Icteric syndrome secondary to polycystic liver disease.

We present the case of a male patient in the sixth decade of life who attended due to the presence of progressive increase in abdominal circumference, accompanied by early satiety, to which generalized jaundice was later added, finding Gigot III polycystic liver disease by imaging methods.

Assessment of acute toxicity of carbofuran in Macrobrachium olfersii (Wiegmann, 1836) at different temperature levels.

Carbofuran (2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate; C12H15NO3) is one of the most toxic carbamate pesticides. For acute toxicity of carbofuran, juveniles of Macrobrachium olfersii were exposed to different concentrations of carbofuran using the static renewal method at different temperature levels (15, 20 and 25°C) at pH 7.0. The main purpose of the present study was to detect the acute toxicity of carbofuran to M. olfersii and investigate its effects on oxygen consumption and ammonium excretion; these tests have not been carried out in this species before. First, the acute toxicity - median lethal concentration - of carbofuran to M. olfersii for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h was examined, which resulted in the following values: 1.64, 1.22, 0.86 and 0.42 mg L(-1), respectively. Furthermore, we also found that carbofuran caused an inhibition in oxygen consumption of 60.6, 65.3 and 66.2% with respect to the control. In addition, after separate exposures to carbofuran, elevations in ammonium excretion were more than 500% with respect to the control.

Removal of carbofuran is not affected by co-application of chlorpyrifos in a coconut fiber/compost based biomixture after aging or pre-exposure.

Biomixtures constitute the biologically active part of biopurification systems (BPS), which are used to treat pesticide-containing wastewater. The aim of this work was to determine whether co-application of chlorpyrifos (CLP) affects the removal of carbofuran (CFN) (both insecticide/nematicides) in a coconut fiber-compost-soil biomixture (FCS biomixture), after aging or previous exposure to CFN. Removal of CFN and two of its transformation products (3-hydroxycarbofuran and 3-ketocarbofuran) was enhanced in pre-exposed biomixtures in comparison to aged biomixtures. The co-application of CLP did not affect CFN removal, which suggests that CLP does not inhibit microbial populations in charge of CFN transformation. Contrary to the removal behavior, mineralization of radiolabeled (14)C-pesticides showed higher mineralization rates of CFN in aged biomixtures (with respect to freshly prepared or pre-exposed biomixtures). In the case of CLP, mineralization was favored in freshly prepared biomixtures, which could be ascribed to high sorption during aging and microbial inhibition by CFN in pre-exposure. Regardless of removal and mineralization results, toxicological assays revealed a steep decrease in the acute toxicity of the matrix on the microcrustacean Daphnia magna (over 97%) after 8days of treatment of individual pesticides or the mixture CFN/CLP. Results suggest that FCS biomixtures are suitable to be used in BPS for the treatment of wastewater in fields where both pesticides are employed.

Altered chromatin modifications in AML1/RUNX1 breakpoint regions involved in (8;21) translocation.

The RUNX1/AML1 gene is the most frequent target for chromosomal translocation, and often identified as a site for reciprocal rearrangement of chromosomes 8 and 21 in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia. Virtually all chromosome translocations in leukemia show no consistent homologous sequences at the breakpoint regions. However, specific chromatin elements (DNase I and topoisomerase II cleavage) have been found at the breakpoints of some genes suggesting that structural motifs are determinant for the double strand DNA-breaks. We analyzed the chromatin organization at intron 5 of the RUNX1 gene where all the sequenced breakpoints involved in t(8;21) have been mapped. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays we show that chromatin organization at intron 5 of the RUNX1 gene is different in HL-60 and HeLa cells. Two distinct features mark the intron 5 in cells expressing RUNX1: a complete lack or significantly reduced levels of Histone H1 and enrichment of hyperacetylated histone H3. Strikingly, induction of DNA damage resulted in formation of t(8;21) in HL-60 but not in HeLa cells. Taken together, our results suggest that H1 depletion and/or histone H3 hyperacetylation may have a linkage with an increase susceptibility of specific chromosomal regions to undergo translocations.

Hyperosmotic stress activates p65/RelB NFkappaB in cultured cardiomyocytes with dichotomic actions on caspase activation and cell death.

NFkappaB is a participant in the process whereby cells adapt to stress. We have evaluated the activation of NFkappaB pathway by hyperosmotic stress in cultured cardiomyocytes and its role in the activation of caspase and cell death. Exposure of cultured rat cardiomyocytes to hyperosmotic conditions induced phosphorylation of IKKalpha/beta as well as degradation of IkappaBalpha. All five members of the NFkappaB family were identified in cardiomyocytes. Analysis of the subcellular distribution of NFkappaB isoforms in response to hyperosmotic stress showed parallel migration of p65 and RelB from the cytosol to the nucleus. Measurement of the binding of NFkappaB to the consensus DNA kappaB-site binding by EMSA revealed an oscillatory profile with maximum binding 1, 2 and 6h after initiation of the hyperosmotic stress. Supershift analysis revealed that p65 and RelB (but not p50, p52 or cRel) were involved in the binding of NFkappaB to DNA. Hyperosmotic stress also resulted in activation of the NFkappaB-lux reporter gene, transient activation of caspases 9 and 3 and phosphatidylserine externalization. The effect on cell viability was not prevented by ZVAD (a general caspase inhibitor). Blockade of NFkappaB with AdIkappaBalpha, an IkappaBalpha dominant negative overexpressing adenovirus, prevented activation of caspase 9 (more than that caspase 3) but did not affect cell death in hyperosmotically stressed cardiomyocytes. We conclude that hyperosmotic stress activates p65 and RelB NFkappaB isoforms and NFkappaB mediates caspase 9 activation in cardiomyocytes. However cell death triggered by hyperosmotic stress was caspase- and NFkappaB-independent.

Ecotoxicological analysis during the removal of carbofuran in fungal bioaugmented matrices.

Biomixtures are used for the removal of pesticides from agricultural wastewater. As biomixtures employ high content of lignocellulosic substrates, their bioaugmentation with ligninolytic fungi represents a novel approach for their enhancement. Nonetheless, the decrease in the concentration of the pesticide may result in sublethal concentrations that still affect ecosystems. Two matrices, a microcosm of rice husk (lignocellulosic substrate) bioaugmented with the fungus Trametes versicolor and a biomixture that contained fungally colonized rice husk were used in the degradation of the insecticide/nematicide carbofuran (CFN). Elutriates simulating lixiviates from these matrices were used to assay the ecotoxicological effects at sublethal level over Daphnia magna (Straus) and the fish Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner) and Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). Elutriates obtained after 30 d of treatment in the rice husk microcosms at dilutions over 2.5% increased the offspring of D. magna as a trade-off stress response, and produced mortality of neonates at dilutions over 5%. Elutriates (dilution 1:200) obtained during a 30 d period did not produce alterations on the oxygen consumption and ammonium excretion of O. mykiss, however these physiological parameters were affected in O. aureus at every time point of treatment, irrespective of the decrease in CFN concentration. When the fungally colonized rice husk was used to prepare a biomixture, where more accelerated degradation is expected, similar alterations on the responses by O. aureus were achieved. Results suggest that despite the good removal of the pesticide, it is necessary to optimize biomixtures to minimize their residual toxicity and potential chronic effects on aquatic life.

Design of an optimized biomixture for the degradation of carbofuran based on pesticide removal and toxicity reduction of the matrix.

Pesticide biopurification systems contain a biologically active matrix (biomixture) responsible for the accelerated elimination of pesticides in wastewaters derived from pest control in crop fields. Biomixtures have been typically prepared using the volumetric composition 50:25:25 (lignocellulosic substrate/humic component/soil); nonetheless, formal composition optimization has not been performed so far. Carbofuran is an insecticide/nematicide of high toxicity widely employed in developing countries. Therefore, the composition of a highly efficient biomixture (composed of coconut fiber, compost, and soil, FCS) for the removal of carbofuran was optimized by means of a central composite design and response surface methodology. The volumetric content of soil and the ratio coconut fiber/compost were used as the design variables. The performance of the biomixture was assayed by considering the elimination of carbofuran, the mineralization of (14)C-carbofuran, and the residual toxicity of the matrix, as response variables. Based on the models, the optimal volumetric composition of the FCS biomixture consists of 45:13:42 (coconut fiber/compost/soil), which resulted in minimal residual toxicity and ∼99% carbofuran elimination after 3 days. This optimized biomixture considerably differs from the standard 50:25:25 composition, which remarks the importance of assessing the performance of newly developed biomixtures during the design of biopurification systems.

Adaptation of biomixtures for carbofuran degradation in on-farm biopurification systems in tropical regions.

A biomixture constitutes the active core of the on-farm biopurification systems, employed for the detoxification of pesticide-containing wastewaters. As biomixtures should be prepared considering the available local materials, the present work aimed to evaluate the performance of ten different biomixtures elaborated with by-products from local farming, in the degradation of the insecticide/nematicide carbofuran (CFN), in order to identify suitable autochthonous biomixtures to be used in the tropics. Five different lignocellulosic materials mixed with either compost or peat and soil were employed in the preparation of the biomixtures. The comprehensive evaluation of the biomixtures included removal of the parent compound, formation of transformation products, mineralization of radiolabeled CFN, and determination of the residual toxicity of the process. Detoxification capacity of the matrices was high, and compost-based biomixtures showed better performance than peat-based biomixtures. CFN removal over 98.5% was achieved within 16 days (eight out of ten biomixtures), with half-lives below 5 days in most of the cases. 3-Hydroxycarbofuran and 3-ketocarbofuran were found as transformation products at very low concentrations suggesting their further degradation. Mineralization of CFN was also achieved after 64 days (2.9 to 15.1%); several biomixtures presented higher mineralization than the soil itself. Acute toxicity determinations with Daphnia magna revealed a marked detoxification in the matrices at the end of the process; low residual toxicity was observed only in two of the peat-based biomixtures. Overall best efficiency was achieved with the biomixture composed of coconut fiber-compost-soil; however, results suggest that in the case of unavailability of coconut fiber, other biomixtures may be employed with similar performance.

On-farm biopurification systems: role of white rot fungi in depuration of pesticide-containing wastewaters.

Environmental contamination with pesticides is an undesired consequence of agricultural activities. Biopurification systems (BPS) comprise a novel strategy to degrade pesticides from contaminated wastewaters, consisting of a highly active biological mixture confined in a container or excavation. The design of BPS promotes microbial activity, in particular by white rot fungi (WRF). Due to their physiological features, specifically the production of highly unspecific ligninolytic enzymes and some intracellular enzymatic complexes, WRF show the ability to transform a wide range of organic pollutants. This minireview summarizes the potential participation of WRF in BPS. The first part presents the potential use of WRF in biodegradation of pollutants, particularly pesticides, and includes a brief description of the enzymatic systems involved in their oxidation. The second part presents an outline of BPS, focusing on the elements that influence the participation of WRF in their operation, and includes a summary of the studies regarding the fungal-mediated degradation of pesticides in BPS biomixtures and other solid-phase systems that mimic BPS.

Uso del Pesticide Impact Rating Index(PIRI) para estimar la peligrosidad del uso deplaguicidas en el cultivo de cebolla (Allium cepa L. ) / Use of Pesticide Impact Rating Index (PIRI) for evaluating dangers ofpesticide use in onion (Allium cepa L. ) culture / Uso de “Pesticide Impact Rating Index” (PIRI) para estimar apericulosidade do uso de pesticidas no cultivo da cebola A( llium cepa L. )

Se utilizó el programa Pesticide Impact Rating Index (PIRI) para estimar la peligrosidad del uso de 30 plaguicidas en elcultivo de cebolla (Allium cepa L.) para la calidad del agua de la quebrada Sanatorio, ubicada en la comunidad de TierraBlanca, en el cantón de Cartago, Costa Rica. La información se obtuvo del Servicio Fitosanitario del Estado y de encuestasaplicadas a los productores de la zona de Tierra Blanca. Los resultados obtenidos con el PIRI se contrastaron con los nivelesde residuos de plaguicidas en sedimentos y agua encontrados en la quebrada en el monitoreo realizado durante losmeses de abril, junio, agosto y octubre del 2011. Aproximadamente el 50% de los plaguicidas autorizados se clasificaroncomo extremadamente tóxicos, y cerca del 40% se clasificaron como muy móviles. Por otro lado, de los plaguicidas noregistrados, el 60% fue catalogado como extremadamente tóxicos, y el 40% como muy móviles. El agua de la quebrada esutilizada para riego de los cultivos de fincas aledañas al cauce, por lo que esta situación podría representar un problemasobre la salud pública.

Usou-se o programa Pesticide Impact Rating Index (PIRI) para estimar o risco do uso de 30 inseticidas no cultivo dacebola (Allium cepa L.) para a qualidade da água de quebrada Sanatorio, localizado na comunidade de Terra Branca, nocantão de Cartago, Costa Rica. Obtiveram-se informações do Serviço Fitossanitário do Estado e de pesquisas feitas juntoaos produtores da área de Terra Branca. Os resultados obtidos com o PIRI confirmaram os níveis de resíduos de inseticidaem sedimento e água encontrada na quebrada em uma monitoração realizada durante abril, junho, agosto e outubro de2011. Aproximadamente 50% dos inseticidas autorizados mostraram-se extremamente venenosos, e perto de 40% comomuito móveis. Por outro lado, dos inseticidas não registrados, 60% catalogaram-se como extremamente venenosos, e40%, como muito móveis. A água quebrada é usada para a irrigação do cultivo de fazendas próximas do leito do rio,situação que pode gerar problemas de saúde pública.

Using the program Pesticide Impact Rating Index (PIRI) to estimate the risk of the use of 30 insecticides in the cultivationof onion (Allium cepa L.) for water quality from quebrada Sanatorio, located in the community of Tierra Blanca,in the canton of Carthage, Costa Rica. Information was obtained from the Phytosanitary Service of the State (ServicioFitosanitario del Estado) and from surveys applied to the producers of the area of Tierra. The results obtained with PIRIwere confirmed at the levels of residues of insecticides in sediments and water found in the gorge in a monitoringrealized during April, June, August and October, 2011. Approximately 50% of the authorized insecticides qualifiedas extremely poisonous, and close to 40% qualified as very mobile. On the other hand, from the non registered insecticides,60% were catalogued as extremely poisonous, and 40% as very mobile. The water of the gorge is used forirrigation of the cultivation of bordering farms to the river bed, and for that reason this situation can generate problemson public health.

Estrategia educativa: prácticas agrícolas ysu relación con la salud humana, dirigida a agricultores de la zona norte de Cartago, Costa Rica / Educational strategy: farming practices and their relation to human health”, directed to farmers of northern Cartago, Costa Rica / Estratégia educativa: prácticas agrícolas y su relación con la salud humana, destinada a agricultores da zona norte de Cartago, Costa Rica

En el marco del proyecto Manejo de plagas a nivel comunitario en la agricultura centro americana, se diseñó un programa de capacitaciones denominado Prácticas agrícolas y su relación con la salud humana, para agricultores de tres comunidades del norte de Cartago, Costa Rica. La capacitación se dividió en tres charlas: efecto de plaguicidas sobre el cuerpo humano; sobre la familia y el ambiente; y salud ocupacional enfocada en el manejo de plaguicidas. Además, se realizó la recolección de muestras sanguíneas de participantes para el análisis de las enzimas colinesterasa eritrocítica (AChE) y plasmática (PChE), indicadores de exposición aplaguicidas organofosforados y carbamatos. En situaciones de intoxicación por estos plaguicidas, la PChE disminuye rápidamente(exposición aguda), mientras que la AChE es un indicador de exposición crónica, al permanecer disminuida mayor tiempo y sermenos afectada por condiciones clínicas. Fueron determinados los niveles de colinesterasas al inicio y final de la capacitación, paradetectar posibles cambios en la actividad enzimática, como resultado de la participación en las charlas. En ambas recolecciones,todos los participantes presentaron niveles de actividad enzimática dentro de los valores de referencia (varones PChE 4500-9900U/L; AChE 4000-6800 U/L). Únicamente en un grupo (Pacayas) hubo diferencia entre la actividad de PChE antes de las charlas ydespués de estas (t= -3,87, gL=10, p=0,003). Mediante este programa, se brindaron nuevos conocimientos sobre la importancia del uso de buenas prácticas agrícolas (BPA), los cuales se traducen en efectos positivos en la salud humana, familiar y ambiental.

Under the project Pest management at the community level in Central American agriculture, we designed a training programcalled Farming practices and their relation to human health, to farmers in three communities located north of Cartago, Costa Rica. The training was divided into three lectures: Effect of pesticides on the human body; on the family and environment;and occupational health focused on pesticide management. Moreover, blood samples of participants were collected for theanalysis of erythrocyte cholinesterase (AChE) and plasma (PChE) enzymes, indicators of exposure to organophosphate and carbamate pesticides. In these pesticide poisoning, the PChE decreases rapidly (acute exposure), whereas AChE is an indicatorof chronic exposure decreased to remain longer and be less affected by clinical conditions. At beginning and end of the training, it was determined cholinesterase levels, to detect changes in enzyme activity as a result of participation in the talks.In both collections, all participants had levels of enzyme activity with in the reference values (males PChE 4500-9900 U / L;AChE 4000-6800 U / L). Only one group (Pacayas) shows difference between the activity of PChE before and after these talks (t= -3.87, df = 10, p = 0.003). Through this program, new insights were provided into the importance of using good agricultural practices (GAP), which result in positive effects on human health, environment and family.

No âmbito do projeto Manejo de plagas a nivel comunitario en la agricultura centro americana, foi elaborado um programa de treinamento chamado Prácticas agrícolas y su relación con la salud humana para os agricultores de três comunidades ao norte de Cartago, Costa Rica. O treinamento foi adaptado e dividido em três palestras: efeito de pesticidas sobre o corpo humano,sobre a Família e Meio Ambiente e Saúde Ocupacional focada em gestão de pesticidas. Além disso, realizou-se a coleta deamostras de sangue dos sujeitos para análise da enzima colinesterase eritrocitária (AChE) e plasma (PChE), indicadores de exposição a compostos organofosforados e carbamatos. Nestas intoxicações por agrotóxicos, o PChE diminui rapidamente(exposição aguda), enquanto o AChE, um indicador de exposição crônica, diminui ao permanecer por mais tempo e ser menos afetado pelas condições clínicas. Foram determinados níveis de colinesterase no início e no final do treinamento, para detectar mudanças na atividade da enzima como resultado da participação nas atividades. Em ambos os conjuntos, todos os participantes tinham níveis de atividade enzimática dentro dos valores de referência (sujeitos do sexo masculino: PChE 4500-9900U / L; AChE 4000-6800 U / L). Apenas num grupo (Pacayas) houve diferença entre a atividade da PChE antes e depois destas conversas (t = -3,87, gl = 10, p = 0,003). Através deste programa, proposuram-se novos insights sobre a importância do uso de boas práticas agrícolas (GAP) que resultam em efeitos positivos sobre a saúde humana, meio ambiente e família.

Caracterización de la calidad del agua de la quebrada sanatorio en Tierra Blanca ubicada en una zona agrícola de la provincia de Cartago y sus implicaciones para la salud pública / Quality of water from quebrada sanatorio (Tierra Blanca), in the county region of Cartago province and impacts on public health / Qualidade de água de quebrada sanatorio (Tierra Blanca), na região agrícola da província de Cartago, e seus impactos sobre a saúde pública

Se monitoreó la calidad del agua de la Quebrada Sanatorio (Tierra Blanca, Cartago, Costa Rica), durante abril, junio, agosto y octubre de 2011. Se establecieron tres puntos de muestreo utilizando una metodología de estratificación. Se realizó un análisis biofísico de la zona de estudio, así como la caracterización fisicoquímica y microbiológica del cuerpo de agua, determinación de residuos de plaguicidas en agua y sedimentos y aplicación de índice BMWP adaptado a Costa Rica. Se determinó una elevada contaminación en la quebrada por coliformes fecales y E. coli, nutrientes y plaguicidas, quefueron detectados en agua y sedimentos, demás se determinó una deficiente calidad del recurso hídrico según el índice BMWP-CR. Se concluye que el agua no es adecuada para riego y pone en riesgo la salud de los agricultores, sus familias y consumidores, así como se ve afectada la seguridad alimentaria.

This project was monitoring water quality of the stream “Quebrada Sanatorio” (Tierra Blanca, Cartago, Costa Rica), during April, June, August and October 2011. It established three sampling points using a stratification methodology. It was performed biophysical analysis of the area of study. It was determined physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of thewater body, determination of pesticide residues in water and sediments and application BMWP index adapted to Costa Rica.It was established high contamination in the stream for faecal coliforms and E. coli, also nutrients and pesticides in water and sediments. It was also determined poor quality of water resources by the index BMWP-CR. It is concluded that the water is not suitable for irrigation and it had a risks the health of farmers, their families and consumers, as well as food security is affected.

Estudio de la funcionalidad de las células NK en el embarazo / Functionality study of pregnancy NK cells

En los últimos años, la participación del sistema inmune innato en el desarrollo de la pre-eclampsia ha sido el objetivo de numerosos estudios. Sin embargo, el rol de las células agresoras naturales (NK) en esta patología no ha sido totalmente aclarado. Las células NK, componentes del sistema inmune innato, poseen actividad citotóxica espontánea, y secretan citoquinas tales como interferón gamma (INF-y ) y Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa (TNF-alfa). En el presente estudio hemos analizado la actividad funcional y el inmunofenotipo de células NK obtenidas desde sangre periférica de pacientes con pre-eclampsia, mujeres sanas embarazadas y mujeres sanas no embarazadas. Se cuantificó la actividad cititóxica usando el ensayo de liberación de51cromo. La producción de citoquinas en respuesta a activadores policlonales y el inmunofenotipo (CD3-CD16+CD56+) fueron determinados por citometría de flujo. Estos parámetros no evidenciaron diferencias significativas entre los grupos estudiados; sin embargo, en las pacientes con pre-eclampsia se observa una tendencia hacia una menor citotoxicidad y menor producción de TNF-alfa en células NK estimulada sin vitro, y una proporción aumentada del subtipo celular NK CD56-CD16+ en sangre periférica en relación con los otros dos grupos estudiados.

NK cells functionality during pregnancy. During the last few years, the role of innate immune system in development of pre-eclampsia has been the focus of a number of studies. However, the role of natural killer (NK) cells in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia has not been totally clarified. NK cells, an important component of innate immune system, normally exhibit spontaneus cytolytic activity and secrete cytokines such as interferon gamma (IFN-y) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). In current paper, we studied functional activity and immunophenotype of peripheral blood NKcells obtained from patients with pre-eclampsia, healthy pregnant women and non-pregnant healthy women. For this purpose, we quantified cytolytic activity using 51chromium release assay. We determined cytokine production in response to polyclonal activators and cells immunophenotype (CD3-CD16+CD56+) by flow cytometry. We found no significant differences in these parameters among the three groups studied, however, in patients with pre-eclampsia, there is a tendency to a decreased cytotoxic activity and less production of TNF-alpha by NK cells in vitro as well as an increased proportion of the NK subset CD56-CD16+, in peripheral blood.