Detection of Candidatus Bartonella odocoilei n. sp. in Lipoptena mazamae associated with white-tailed deer in Campeche, Mexico.

The deer ked Lipoptena mazamae (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) (Róndani), is a blood-feeding obligate ectoparasite of several species of deer and brocket. However, at present little information is available about its role as a vector of hemoparasites. Nonetheless, it is considered a competent vector for the transmission of Bartonella species. The aim of this study was performing the morphological and molecular identification of ked flies and to carry out the detection of Bartonella. We collected specimens from Chiná, Campeche, Mexico associated with white-tailed deer. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), of COI, gltA and rpoB genes, we were able to obtain the first barcode for L. mazamae from Mexico and identified a new species of Bartonella which was found with a prevalence of 73%. The data obtained in this study confirmed the presence of L. mazamae associated with white-tailed deer and its possible role as vector of Candidatus Bartonella odocoilei n. sp. in Mexico and we considered that it may also be present in white-tailed deer populations in the U.S.A. Additional investigations into Bartonella species associated with deer ked could provide further insight into their pathogenicity and its role as a zoonotic agent.

Administration of exogenous hormones in ovulatory and embryonic response in Pelibuey sheep.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two sources of commercial porcine pituitary-derived follicle-stimulating hormone (pFSH) and pFSH-porcine Luteinizing Hormone (pLH), including equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), in ovulatory and embryonic response in Pelibuey sheep. Twenty-four Pelibuey sheep were used and were assigned randomly to four treatments (n = 6): (T1; 200 mg pFSH-Folltropin® ); (T2; 200 mg pFSH + 300 UI eCG-Folligon® ); (T3; 250 UI pFSH/pLH-Pluset® ) and (T4; 250 UI pFSH/pLH + 300 UI eCG). The interval of hours from withdrawal of the device to the beginning of oestrus (BO) was lower (p < .05) in sheep treated with eCG (T2 = 8.0 ± 1.4 and T4 = 10.0 ± 2.8) than in those without eCG (T1 = 12.6 ± 0.6 and T3 = 20.6 ± 2.4). The ovulatory rate (OR) was higher (p < .05) in T1 = 15.5 ± 2.8 and T2 = 15.6 ± 1.4, compared to T3 = 8.1 ± 3.2 and T4 = 11.8 ± 2.8; a significant difference was not shown between them (T1 vs. T2 and T3 vs. T4) when including eCG. The number of non-fertilized oocytes (NFO) was lower (p Ë‚ .05) in T1 = 0.8 ± 0.4 and T3 = 1.8 ± 1.8, compared to those that included eCG (T2 = 6.3 ± 2.4 and T4 = 2.1 ± 1.2). The number of transferable embryos (TE) was higher (p < .05) when FSH was applied (T1 = 5.8 ± 1.1), compared with (T2 = 2.6 ± 1.1, T3 = 2.3 ± 1.4 and T4 = 2.8 ± 1.5). The commercial treatments (pFSH or pFSH-pLH) in combination with eCG did not improve OR, NFO and TE. However, the exclusive pFSH (Folltropin) treatment presented a higher OR, lower number of NFO and higher number of TE.

Total homocysteine levels in healthy children from the Monterrey metropolitan area, Mexico.

Currently, there are indications for determining hyperhomocysteinemia in adulthood as risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, psychiatric disorders, pregnancy complications, birth defects, cognitive impairment in the elderly, in addition to cancer. If hyperhomocysteinemia is determined from childhood, it may be modulated with the provision of an opportunity for public health intervention. The objective of this descriptive study was to determine total homocysteine (tHcy) levels in healthy children from the Monterrey metropolitan area in Mexico. In a peripheral-blood sample collected from 56 healthy children aged 2-10 years, we determined tHcy concentration by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. The geometric mean +/- SD was 9.78 +/- 1.73 micromol/l. tHcys of the children studied were homogeneous by age cohort and gender. Nutritional state was classified by body mass index (BMI). Sixty five percent of children who participated in the study had normal BMI, and 96% of the children belong to the low socioeconomic status. In conclusion, to our knowledge this is the first-ever information on homocysteine (Hcy) prevalence in a population of healthy Mexican children. tHcy concentration was higher than that reported in other populations studies. This preliminary study could constitute the baseline for future public health studies.

First Report of Pantoea agglomerans Causing Leaf Blight and Vascular Wilt in Maize and Sorghum in Mexico.

Zea mays and Sorghum bicolor are important crops for animal and human nutrition worldwide. In the Central Highland Valley of Mexico, both crops are extremely important, and research is aimed toward increasing yield, disease resistance, and crop adaptation from 1,900- to 2,700-m elevation. In a 3-year field breeding experiment (2004 to 2006), leaf blight and vascular wilt symptoms were frequently observed in contiguous plots of maize and sorghum crops in Montecillo, Mexico and maize plots in Tecamac, Mexico. To identify and characterize the causal agent of these symptoms, isolations were conducted on leaves from areas where healthy and diseased tissues converged. Leaf sections of 1 cm2 from both crops were disinfested, placed on casamino acid-peptone-glucose (CPG) medium, and incubated at 28°C. After 48 h, only yellow colonies were observed and 12 isolates were selected for further characterization. Physiological and biochemical tests indicated that the isolates were nonfluorescent on King's B medium, and API 50 CHE (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France) revealed that they were negative for gelatin hydrolysis, indole production, acid production from raffinose and positive for utilization of glycerol, D-glucose, mannitol, arbutine, esculine, salicine, cellobiose, maltose, melibiose, D-fucose, and D-arabitol; all characteristics of Pantoea agglomerans. Further identification of these isolates was accomplished by DNA analysis. For DNA analysis, 1.4-kbp fragments of the 16S rRNA gene were amplified with primer set 8F/1492R (3) and sequenced with U514F/800R universal primers (2). Five sequences were obtained and deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. EF050806 to EF050810). A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the UPGMA method (mega version 3.1). Results of the phylogenetic analysis grouped the species P. ananatis, P. stewartti, and P. agglomerans into three clusters. The five unknown sequences were grouped into the P. agglomerans cluster. There was a 98 to 99% similarity of the five 16S rRNA gene sequences with P. agglomerans strain type ATCC 27155. Pathogenicity of the 12 isolates was confirmed by injecting 108 CFU mL-1 of inoculum into stems of 3-week-old maize cv. Triunfo and sorghum cold tolerant hybrid (A1×B5)×R1 seedlings in the greenhouse at 28°C and 80% relative humidity. Also, seedlings were inoculated with water, nonpathogenic isolates of P. agglomerans from maize (GM13, and HLA1), and not inoculated as negative controls. Three replications were included for each isolate and control. All test strains developed water-soaked lesions on juvenile leaves at 8 days postinoculation and were followed by chlorotic to straw-colored leaf streaks and then leaf blight symptoms at 3 weeks postinoculation. All negative control seedlings did not develop symptoms. In addition, the 12 isolates were infiltrated at 107 CFU mL-1 into tobacco leaves that displayed a hypersensitive response at 4 days, indicating the presence of the type III secretion system (1). Isolates were reisolated, and the 16S rRNA gene fragments were 100% similar to their original isolate sequences. P. agglomerans has been reported to affect other crops, including chinese taro in Brazil (2007), onion in the United States (2006) and South Africa (1981), and pearl millet in Zimbabwe (1997); however, to our knowledge, this is the first report of P. agglomerans associated with leaf blight and vascular wilt symptoms in maize and sorghum in the Central Highland Valley of Mexico. References: (1) J. Alfano and A. Collmer. Annu. Rev. Phytopathol 42:385, 2004. (2) Y. Anzai et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 50:1563, 2000. (3) M. Sasoh et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 72:1825, 2006.

Transactivation activity and nucleocytoplasmic transport of ß-catenin are independently regulated by its C-terminal end.

The key protein in the canonical Wnt pathway is ß-catenin, which is phosphorylated both in absence and presence of Wnt signals by different kinases. Upon activation in the cytoplasm, ß-catenin can enter into the nucleus to transactivate target gene expression, many of which are cancer-related genes. The mechanism governing ß-catenin's nucleocytoplasmic transport has been recently unvealed, although phosphorylation at its C-terminal end and its functional consequences are not completely understood. Serine 646 of ß-catenin is a putative CK2 phosphorylation site and lies in a region which has been proposed to be important for its nucleocytoplasmic transport and transactivation activity. This residue was mutated to aspartic acid mimicking CK2-phosphorylation and its effects on ß-catenin activity as well as localization were explored. ß-Catenin S6464D did not show significant differences in both transcriptional activity and nuclear localization compared to the wild-type form, but displayed a characteristic granular nuclear pattern. Three-dimensional models of nuclei were constructed which showed differences in number and volume of granules, being those from ß-catenin S646D more and smaller than the wild-type form. FRAP microscopy was used to compare nuclear export of both proteins which showed a slightly higher but not significant retention of ß-catenin S646D. Altogether, these results show that C-terminal phosphorylation of ß-catenin seems to be related with its nucleocytoplasmic transport but not transactivation activity.

Use and acceptance of the "paper pill". A novel approach to oral contraception.

A randomized, crossover study comparing the acceptance of and attitudes towards two dosage forms of the same oral contraceptive product - a paper presentation and the conventional tablet, was carried out in a network of rural and suburban research centers in the State of Durango, México. The results failed to show any significant advantage (in terms of acceptability or continuation) of the paper formulation. Although two-thirds of the participants indicated a preference for the conventional tablet, there was a high degree of acceptance of the paper formulation among new oral contraceptive acceptors.

PIP: A randomized, crossover study comparing the acceptance of and attitude towards 2 dosage forms of the same oral contraceptive product -- a paper presentation and the conventional tablet -- was carried out in a network of rural and suburban research centers in the State of Durango, Mexico. 68 women used the paper pill for 3 months and then switched to the tablet for another 3, while 70 women took the tablet 1st and switched to the paper pill. The results failed to show any significant advantage in terms of acceptability or continuation for the paper formulation. Both formulations were perceived as effective and easy to use. 2/3 of the participants indicated a preference for the tablets at the end of the study, but there was a high degree of acceptance of the paper formulation among new oral contraceptive acceptors. The authors believe that an improved paper formulation could be successfully introduced into a national program, if there were substantial savings in cost associated with the "paper pill."

[Prevalence of anemia in women attending family planning clinic in Durango (author's transl)]. / La prevalencia de anemia en mujeres asistentes a servicios de planificación familiar en la Ciudad de Durango.

PIP: This study investigates the prevalence of anemia in a group of 500 women requesting contraception for the first time at the Health Center in Durango, Mexico. 92% of women were between 15-34, with the majority in the age group 20-24; most had parity 1-4. The average hemoglobin level was 13.04 g/dl, with SE of 0.08. There were 70 anemic women with hemoglobin level below 12 g/dl, which gave a percentage of 14%. 90% of anemic women presented iron deficiency. 16.8% of the total number of women were within the 1st 6 weeks postpartum or postabortion; of these 32% were anemic. Of the 82.4% of women beyond this period of time only 10.4% were anemic. There was no increase in the prevalence of anemia in women with higher parity; among the 174 obese women the percentage of anemia was 86%. The relatively high prevalence of anemia in women seeking contraception compels the doctor to consider very seriously the type of contraception to be prescribed. In Mexico there is an important difference in the geographic distribution of anemia, which seems to be most common in the province of Yucatan, and which is probably caused by alimentary iron deficiency.^ieng

Comparison of three prognostic indexes in differentiated thyroid cancer.

We investigated epidemiological data and correlation coefficient among three prognostic indexes (TNM, AGES and DeGroot's) in 82 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (mean age: 41.7 +/- 16.6 years and sex ratio F8:M1). Seventy eight cases (95.1%) had papillary and 4 (4.8%) follicular carcinoma. Surgical complications were: vocal cord paralysis 7 cases (8.4%), hypoparathyroidism 10 cases (12.2%) and both in four cases (4.8%). We did not find surgical complications in patients subjected to main limited procedures. After a follow up of 54.5 +/- 44.5 months one patient was dead due to thyroid cancer (1.2%) and 2 patients had tumor relapse (2.4%). We found positive correlation between TNM and AGES, AGES and DeGroot and DeGroot's and TNM indexes, with concordance between them (k = 0.2281, p = 0.001). In our series, follicular cancer prevalence is lower than literature reports. Our results suggest that TNM, DeGroot's and AGES indexes may have similar prognostic value in differentiated thyroid cancer.

Malnutrition risk factors among the elderly from the US-Mexico border: the "one thousand" study.

BACKGROUND: The Mexican population is aging, which makes the fact that there is no regional information on the health of the elderly, including those in the northern region of the country. OBJECTIVE: To examine nutritional, functional, and cognitive impairments, as well as depression, in non-institutionalized elderly Mexicans along Mexico's northern border. DESIGN: Observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Demographic and anthropometric measurements were screened and the following scales were applied among 760 elderly individuals in Chihuahua, Mexico: Katz index (for activities of daily living, ADL), the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), the Yesavage (depression), and the Pffeifer (cognitive decline). RESULTS: 7% prevalence of malnutrition, a 18% prevalence of functional disability, a 44% prevalence of depressive symptoms, a 33% prevalence of cognitive impairment, and a risk of disease in almost half the population, without differences between genders. Malnutrition, functional disability, and cognitive impairment increased with age (P <0.001). Functional disability, depression, and cognitive impairment also increased the risk of malnutrition 3.0, 2.9 and 1.4 times (P <0.005). Other factors that may affect nutritional status included isolated living and illiteracy. CONCLUSION: Levels of malnutrition, functional disability, depression and cognitive impairment are higher than those reported previously and are closely related to one another, so detecting alterations in primary care is important in order to improve quality of life and reduce complications.

Carcass characteristics, physicochemical changes and oxidative stress indicators of meat from sheep fed diets with coffee pulp / Características de carcaça, alterações físico-químicas e indicadores de estresse oxidativo de carne de ovinos alimentados com dietas com polpa de café

The purpose of this study was to determine how feeding sheep coffee pulp affects carcass characteristics and what changes occur in physicochemical, antioxidant capacity and oxidation of the meat during refrigerated storage. The experiment was carried out in 15 Blackbelly lambs weighing an average 22.86±0.76kg. The animals were assigned to three treatments: T0=control diet, T1=diet with 8% coffee pulp, and T2=diet with 16% coffee pulp. After fattening for 56 days, the sheep were slaughtered and the carcasses assessed. The inclusion of 16% coffee pulp in the diet increased carcass dressing from 48.19 to 50.83% and decreased the amount of fat in rumen and intestines from 3.43 to 2.53% (P<0.05). The inclusion of coffee pulp in the diet did not alter the amount of crude protein or fat in meat or its oxidation and antioxidant capacity during refrigerated storage. However, the inclusion of coffee pulp in the diet decreased fat in the rumen and intestines, and thus increased the amount of usable meat...

Objetivou-se determinar características de carcaça, alterações físico-químicas, capacidade antioxidante e de oxidação da carne de ovinos alimentados com polpa de café, durante o período de armazenamento refrigerado. O experimento foi realizado com 15 cordeiros Blackbelly com um peso médio de 22,86 ± 0,76kg. Os animais foram distribuídos em três tratamentos: T0=dieta controle, T1=dieta com 8% de polpa de café e T2=dieta com polpa de café de 16%. Depois de 56 dias de engorda, cordeiros foram abatidos, e a carcaça avaliada. Inclusão de polpa de café de 16% na dieta aumentou o rendimento de carcaça de 48.19 para 50.83% e diminuiu a quantidade de gordura no rúmen e nos intestinos de 3.43 para 2.53% (P<0,05). A inclusão de polpa de café na dieta não alterou a proteína ou a gordura na carne nem a oxidação e a capacidade antioxidante durante o armazenamento refrigerado. A inclusão de polpa de café na dieta de cordeiros diminui a gordura no rúmen e nos intestinos e aumenta a quantidade de carne na carcaça...

Carcass characteristics, physicochemical changes and oxidative stress indicators of meat from sheep fed diets with coffee pulp / Características de carcaça, alterações físico-químicas e indicadores de estresse oxidativo de carne de ovinos alimentados com dietas com polpa de café

The purpose of this study was to determine how feeding sheep coffee pulp affects carcass characteristics and what changes occur in physicochemical, antioxidant capacity and oxidation of the meat during refrigerated storage. The experiment was carried out in 15 Blackbelly lambs weighing an average 22.86±0.76kg. The animals were assigned to three treatments: T0=control diet, T1=diet with 8% coffee pulp, and T2=diet with 16% coffee pulp. After fattening for 56 days, the sheep were slaughtered and the carcasses assessed. The inclusion of 16% coffee pulp in the diet increased carcass dressing from 48.19 to 50.83% and decreased the amount of fat in rumen and intestines from 3.43 to 2.53% (P<0.05). The inclusion of coffee pulp in the diet did not alter the amount of crude protein or fat in meat or its oxidation and antioxidant capacity during refrigerated storage. However, the inclusion of coffee pulp in the diet decreased fat in the rumen and intestines, and thus increased the amount of usable meat.

Objetivou-se determinar características de carcaça, alterações físico-químicas, capacidade antioxidante e de oxidação da carne de ovinos alimentados com polpa de café, durante o período de armazenamento refrigerado. O experimento foi realizado com 15 cordeiros Blackbelly com um peso médio de 22,86 ± 0,76kg. Os animais foram distribuídos em três tratamentos: T0=dieta controle, T1=dieta com 8% de polpa de café e T2=dieta com polpa de café de 16%. Depois de 56 dias de engorda, cordeiros foram abatidos, e a carcaça avaliada. Inclusão de polpa de café de 16% na dieta aumentou o rendimento de carcaça de 48.19 para 50.83% e diminuiu a quantidade de gordura no rúmen e nos intestinos de 3.43 para 2.53% (P<0,05). A inclusão de polpa de café na dieta não alterou a proteína ou a gordura na carne nem a oxidação e a capacidade antioxidante durante o armazenamento refrigerado. A inclusão de polpa de café na dieta de cordeiros diminui a gordura no rúmen e nos intestinos e aumenta a quantidade de carne na carcaça.

A new species of predaceous midge of the genus Monohelea Kieffer from Mexico (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

A description and illustrations of Monohelea maya, new species, based on male and female characteristics are provided. The specimens were collected in the special biosphere Reserves of Ria Lagartos and Ria Celestun, Yucatan State, Mexico.

Monosomy 20p due to a de novo del(20)(p12.2). Clinical and radiological delineation of the syndrome.

A 16 year-old boy with monosomy 20p was studied. The clinical and radiological data compared with those from the three previously reported cases, permit the delineation of a distinct syndrome of low birthweight, flat face, low nasal bridge, long philtrum, short neck, small overfolded ears, chest deformity, kyphoscoliosis, congenital heart defect, hypoplastic or absent ribs and rachischisis (butterfly-shaped vertebral bodies). The critical chromosome segment causing this syndrome is tentatively defined as 20p13.

Increased potency of four analogues of LH-releasing hormone in man.

Four analogues of LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH) were injected iv. in normal men at a dose of 25 mug: des-Gly-10NH2-LH-RH ethylamide (9-EA-LH-RH); des-Gly-10-NH2-LH-RH propylamide (9-PA-LH-PH), d-ala-6-LH-RH; and D-Ala-6, des Gly10-NH2-LH-RH ethylamide (D-Ala-6,9-EA-LH-RH). Each peptide tested was found to be more potent than LH-RH in releasing LH and, to a lesser extent, FSH. The times of the peak values of LH after the analogues were similar to LH-RH (about 20 minutes). However, LH as well as FSH levels were considerably delayed in returning to baseline after administration of D-Ala-6,9-EA-LH-RH. The half-time disappearances of the 9-EA and 9-PA analogues could be tested and were found to be similar to that of LH-RH. The increased potency and prolonged duration of action of D-Ala-6,9-EA-LH-RH suggest the potential usefulness of this compound in stimulating ovulation and perhaps spermatogenesis.

PIP: Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), and 4 of its analogues were each tested in groups of 6 normal men. 25 mcg of des-Gly-10-NH2-LH-RH ethylamide (9-EA-LH-RH), des-Gly-10-NH2-LH-RH propylamide (9-PA-LH-RH), D-Ala-6-LH-RH, D-Ala-6, des Gly-10-nh2-lh-rh ethylamide (D-Ala-6,9-EA-LH-RH), and LH-RH were injected iv and the halftime disappearance from the blood of 2 of these analogues as well as LH and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. The peptides tested were found to be more potent than LH-RH in releasing LH and, to a lesser extent, FSH. The time of the peak values of LH and the analogues was about 20 minutes, however, LH and FSH were delayed in returning to baseline after D-Ala-6,9-EA-LH-RH. 9-EA and 9-PA analogues were similar to LH-RH in halftime disappearances. D-Ala-6,9EA-LH-RH showed increased potency and prolonged duration of action, thus suggesting potential usefulness in stimulating ovulation and perhaps spermatogenesis.

Derrame pericárdico que simula un tumor. Valor de la ecocardiografía Doppler a color para su diferenciación / Pericardial effusion simulating pericardial tumor. Color codified Doppler study

Existen múltiples publicaciones sobre el valor de la ecocardiografía para el reconocimiento de las masas pericárdicas, y algunas de ellas señalan cómo un derrame puede ocultar un tumor. Se describe el caso de un paciente de 64 años, portador de una valvulopatía aórtica y un derrame pericárdico, diagnosticado por ecocardiografía. En dicho estudio además de la confirmación diagnóstica, se observó una masa intrapericárdica, de unos 7 cm de diámetro, de aspecto grumoso, adherida a la hoja visceral, a nivel de la unión aurículo-ventricular derecha. Con motivo de tal hallazgo, se realizó estudio con Doppler codificado a color, observándose que dicha masa adquiría una tonalidad azul durante la diástole y una tonalidad en mosaico al final de la sístole. Así pudo concluirse que era debido a remanso de líquido y simulaba un tumor dentro de la cavidad pericárdica. En la intervención quirúrgica se demostró la ausencia de dicha masa