Evolution of the genus Mimivirus based on translation protein homology and its implication in the tree of life.

The natural history of mimiviruses (i.e., viruses that are members of the Mimivirus genus) is a challenge for modern biology. A new domain of life to include these organisms has been proposed from analysis of gene conservation. We analyzed the evolutionary relationship of proteins involved in the translation system, and our data show that mimiviruses are a sister group of Eukarya. New data about the origins of Eukarya, in which Eukarya appears as a branch derived from the Archaea domain, were discussed, and we suggest that the mimiviruses emerged from the initial population that gave origin to Eukarya and that, in this way are not part of a new domain of life.

Synthesis and characterization of rice starch laurate as food-grade emulsifier for canola oil-in-water emulsions.

The effect of esterification on hydrolyzed rice starch was analyzed, for this aim rice starch was hydrolyzed and subsequently esterified with lauroyl chloride at three modification levels. Starch derivatives were characterized regarding their degree of substitution (DS), water solubility index, z-potential, gelatinization, and digestibility properties. DS of derivatives of rice starch laurate ranged from 0.042 to 1.86. It was determined that after esterification the water solubility index increased from 3.44 to 53.61%, the z-potential decreased from -3.18 to -11.27, and the content of slowly digestible starch (SDS) decreased from 26.22 to 5.13%. Different emulsions with starch concentrations ranging from 6 to 30 wt% were evaluated. The most stable emulsions were those having 20 and 30 wt% of rice starch laurate.

Treatment of chromoblastomycosis with terbinafine: experience with four cases.

BACKGROUND: Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis that occurs more frequently in tropical and subtropical areas and is caused by a group of dematiaceous fungi. It is a difficult-to-treat mycosis with low cure rates and a high rate of relapses. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this trial is to prove the efficacy and tolerance of oral terbinafine in four cases of chromoblastomycosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included four cases of chromoblastomycosis, proved clinically and mycologically, that are presented herein; three of them caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi and one by Phialophora verrucosa. Two had a small extension and the other two were of medium and large extension. Oral terbinafine was administered at a dose of 500 mg/day, which was reduced to half in two of the cases once an 80% improvement had been reached; in the third case the initial dose was maintained, and in the fourth case the dose was increased to 750 mg/day. Three cases reached clinical and mycological cure in a mean treatment period of 7 months, the fourth case reached a significant improvement only after 1.2 years of treatment. The medication was well tolerated; no liver alterations occurred; only one patient suffered mild dyspepsia. CONCLUSION: Terbinafine at 500 mg/day doses represents one of the best treatments for chromoblastomycosis due to its efficacy and excellent tolerability.

Cytogenetic changes in Wilms' tumors.

Cytogenetic analysis of 20 Wilms' tumors using short-term culture techniques were undertaken. Chromosome abnormalities were detected in all tumors. In 19 of 20 cases only minor karyotypic changes were observed within cells with near-diploid chromosome numbers; only one tumor was predominantly hyperdiploid. Rearrangements involving chromosome 1 were the most frequently observed abnormality (in 25%) and often resulted in partial or complete trisomy for the long arm. In 20% of the tumors, abnormalities involving chromosomes 11 and 16 were present. The only other chromosomes frequently involved in structural or numerical changes were #12, and #18. Two discrete tumor foci within the same kidney differed cytogenetically, suggesting an independent origin for each focus. No correlation could be made between specific chromosome abnormalities and tumor stage or histologic subtype. Although constitutional deletion of chromosome region 11p13 has frequently been reported to predispose to Wilms' tumor formation, only two tumors with deletions involving this region were observed. Chromosomes from tumors treated with chemotherapy prior to surgical removal and culture yielded findings similar to those in untreated tumor cells.

[Alterations in the coagulation mechanisms of patients bitten by Bothrops asper (Terciopelo)]. / Alteración de los mechanismos de la coagulación en el envenenamiento por Bothrops asper (Terciopelo).

Blood from eighteen patients bitten by B. asper were studied for effects on coagulation. All showed alterations in the levels of fibrinogen and of factors II, V, VIII, IX, X and XI, as well as in anti-thrombin-III and plasminogen. The number of platelets and the concentrations of factors VII and XII did not show significant variations in comparison with the controls. The biological assay of fibrinogen, the quantitation of fibrinogen degradation products and of factor II and the general coagulation tests, such as prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times, showed a good correlation with the severity of the envenomation. In snakebites by B. asper there is a severe hypofibrinogenemia, with fibrin degradation by activation in the fibrinolytic system and with activation and consumption of factor II. Intramuscular emergency treatment with small quantities of antivenom did not prevent the above noted alterations in coagulation.

[Unexplained sterility. Treatment with superovulation and intrauterine insemination]. / Esterilidad inexplicable. Tratamiento con superovulación e inseminación intrauterina.

Fifty couples with unexplainable sterility, were selected for study. They were treated following a uniform treatment protocol, consisting in inducin superovulation by human menopausic gonadotropins hormones, followed by intrauterine insemination with husband's fresh semen. One hundred and thirty six cycles of treatment, were obtained; 15 pregnancies were achieved, corresponding to 30% of the total of couples, and to 11% of amount of treatment cycles. These figures were similar to other author's, and similar to the ones obtained by intrauterine gametes transference. It is concluded that this a new alternative of treatment that may be used before IGT, or in places where there is not such methodology.

[Usefulness of intraperitoneal transfusion under direct ultrasound guidance]. / Utilidad de la transfusión intraperitoneal bajo guía ultrasonográfica directa.

Experience with intraperitoneal blood transfusion, using ultrasonographic guide, in 24 patients with severe isoimmunization to Rh factor, is reported. A total of 57 procedures, were done from 24 weeks of gestation. In 66.6% two or more transfusions were done in the same product. There were 71% of alive newborns and in 29% of the cases it was not possible to improve perinatal survival. The analysis of these results were correlated with antecedents: presence of hydrops, gestational age at the time of resolving pregnancy, and main disease status. The usefulness of intraperitoneal transfusion, is commented upon, and new perspectives, as intravascular transfusion in cases with severe hydrops, are considered.

[Initial experience with a minidose of methotrexate in the management of unruptured ectopic pregnancy]. / Experiencia inicial con un esquema de minidosis única de metotrexate para el manejo de embarazo ectópico no roto.

Methotrexate has been used in the conservative management of ectopic pregnancy with good results. Due to its great afinity for the trophoblast it was decided to try unique doses of 50 mg i.m. independently of the body surface. Fifteen patients were studied with ectopic pregnancy by ultrasound and hCG in series that didn't require confirmatory laparoscopy. The ectopic pregnancies broken and/or decompensated were discarded. Average gestational age was 6.1 weeks; the maximal dimention of the sacs was 36.8 mm average; the values for hCG average were 6440 mU/ml and the maximal time of negativization was 52 days. One patient required laparoscopy and salpingostomy, lineal, for inminent rupture 24 hour after methotrexate, the other 14 presented with complete remission. There were no colateral effects. From the 15 patients, in 6 tubal permeability was confirmed by laparoscopy or HSG, being positive in 6 patients, it has not been evaluated, two patients with resolved pregnancy, and other on course (two of them with one salpinx). The proposed management seems to be useful in ectopic pregnancy with success, equivalent to surgical management, and other programs of medical management, with out side effects and with greater easiness of administration.

[Catheterization of the tubal ostium using hysteroscopy under laparoscopic guidance]. / Cateterización del ostium tubario bajo guía histeroscópica con control laparoscópico.

It is considered that one out of five couples present a transitory problem of infertility during their reproductive life and the most frequent cause is the tubarian pathology; from these, the proximal obstruction occupies between 25 and 30% of the cases. Unfortunatelly, the conventional method use to study tubarian patency such as histerosalpingography or the direct observation by laparoscopy and selective chromotubation, frequently do not allow to differentiate between an insufficient filling of the tubes, tubarian spasm or a true mechanical obstruction. There are certain selective tubarian cannulation techniques, for example, the catheterism with hysteroscopic guidance which is extremely usefull in the diagnosis of tubarian patency or in the confirmation of partial or total proximal tubal disease. The procedure permits to diagnosticate precisely the tubarian obstruction and also if it is due to the presence of a true pathology or simply functional, or secondary to a tubarian spasm; besides it also works as a therapeutic procedure since in the first case permits the lysis of laxe adherencies and the removal of the amorfus material that obstructs the tube and permits the catheterization. The present study determines the utility of catheterization of the tubarian ostium by hysteroscopy with laparoscopic control using the Novy (Cook, Ob/ Gyn) catheter in patients with infertility problems due to proximal obstruction of one or both of the fallopian tubes, to confirm or discard the presence of a pathological obstruction. The results are evaluated in terms of tubarian permeability and the pregnancy rate after the procedure.

[Prenatal diagnosis in 350 amniocenteses]. / Diagnóstico prenatal en 350 amniocentesis.

Between march 1988 and march 1991, 350 amniocenteses were performed as a part of the prenatal diagnosis program at the Instituto Nacional de Perinatología. Cytogenetic diagnosis was obtained in 348 cases (99.4%). A total of ten abnormal fetal karyotypes (2.9%) were detected: Down's syndrome, (5) Edwards' syndrome, (2) Turner's syndrome, (1) Klinefelter's syndrome (1) and chromosomal instability. (1) In addition, one carrier of a Robertsonian translocation, two balanced carriers of reciprocal translocations and three cases of true mosaicism, were also detected. In the group of patients studied for indications other than risk of chromosomopathy, one female fetus affected by congenital adrenal hyperplasia, was observed. There were two miscarriages, resulting in a post-procedural fetal loss of 0.57%.

[Satellite association patterns in postpartum women and in newborn infants]. / Patrón de las asociaciones satelíticas en mujeres post-parto y en neonatos.

Different features of the satellite associations between the acrocentric chromosomes of 100 postpartum mothers, between 14 and 43 years of age, and 100 neonates (51 males and 49 females) from Puriscal, Costa Rica, were compared (400 cells were examined, 2 from each individual). Several types of satellite associations showed higher frequencies in the mothers than in the neonates. The associations most frequently found in the two groups were those of two chromosomes, followed by those of three chromosomes. The D/G ratio was 1.43 in the children and 1.40 in the mothers. The number of associations per cell in the mothers was almost twice that of the children. The mean number of acrocentric chromosomes per association was 2.2 in the children and 2.35 in the mothers. No significant difference was found between observed and expected values of D and G chromosomes in the two groups. Thus, the probable factors responsible for the increase of satellite associations in the mothers similarly influenced the two types of acrocentric chromosomes.

Integral assessment of pollution in the Suquía River (Córdoba, Argentina) as a contribution to lotic ecosystem restoration programs.

The Suquía River lower-middle basin (Córdoba, Argentina) is subject to a strong anthropic impact because it receives pollutants from different sources (industries, wastewaters, heavy traffic, agricultural land use, etc.) We have assessed the degree of watershed degradation of Suquía River lower-middle sections through the analysis of different ecosystem compartments (air, water, riparian soil, sediments and biota), in order to provide useful data to be considered in future river restoration programs. Four study sites were selected along the river (La Calera city, Córdoba city, Corazón de María village and Río Primero city) which were sampled during the low- and high-water flow periods. We analyzed: a) chemical and physical characteristics of water, sediments, and riparian soil; b) heavy metal content of water and sediments, and c) semi-volatile organic compounds in air. Besides, pollutant bioindicators such as fish assemblages, lichens (Usnea amblyoclada), vascular plants (Tradescantia pallida), and microorganisms (fecal coliform and Escherichia coli) were used to further assess the status of the river. All analyzed ecological compartments were affected by water pollution, particularly, fish assemblages, sediments and riparian soils by heavy metal and coliform bacteria. Moreover, we detected a possible contribution of sulfur and a high pollutant content in air that merit further research about other air-water exchanges. Accordingly, we strongly suggest that an action to restore or remediate the anthropic effect on the Suquía River be extended to all possible compartments along the river.

Refractoriness to short and long days determines the end and onset of the breeding season in subtropical goats.

The objective was to determine whether refractoriness to short and long days were involved in the end and onset of the breeding season, respectively, in goats adapted to subtropical latitudes. Ovariectomized does given a subcutaneous implant constantly releasing estradiol-l7 ß (OVX+E) were used in two experiments. Plasma LH concentrations were determined twice weekly. In Experiment 1, the control group remained in an open-shed pen (natural day length and ambient temperature). Two experimental groups were placed in light-proof buildings (with natural temperature variations). One group was exposed to natural simulated increasing days (winter to spring), whereas the other was exposed to a winter solstice photoperiod (10 h of light) from December 21 to April 28. In Experiment 2, the control group remained under natural day length and ambient temperature. One experimental group was exposed to natural simulated decreasing days (summer to autumn), whereas the other group was exposed to a summer solstice photoperiod (14 h of light) from June 21 to October 20. In Experiment 1, the breeding season was not prolonged in does maintained in the winter solstice day length. Mean dates of decrease in LH secretion (end of the breeding season) did not differ significantly between does exposed to natural (February 3 ± 5 d) or natural simulated photoperiod (January 26 ± 14 d) and those exposed to constant short days of winter solstice (February 4 ± 10 d). In Experiment 2, the onset of the breeding season was not delayed in does maintained in the summer solstice day length. Mean dates of increase in LH secretion (onset of the breeding season) did not differ significantly between does exposed to natural (September 7 ± 8 d) or natural simulated photoperiod (September 18 ± 10 d) and those exposed to constant long days photoperiod of summer solstice (September 24 ± 4 d). In goats adapted to a subtropical environment, we concluded that: 1) the end of breeding season was due to refractoriness to short days, and not the inhibitory effect of increasing day length; and 2) the onset of the breeding season was due to refractoriness to long days, and not a stimulatory effect of decreasing day length.

Electrochemical behavior of polyphenol oxidase immobilized in self-assembled structures layer by layer with cationic polyallylamine.

We report here a novel bioelectrode based on self-assembled multilayers of polyphenol oxidase intercalated with cationic polyallylamine built up on a thiol-modified gold surface. We use an immobilization strategy previously described by Hodak J. et al. (Langmuir 1997, 13, 2708-2716) Quartz crystal microbalance with electroacustic impedance experiments were carried out to follow quantitatively the multilayer film formation. The response of the self-assembly polyphenol oxidase-polyallylamine electrodes toward different metabolically related catecholamines was studied, to evaluate enzyme kinetics. For the analyzed compounds, only dopamine and its metabolite Dopac gave catalytic currents at applied potential close to 0 V. These responses were proportional to the number of polyphenol oxidase-immobilized layers and were also controlled by the enzymatic reaction. The combination of microgravimetric and electrochemical techniques allowed us to determine the kinetic enzymatic constants, showing that the decomposition rate for the enzyme-substrate complex is slower than the enzymatic reoxidation step.

Sindrome de Allgrove (Acalasia-Alacrima-Insuficiencia Adrenal): Reporte de un caso / Allgrove syndrome (Achalasia, Alacrima, Adrenal insufficiency): Report of two cases

La acalasia es muy infrecuente en la niñez. Lo es todavía más cuando se asocia con alacrima e insuficiencia adrenal, un desorden conocido como sindrome de Allgrove (Sindrome Triple A). Se describe un paciente varón de 21 años de edad con deficiencia de producción de lagrimas, acalasia y deficiencia de producción de glucocorticoides. Con características adicionales como: Hiperreflexia, pie cavo bilateral, debilidad múscular y voz nasal. Lo cual indica que es una patología con un amplio espectro de manifestaciones, a pesar de ello ha sido recién diagnosticado en la adultez

Situación de exposición laboral a sílice en Chile / Situation of occupational exposure to silica in Chile

La exposición a sílice se asocia a trabajos que alteran la corteza terrestre, procesan rocas, usan arena con sílice; esta sustancia es cancerígena en humanos y produce silicosis, patología grave, irreversible y potencialmente mortal, prevenible y cuya prevalencia se desconoce en Chile. Para aproximarse a esta problemática el Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile realizó, entre los años 2004-2005, un estudio sobre los niveles de sílice a que están expuestos los trabajadores en Chile. Se evaluaron 132 empresas de 31 rubros; se tomaron 364 muestras de aire. Se encontró que en el 35 por ciento de los rubros se sobrepasó el Límite Ponderado Permisible de sílice definido en D.S. 594 y que el 33 por ciento de las muestras lo superaba. Posteriormente se estimó el porcentaje de trabajadores con alta probabilidad de exposición a sílice (trabajador que labora más del 30 por ciento de la jornada laboral semanal en presencia de sílice); para este propósito se aplicó la Metodología de Matriz de Exposición Ocupacional; se usó información del INE y se aplicó Criterio de Experto. Se estima que un 5,4 por ciento de la Fuerza de Trabajo Ocupada tiene alta probabilidad de exposición a sílice. Se concluye que éste es un problema prioritario para la Salud Ocupacional.

The exposure to silica is associated to works that alter the terrestrial bark, they try rocks and use sand with silica; this substance is a human carcinogenic and produces silicosis, a serious, irreversible and potentially mortal pathology; its prevalence is unknown in Chile. For this issue the Institute of Health Public of Chile realized a project (years 2004-2005) to know the levels of silica to which the workers are exposed in Chile. There were evaluated 132 companies of 31 items, (364 air samples). At 35 percent of the items there were exceeded the Permissible Limit of silica defined in D.S. 594 and 33 percent of the samples too. It was estimated in Chile the percentage of workers with high probability of exposure to silica (they work more than 30 percent of the weekly schedule labor in presence of silica). It was applied the Occupational Exposure Matrix Methodology, the used information from the INE and applied Expert's Criterion. It determined that 5.4 percent of the Occupied Workforce has a high probability of exposure to silica. We applied the Occupational Exposure Matrix Methodology, was used information of the INE and we apply expert's criterion. Conclusion: silica exposure is a priority problem for the Occupational Health.

Reaparicion de una traslocacion rara implicada en la formacion del cromosoma Philadelphia (Ph1). / Reappearance of an uncommon translocation the formation of the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1)

Se realizo un estudio citogenetico a una mujer de 45 anos de edad con leucemia cronica mieloide en crisis blastica, y se encontro de nuevo una tanslocacion rara, que participa en la formacion del cromosoma Philadelphia (Ph1), entre los cromosomas 10 y 22, asi como aberraciones numericas de los cromosomas 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 17, 18 19, 20, 21 y Ph1