Chemotaxis of halophilic bacterium Halomonas anticariensis FP35 towards the environmental pollutants phenol and naphthalene.

Chemotaxis can play an important role in bioremediation and substrate bioavailability. The bioremediation of hydrocarbons in saline environments can be carried out by technologies using halophilic bacteria. The aim of this study is to analyse chemotactic responses of the halophilic bacterium Halomonas anticariensis FP35T to environmental pollutants, as well as its catabolic potential for biotechnological use in bioremediation processes under saline conditions. Chemotaxis was detected and quantified using a modified Adler capillary assay. PCR amplification with degenerate primers for genes encoding ring-cleaving enzymes was used to characterize the catabolic versatility of FP35T. The results indicate that phenol (100-1,000 ppm) and naphthalene (100-500 ppm) are chemoattractants for H. anticariensis FP35T in a dose-dependent manner. These hydrocarbons were observed to act as chemoattractants for FP35T grown in a wide range of sea salt solutions (5-12.5% (w/v). However, the 7.5% (w/v) saline concentration was found to have the strongest chemotactic response. We also detected genes encoding ring-cleaving enzymes in the ß-ketoadipate pathway for aromatic catabolism. These results suggest that H. anticariensis FP35T has the potential to catabolize aromatic compounds and to be used in bioremediation processes under saline conditions.

Effect of ischemic preconditioning on injuries caused by ischemia and reperfusion in rat intestine.

To study whether ischemic preconditioning (IPC) attenuated intestinal dysfunction caused by ischemia (I) and reperfusion (R), rats were underwent 60 minutes of I which was produced by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery, and/or 120 minutes R. The IPC group had the I procedure previously stimulated for 5 minutes and the R for 10 minutes. IPC and sham groups were injected with saline solution (SS) via the femoral vein 5 minutes before the I and R, and for R. After I or I/R, 2-cm jejunal segments were mounted in an organ bath to study neurogenic contractions stimulated by electrical pulses or KCl using a digital recording system. Thin jejunal slices were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for optical microscopy. Compared with the sham group, jejunal contractions were similar in the IPC + I and the IPC + I/R groups, but reduced in the I + SS and the I/R + SS groups. The jejunal enteric nerves were damaged in the I + SS and the I/R + SS groups, but not in the IPC groups. These results suggested that ischemic preconditioning attenuated intestinal dysfunction caused by I and I/R.

[An epidemiologic study on the prevalence of alcohol consumption in a rural area of Asturias (council of Somiedo)]. / Estudio epidemiológico sobre la prevalencia del consumo de alcohol en una zona rural asturiana (concejo de Somiedo).

AIMS: To determine the prevalence of alcoholism in a rural area of Asturias and the usefulness of others clinical and analytical parameters for a rapid detection of its related pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study on a sample of 198 persons, divided into two groups (Group I: Heavy-drinkers and Group II: Moderate and nondrinkers), according with alcohol daily intake. The limit for the classification was the consumption of 80 or more grams of ethanol/day in men, and 60 g/day or more in women. Data about physical findings and blood biochemistry were collected and compared into the two groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of alcoholism in group I, was of 16.5% and the mean age of 54.3 +/- 11.4 years with increased proportion of males over females with a ratio of 7.25/1. The main analytical parameters useful as indicators of heavy alcohol consumption were an increase of AST, ALT, GGT, Total Cholesterol, Uric acid and gammaglobulin levels. We found a significative relation between legal problems and alcohol consumption (p < 0.005) as well as an increased prevalence of chronic obstructive lung diseases (p < 0.005). Digestive diseases as a whole, were most frequently associated with heavy alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION: This paper confirms the finding of a increased alcohol consumption in this mainly agricultural area of Asturias (Spain) in 16.5% and also confirms the usefulness of the use of simple clinical and analytical parameters for its detection in order to permit an earlier diagnostic and better use of preventive measures.

[An epidemiologic study of the prevalence of alcohol consumption in the Council of Tineo (Asturias)]. / Estudio epidemiológico de la prevalencia del consumo de alcohol en el Concejo de Tineo (Asturias).

AIMS: To know the incidence and prevalence of alcohol consumption in the studied area and also the somatometric alterations and laboratory findings found. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One prospective study was performed in one-way, transversal in a sample of 216 people. With a protocol we collect the data of alcohol habits and also physical examination and biochemical findings. We divided the sample into two groups: Group I "heavy drinkers" (men with ethanol intake greater than 100 g/day, and women more than 50 g/day), and Group II composed by abstemics and slight drinkers. RESULTS: We found and excessive intake of alcohol in the 15.75%, the whole sample (11.6% males and 4.17% females). Mean age was of 41.7% +/- 12.1 y.o. Un group I we found slight jaundice in 32.3% spinders in 64.7%, hepatomegaly in 58.8%, palmar erythema in 29.4% gynecomastia in 29.4% and Dupuytren in 11.8% (p < 0.001). Of the symptoms we found matutinal cough in 52.9%, epigastric burning in 64.7%, nausea and vomiting in 41.2% and hands tremors in 29.4% (p < 0.001). Biochemical parameters elevated were found in TGC TGO/TGP, GGT and amylase. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we confirm the excessive alcohol consumption in this rural area of Tineo in Asturias. We also found an important increase of alcohol intake in last year in women. The utility of analytical and exploratory findings is also proved for the early diagnosis of this illness in the ambulatory study of these patients.