Antiproliferative and antibacterial activity of extracts of Ganoderma strains grown in vitro.

In this bioprospecting study the biological activities of extracts of the in vitro culture of Ganoderma Mexican strains were evaluated. The extracts were tested by the Sulforhodamine B staining method for antiproliferative activity and the plate microdilution method for antibacterial activity. Extracts that proved bioactive in these two activities, the antioxidant activity (Galvinoxyl, ABTS, and DPPH) and total phenolic contents (Folin-Ciocalteu) were additionally determined, as well as acute toxicity (Artemia franciscana). In the antiproliferative activity Ganoderma curtisii strain (GH-16-015) obtained a remarkable value of GI50 ≤ 50 µg/mL against tumor lines: A549, HBL-100, HeLa, and T-47D. G. curtisii strains (GH-16-012 and GH-16-015) showed MIC values = 500 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus. G. curtisii strain (GH-16-012) almost reduced by 50% the radical Galvinoxyl. Finally, G. curtisii strain (GH-16-023) presented the lowest level of toxicity with a LC50 of 490.881 µg/mL against A. franciscana. These results support the potential medicinal effects of Mexican strains of G. curtisii.

Effects of Residue Management on Decomposition in Irrigated Rice Fields Are Not Related to Changes in the Decomposer Community.

Decomposers provide an essential ecosystem service that contributes to sustainable production in rice ecosystems by driving the release of nutrients from organic crop residues. During a single rice crop cycle we examined the effects of four different crop residue management practices (rice straw or ash of burned straw scattered on the soil surface or incorporated into the soil) on rice straw decomposition and on the abundance of aquatic and soil-dwelling invertebrates. Mass loss of rice straw in litterbags of two different mesh sizes that either prevented or allowed access of meso- and macro-invertebrates was used as a proxy for decomposition rates. Invertebrates significantly increased total loss of litter mass by up to 30%. Initially, the contribution of invertebrates to decomposition was significantly smaller in plots with rice straw scattered on the soil surface; however, this effect disappeared later in the season. We found no significant responses in microbial decomposition rates to management practices. The abundance of aquatic fauna was higher in fields with rice straw amendment, whereas the abundance of soil fauna fluctuated considerably. There was a clear separation between the overall invertebrate community structure in response to the ash and straw treatments. However, we found no correlation between litter mass loss and abundances of various lineages of invertebrates. Our results indicate that invertebrates can contribute to soil fertility in irrigated paddy fields by decomposing rice straw, and that their abundance as well as efficiency in decomposition may be promoted by crop residue management practices.

Impacto de la vacunación contra el rotavirus sobre la morbilidad y mortalidad en diarreas / Impact of the vaccination against rotavirus on morbidity and mortality in diarrhea

Introducción. Venezuela incluyó la vacuna contra rotavirus a partir del año 2006. El Estado Táchira ha alcanzado una cobertura promedio de 60%. El objetivo es evaluar el impacto de la vacunación contra rotavirus sobre las diarreas en menores de 5 años, en el Estado Táchira, Venezuela, durante los años 2000 a 2012. Métodos. Estudio epidemiológico de evaluación del impacto de la vacuna antirotavirus sobre las tasas de morbimortalidad por diarreas. Resultados. Se observó una tendencia a la disminución de la morbilidad y la mortalidad en el período 2000 a 2012, especialmente en menores de 1 año. La diferencia entre las tasas de muerte promedio entre el periodo prevacunal (2000-2005) y postvacunal (2006-2012) para los menores de 1 año fue estadísticamente significativa (p=0,01; IC 95%: 4322,2- 12537,1). Durante el periodo prevacunal (20002005), la tasa promedio de casos por 100.000 en menores de 5 años era de 12.207,7 y en el postvacunal (2006-2012) era de 10.126,3. La diferencia en las muertes en menores de 5 años fue de 72% (IC 95%=62-81). Conclusiones. La vacunación contra rotavirus tiene un impacto favorable en la disminución de las tasas de diarrea en menores de 5 años, especialmente en menores de 1 año. Es una estrategia efectiva en la prevención de muertes por esta causa en poblaciones menores de 5 años.

Introduction. Venezuela included rotavirus vaccine from the year 2006. Tachira State has reached 60% average coverage. The objective was to assess the impact of vaccination against rotavirus diarrhea in children under 5 years, Táchira State, Venezuela, during the years 2000-2012. Methods. Evaluation of the impact of the vaccine anti-rotavirus epidemiological study on the rates of mortality and morbidity by diarrhea. Results. There was a trend to decrease morbidity and mortality in the period 2000 to 2012, especially under the age of 1 year. The difference between average death rates between the prevaccination period (2000-2005) and postvaccination period (2006-2012) was statistically significant for children under 1 year (p=0.01;CI 95%: 4322.2-12537.1). During the prevacunal period (2000-2005), the average rate of cases per 100,000 in children under 5 years was 12,207.7 and postvacunal period (2006-2012) was 10,126.3. The difference in deaths in children under 5 years was 72 (CI 95% 62-81). Conclusions. The vaccination against rotavirus has a favorable impact on reducing rates of diarrhea in children under 5 years, particularly in the group of children under 1 years. It is an effective strategy in the prevention of deaths from this cause in under-five population.

Bajo soporte familiar en madres de niños con restricción de crecimiento intrauterino en el Hospital Gineco-Obstétrico Isidro Ayora / Bajo familiar support in mothers of children with restriction of intrauterine growth in the Hospital Gineco-Obste'trico Isidro Ayora

Objetivos: Se tuvo como propósito determinar la relación entre el crecimiento intrauterino fetal como resultado o indicador de patología obstétrica, con el bajo soporte familiar y otras variables sociodemográficas maternas. Materiales y métodos: Se trata de un estudio analítico, transversal, de casos y controles. El estudio se llevó a cabo en el HIGOIA. La muestra recogida fue de 234 madres (58 casos y 176 controles) de entre 20 y 35 años, que dieron a luz a su segundo o tercer hijo, que no tuvieron patologías crónicas previas o uso crónico de medicación. Se excluyeron RN con malformaciones, productos de embarazo múltiple y mortinatos. Para diagnosticar la restricción de crecimiento intrauterino (RCIU) se obstuvieron el peso y la edad gestacional de todos los RN...

Causas del parto prematuro

El presente es un estudio prospectivo, realizado en el hospital Gineco-Obstetrico- Isidro Ayora, entre diciembre de 1991 y julio de 1992. Con el Objeto de establecer las causas principales del parto prematuro. Durante este lapso se presentaron 7269 partos, de los cuales 200 fueron partos prematuros, equivalente al 275 por ciento. Entre las causas más importante se encontraron, la rotura prematura de membranas, hipetension inducida por el embarazo, infección de vías urinarias, embarazo múltiple, hemorragias del tercer trimestre y otras causas.