse modo, desnormaliza a violência experimentada, as consequências na vida adulta e a falta de estratégias eficazes de gerenciamento de comportamento em rela9ao aos filhos. O presente estudo tenta enfatizar a importância de desnaturar a educa9ao violenta e, assim, evitar prejudicar o processo evolutivo de menores, para isso é necessário gerar uma parentalidade positiva baseada na escolha de se libertar de qualquer tipo de abuso infantil.

Résumé Objectif: Connaitre comment les abus sexuels vécus par les hommes dans l'enfance affectent leur expérience actuelle de parentalité. Matériels et méthodes: La méthode de la recherche est qualitative, exploratoire et descriptive. La technique pour le recueil de données est l'entretien centré sur l'abus vécu dans le passé et l'expérience actuelle de paternage en référence à cet abus. L'échantillon intentionnel est constitué par 6 hommes qui sont pères et se sont portés volontaires pour participer. Apres leur avoir exposé l'objectif, leur consentement éclairé a été obtenu ainsi que leur récit oral. Le processus d'analyse des narrations obtenues permet d'identifier l'évolution diachronique et des catégories d'analyse communes aux participants. Résultats: Les entrevues réalisées avec six hommes, qui sont des pères et sont âgés de 26 à 38 ans, ont permis d'obtenir leur narration et d'identifier les catégories suivantes: violence vécue dans l'enfance, dommages, conséquences et répercussions dans la vie adulte, expérience d'abus dans leur paternage et type de parentalité. Conclusions: Le traumatisme laissé par la violence a créé une empreinte psychique qui a un effet réactif ou transformateur sur l'expérience de paternage. Des idées sont identifiées sur la justification du comportement de leurs parents, figures parentales ou d'autorité. L'expérience actuelle de paternage fait bouger des évènements des abus du passé et dénormalise la violence vécue. Les conséquences dans la vie adulte sont également identifiées, en particulier le manque de stratégies efficaces pour gérer le comportement envers leurs enfants. Cette étude tente de souligner l'importance de la dénaturalisation de l'éducation violente et de prévenir ainsi les perturbations des processus de développement infantile. Pour cela, il est nécessaire de générer une parentalité positive basée sur le choix d'une éducation exempte de tout type de maltraitance envers les enfants.

Virulence of Leuconostoc phages: Influence of stress conditions associated to dairy processes on their host-phage interactions.

In this work, we assessed the impact of technological cell stress conditions, commonly present in industrial dairy processes, on the host strain-phage interactions in Leuconostoc. Adsorption and burst size of LDG (Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides) and Ln-9 (Leuconostoc mesenteroides) phages were evaluated under the following conditions: i) MRS broth, 30 °C; ii) MRS broth at pH 5.5, 30 °C (acidic stress); iii) MRS broth added of NaCl at 4% w/v, 30 °C (osmotic stress) and iv) MRS broth, 10 °C (cold stress). Experiences were performed with the host strains growing both in MRS broth (30 °C) and under stress conditions. On the other hand, the effect of diverse levels of NaCl, KCl, saccharose and glucose on the adsorption for LDG phage was evaluated. Acidic and cold conditions did not significantly affect the adsorption rates for any phage. However, adsorption rate of phage LDG was highly reduced under osmotic stress (NaCl), except when the host strain previously grew in presence of the salt. LDG phage adsorption was not modified by addition of saccharides, but it drastically decreased in presence of salts. Acidic conditions did not affect the burst size for LDG phage, but Ln-9 phage diminished this parameter (61 phage particles/infected cell). Latency time showed a lengthening of 10 min for both phages, while the burst time remained unaltered for LDG and it was delayed 10 min for Ln-9. LDG phage did not propagate under osmotic conditions, but Ln-9 phage released phage particles with an important increase of its latent period and burst time. No phage particles were released within 90 min after the adsorption step under cold stress. This is the first report about this subject. Under certain conditions of technological stress (osmotic and cold) associated to dairy processes, phage infections on the two systems studied in this work could be delayed/inhibited.

Inactivation of Dairy Bacteriophages by Thermal and Chemical Treatments.

This article provides information on the characteristics of diverse phages of lactic acid bacteria and highlights the incidence of their presence in different dairy fermentations. As it is known, thermal treatments on raw milk and use of sanitizers in the disinfection of surfaces and equipment are strategies usually applied in dairy to prevent bacteriophage infections. In this sense, this review mainly focuses on the existing data about the resistance against thermal treatments and sanitizers usually used in the dairy industry worldwide, and the differences found among bacteriophages of diverse genera are remarked upon. Also, we provide information concerning the problems that have arisen as a consequence of the potential presence of bacteriophages in cheese whey powder and derivatives when they are added in fermented dairy product manufacturing. Finally, some important conclusions on each topic are marked and checkpoints to be considered are suggested.

Response of Leuconostoc strains against technological stress factors: Growth performance and volatile profiles.

The ability of twelve strains belonging to three Leuconostoc species (Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Leuconostoc lactis and Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides) to grow under diverse sub-lethal technological stress conditions (cold, acidic, alkaline and osmotic) was evaluated in MRS broth. Two strains, Leuconostoc lactis Ln N6 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides Ln MB7, were selected based on their growth under sub-lethal conditions, and volatile profiles in RSM (reconstituted skim milk) at optimal and under stress conditions were analyzed. Growth rates under sub-lethal conditions were strain- and not species-dependent. Volatilomes obtained from the two strains studied were rather diverse. Particularly, Ln N6 (Ln. lactis) produced more ethanol and acetic acid than Ln MB7 (Ln. mesenteroides) and higher amounts and diversity of the rest of volatile compounds as well, at all times of incubation. For the two strains studied, most of stress conditions applied diminished the amounts of ethanol and acetic acid produced and the diversity and levels of the rest of volatile compounds. These results were consequence of the different capacity of the strains to grow under each stress condition tested.

Leuconostoc strains isolated from dairy products: Response against food stress conditions.

A systematic study about the intrinsic resistance of 29 strains (26 autochthonous and 3 commercial ones), belonging to Leuconostoc genus, against diverse stress factors (thermal, acidic, alkaline, osmotic and oxidative) commonly present at industrial or conservation processes were evaluated. Exhaustive result processing was made by applying one-way ANOVA, Student's test (t), multivariate analysis by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Matrix Hierarchical Cluster Analysis. In addition, heat adaptation on 4 strains carefully selected based on previous data analysis was assayed. The strains revealed wide diversity of resistance to stress factors and, in general, a clear relationship between resistance and Leuconostoc species was established. In this sense, the highest resistance was shown by Leuconostoc lactis followed by Leuconostoc mesenteroides strains, while Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides and Leuconostoc citreum strains revealed the lowest resistance to the stress factors applied. Heat adaptation improved thermal cell survival and resulted in a cross-resistance against the acidic factor. However, all adapted cells showed diminished their oxidative resistance. According to our knowledge, this is the first study regarding response of Leuconostoc strains against technological stress factors and could establish the basis for the selection of "more robust" strains and propose the possibility of improving their performance during industrial processes.

Resistance of functional Lactobacillus plantarum strains against food stress conditions.

The survival of three Lactobacillus plantarum strains (Lp 790, Lp 813 and Lp 998) with functional properties was studied taking into account their resistance to thermal, osmotic and oxidative stress factors. Stress treatments applied were: 52 °C-15 min (Phosphate Buffer pH 7, thermal shock), H2O2 0.1% (p/v) - 30 min (oxidative shock) and NaCl aqueous solution at 17, 25 and 30% (p/v) (room temperature - 1 h, osmotic shock). The osmotic stress was also evaluated on cell growth in MRS broth added of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% (p/v) of NaCl, during 20 h at 30 °C. The cell thermal adaptation was performed in MRS broth, selecting 45 °C for 30 min as final conditions for all strains. Two strains (Lp 813 and Lp 998) showed, in general, similar behaviour against the three stress factors, being clearly more resistant than Lp 790. An evident difference in growth kinetics in presence of NaCl was observed between Lp 998 and Lp 813, Lp998 showing a higher optical density (OD570nm) than Lp 813 at the end of the assay. Selected thermal adaptation improved by 2 log orders the thermal resistance of both strains, but cell growth in presence of NaCl was enhanced only in Lp 813. Oxidative resistance was not affected with this thermal pre-treatment. These results demonstrate the relevance of cell technological resistance when selecting presumptive "probiotic" cultures, since different stress factors might considerably affect viability or/and performance of the strains. The incidence of stress conditions on functional properties of the strains used in this work are currently under research in our group.

Characterization and probiotic potential of Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from cheeses.

Ninety-eight Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from Italian and Argentinean cheeses were evaluated for probiotic potential. After a preliminary subtractive screening based on the presence of msa and bsh genes, 27 strains were characterized. In general, the selected strains showed high resistance to lysozyme, good adaptation to simulated gastric juice, and a moderate to low bile tolerance. The capacity to agglutinate yeast cells in a mannose-specific manner, as well as the cell surface hydrophobicity was found to be variable among strains. Very high ß-galactosidase activity was shown by a considerable number of the tested strains, whereas variable prebiotic utilization ability was observed. Only tetracycline resistance was observed in two highly resistant strains which harbored the tetM gene, whereas none of the strains showed ß-glucuronidase activity or was capable of inhibiting pathogens. Three strains (Lp790, Lp813, and Lp998) were tested by in vivo trials. A considerable heterogeneity was found among a number of L. plantarum strains screened in this study, leading to the design of multiple cultures to cooperatively link strains showing the widest range of useful traits. Among the selected strains, Lp790, Lp813, and Lp998 showed the best probiotic potential and would be promising candidates for inclusion as starter cultures for the manufacture of probiotic fermented foods.

Temperate and virulent Lactobacillus delbrueckii bacteriophages: comparison of their thermal and chemical resistance.

The aim of this work was to study the efficiency of diverse chemical and thermal treatments usually used in dairy industries to control the number of virulent and temperate Lactobacillus delbrueckii bacteriophages. Two temperate (Cb1/204 and Cb1/342) and three virulent (BYM, YAB and Ib3) phages were studied. The thermal treatments applied were: 63 degrees C for 30 min (low temperature--long time, LTLT), 72 degrees C for 15 s (high temperature--short time, HTST), 82 degrees C for 5 min (milk destined to yogurt elaboration) and 90 degrees C for 15 min (FIL-IDF). The chemical agents studied were: sodium hypochlorite, ethanol, isopropanol, peracetic acid, biocides A (quaternary ammonium chloride), B (hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid and peroctanoic acid), C (alkaline chloride foam), D (p-toluensulfonchloroamide, sodium salt) and E (ethoxylated nonylphenol and phosphoric acid). The kinetics of inactivation were drew and T(99) (time necessary to eliminate the 99% of phage particles) calculated. Results obtained showed that temperate phages revealed lower resistance than the virulent ones to the treatment temperatures. Biocides A, C, E and peracetic acid showed a notable efficiency to inactivate high concentrations of temperate and virulent L. delbrueckii phages. Biocide B evidenced, in general, a good capacity to eliminate the phage particles. Particularly for this biocide virulent phage Ib3 showed the highest resistance in comparison to the rest of temperate and virulent ones. On the contrary, biocide D and isopropanol presented a very low capacity to inactivate all phages studied. The efficiency of ethanol and hypochlorite was variable depending to the phages considered. These results allow a better knowledge and give useful information to outline more effective treatments to reduce the phage infections in dairy plants.

Pategrás cheese as a suitable carrier for six probiotic cultures.

The viability of five single-strain and one three-strain probiotic cultures was assessed during Pategrás cheese ripening. Probiotics were inoculated into cheese-milk after a pre-incubation step - intended to improve their survival - or directly as a lyophilised culture; control cheeses without probiotics were also obtained. pH of probiotic and control cheeses was similar, except in probiotic cheeses containing the strain Lb. acidophilus B or the mixed culture. In these cases, the probiotic cheeses were more acid than their respective control cheeses. All the probiotics tested maintained counts above 107 cfu/g during the shelf-life settled for the product. Strains of the Lb. casei group: Lb. paracasei, Lb. casei and Lb. rhamnosus reached and kept the highest cell concentration during cheese ripening, followed by Lb. acidophilus and bifidobacteria. The direct addition of the probiotic cultures was more efficient than their inoculation after a pre-incubation step, for all the probiotics assayed. We have provided evidence that support the use of Pategrás cheese as a performing food-based vehicle for probiotic bacteria.

Lactobacillus plantarum bacteriophages isolated from Kefir grains: phenotypic and molecular characterization.

Two greatly related Lactobacillus plantarum bacteriophages (named FAGK1 and FAGK2) were isolated from Kefir grains of different origins. Both phages belonged to the Siphoviridae family (morphotype B1) and showed similar dimensions for head and tail sizes. The host range of the two phages, using 36 strains as potential host strains, differed only in the phage reactivity against one of them. The phages showed latent periods of 30 min, burst periods of 80+/-10 min and burst size values of 11.0+/-1.0 PFU per infected cell as mean value. Identical DNA restriction patterns were obtained for both phages with PvuI, SalI, HindIII and MluI. The viral DNA apparently did not present extremes cos and the structural protein patterns presented four major bands (32.9, 35.7, 43.0 and 66.2 kDa). This study reports the first isolation of bacteriophages of Lb. plantarum from Kefir grains and adds further knowledge regarding the complex microbial community of this fermented milk.

Evidence for the presence of restriction/modification systems in Lactobacillus delbrueckii.

The bacteriophages Cb1/204 and Cb1/342 were obtained by induction from the commercial strain Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis Cb1, and propagated on Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis 204 (Lb.l 204) and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus 342 (Lb.b 342), respectively. By cross sensitivity, it was possible to detect a delay in the lysis of Lb.l 204 with Cb1/342 phage, while the adsorption rate was high (99.5%). Modified and unmodified phages were isolated using phage Cb1/342 and strain Lb.l 204. The EOP (Efficiency of Plaquing) values for the four phages (Cb1/204, Cb1/342, Cb1/342modified and Cb1/342unmodified) suggested that an R/M system modified the original temperate phage, and the BglII-DNA restriction patterns of these phages might point out the presence of a Type II R/M system. Also, the existence of a Type I R/M system was demonstrated by PCR and nucleotide sequence, being the percentages of alignment homology with Type I R/M systems reported previously higher than 95%. In this study it was possible to demonstrate that the native phage resistant mechanisms and the occurrence of prophages in commercial host strains, contribute strongly to diversify the phage population in a factory environment.

Phage-resistance linked to cell heterogeneity in the commercial strain Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis Ab1.

The aim of this work was to study the relationship between the cell morphological heterogeneity and the phage-resistance in the commercial strain Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis Ab1. Two morphological variants (named C and T) were isolated from this strain. Phage-resistant derivatives were isolated from them and the percentage of occurrence of confirmed phage-resistant cells was 0.001% of the total cellular population. Within these phage-resistant cell derivatives there were T (3 out of 4 total isolates) and C (1 out of 4 total isolates) variants. The study of some technological properties (e.g. proteolytic and acidifying activities) demonstrated that most of phage-resistant derivatives were not as good as the parental strain. However, for one derivative (a T variant), the technological properties were better than those of the parental strain. On the other hand, it was possible to determinate that the system of phage-resistance in the T variants was interference in adsorption step, with adsorption rates <15%. For the C variant derivative it was possible to demonstrate the presence of a restriction/modification system and, moreover, to determinate that this system could be Type I R/M.

Toxoplasmosis congénita, hospital gineco-obstétrico Enrique C. Sotomayor / Congenital toxoplasmosis, obstetric and gynecologic hospital Enrique Sotomayor

Presentamos el caso clínico de un neonato de sexo masculino hospitalizado desde su nacimiento en el hospital maternidad “Enrique C. Sotomayor”, en la sala de infectología neonatal con diagnóstico de toxoplasmosis congénita, el mismo que evidenció signología clínica compatible con este evento, complementándose con exámenes de laboratorio y exámenes radiológicos que apoyaron el diagnóstico. El neonato presentó hidrocefalia, visceromegalia, derrame pericárdico, así como procesos infecciosos para lo cual recibió tratamiento específico.

We are presenting the clinical case of a masculine neonate hospitalized since birth in the Maternity hospital “Enrique C. Sotomayor”, in the ward of neonatal infectious diseases with congenital toxoplasmosis diagnosis, who evidenced clinical signology compatible with this event, complemented by laboratory and radiological tests which supported the diagnosis. The neonate presented hydrocephaly, visceromegaly, pericardial shed blood, as well as infectious processes for which he received specific treatment.

Acidosis tubular renal: a propósito de un caso clínico / Renal tubular acidosis: about a clinical case

Presentamos el caso de un lactante menor de sexo masculino que ingresó al servicio de medicina II, del hospital Pediátrico “Dr. Francisco de Ycaza Bustamante”, Guayaquil, Ecuador, con diagnóstico de acidosis tubular renal considerada como un trastorno en la reabsorción de bicarbonato en los túbulos renales distales, cuya etiología puede ser primaria o secundaria a trastornos autoinmunitarios, así como a medicamentos y toxinas. Su diagnóstico se fundamenta en criterios clínicos y exámenes de laboratorio.

This is the case of a male infant younger tan 6 months old that was admitted to the Medicine II Service of the children hospital “Dr. Francisco de Ycaza Bustamante”, Guayaquil, Ecuador, diagnosed renal tubular acidosis which is regarded as a disorder in the bicarbonate reabsorption in the distal renal tubules which etiology can be primary or secondary to autoimmune disorders, as well as to medicines and toxins. Its diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and laboratory tests.

Effectiveness of thermal treatments and biocides in the inactivation of Argentinian Lactococcus lactis phages.

The thermal and chemical resistance levels of four autochthonal bacteriophages of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, isolated from cheese processes, was investigated. The times required to obtain 99% inactivation of phages (T99) at 63 and 72 degrees C in three suspension media (M17 broth, reconstituted commercial nonfat skim milk, and Tris magnesium gelatin buffer) were determined. Thermal resistance was dependent on the phage studied, and the results of this study demonstrate that pasteurization treatments used in dairy industries may leave viable viral particles in milk. It was possible to determine that M17 broth was generally the least protective medium, while phosphate buffer was the most protective one. Peracetic acid (0.15%, vol/vol) was the most effective viricidal agent, with exposures of 5 min being sufficient to inactivate high-titer phage suspensions (>10(6) PFU/ml). To achieve total inactivation (<10 PFU/ml) of viral suspensions, sodium hypochlorite was effective at 100 ppm for only two phages, while the other two phages needed concentrations of 200 and 300 ppm. Ethanol at concentrations of 100 and 75% proved to be very efficient in inactivating phages, but isopropanol was not effective against them.

Microbiological and Technological Characteristics of Natural Whey Cultures for Argentinian Hard-Cheese Production.

Samples (29) of natural whey starters used in the Santa Fe (Argentina) area for hard cheese production were examined. The microbial composition (including lactic microflora identification) and technological characteristics (acidifying and proteolytic activities) were determined. The cultures consisted mainly of thermophilic lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus . L. helveticus (66% the total strains) and L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis (33%) were the dominant species. In every sample, yeasts appeared as the only natural contaminants, at variable contents. The samples showed high acidity levels (1.2 to 1.4% lactic acid) with a mean pH value of 3.3. The acidifying and proteolytic activities were high at temperatures ranging from 37 to 50°C and negligible at 55°C.