Trypanosoma cruzi mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase is located throughout the cell and its pull down provides one step towards the understanding of its mechanism of action.

Trypanosoma cruzi depends on the effectiveness of redox metabolism to survive and ensure infection in the host. Homeostasis of redox metabolism in T. cruzi is achieved by the actions of several proteins that differ in many aspects from host proteins. Although extensive research has been performed examining hydroperoxide cytosolic antioxidant defense centered on trypanothione, the mechanisms of mitochondrial antioxidant defense are not yet known. The aim of this study was to elucidate the partners of TcMPx antioxidant pathway and to determine the influence of the cellular context (physiological versus oxidative stress). Through co-precipitation coupled with a mass spectrometry approach, a variety of proteins were detected under physiological and oxidative stress conditions. Interestingly, functional category analysis of the proteins identified under physiological conditions showed that they were involved in the stress response, oxidoreduction, thiol transfer, and metabolic processes; this profile is distinct under oxidative stress conditions likely due to structural alterations. Our findings help to elucidate the reactions involving TcMPx and most importantly also reveal that this protein is present throughout the cell and that its interaction partners change following oxidative stress exposure. The involvement and significance of the proteins found to interact with TcMPx and other possible functions for this protein are discussed widening our knowledge regarding T. cruzi mitochondrial antioxidant defenses.

Proteomic landscape of seminal plasma associated with dairy bull fertility.

Male fertility is the ability of sperm to fertilize the egg and sustain embryo development. Several factors determine the fertilizing capacity of mammalian sperm, including those intrinsic to sperm and components of the seminal plasma. The present study analyzed the seminal fluid proteome of Bos taurus and potential associations between proteins and fertility scores. Mass spectrometry coupled with nano HPLC allowed the identification of 1,159 proteins in the dairy bull seminal plasma. There were 50 and 29 seminal proteins more abundant in high (HF) low fertility (LF) bulls, respectively. Based on multivariate analysis, C-type natriuretic peptide, TIMP-2, BSP5 and sulfhydryl oxidase indicated relationship with HF bulls. Clusterin, tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2, galectin-3-binding protein and 5'-nucleotidase were associated with LF bulls. Abundance of NAD(P)(+)-arginine ADP-ribosyltransferase, prosaposin and transmembrane protein 2 proteins had the highest positive correlations with fertility ranking. Quantities of vitamin D-binding protein, nucleotide exchange factor SIL1 and galectin-3-binding protein showed the highest negative correlations with fertility ranking. A fertility ranking score was calculated and the relationship with these proteins was significant (Spearman's rho = 0.94). The present findings represent a major and novel contribution to the study of bovine seminal proteins. Indicators of fertility can be used to improve reproductive biotechnologies.

Proteome analysis of Nelore bull (Bos taurus indicus) seminal plasma.

The Nelore bull (Bos taurus indicus) seminal plasma proteome was analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A total of 260 spots were visualized in the 2-DE gel (pI range 3-10) and 13 spots could be identified by peptide mass fingerprinting corresponding to 11 different polypeptides. The results allowed the creation of the first proteomic map of Bos taurus indicus seminal plasma. The roles of the identified proteins in the bull seminal plasma are discussed.

Partial sequence and toxic effects of granulitoxin, a neurotoxic peptide from the sea anemone Bundosoma granulifera.

A neurotoxic peptide, granulitoxin (GRX), was isolated from the sea anemone Bunodosoma granulifera. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of GRX is AKTGILDSDGPTVAGNSLSGT and its molecular mass is 4958 Da by electrospray mass spectrometry. This sequence presents a partial degree of homology with other toxins from sea anemones such as Bunodosoma caissarum, Anthopleura fuscoviridis and Anemonia sulcata. However, important differences were found: the first six amino acids of the sequence are different, Arg-14 was replaced by Ala and no cysteine residues were present in the partial sequence, while two cysteine residues were present in the first 21 amino acids of the other toxins described above. Purified GRX injected i.p. (800 micrograms/kg) into mice produced severe neurotoxic effects such as circular movements, aggressive behavior, dyspnea, tonic-clonic convulsion and death. The 2-h LD50 of GRX was 400 +/- 83 micrograms/kg.

[Cardiogenic shock associated with inappropriate nutritional regimen: refeeding syndrome]. / Shock cardiogénico asociado a un programa nutricional inapropiado: síndrome de realimentación.

Situations of cardiac arrest have been reported in under-nourished patients with protein and calorie deficits when the provision of nutrients was initiated in an uncontrolled manner. The recognition of the association between the provision of food in these circumstances and the serious clinical consequences, generally heartbeat disorders, has led this condition to be described as "re-feeding syndrome". The case presented here is of severe acute respiratory failure and cardiogenic shock in a 44-year-old female patient with severe protein and calorie malnutrition associated with the start of hyperproteic nutritional support. Treatment with inotropic-vasoactive drugs and diuretics together with a progressive nutritional programme brought about the complete reversal of her heart failure and the concomitant endocrine-metabolic syndrome.

[Isolated mesenteric tuberculosis as the first manifestation of AIDS]. / Tuberculosis mesentérica aislada como primera manifestación de SIDA.

We report a case of mesenteric tuberculosis. Two painful abdominal masses and fever were the first manifestation of disease. Diagnosis was obtained by aspirative punction of a mesenteric adenopathy guided by ultrasonography. AIDS risk factors were not recognized by anamnesis but serum HIV antibodies were detected. Thus, extrapulmonary tuberculosis and the finding of HIV-Ab confirmed the diagnosis of AIDS in our patient. It is necessary to assay for HIV-Ab in extrapulmonary tuberculosis, especially when mesenteric tuberculosis is present.

Integrative medicine: a paradigm shift in medical education and practice.

The use of alternative/complementary medicine has been increasing considerably. Conventional medicine must begin to address issues related to the use, safety, regulation, research and education of alternative/complementary medicine. Integrative medicine combines conventional medicine and alternative complementary practices. Integrative medicine is an innovative approach to medicine and medical education. It involves the understanding of the interaction of the mind, body and spirit and how to interpret this relationship in the dynamics of health and disease. Integrative medicine shifts the orientation of the medical practice from disease based approach to a healing based approach. It does not reject conventional medicine nor uncritically accepts unconventional practices. Integrative medicine is an effective, more fulfilling human approach to medicine based on the benefit of the patient by following good medicine practices in a scientific manner.

[Acute hepatic failure and Hodgkin's disease]. / Insuficiencia hepática aguda y enfermedad de Hodgkin.

We present the clinical outcome and imaging micro and macroscopic of a patient who died of e liver acute failure. Hodgkin disease with massive infiltration was found at necropsy. We offer a review of the liver complaint in this particular disease.

[Auditory changes in spontaneous intracranial hypotension]. / Síntomas auditivos en la hipotensión intracraneal espontánea.

Descriptive report dealing with the auditive disturbances of 3 patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension, disorder typified for orthostatic cephalea without a know ground explaining the descent of the cerebrospinal fluid pressure. The patients presented with hypoacusis, hyperacusis, feeling of plenitude, blockade and ear pressure. The clinical picture is supposed to be linked to a low endolabyrinthine pressure, secondary to an intracranial hypotension. Review of auditive symptoms reported in the bibliography among individuals showing benign intracranial hypertension and intracranial hypotension owing to several causes.

Profiling the Bordetella pertussis proteome during iron starvation.

Regulation of gene expression in response to local iron concentration is commonly observed in bacterial pathogens that face this nutrient limitation during host infection. In this study, a proteomic approach was used to analyze the differential protein expression of Bordetella pertussis under iron limitation. Whole cell lysates (WCL) and outer membrane fractions of bacteria grown either under iron-starvation or iron-excess conditions were analyzed by two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis. Statistical analysis revealed 36 proteins displaying differential expression, 9 with higher expression under iron-excess and 27 with increased expression under iron-starvation. These proteins were subjected to tryptic digestion and MALDI-TOF MS. Apart from those previously reported, we identified new low-iron-induced proteins that might help to explain the increased virulence of this phenotype. Additionally, we found evidence that at least one of the identified proteins, solely expressed under iron starvation, is highly immunogenic in infected individuals.

[Cerebral toxoplasmosis in patients with AIDS]. / Toxoplasmosis cerebral en pacientes con SIDA.

A retrospective study was made of the cases of cerebral toxoplasmosis (CT) diagnosed since 1985 in patients with AIDS. In the period studied, out of a total of 70 patients with AIDS, 13 (18.5%) were diagnosed with CT. In eight cases (11%) CT was the first illness indicating AIDS. The clinical, neuro-radiological and serological findings were analyzed. Also the response to treatment with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. Although the rate of mortality from CT has been very low among our patients, relapses have been frequent, even in patients who were on maintenance treatment with pyrimethamine, and in the medium term the prognosis is made more gloomy by the appearance of other opportunistic infections.

[Opportunistic infections of the central nervous system in patients with AIDS]. / Infecciones oportunistas del sistema nervioso central en pacientes con SIDA.

Between August 1985 and March 1989 we had evaluated 70 AIDS patients. We had identified 7 opportunistic Central Nervous System infections, others toxoplasmosis and tuberculosis: A case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy presented with aphasia as their initial manifestation, a probable herpesvirus type 1 polyradiculoneuropathy, four cryptococcal meningitis and syphilitic neuroretinitis.