Association of molds and metrological parameters to frequency of severe asthma exacerbation.

BACKGROUND: Sensitization to airborne molds may be a risk factor for severe asthma and direct cause of asthma exacerbation (AE). METHODS: A prospective, 1-year (April 2016-March 2017) study, done in Kuwait Allergy Centre, investigated the link between AEs with exposure to outdoor molds and the role of meteorological parameters in mold sensitized patients and compared with non-allergic asthma patients who had asthma deterioration. The total of 676 adult asthmatics with moderate-severe AEs were included and divided into atopic (85.65%) and non-atopic group. Atopy was defined by positive skin prick test (SPT) to at least one inhalant allergen. Data regarding atopy and asthma severity were collected from patient's records. Patients with symptoms and signs of acute respiratory infection and patient sensitized to indoor allergens only were excluded. Daily count of local pollens (Salsola kali, Bermuda grass) and molds (Aspergillus, Alternaria and Cladosporium) were obtained from the Aerobiology department. Daily metrological parameters (atmospheric pressure-AP, temperature-T and relative humidity-RH) were provided by Kuwait Environment Public Authority. Count of spores/m3 and weather variable are shown on weekly basis. The year circle was divided into 4 Seasons (1, 2, 3, 4) accordingly to typical desert climate. RESULTS: Sensitization to molds was relatively high but significantly less (25.0%) if compared to the pollens sensitization. The highest number of AEs was in season 4 for both molds and pollens sensitized patients. Seasonal patterns for both allergens were significant and positively correlated with RH and AP. In season 1 only, mold sensitized patients showed higher rate of AEs. Non-atopic patients have been less sensitive to increased RH than atopic. Negative correlation with T was similar in both atopic and non-atopic patients. CONCLUSION: Despite of high rate of sensitization to molds, their significant role in triggering AE was not found in desert environment. Typical desert climate and high allergencity of local weeds outweigh the influence of the molds.

Mapping quantitative trait loci for root development under hypoxia conditions in soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.).

KEY MESSAGE: Greatest potential, QTLs for hypoxia and waterlogging tolerance in soybean roots were detected using a new phenotypic evaluation method. Waterlogging is a major environmental stress limiting soybean yield in wet parts of the world. Root development is an important indicator of hypoxia tolerance in soybean. However, little is known about the genetic control of root development under hypoxia. This study was conducted to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) responsible for root development under hypoxia. Recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed from a cross between a hypoxia-sensitive cultivar, Tachinagaha, and a tolerant landrace, Iyodaizu, were used. Seedlings were subjected to hypoxia, and root development was evaluated with the value change in root traits between after and before treatments. We found 230 polymorphic markers spanning 2519.2 cM distributed on all 20 chromosomes (Chrs.). Using these, we found 11 QTLs for root length (RL), root length development (RLD), root surface area (RSA), root surface area development (RSAD), root diameter (RD), and change in average root diameter (CARD) on Chrs. 11, 12, 13 and 14, and 7 QTLs for hypoxia tolerance of these root traits. These included QTLs for RLD and RSAD between markers Satt052 and Satt302 on Chr. 12, which are important markers of hypoxia tolerance in soybean; those QTLs were stable between 2 years. To validate the QTLs, we developed a near-isogenic line with the QTL region derived from Iyodaizu. The line performed well under both hypoxia and waterlogging, suggesting that the region contains one or more genes with large effects on root development. These findings may be useful for fine mapping and positional cloning of gene responsible for root development under hypoxia.

Quantitative trait locus mapping of soybean maturity gene E5.

Time to flowering and maturity in soybean is controlled by loci E1 to E5, and E7 to E9. These loci were assigned to molecular linkage groups (MLGs) except for E5. This study was conducted to map the E5 locus using F2 populations expected to segregate for E5. F2 populations were subjected to quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis for days to flowering (DF) and maturity (DM). In Harosoy-E5 × Clark-e2 population, QTLs for DF and DM were found at a similar position with E2. In Harosoy × Clark-e2E5 population, QTLs for DF and DM were found in MLG D1a and B1, respectively. In Harosoy-E5Dt2 × Clark-e2 population, a QTL for DF was found in MLG B1. Thus, results from these populations were not fully consistent, and no candidate QTL for E5 was found. In Harosoy × PI 80837 population, from which E5 was originally identified, QTLs corresponding to E1 and E3 were found, but none for E5 existed. Harosoy and PI 80837 had the e2-ns allele whereas Harosoy-E5 had the E2-dl allele. The E2-dl allele of Harosoy-E5 may have been generated by outcrossing and may be responsible for the lateness of Harosoy-E5. We conclude that a unique E5 gene may not exist.

Linkage mapping, molecular cloning and functional analysis of soybean gene Fg3 encoding flavonol 3-O-glucoside/galactoside (1 → 2) glucosyltransferase.

BACKGROUND: Flavonol glycosides (FGs) are major components of soybean leaves and there are substantial differences in FG composition among genotypes. The first objective of this study was to identify genes responsible for FG biosynthesis and to locate them in the soybean genome. The second objective was to clone the candidate genes and to verify their function. Recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were developed from a cross between cultivars Nezumisaya and Harosoy. RESULTS: HPLC comparison with authentic samples suggested that FGs having glucose at the 2″-position of glucose or galactose that is bound to the 3-position of kaempferol were present in Nezumisaya, whereas FGs of Harosoy were devoid of 2″-glucose. Conversely, FGs having glucose at the 6″-position of glucose or galactose that is bound to the 3-position of kaempferol were present in Harosoy, whereas these FGs were absent in Nezumisaya. Genetic analysis suggested that two genes control the pattern of attachment of these sugar moieties in FGs. One of the genes may be responsible for attachment of glucose to the 2″-position, probably encoding for a flavonol 3-O-glucoside/galactoside (1 → 2) glucosyltransferase. Nezumisaya may have a dominant whereas Harosoy may have a recessive allele of the gene. Based on SSR analysis, linkage mapping and genome database survey, we cloned a candidate gene designated as GmF3G2″Gt in the molecular linkage group C2 (chromosome 6). The open reading frame of GmF3G2″Gt is 1380 bp long encoding 459 amino acids with four amino acid substitutions among the cultivars. The GmF3G2″Gt recombinant protein converted kaempferol 3-O-glucoside to kaempferol 3-O-sophoroside. GmF3G2″Gt of Nezumisaya showed a broad activity for kaempferol/quercetin 3-O-glucoside/galactoside derivatives but it did not glucosylate kaempferol 3-O-rhamnosyl-(1 → 4)-[rhamnosyl-(1 → 6)-glucoside] and 3-O-rhamnosyl-(1 → 4)-[glucosyl-(1 → 6)-glucoside]. CONCLUSION: GmF3G2″Gt encodes a flavonol 3-O-glucoside/galactoside (1 → 2) glucosyltransferase and corresponds to the Fg3 gene. GmF3G2″Gt was designated as UGT79B30 by the UGT Nomenclature Committee. Based on substrate specificity of GmF3G2″Gt, 2″-glucosylation of flavonol 3-O-glycoside may be irreconcilable with 4″-glycosylation in soybean leaves.

Linkage mapping, molecular cloning and functional analysis of soybean gene Fg2 encoding flavonol 3-O-glucoside (1 → 6) rhamnosyltransferase.

There are substantial genotypic differences in the levels of flavonol glycosides (FGs) in soybean leaves. The first objective of this study was to identify and locate genes responsible for FG biosynthesis in the soybean genome. The second objective was to clone and verify the function of these candidate genes. Recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were developed by crossing the Kitakomachi and Koganejiro cultivars. The FGs were separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and identified. The FGs of Koganejiro had rhamnose at the 6″-position of the glucose or galactose bound to the 3-position of kaempferol, whereas FGs of Kitakomachi were devoid of rhamnose. Among the 94 RILs, 53 RILs had HPLC peaks classified as Koganejiro type, and 41 RILs had peaks classified as Kitakomachi type. The segregation fitted a 1:1 ratio, suggesting that a single gene controls FG composition. SSR analysis, linkage mapping and genome database survey revealed a candidate gene in the molecular linkage group O (chromosome 10). The coding region of the gene from Koganejiro, designated as GmF3G6″Rt-a, is 1,392 bp long and encodes 464 amino acids, whereas the gene of Kitakomachi, GmF3G6″Rt-b, has a two-base deletion resulting in a truncated polypeptide consisting of 314 amino acids. The recombinant GmF3G6″Rt-a protein converted kaempferol 3-O-glucoside to kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside and utilized 3-O-glucosylated/galactosylated flavonols and UDP-rhamnose as substrates. GmF3G6″Rt-b protein had no activity. These results indicate that GmF3G6″Rt encodes a flavonol 3-O-glucoside (1 â†’ 6) rhamnosyltransferase and it probably corresponds to the Fg2 gene. GmF3G6″Rt was designated as UGT79A6 by the UGT Nomenclature Committee.

Efecto del adyuvante vacunal AFCo1 intranasal sobre la concentración plasmática de teofilina en ratas / Effect of intranasal vaccine adjuvant AFCo1 on plasma concentration of theophylline in rats

En este estudio se evaluó el efecto del adyuvante Finlay cocleato 1 (AFCo1), aplicado 4 veces por vía intranasal en 2 niveles de dosis (50 µg y 100 µg) sobre la concentración plasmática de teofilina, administrada a las 24 horas de la última aplicación (5 mg/kg, por vía intraperitoneal) en ratas Sprague-Dawley. Se empleó como control positivo de inflamación la aplicación de 2 dosis por vía subcutánea de adyuvante completo de Freund (ACF). Las ratas que recibieron AFCo1 no mostraron cambios significativos en la concentración sérica de teofilina; mientras que las tratadas con ACF desarrollaron inflamación local asociadas a signos de toxicidad a la teofilina y elevación de las cifras de inmunoglobulina G específica, de las concentraciones plasmáticas y el tiempo de vida media de teofilina en suero, en comparación con los grupos restantes. Estos resultados indican que la inmunoestimulación inducida por AFCo1 intranasal no incrementa los parámetros farmacocinéticos ni la toxicidad de la teofilina en el modelo empleado.

The effect of the adjuvant Finlay cochleate1 (AFCo1), applied intranasally 4 times in 2 dose levels (50 µg and 100 µg) on plasma concentration of theophylline administered 24 hours after the last application (5 mg/kg intraperitoneally) in Sprague-Dawley rats was evaluated in this study. Application subcutaneously of 2 doses of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) was used as positive control of inflammation. Rats receiving AFCo1 had no significant changes in serum theophylline concentration, while those treated with FCA developed local inflammation associated with signs of theophylline toxicity and increased specific G immunoglobulin, plasma concentrations and serum theophylline half-life as compared with the remaining groups. These results show that intranasal AFCo1-induced immunostimulation does not increase pharmacokinetic parameters and theophylline toxicity in the model used.

Aspergillus sp. y aflatoxinas en plantas medicinales y té comercial / Aspergillus sp. and aflatoxins in medicinal plants and commercial tea

The objective of this work is to determine the incidence of Aspergillus sp. (aflatoxins’s typesetters) fungus species in medicinal plants and bags for infusions, as well as to evaluate the relationship between the appearance of these fungi and their toxins in such substrata. A sample of 24 medicinal plants and 20 small bags of infusion used by the Cuban population were processed in order to determine the incidence of Aspergillus sp. (aflatoxins’s typesetters) fungus species, as well as aflatoxins's production. A microbiological test by means of Agar Malta for culture, and aflatoxins's determination by means of high precision thin layer chromatography were made. Out of the sample studied, Aspergillus ustus, A. flavus and A. parasiticus appeared in 48 percent, but the concentration of aflatoxins B1 detected did not exceed the maximum values of 10 parts per billion (ppb), already established worldwide. Taking into account the increasing use of medicinal plants and the results stated in this work, new regulations for the sake of controlling the appearance of these fungi and their toxins are required, although it becomes necessary to validate fast and specific analytical methods.

El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar la incidencia de especies de hongos del genero Aspergillus sp. (formadores de aflatoxinas) en plantas medicinales y bolsas para infusiones, así como evaluar la relación entre la aparición de estos hongos y sus toxinas en dichos sustratos. Se procesaron 24 muestras de plantas medicinales y 20 bolsitas de infusión utilizadas por la población cubana, para determinar la incidencia de especies de hongos del genero Aspergillus sp. así como la producción de aflatoxinas. Se realizó análisis microbiológico utilizando Agar- Malta como medio de cultivo, y se realizó la determinación de aflatoxinas por cromatografía de capa delgada de alta precisión. De las muestras estudiadas, aparecieron Aspergillus ustus, A. flavus, A. parasiticus en el 48 por ciento, pero la concentración de aflatoxina B1 detectada no excedió los valores máximos establecidos internacionalmente de 10 ppb. Teniendo en cuenta el creciente uso de las plantas medicinales y los resultados expuestos en este trabajo, se hace necesario establecer nuevas regulaciones en aras de controlar la aparición de estos hongos y sus toxinas en las mismas, aunque para ello se hace necesario validar métodos analíticos rápidos y específicos.

Riesgo de contaminación con cianobacterias en tres embalses de agua de Santiago de Cuba / Risk of pollution with cyanobacteria in three water reservoirs of Santiago de Cuba

La gestión del riesgo de contaminación con cianobacterias es sin dudas un tema relevante, de gran impacto social. Es bien conocida la relación que existe entre las floraciones de estos microorganismos y serias afectaciones a la salud humana. Con el objetivo de proponer un modelo de gestión del riesgo por contaminación con cianobacterias en embalses de agua para consumo humano, se estudió la presencia de estos microorganismos en tres embalses que servician agua a más del 80 por ciento de la población de Santiago de Cuba (Chalóns, Paradas y Charco Mono) durante los meses de noviembre de 2008 y marzo de 2009. Se realizaron muestreos cualitativos y cuantitativos para la caracterización del fitoplancton y determinaciones de la densidad fitoplanctónica. Se identifican 73 especies fitoplanctónicas y 9 especies de cianobacterias potencialmente tóxicas. La densidad del fitoplancton osciló entre 5 y 25 x104 cél/mL-1. Este estudio contribuye al diseño de una metodología para enfrentar el riesgo de la contaminación por cianobacterias, por lo que tiene impacto social y económico a nivel local.

The risk of pollution with cyanobacteria is undoubtedly an important topic of great social impact. It is very well-known the relation between the flowering of these microorganisms and the serious involvement to the human health. With the purpose of proposing an administration model of the risk of pollution with cyanobacteria in water reservoirs for the human consumption, the presence of these bacteria was studied in 3 reservoirs (Chalóns, Paradas and Charco Mono), which supply more than 80 percent of Santiago population, from November, 2008 to March, 2009. Qualitative and quantitative samplings were made to characterize the phytoplankton and determine its density, which ranged between 5 and 25x104 cel/mL-1. Seventy three species of phytoplankton and nine cyanobacteria potentially toxic were identified. This study contributes to the design of a methodology to face these risks of pollution.

[Thin layer chromatography and infrared spectroscopy in the diagnosis of salicylic intoxication]. / Diagnóstico de intoxicación salicílica mediante cromatografía de capa delgada y espectroscopia infrarroja.

Drugs are the main causal agents in intoxications with suicidal purpose. Salicylates are few frequently related. In this paper we reported a patient with suspicion of acute exogenous intoxication with salicylates. The patient showed clinical symptoms of fever, hypoglycemia, low cardiac rhythm, hyperventilation, pulmonary edema and coma. We employed analytical toxicology to elucidate the drug involved in the intoxication, using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and infrared spectrometry to detect acetyl salicylic acid, as the cause agent of intoxication clinical pattern, in acids extracts from urine and gastric content. The analytical results corresponds with clinical symptoms showed by the patient and the information obtained by medical monitoring of him.

Identificación y prevención de riesgos de origen químico en centros laborales de Santiago de Cuba / Prevention and identification of chemical originated risks in workcenters in Santiago, Cuba

En el Servicio de Salud Ocupacional de TOXIMED, nos propusimos identificar los riesgos químicos presentes y analizar su interrelación con las condiciones de trabajo en once centros laborales. Se obtuvo información de la composición química de las sustancias, sus usos, peligrosidad y toxicidad, tiempo de exposición, la exposición directa e indirecta a las sustancias químicas, la protección personal, la higiene laboral, la presencia de ventilación natural o artificial y otras características técnicas del proceso productivo. Predominaron los hidrocarburos, los metales, los ácidos, y las sustancias básicas, hallándose un uso erróneo generalizado de derivados del petróleo. Se encontraron sustancias carcinogénicas, tóxicas por inhalación, corrosivas, irritantes, oxidantes, inflamables y una mutagénica. Con respecto a las condiciones laborales hubo una supremacía en la ausencia del equipamiento de protección individual (41.84 por ciento), luego el incumplimiento de las medidas de higiene (28,57por ciento), y por último se presentó el problema de la ventilación y el escape de sustancias químicas (16.32 por ciento). La Asesoría de Riesgo Laboral permitió considerar la peligrosidad de las sustancias empleadas y valorar cualitativamente los riesgos potenciales por puestos de trabajo, no antes valorado en estas entidades con un enfoque toxicológico, y el cumplimiento de las medidas recomendadas para el control de los riesgos estuvieron encaminadas a disminuir el impacto negativo de los riesgos de origen químico en a salud del trabajador.

Lesiones genéticas y citológicas inducidas por la exposición a químicos en centros de trabajo / Cytogenotoxic changes in human buccal epithelial cells and their association with selected occupational exposures to chemical products

Se realizó una investigación con el objetivo de describir las lesiones citogenotóxicas en células bucoepiteliales humanas, asociadas a la exposición de químicos laborales (medicamentos antineoplásicos, polvo de cebada, dióxido de carbono, amoníaco, nafta, mezclas complejas de tolueno, metanol, xileno y cloroetileno y vapores de soldadura) e identificar la relación existente entre frecuencia de aparición de trastornos citotoxicos con edad, antigüedad en el puesto y hábitos tóxicos. Para lograrlo se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal, conformado por 31 controles y 88 trabajadores expuestos; a los cuales se le indagó sobre edad, antigüedad, tiempo y tipo de exposición, uso de protección respiratoria y toxicomanías. A las células de la mucosa bucal, se le estimó frecuencia de lesiones genotoxicas (micronúcleos) y citotoxicas (binucleación, picnosis, cromatina condensada y cariolisis). Correlacionado este último indicador con edad, antigüedad y toxicomanías a través del Coeficiente de Pearson. Los resultados indican que el 70.45 por ciento (nn= 62) de los trabajadores no usan protección respiratoria y que el 82.95 por ciento (nn= 73) están expuestos directamente a químicos laborales. Los antineoplásicos promovieron significativamente lesiones citogenotóxicas, mientras que el polvo de cebada y la nafta provocaron alto efecto citotoxico. No existió relación significativa entre citotoxicidad y edad (r= 0.10), antigüedad (r = 0.14), tabaquismo (r = 0.02), y alcoholismo (r = 0.11). Se concluye que los mayores niveles de afectaciones citogenotóxicas correspondieron a la exposición a medicamentos antineoplásicos. La citotoxicidad observada no está correlacionada con la edad, ni con la antigüedad en el puesto de trabajo, ni con presencia de hábitos tóxicos.

[Buccoepithelial cytologic lesions in workers exposed to chemical products]. / Lesiones citológicas bucoepiteliales en trabajadores expuestos a productos quimicos.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to describe the genetic and cytologic lesions induced by occupational exposition to chemicals (barley powder, carbon dioxide, ammonia, organic solvents, and welding vapors) and to correlate frequencies of appearance of buccoepithelial cytologic disorders with age and toxic habits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive, transverse observational study was comprised of 77 male workers to obtain information concerning age, on-the-job seniority, time of exposure, direct and indirect exposure, use of breathing protection, and toxic habits. We used exfoliated cells of the buccal mucosa to estimate presence of chromosomal aberrations (micronuclei) and nuclear abnormalities (binucleation, pyknosis, condensed chromatin, and karyolysis). Results were correlated by Pearson's coefficient. RESULTS: The investigated workers labored 8 h/ day; 80.5% were exposed directly to chemicals, while 19.5% were indirectly exposed during an average of 6.5 h per workday. A total of 85.7% of workers referred not using breathing protection, and 28.6% and 36.4% reported smoking and alcohol consumption, respectively. In a general manner, we detected a certain prevalence of irreversible cytotoxic lesions and absence of a statistically significant correlation between cytotoxicity and age (r = 0.14), alcohol consumption (r = 0.02) and smoking (r = 0.11).

Short report: serological evidence of West Nile virus activity in El Salvador.

Epizootics of encephalitis in El Salvador killed 203 equines between November 2001 and April 2003. During an investigation of the outbreaks, 18 (25%) of 73 serum samples collected from stablemates of deceased animals in 2003 had antibodies to West Nile virus. Ten of these infections were confirmed by plaque reduction neutralization tests, suggesting West Nile virus has extended its range and spread to Central America.

Asesoría de riesgo laboral: identificación y prevención del riesgo ocupacional / Working risk counselling: identification and prevention of the occupational risk

Con el objetivo de desarrollar el servicio de salud ocupacional del Centro de Toxicología y Biomedicina de Santiago de Cuba, se elaboró un documento (asesoría de riesgo laboral) a partir de la identificación de los principales riesgos laborales y los efectos tóxicos que para la salud estos poseen a corto y a largo plazos, para lo cual se efectuó una búsqueda bibliográfica exhaustiva y una valoración cuantitativa de los riesgos físicos, así como cualitativa de los riesgos químicos, lo que permite establecer una posible asociación de dichos riesgos con el resultado del estudio de salud ocupacional de los trabajadores expuestos. En el presente trabajo se muestran los aspectos informativos de este documento, la metodología de trabajo y las fuentes de información consultadas.

In order to develop the occupational health service of theToxicology and Biomedicine Center of Santiago de Cuba, a document (working risk counselling) was made starting from the identification of the main working risks and their toxic effects for health on the short and long term. To this end, there were made an exhaustive bibliographic search, a quantitative assessment of the physical risks and a qualitative evaluation of the chemical risks that allowed to establish a possible association of these risks with the result of the occupational health study conducted among the exposed workers. The informative aspects of this document, the working methodology and the consulted information sources were shown in the present paper.