Enterococcus isolated from poultry intestine for potential probiotic use.

Background and Aim: To develop species-specific probiotics for poultry, it is ideal to obtain these probiotic microorganisms directly from the intestinal tract of broiler and egg-laying chicks in production environments to ensure adaptation to actual conditions. This study aimed to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from the intestinal tract of broiler and egg-laying chicks to determine their probiotic potential. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five Ross-308 broilers and 25 Isa Brown egg-laying chicks were raised until days 42 and 120, respectively; they were housed in an individual poultry building. Lactic acid bacteria were isolated and identified from the small intestine mucus of broiler and layer chicks and then evaluated based on resistance to acidic pH levels, bile salt concentration, and antagonistic activity against wild strains of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. selected strains with probiotic potential were identified by polymerase chain reaction and confirmed by rDNA sequencing. Results: One hundred and fifty Gram-positive isolates were obtained; 28% (42) were catalase and oxidase negative and biochemical identification was made by crystal system: 76.2% (32) Enterococcus spp., 16.6% (7) Lactococcus spp., and 7.2% (3) Streptococcus spp.; and evaluated for hemolysin production; tolerance to low pH and bile salts, and antagonistic potential were carried out. Molecular characterization yielded 56% (24) Enterococcus faecium, and 44% (18) Enterococcus faecalis. About 81% (34) of strains were without vancomycin resistance genes criterion. Conclusion: This study isolated and characterized 36 strains of LAB with probiotic qualities, from the intestines of broiler and egg-laying chicks, selecting E. faecium, Enterococcus avium, and Enterococcus casseliflavus, Lactococcus garviae as promising strains for further in vitro and in vivo research.

Th1/Th17/Th22 immune response and their association with joint pain, imagenological bone loss, RANKL expression and osteoclast activity in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis: A preliminary report.

It is well accepted that the presence of cytokines belonging to the Th1/Th17/Th22 axis of immuno-inflammatory response in the joint environment, such as IL-1ß, IL-17 and IL-22, respectively, are associated with pathogenesis of several synovial joint degenerative disorders. During temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA), IL-1ß and IL-17 have been implicated in the inflammation and resorption of sub-chondral bone; however, the role of Th22 response in the TMJ-OA pathophysiology has not been established. This study aimed to compare the expression of Th1/Th17/Th22-type cytokines, chemokines and chemokine receptors in synovial fluid samples obtained from TMJ-OA or disk displacement with reduction (DDWR) patients. In addition, it aimed to associate these levels with joint pain, imagenological signs of bone degeneration, RANKL production, osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast-induced bone resorption. Higher levels of IL-1ß, IL-17 and IL-22 were expressed in TMJ-OA compared with DDWR subjects, and these increased levels significantly correlated with RANKL expression, joint pain and articular bone degeneration. Higher levels of CCR5, CCR6 and CCR7, as well as their respective ligands CCL5 and CCL20, responsible for recruitment of IL-1ß, IL-17 and IL-22-producing cells, were over-expressed in TMJ-OA compared with DDWR subjects. Osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast-induced bone resorption were significantly greater in presence of synovial fluid from TMJ-OA compared with DDWR subjects. These data demonstrate that cytokines, CCLs and CCRs associated with the Th1/Th17/Th22 axis of immuno-inflammatory response are involved in TMJ-OA pathogenesis. These findings suggest that IL-22 is involved in the RANKL expression in TMJ-OA, which in turn induces differentiation of osteoclasts and subsequent resorption of sub-chondral bone.

[Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy: an alternative to hospitalization in a pediatric emergency department]. / Terapia antimicrobiana endovenosa ambulatoria: Alternativa a la hospitalización en un servicio de urgencia pediátrico.

UNLABELLED: Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) was first introduced in 1973 as an alternative treatment. Since then, there have been numerous international case based studies including both children and adults with significant bacterial infections using this strategy. The protocol requires a careful screening and evaluation process of the patient. There must be no other motive for hospitalization other than the need for parenteral antibiotics. OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of OPAT during a period of 26 months in emergency department of a Chilean pediatric public hospital. RESULTS: During the study period 228,144 patients received medical care in the Emergency Department (ED) and 380 patients were admitted to the OPAT program after clinical evaluation and based on the socioeconomic and cultural conditions of their parents. The major indications of OPAT were skin and soft tissues infections (50%) and pneumonia (28%) respectively. (beta-lactamic antibiotics the were most commonly prescribed. Thirty eight patients (10%) required hospitalization, mostly because of clinical deterioration. There were no deaths. CONCLUSION: In our public hospital OPAT for treatment of significant bacterial infections constitutes an efficient and safe alternative to hospitalization allowing the child to remain in his home.

Terapia antimicrobiana endovenosa ambulatoria: Alternativa a la hospitalización en un servicio de urgencia pediátrico / Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy: An alternative to hospitalization in a pediatric emergency departament

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) was first introduced in 1973 as an alternative treatment. Since then, there have been numerous international case based studies including both children and adults with significant bacterial infections using this strategy. The protocol requires a careful screening and evaluation process of the patient. There must be no other motive for hospitalization other than the need for parenteral antibiotics. Objective: To describe the results of OPAT during a period of 26 months in emergency department of a Chilean pediatric public hospital. Results: During the study period 228,144 patients received medical care in the Emergency Department (ED) and 380 patients were admitted to the OPAT program after clinical evaluation and based on the socioeconomic and cultural conditions of their parents. The major indications of OPAT were skin and soft tissues infections (50 percent) and pneumonia (28 percent) respectively. (ß-lactamic antibiotics the were most commonly prescribed. Thirty eight patients (10 percent) required hospitalization, mostly because of clinical deterioration. There were no deaths. Conclusión: In our public hospital OPAT for treatment of significant bacterial infections constitutes an efficient and safe alternative to hospitalization allowing the child to remain in his home.

La terapia antimicrobiana endovenosa ambulatoria (TAEA) surgió como una alternativa de tratamiento en 1973, publicándose numerosas experiencias internacionales en niños y adultos para diversas infecciones bacterianas de importancia mayor. Requiere seleccionar a cada paciente considerando que no hay otro motivo de hospitalización, salvo la administración del fármaco. Objetivo: Sistematizar la experiencia de TAEA efectuada durante 26 meses en el servicio de urgencia (SU) de un hospital pediátrico público de Chile. Resultados: De un total de 228.144 pacientes consultantes al SU en el período elegido, un total de 380 pacientes ingresaron al programa de TAEA luego de una evaluación clínica y de las condiciones socioeconómicas y culturales de sus apoderados. La principal indicación de TAEA fueron las infecciones de piel y tejidos blandos (50 por ciento), seguida de neumonía (28 por ciento), utilizándose en su mayoría ß-lactámicos solos o asociados. Diez por ciento de los pacientes requirió hospitalización, en su mayoría por deterioro de su condición clínica. Ninguno falleció. Conclusión: En nuestro medio, la TAEA es una alternativa eficiente y segura a la hospitalización, que permite tratar pacientes pediátricos con infecciones bacterianas mayores en su entorno familiar.

The syringaldazine-oxidizing peroxidase PXP 3-4 from poplar xylem: cDNA isolation, characterization and expression.

The cell wall polymer lignin is believed to be condensed by specific cell wall-localized oxidoreductases. In many plants species, including poplar, the peroxidase-directed oxidation of the lignin analogue syringaldazine (SYR) has been localized to cells that undergo secondary wall formation, a process that includes lignification. As a first step to analyse the corresponding peroxidases. we have isolated previously two anionic isoenzymes (PXP 3-4 and PXP 5) from poplar xylem (Populus trichocarpa), which use SYR as a substrate. Here, we demonstrate that these enzymes are responsible for the visualized SYR oxidation in the developing xylem. The cDNA that corresponds to PXP 3-4 was isolated and the deduced protein was found closely related to the other SYR-oxidizing peroxidase PXP 5 (ca. 98% of identity). PXP 3-4 was expressed in a baculovirus expression system yielding high levels of active peroxidase (3 mg/l medium). The heterologously produced protein showed characteristics similar to those of the corresponding protein from poplar xylem (enzymatic properties, isoelectric point, and migration in a native gel). PXP 3-4 was expressed in the stem and in the root xylem. The data demonstrate that PXP 3-4 (and/or PXP 5) are present in differentiating xylem. supporting a function in secondary cell wall formation.

Utilizacion del proceso de enfermeria en el ejercicio clinico profesional en seis instituciones prestadoras de servicios de salud en Santafé de Bogotá / Use of nursing process in professional clinical practice in six health institutions of Santafé de Bogotá

El proceso de Enfermería (PE) es una metodología creada por los profesionales de Enfermería para mejorar la calidad de atención que prestamos a nuestros usuarios. Este método de trabajo ha sufrido diferentes cambios desde sus inicios, modificaciones que han beneficiado a los enfermeros de ayer y de hoy al lograr la vinculación del paciente como ente participativo de su cuidado en los niveles de promoción, prevención, tratamiento y rehabilitación, para que el individuo adquiera el equilibrio entre mente y cuerpo que se traduce en el término de Salud. También el PE ha proporcionado ganancia profesional, ya que trabajar con un método estructuradoposibilita la unificación de criterios entre Enfermeros, nos encamina hacia el desarrollo y crecimiento de nuestra profesión "La Enfermería." Esta investigación determina cuál es la utilizacibn de esta metodología en seis instituciones prestadoras de salud en Santa fé de Bogotá con miras a que nuevos compañeros continúen una propuesta que lieve a su institucionalización por los beneficios descritos anteriormente y de otros contemplados dentro del marco teórico de este estudio

Cloning and expression analyses of AtMRP4, a novel MRP-like gene from Arabidopsis thaliana.

In all organisms glutathione-conjugate transporters (GS-X pumps) mediate the detoxification of a number of xenobiotics by removing them from the cytosol. In addition, GS-X pumps appear to play a role in the processing of endogenous compounds. We have isolated a novel genomic clone from Arabidopsis thaliana that encodes a putative GS-X pump, AtMRP4, which is part of a recently defined gene family. The derived amino acid sequence shares high levels of similarity (55-63%) with human, yeast, and other Arabidopsis homologues. The expression of the different members of the AtMRP gene family in Arabidopsis cell suspensions after treatment with chemicals that modify glutathione metabolism (compounds that induce different types of stress and that act as herbicide antidotes- safeners- in monocotyledonous species) revealed that the members of this gene family are differentially regulated.

Distribución de colesterol, trigliceridos y lipoproteinas plasmaticas en dominicanos sanos: estudio retrospectivo de 1980 a 1990 en una población comprendida entre 20 y 79 años / Cholesterol tryglicerides and lipoproteines in the plama of healthy Dominicans : retrospective study form 1980 to 1990 in a population between 20 to 79 years old

Se estudiaron 551 pacientes entre 20 y 79 años de edad, los que fueron divididos por sexo y en grupos de 5 años. Hubo 309 hombres y 242 mujeres. Los grupos fueron también subdivididos en fumadores y no fumadores así como hijos y no hijos de padecederos de enfermedad coronaria. Se les tomó sangre para medir en el suero triglicéridos, colesterol total y fraccionado. El valor promedio de trigliceridos en la población masculina fue de 157 mg/dL mientras en la femenina fue de 123.9 mg/dL. El valor promedio de colestrol en la población masculina fue de 208mg/dL y en la femenina de 206 mg/dL. El valor promedio para las HDL en la población masculina fue de 40.7 mg/dL y en la femenina 44.7 mg/dL. Para las LDL el valor promedio en la población masculina fue de 133.5 mg/dL y para la femenina 134.9 mg/dL. La relación de riesgo fue mayor en la población masculina (5.6) en la relación con la femenina (5.0). De los 551 pacientes 53 resultaron ser hipertrigliceridémicos para un 9.3 por ciento con niveles superior a 250 mg/dL de trigliceridos. De estos 38 fueron masculinos y 15 femeninos. De los 551 pacientes, 141 o sea 23.8 por ciento tenían hipercolesterolemia con colestrol por encima de 240 mg/dL. De estos 71 correspondieron al sexo masculino y 60 al femenino. Un total de 161 pacientes (29.2 por ciento ) preentó hipoalfalipoproteinemia o sea un nivel de HDL de 35 mg o menos. De estos 112 pertenecían al sexo masculino y 49 al sexo femenino. Un total de 140 pacientes (25.4 por ciento ) presentaron hiperbetalipoproteinemia, esto es, niveles de LDL superiores a 160 mg/dL. De estos 74 correspondieron al sexo masculino y 66 al femenino. En la población fumadora masculina los niveles de HDL fueron mas bajos que en la no fumadora, 36.6 versus 42.4 mg/dL respectivamente. En la población famenina estos valores fueron para las fumadoras 40.4 y para las no fumadoras 45.8 mg/dL. No hubo relación con las variables y el factor hereditario de enfermedad coronaria