Coordination and Bioorganometallic Chemistry: Exploring the Potential Applications of Metal Coordination and Organometallic Complexes in Medical and Microbiological Advancements.

In the field of coordination and bioorganometallic chemistry, a notable shift is occurring. This mini-review explores a new generation of carefully 3D-crafted coordination and organometallic complexes that differ from conventional structures. Emphasizing disease intervention and microbial control, these compounds, incorporate noble and transition metals, and aim to enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing potential health risks. The mini-review covers diverse applications, showcasing their effectiveness against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and as potential tools in cancer treatment. Additionally, it sheds light on the inventive aspects of these complexes within biological systems. By highlighting advancements in bioorganometallic chemistry, the review offers insights and guidance for future developments in safer and more effective therapeutics.

Enhancing the Catalytic Activity of Pd Nanocatalysts for Anion Exchange Membrane Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells by Functionalizing Vulcan XC-72 with Cu Organometallic Compounds.

The most widely used support in low-temperature fuel cell applications is the commercially available Vulcan XC-72. Herein, we report its functionalization with the home-obtained mesityl copper (Cu-mes) and Cu coordinate (Cu(dmpz)L2) organometallic compounds. Pd nanoparticles are anchored on the supports obtaining Pd/CCu-mes, Pd/CCu(dmpz)L2, and Pd/C (on nonfunctionalized support). The polarization curves of the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) show that Pd/CCu-mes and Pd/CCu(dmpz)L2 promote the reaction at a more negative onset potential, i.e., E onset = 0.38 V/reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), compared to 0.41 V/RHE of Pd/C. The mass current density (j m) delivered by Pd/CCu-mes is considerably higher (1231.3 mA mgPd -1), followed by Pd/CCu(dmpz)L2 (1001.8 mA mgPd -1), and Pd/C (808.3 mA mgPd -1). The enhanced performance of Pd/CCu-mes and Pd/CCu(dmpz)L2 for the EOR (and tolerance to CO poisoning) is attributed to a shift of their d-band center toward more negative values, compared to Pd/C, because of the formation of PdCu alloyed phases arising from the functionalization. In addition, laboratory-scale tests of the anion exchange membrane-direct ethanol fuel cell assembled with Pd/CCu-mes show the highest open circuit voltage (OCV = 0.60 V) and cell power density (P cell = 0.14 mW cm-2). As a result of its high catalytic activity, Pd/CCu-mes can find application as an anode nanocatalyst in AEM-DEFCs.

Stability, spectroscopic, electrochemistry and QTAIM analysis of Cu-Znn-1On clusters for glucose sensing application: A study on theoretical and experimental insights.

Clusters of (ZnO)n (n = 2-4) have been shown to play a central role in the detection of glucose entity based on the existence of photo-induced electrons (PE), which facilitates the interaction between (ZnO)n clusters and glucose entity guests. The electrochemistry experiment has confirmed the detection of glucose by the title clusters. The optimization, energetic parameters, and vibrational frequency calculations have indicated that the Cu-Znn-1On-glucose are more stable than the (ZnO)n-glucose complexes. It has been demonstrated that the Cu doping enhanced the chemical behavior of the clusters and formed a high intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) in the system. The glucose sensing by all the forms of Cu-Znn-1On clusters showed that the Cu-Zn3O4, Cu-Wurtzite, and Cu-Rocksalt clusters are the most suitable for adsorbing the glucose guest. The HOMO/LUMO iso-surfaces of the complexes showed that the electron concentrations are localized in the d orbitals and mainly in the form of the d10 orbitals around Zn atoms. The molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) has clearly indicated that a high charge transfer occurs between the copper and the oxygen atoms, which facilitate the adsorption of glucose. The reactivity parameters also indicated that the Wurtzite-glucose complex has a high electrophilicity index (ω), which means a good acceptor behavior to interact with glucose. Additionally, the bond between the (ZnO)n clusters and the glucose polar element has been studied in detail by using QTAIM theory. Finally, the theoretical and experimental studies prove that the Cu-Znn-1On clusters are very suitable and competent compounds for detecting glucose.

Azo-methoxy-calix[4]arene complexes with metal cations for chemical sensor applications: Characterization, QTAIM analyses and dispersion-corrected DFT- computations.

In this work, the structures, quantum chemical descriptors, morphologic characterization of the azo-methoxy-calix[4]arene were investigated. The analyses and interpretation of the theoretical and the experimental IR spectroscopy results for the corresponding compounds was performed. The complexation of the azo-methoxy-calix[4]arene with Zn2+,Hg2+ , Cu2+ , Co2+, Ni2+ , Pb2+ and Cd2+metal cations has been calculated by the dispersion corrected density functional theory (DFT-D3). The values of the interaction energies show that the specific molecule is more selective to the Cu2+ cation. The study of the reactivity parameters confirms that the azo-methoxy-calix[4]arene molecule is more reactive and sensitive to the Cu2+ cation than that Co2+ and Cd2+. In addition, the investigation of the electrophilic and nucleophilic sites has been studied by the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) analysis. The Hirshfeld surface (HS) analysis of the azo-methoxy-calix[4]arene-Cu2+ interaction have been used to understand the Cu⋯hydrogen-bond donors formed between the cation and the specific compound. The Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) via Non covalent Interaction (NCI) analysis was carried out to demonstrate the nature, the type and the strength of the interaction formed between the Cu2+ cation and the two symmetrical ligands and the cavity. Finally, the chemical sensor properties based on the Si/SiO2/Si3N4/Azo-methoxy-calix[4]arene for detection of Cu2+ cation were studied. Sensing performances are determined with a linear range from 10-5.2 to 10-2.2 M. The Si/SiO2/Si3N4/azo-methoxy-calix[4]arene structure is a promoter to have a good performance sensor.

Molecular analysis of a mutant Anticarsia gemmatalis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) shows an interruption of an inhibitor of apoptosis gene (iap-3) by a new class-II piggyBac-related insect transposon.

A new piggyBac-related transposable element (TE) was found in the genome of a mutant Anticarsia gemmatalis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus interrupting an inhibitor of apoptosis gene. This mutant virus induces apoptosis upon infection of an Anticarsia gemmatalis cell line, but not in a Trichoplusia ni cell line. The sequence of the new TE (which was named IDT for iap disruptor transposon) has 2531 bp with two DNA sequences flanking a putative Transposase (Tpase) ORF of 1719 bp coding for a protein with 572 amino acids. These structural features are similar to the piggyBac TE, also reported for the first time in the genome of a baculovirus. We have also isolated variants of this new TE from different lepidopteran insect cells and compared their Tpase sequences.

Chronic 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 administration in the rat reduces the serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D by increasing metabolic clearance rate.

Administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] can lower the serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin (25-OH-D). To determine if 1,25(OH)2D3 lowers serum 25-OH-D by increasing clearance or reducing production, we directly measured the metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of 25-OH-D in rats chronically infused with 1,25(OH)2D3. Chronic 1,25(OH)2D3 administration (0 to 75 pmol/d) reduced, in a time- and dose-dependent fashion, the serum concentrations of 25-OH-D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 from 18 +/- 2 to 9 +/- 1 ng/ml and from 4.8 +/- 0.7 to 1.3 +/- 0.3 ng/ml, respectively, and increased sevenfold the in vitro conversion of 25-OH-D to 24,25(OH)2D3 by kidney homogenates. The reduction in serum 25-OH-D3 was completely accounted for by an increase in MCR. No change in production occurred. The influence of 1,25(OH)2D3 on serum 25-OH-D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 was shown not to be dependent on induction of hypercalcemia. These data suggest that chronic 1,25(OH)2D3 administration lowers serum 25-OH-D by increasing the metabolic clearance of 25-OH-D3 and not by decreasing its production.

beta-blocker binding to human 5-HT(1A) receptors in vivo and in vitro: implications for antidepressant therapy.

A novel strategy for improving the treatment of depressive illness is augmentation of antidepressants with a 5-HT1(1A) autoreceptor antagonist. However, trials using the 5-HT1(1A)/beta-blocker pindolol are proving inconsistent. We report how positron emission tomography (PET) and in vitro autoradiography can inform trials of antidepressant augmentation. We show that in healthy volunteers, in vivo, pindolol (n = 10) and penbutolol (n = 4), but not tertatolol (n = 4) occupy the human 5-HT(1A) receptors, at clinical doses. Pindolol, as well as the beta-blockers penbutolol and tertatolol, has high affinity for human 5-HT(1A) receptors in post-mortem brain slices (n = 4). Pindolol shows preference for 5-HT(1A) autoreceptors versus the post-synaptic receptors both in vitro and in vivo. Our data reveal that pindolol doses used in antidepressant trials so far are suboptimal for significant occupancy at the 5-HT(1A) autoreceptor. Penbutolol or higher doses of pindolol are candidates for testing as antidepressant augmenting regimes in future clinical trials.

Influence of thyroid hormone on 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A) receptor-mediated regulation of hippocampal BDNF mRNA expression.

The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of thyroid hormone, T3, on the regulation of hippocampal BDNF expression by 5-HT receptor agonists. Chronic T3 administration prior to treatment with the 5-HT(1A) agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, significantly decreased BDNF mRNA in the dentate gyrus region of the hippocampus. Administration of 8-OH-DPAT did not alter hippocampal BDNF mRNA expression in naive, euthyroid rats. Pretreatment with the 5-HT(1A) antagonist, WAY 100635, completely blocked the 8-OH-DPAT-induced down-regulation of BDNF mRNA in chronic T3-treated rats. Acute T3 administration prior to 8-OH-DPAT treatment led to a small, but significant, decrease in hippocampal dentate gyrus BDNF mRNA. Acute or chronic administration of T3 did not alter the decrease in hippocampal BDNF mRNA induced by the 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor agonist, DOI. The influence of 8-OH-DPAT and DOI on hippocampal BDNF mRNA was also unaltered in rats rendered hypothyroid by propylthiouracil administration. Chronic T3 treatment or hypothyroidism did not influence the basal expression of hippocampal BDNF mRNA. The affinity and density of 5-HT(1A) receptors, and the hippocampal expression of 5-HT(1A) mRNA were also not influenced by chronic T3 treatment. The results of this study clearly demonstrate a powerful interaction between thyroid hormone and the 5-HT(1A) receptor in the regulation of hippocampal BDNF expression. Crosstalk between signal transduction cascades influenced by T3 and 5-HT(1A) receptors may mediate the synergistic effects of these systems on hippocampal BDNF expression.

Differential distribution of [3H]sumatriptan binding sites (5-HT1B, 5-HT1D and 5-HT1F receptors) in human brain: focus on brainstem and spinal cord.

We report on the autoradiographic distribution of 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D and 5-HT1F receptor subtypes in human brain, focusing on the brainstem and cervical spinal cord. We have used [3H]sumatriptan as a radioligand in the presence of suitable concentrations of 5-CT (5-carboxamidotryptamine) to define 5-HT1F receptors, and ketanserin, to discriminate between 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors. In the brainstem the highest concentrations of [3H]sumatriptan binding sites were seen in substantia nigra. The spinal trigeminal nucleus, substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord, nucleus of the tractus solitarius and periaqueductal grey, also showed significant levels of [3H]sumatriptan binding sites. In the brainstem and spinal cord the total population of 5-CT-insensitive receptors, corresponding to 5-HT1F receptors, ranged from 9.8% in the periaqueductal grey to 53.4% in the substantia gelatinosa. This population represented 67.0% of binding in layer V of the frontal cortex. The decrease in [3H]sumatriptan binding in the presence of 200 nM ketanserin, indicative of the presence of 5-HT1D receptors, was very limited throughout the human brain, only reaching 20% of total specific binding over the periaqueductal grey. The proportion of [3H]sumatriptan binding sites displaced by 5-CT and insensitive to ketanserin, corresponding to 5-HT1B receptors, was, in general, the most abundant, ranging from 43.8% in substantia gelatinosa to 69.9% in the periaqueductal grey. Significant levels of 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors found in migraine control pain areas suggest their involvement in antinociceptive mechanisms.

Synthesis and atypical antipsychotic profile of some 2-(2-piperidinoethyl)benzocycloalkanones as analogues of butyrophenone.

Four new 2-(2-piperidinoethyl)benzocycloalkanone derivatives, 20-23, were prepared and evaluated as potential antipsychotic agents in receptor binding assays for dopamine (DA) and 5-HT2A receptors and in functional and behavioral screens. Their affinities for D2 receptors (Ki's in the nanomolar range: 46.7-70.7) and D1 receptors (Ki's in the micromolar range: 1.09-2.81) were slightly lower than that showed by haloperidol (Ki's in the nanomolar range: 5.01 and 97.72 for D2 and for D1 receptors, respectively). The ratio of pKi's values D1/D2 showed that the new molecules are more D2-selective than haloperidol. In contrast, in the [3H]-ketanserin binding assays the new compounds had greater affinity for 5-HT2A receptors (pKi's 7.89-8.60) than haloperidol (pKi 7.70) and in functional studies, endothelium-stripped aorta rings, the pA2 values (6.75-8.12) were slightly lower than that of ketanserin (8.87) in suppressing serotonin-induced contractions. The pKi's for D2 binding (and to a lesser extent pKi's for D1 binding) tend to be greater among typical (classical) than among atypical antipsychotics, while these two classes of antipsychotics exhibit no difference with regard to pKi's for 5-HT2A receptors. The ratios of pKi's for 5-HT2A/D2 receptors may be useful for rapid screening of new compounds, and its potential induction of extrapyramidal symptoms (ratio values > 1.12 were predictive of an atypical antipsychotic profile). The new molecules had a ratio value in the range 1.08-1.20, while haloperidol showed a ratio of 0.93. In the behavioral screening tests, the new molecules showed antagonist activity of amphetamine-inducing hyperactivity and apomorphine-induced climbing (predictive tests for antipsychotic activity). In the catalepsy test (predictive test for induction of extrapyramidal symptoms), the values obtained were in accordance with an atypical antipsychotic drugs profile.

5-HT1B receptor binding in degenerative movement disorders.

Using [3H]sumatriptan as a radioligand, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1B receptors were examined in posterior striatum and midbrain post-mortem tissue sections of 12 patients who had died from representative degenerative movement disorders as compared to nine controls. In the control human basal ganglia, the highest densities of [3H]sumatriptan binding were observed in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra. No significant change in the density of [3H]sumatriptan binding sites was found in the striatum and substantia nigra of the six Parkinson's disease brains. In the two brains from patients with progressive supranuclear palsy an increase was found in the densities of [3H]sumatriptan binding sites, most marked in the substantia nigra. In contrast, [3H]sumatriptan labelling was almost absent in the striatonigral degeneration brain and was markedly reduced in the three Huntington's disease brains. This study indicates that the status of 5-HT1B receptors is different in each degenerative movement disorder and suggests that human 5-HT1B receptors are located somatodendritically on GABAergic and peptidergic caudate-putamen neurons which project to the substantia nigra and globus pallidus, where these receptors are presynaptic.

Effects of a lesion in the dorsal raphe nuclei performed during the juvenile period of the female rat, on puberty.

The present study examined the effect of thermic lesions on the dorsal raphe nuclei (DRN) of the female rat, performed at various ages during the prepubertal period (21, 24, or 27 days), on puberty, and at first ovulation. In comparison with sham-operated animals, the age of vaginal opening and first vaginal oestrus was delayed in rats with a DRN lesion performed at the end of the infantile period (day 21) (45.6+/-0.94 vs. 89.9+/-1.03, p < 0.05), whereas differences were not observed in animals with lesions performed during the juvenile period (day 24 or 27). The number of ova shed by ovulating animals was greater in those rats with lesions performed on day 24 or 27 (9.7+/-0.4 vs. 7.4+/-0.4; 9.5+/-0.5 vs. 7.7+/-0.4, p < 0.05). Ovarian follicular atresia in these animals was significantly lower than in control and sham-operated ones. On the day of first vaginal oestrus and 48 h after the lesion, the serotonin-hypothalamic concentration decreased in all lesioned animals. Present results support the idea of the participation of the serotoninergic system, arising from the DRN, in the neuroendocrine mechanisms regulating the onset of puberty and the first ovulation, with variations depending on animal maturity.

Changes in monoaminergic activity in the anterior, medium and posterior hypothalamus, gonadotropins levels and ovarian hormones during puberty of the female rat.

The aim of present study is the analysis of monoamines concentrations changes in the anterior, medium and posterior hypothalamus, as well as changes in serum gonadotropins levels, ovarian steroids and follicular growth during the prepubertal development of the female rat. Noradrenergic activity in the anterior, medium and posterior hypothalamus reached highest level at day 13 after birth, followed by a subsequent decrease from day 15 to 19 and an increase on days 22 and 27 postnatal. At day 1, neural activity in the medium hypothalamus was higher than the activity in the anterior and posterior hypothalamus. Serotoninergic activity in three portions of the hypothalamus was higher throughout the prepubertal development. Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone serum levels increased between days 11 and 17 and decreased from day 19 to 36. The concentration of 17beta-estradiol was consistently low throughout the prepubertal development and increased at day 39 after birth. These results indicate that during the prepubertal development of the rat, the three regions of the hypothalamus show significant changes in the monoaminergic neural activity. There is an inverse relationship between the noradrenergic activity on the anterior and medium hypothalamus and serotoninergic activity in the posterior hypothalamus with ovarian steroids during sexual maturation. These changes may be linked to the development of the neuroendocrine processes that modulate gonadotropin secretion and ovarian function.

Elevated cortical venous pressure in hydrocephalus.

To gain a better understanding of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hydrodynamics and their relationship to the cerebrovascular system, normal and naturally hydrocephalic dogs were studied to determine transmantle [lateral ventricle (LV) to subarachnoid space] and transparenchymal [LV to cortical vein (CV)] pressures. Pressure was also measured in the sagittal sinus, cisterna magna, and femoral artery. CV pressure has not previously been measured in hydrocephalus. Ventricular volume was determined by computed tomography. Four groups of animals were studied. In Group 1 (n = 5) transmantle pressure was measured; in Group 2 (n = 5), transparenchymal pressure in normal animals was measured. In Group 3 (n = 5) was measured all the pressures in spontaneously normal animals, and in Group 4 (n = 6) was measured the pressures in hydrocephalic animals. The pressure-volume index and CSF outflow resistance were also measured. LV volume in the normal dogs was 1.3 +/- 0.7 ml and in the hydrocephalic dogs was 5.1 +/- 2.7 ml (P less than 0.005). Although LV, subarachnoid space, and sagittal sinus pressures were elevated in the hydrocephalic dogs (15.1 versus 10.2, 16.4 versus 10.5, and 8.4 versus 5.2 mm Hg, respectively), the transmantle pressure and subarachnoid space to sagittal sinus gradients were not significantly altered. CV pressure was markedly elevated in the hydrocephalic animals (21.5 versus 11.7 mm Hg, P less than 0.005). The pressure-volume index and outflow resistance were not significantly different. These results suggest that an elevated CV pressure plays a role in the development and/or maintenance of hydrocephalus, and that the pathway for CSF absorption includes transcapillary or transvenular absorption of CSF from the interstitial space.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A proton NMR relaxation evaluation of a model of brain oedema fluid.

Using CSF/protein solutions as models of vasogenic extracellular fluid, the concentration dependences of longitudinal and transverse proton relaxation rates have been measured at 37 degrees C and 100 MHz for the serum proteins, albumin, IgG, a 2.8:1 mixture of albumin and IgG and human serum itself. These measurements have been used to determine the sensitivity of proton relaxation rates to the amount and the type of the protein in oedema fluid, and to establish the significance of both of these factors in relation to a separation of vasogenic from cytotoxic oedema. An extension of the two-environment rapid-exchange model of solvent relaxation is presented, which accounts for the measurements on protein mixtures and which enables estimates to be made of the number and the transverse relaxation rate of water protons associated with the protein surface.

The influence of oxygenation on the 19F spin-lattice relaxation rates of fluosol-DA.

The spin-lattice relaxation rates (1/T1) were measured at 94.1 MHz for six peaks in the 19F NMR spectrum of the perfluorochemical blood substitute fluosol-DA, which contains a mixed emulsion of perfluorodecalin and perfluorotripropylamine. Each of these rates increased linearly with the percentage of oxygen dissolved in the emulsion. Relative values of the linear increase for different peaks established that, for perfluorotripropylamine in the mixed emulsion, the oxygen-fluorocarbon interaction is loosely but preferentially oriented in a manner similar to that previously established for other pure fluorocarbons. The uncertainty in the oxygen level estimated from T1 measurements is somewhat less than 5% O2 and it is thus established that quantitative non-invasive oxygenation measurements can be made to sufficient precision by this approach, using fluosol-DA and 19F spin-lattice relaxation.

Pyridazine derivatives. XI: Antihypertensive activity of 3-hydrazinocycloheptyl[1,2-c]pyridazine and its hydrazone derivatives.

3-Hydrazinocycloheptyl[1,2-c]pyridazine (4) and its hydrazone derivatives 3-[N1-(isopropylidene)]hydrazinocycloheptyl[1,2-c]pyridazine [correction of hydrazinocyclohexyl] (5) and 3-[N1-(isobutylidene)]hydrazinocycloheptyl[1,2-c]pyridazine (6) were prepared, and their activity against genetic, neurogenically-induced, and deoxycorticosterone acetate -NaCl-induced hypertension was found to be at least as great as that of hydralazine. The results of studying vasorelaxation of rat aorta by 4 and hydralazine suggest that both these compounds owe their antihypertensive activity to direct relaxation of vascular smooth muscle.

Production of viral progeny in insect cells undergoing apoptosis induced by a mutant Anticarsia gemmatalis nucleopolyhedrovirus.

The Anticarsia gemmatalis nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) is the most successful viral biopesticide in use worldwide. We have demonstrated that despite widespread apoptosis and no protein synthesis at 48 h p.i., UFL-AG-286 cells infected with a mutant of AgMNPV (vApAg), produced significant amounts of budded virus (BVs) and viral DNA late in infection. However, a different susceptible cell line (BTI-Tn5B 1-4) showed no signs of apoptosis and produced 3.5 times more budded virus when infected with vApAg. A comparison of DNA from AgMNPV and vApAg digested with the same restriction enzymes showed differences in the restriction pattern, indicating that the vApAg phenotype might be due to a mutation in a gene or genes responsible for directly or indirectly inhibiting apoptosis in UFL-AG-286 cells.

Oral aluminum administration to rats wih normal renal function. 1. Impairment of erythropoiesis.

Aluminum (Al) toxicity has been mainly investigated in uremic patients although healthy subjects and patients without renal insufficiency are not exempt from its potential deleterious effects. This experimental study aims to elucidate the action of different doses of Al citrate on in vivo erythropoiesis and find out whether the metal exerts a local toxic effect upon the bone marrow late erythroid progenitor cells. The groups in the first experimental series were: C1 (n=5) controls and TAl-1 (n=5) rats receiving 1 micromol Al citrate/g body weight/day by gavage. Colony-forming units-erythroid (CFU-E) development was inhibited in the TAl-1 group, but the median osmotic fragility (MOF) and hematocrit (Ht) values were similar to those of the C1 group. The groups in the second series were C2 (n=5) controls and TAl-2 (n=5) rats receiving Al citrate in drinking water (100 mmol/l). The TAl-2 group showed decreased Ht, hemoglobin concentration, MOF and red blood-cell life-span values (P<0.05), and a marked inhibition of the CFU-E development (P<0.01). Serum and bone Al concentrations were increased in both Al-treated groups (P < 0.01). There was a dose-dependent increase in bone Al levels (P < 0.01) and a dose-dependent decrease of CFU-E development (P<0.05). The CFU-E development was inversely correlated with the bone Al content (r=-0.79; P<0.05). The results demonstrate that even very low doses of Al citrate impair erythropoiesis in vivo and higher doses exert a deleterious action on both CFU-E and mature erythrocytes. This might show a local effect of Al on CFU-E caused by the bone sensitivity to the metal accumulation.

[Hospital infections in a high-risk nursery: 2-year analysis]. / Infecção hospitalar num berçário de alto risco: análise de dois anos.

A prospective study of nosocomial infections in a nursery was undertaken in the Hospital of University of Paraná. Infections were identified during a 2 year period from August 1987 to July 1989 with a monthly analysis of prevalence site and agents responsible for nosocomial infections. The biannual mean was 30%. Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly isolated pathogen. The most common site of nosocomial infections was muco-cutaneous. Educational measures were the most important factor in reduction of nosocomial infection rates.