[Progressive motility increase caused by L-arginine and polyamines in sperm from patients with idiopathic and diabetic asthenozoospermia]. / Aumento de movilidad progresiva por L-arginina y poliaminas en espermatozoides de pacientes con astenozoospermia idiopática y diabética.

This study was designed to investigate the in vitro effect of L-arginine and polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine on sperm motility of asthenozoospermic idiopathic and diabetic patients. 10 semen samples were obtained from healthy male volunteers. Other 10 samples were from men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia and 13 samples were from men with diabetes mellitus type 1. In vitro effect of L-arginine and polyamines on sperm motility type a was studied. In addition, concentration of L-arginine and polyamine levels was measured in seminal plasma. Addition of L-arginine or polyamines to sperm cells suspensions resulted in significant differences in motility type a. L-arginine concentrations in seminal plasma were similar in the three groups. Putrescine and spermidine levels in seminal plasma of diabetic patients were lower than those of healthy patients (p < or = 0.003 and p < or = 0.004, respectively). In asthenozoospermic patients, only spermidine was lower (p < or = 0.009). We can conclude that under the conditions of this study, the addition of L-arginine and polyamines to human sperm cells obtained from idiopathic or diabetic asthenozoospermic patients showed a beneficial effect on sperm motility.

Immunization with a tetramer derivative of an anti-inflammatory pentapeptide produced by Entamoeba histolytica protects gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) against experimental amoebic abscess of the liver.

Axenically grown Entamoeba histolytica produces a pentapeptide (Met-Gln-Cys-Asn-Ser) with several anti-inflammatory properties, including the inhibition of human monocyte locomotion (Monocyte Locomotion Inhibitory Factor (MLIF)). A construct displays the same effects as the native material. It remains to be seen if MLIF is used, or even produced in vivo by the tissue-invading parasite. If MLIF were to be relevant in invasive amoebiasis, immunizing against it could diminish this parasite advantage and prevent lesions. KLH-linked MLIF mixed with Freund's adjuvant was too aggressive an immunizing material to answer this question. However, immunization with a tetramer of MLIF (but not a scrambled version of MLIF) around a lysine core (MLIF-MAPS), that displays increased antigenicity, yet lacks excessive innate immunity activation, completely protects gerbils against amoebic abscess of the liver caused by the intraportal injection of virulent E. histolytica. Liver abscesses caused by Listeria monocytogenes were not prevented. Invasive E. histolytica may produce the parent protein of MLIF in vivo, and if appropriately cleaved, it may play a role in invasive amoebiasis. MLIF may join new vaccination strategies against amoebiasis.

Caracterización de la cultura organizacional en el departamiento de enfermería-Hospital Interzonal San Juan Bautista, provincia de Catamarca / Characterization of organizational culture in the department of nursing-Interzonal Hospital San Juan Bautista, province of Catamarca

Al iniciar un proceso de reforma en el sector salud durante el año 1.993, se sancionaron un conjunto de normas como punto de partida para la implementación del Hospital Público de Autogestión. Se trataba de una reforma pseudo mercado, que apuntaba a la descentralización de los hospitales públicos, con el fin de que las instituciones que se dedican a ellas se convierten en competitivas y de calidad. Desde esta perspectiva, la cultura organizacional es uno de los pilares fundamentales para que las organizaciones alcancen tales objetivos. Al incorporar la gestión de calidad en las organizaciones, se produjeron una serie de dificultades para su implementación, de allí que algunos autores consideren que ciertas características de la cultura organizacional (como el grado de tolerancia al riesgo, énfasis en el equipo y apoyo a las personas) facilitan la implementación del sistema de calidad.

SUMMARY: When initiating a process of reform in the health sector during 1993, a set of rules as a starting point for implementing the Self Controlled Public Hospital were enacted. It was a pseudo market reform, aimed at decentralization of public hospitals, so that the institutions that are engaged they become competitive and quality. From this perspective, organizational culture is one of the cornerstones for organizations to achieve these objectives. By incorporating quality management in organizations, there were a number of difficulties in its implementation, hence some authors consider that certain features of the organizational culture (such as the level of risk tolerance, emphasis on equipment and support to people) facilitate the implementation of the quality system. The present paper aims to describe the organizational cultureof the Department of Nursing Interzonal Hospital San Juan Bautista of the Province of Catamarca, through systems of meanings shared by such staff and determine how organizational culture influences in the implementation of National quality Assurance program of Care.