Reduction of Hexavalent Chromium and Detection of Chromate Reductase (ChrR) in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

An Gram negative strain of S. maltophilia, indigenous to environments contaminated by Cr(VI) and identified by biochemical methods and 16S rRNA gene analysis, reduced chromate by 100%, 98-99% and 92% at concentrations in the 10-70, 80-300, and 500 mg/L range, respectively at pH 7 and temperature 37 °C. Increasing concentrations of Cr(VI) in the medium lowered the growth rate but could not be directly correlated with the amount of Cr(VI) reduced. The strain also exhibited multiple resistance to antibiotics and tolerance and resistance to various heavy metals (Ni, Zn and Cu), with the exception of Hg. Hexavalent chromium reduction was mainly associated with the soluble fraction of the cell evaluated with crude cell-free extracts. A protein of molecular weight around 25 kDa was detected on SDS-PAGE gel depending on the concentration of hexavalent chromium in the medium (0, 100 and 500 mg/L). In silico analysis in this contribution, revealed the presence of the chromate reductase gene ChrR in S. maltophilia, evidenced through a fragment of around 468 bp obtained experimentally. High Cr(VI) concentration resistance and high Cr(VI) reducing ability of the strain make it a suitable candidate for bioremediation.

[Estimate of the variability in the evaluation of semen analysis]. / Estimación de la variabilidad en la evaluación del análisis seminal.

BACKGROUND: Masculine Infertility diagnosis continues depending in a great number of cases of the analysis of the semen. However, appropriate interpretation of the seminal analysis implies to consider two factors, the dependability of the laboratory and the medical knowledge about the meaning of the seminal alterations. OBJECTIVE: Compare the results of the semen analysis among clinical laboratories. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was used the semen samples of the patients that need a semen analysis for their study. The sample was collected in the biological fluids assessment laboratory (A) and was evaluated the sperm count, morphology and motility. They were distributed to the other laboratories, andrology laboratory (B) and Assisted Reproduction laboratory (C). It was calculated the coefficients of variation intra-observer and inter-observer and descriptive statistics. RESULTS: It was analyzed 28 semen samples by one technician in laboratory A, one in laboratory B and four in the laboratory C, using the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for reporting sperm count, motility and morphology. There is an inter-laboratory variability of the parameters studied in the sperm morphology with statistical difference (p < 0.001). The observed mean coefficients of variation intraobserver (CVs) were 3.6% for sperm count, 20.3%for motility and 9.4% for sperm morphology. The mean CVs inter- laboratory results were as follows: 25.7% for sperm concentration, 52.2% for sperm motility and 82.6% for sperm morphology. CONCLUSIONS: There is an inter-laboratory variability for the analysis of the semen samples between the 3 laboratories studied for the semen parameters studied.

[Mesenteric cyst. A case report]. / Quiste mesentérico. Informe de un caso.

Mesenteric cysts are rare, it had been reported a frequency of 1 in 250,000 hospital admissions. We present a case of a 17-year-old female, attended at gynecology service with 8 weeks amenorrhea and diffuse pain in all abdominal regions. Without preceding pathological history of importance, menarche at 14 year, menstrual cycles of 30-45 x 5, nuligesta. She had negative immunology pregnancy tests, and sonography showed left ovary with anecoique ovoid area of approximately 15 x 8.8 x 7 cm. Physical examination showed a soft abdomen, depressible, with pain on the left side, where presence of a tumor of approximately 8 cm was perceived. Vaginal examination showed cervix of 3 x 2 cm, not painful to mobilization, uterus in a head position of 6 x 5 x 4 cm, a tumor of 18 x 10 cm was delimited in left salpinge, not painful to the compressedness. It was carried out a laparotomy with diagnostic of cyst in left ovary, but it was a tumor of 18 x 14 x 10 cm of cyst aspect that was dependented of mesenterious at sigmoid colon level, which could be eradicated without difficulty. Mesenteric tumors are difficult for diagnosis, and can be asymptomatic or to be suspect as cause of recurrent abdominal pain, abdominal tumor or acute abdomen. Unfortunately, it is difficult to establish the diagnosis with precision before surgery, still employing diagnostic resources of high technology, as sonography and tomography.

[Catecholamines level variation during pregnancy in women with diabetes and preeclampsia]. / Modificación de las concentraciones de catecolaminas durante el embarazo de mujeres con diabetes y preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: In obstetrical service it is frequent to find women with acute renal failure during second trimester of pregnancy. Main causes are related to hypertensive alterations, hemorrhage, sepsis, intrinsic renal disease and some rare disorders that produce high maternal morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: [corrected] To evaluate changes of adrenal function in pregnancy as well as its associated repercussions in diabetic and preeclamsic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective study in 56 patients. Groups included women with normal pregnancy, patients with diabetes type 2, and women with preeclampsia. It was requested basic exams and samples from urine of 24 h for catecholamines determinations; as well as after two months of delivery. Catecholamines were measured with Bertler immune-fluorescent procedure. RESULTS: Levels of catecholamines has statistically significant difference in all groups of study during the gestation. There was high quantity in the group of patients that developed preeclampsia 4535.5 +/- 356.4 microg/24 h (p < 0.05), compared with 31.2 +/- 9.2 microg/24 h in normal pregnancy; however, those with diabetes has a trend to increas 45.6 +/- 3.7 microg/24 h, without statistical differences. Two months after pregnancy levels shown 17.1 +/- 4.9 microg/24 h in normal pregnancy group, with preeclampsia 17.2 +/- 8.7 microg/24 h, and mild permanent increase 33.8 +/- 4.7 microg/24 h in the group with diabetes (p = 0.537). CONCLUSIONS: An important catecholamines elevation is related with progress or severity of preeclampsia, and could be due to less adrenal injury associated with pregnancy, and contribute to renal failure. Longer studies are necessary to evaluate this approach in renal function.