Polyphenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Leaf Purified Hydroalcoholic Extracts from Seven Mexican Persea americana Cultivars.

Persea americana (avocado) is a fruit consumed worldwide; however, since avocado leaves are apparently a natural ingredient that can be used as a traditional medicine, they can be a potential source of bioactive compounds. This study aimed to analyze the antioxidant activity of seven Mexican avocado leaf extracts by DPPH•, ABTS•+, and lipid peroxidation (LPO), and to identify the compound profile by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry/electron spray ionization. The highest free radical-scavenging activity was observed for Platano Delgado and Criollo 6 avocado cultivars havin IC50 values of 271.86 ± 13.69 and 269.56 ± 6.53 for DPPH• and ABTS•+ radicals, respectively, while the best result for lipid oxidation inhibition was registered in Criollo 6 cultivar extract. In this study forty-one compounds were detected in avocado leaves of the the seven cultivars analyzed, and of these compounds, eighteen phenolics were identified for first time in such plant material. The present study demonstrated that Mexican cultivars of Persea americana possess diverse polyphenolic compounds with strong antioxidant activity, which might be useful in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

[Neisseria gonorrhoeae identification. Usefulness of the Vitek 2C NH card]. / Identificación de Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Utilidad de la tarjeta 2 NH del sistema Vitek 2C.

A total of 115 unique clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and 54 strains of other genera and species included in the database of the NH card were tested by the Vitek 2C System (bioMèrieux, Marcy L'Etoile, Francia). The gonoccocal isolates had been previously identified by conventional biochemical tests and by the latex agglutination test with monoclonal antibodies using the Phadebact Monoclonal GC Test (Bactus AB, Sweden). The NH card correctly identified 111 (96.5 %) strains of 115 isolates; one strain was identified with low discriminatory power (0.86 %), one (0.86 %) was misidentified (as Neisseria meningitidis) whereas the other two (1.7 %) remained unidentified. The NH card for N. gonorrhoeae identification provided 100 % specificity. The results were available within 6 hours. The NH card could be considered a reliable and useful tool for routine use in Neisseria gonorrhoeae identification.

Sex differences in myelination of the zebra finch vocal control system emerge relatively late in development.

The role of myelination in the development of motor control is widely known, but its role in the development of cognitive abilities is less understood. Here, we examined sex differences in the development of myelination of structures and tracts that support song learning and production in songbirds. We collected brains from 63 young male and female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) over four stages of development that correspond to different stages of song learning. Using a myelination marker (myelin basic protein), we measured the development of myelination in three different nuclei of the vocal control system (HVC, RA, and lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior nidopallium [LMAN]) and two tracts (HVC-RA and lamina mesopallium ventralis [LMV]). We found that the myelination of the vocal control nuclei and tracts is sex related and male biased. In males, the patterns of myelination were age-dependent, asynchronous in rate and progression and associated with the development of song learning and production. In females, myelination of vocal control nuclei was low or absent and did not significantly change with age. Sex differences in myelination of the HVC-RA tract were large and emerged late in development well after sex differences in the size of vocal control brain regions are established. Myelination of this tract in males coincides with the age of song crystallization. Overall, the changes in myelination in the vocal control areas and tracts measured are region-, age-, and sex-specific and are consistent with sex differences in song development.

Neurogenesis and the development of neural sex differences in vocal control regions of songbirds.

The brain regions that control the learning and production of song and other learned vocalizations in songbirds exhibit some of the largest sex differences in the brain known in vertebrates and are associated with sex differences in singing behavior. Song learning takes place through multiple stages: an early sensory phase when song models are memorized, followed by a sensorimotor phase in which auditory feedback is used to modify song output through subsong, plastic song, to adult crystalized song. However, how patterns of neurogenesis in these brain regions change through these learning stages, and differ between the sexes, is little explored. We collected brains from 63 young male and female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) over four stages of song learning. Using neurogenesis markers for cell division (proliferating cell nuclear antigen), neuron migration (doublecortin), and mature neurons (neuron-specific nuclear protein), we demonstrate that there are sex-specific changes in neurogenesis over song development that differ between the caudal motor pathway and anterior forebrain pathway of the vocal control circuit. In many of these regions, sex differences emerged very early in development, by 25 days post hatch, at the beginning of song learning. The emergence of sex differences in other components of the system was more gradual and had specific trajectories depending on the brain region and its function. In conclusion, we found that sex differences occurred early and continued during song learning. Moreover, transitions from the different phases of song development do not seem to depend on large changes in neurogenesis in the vocal control areas measured.

Identification of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) Genotypes with Potential for Hydric and Heat Stress Tolerance in Northeastern Mexico.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is cultivated in regions with frequent drought periods and high temperatures, conditions that have intensified in the last decades. One of the most important photosynthetic components, sensible to hydric stress, is maximum quantum yield for photosystem II (PSII, or Fv/Fm). The objective of the present study was to identify sorghum genotypes with tolerance to hydric and heat stress. The treatments were hydric status (hydric stress or non-hydric stress (irrigation)), the plant's developmental stages (pre or post-anthesis), and six genotypes. The response variables were Fv/Fm; photosynthetic rate (PN); stomatal conductance (gs); transpiration rate (E); relative water content (RWC); damage to cell membrane (DCM) at temperatures of 40 and 45 °C; and agronomic variables. The experiment was conducted in pots in open sky in Marín, N.L., in the dry and hot northeast Mexico. The treatment design was a split-split plot design, with three factors. Hydric stress diminished the functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus by 63%, due to damage caused to PSII. Pre-anthesis was the most vulnerable stage to hydric stress as it decreased the weight of grains per panicle (85%), number of grains per panicle (69%), and weight of 100 grains (46%). Genotypes LER 1 and LER 2 were identified as tolerant to hydric stress, as they had lower damage to PSII; LER 1 and LEB 2 for their superior RWC; and LER 1 as a thermo tolerant genotype, due to its lower DCM at 45 °C. It was concluded that LER 1 could have the potential for both hydric and heat stress tolerance in the arid northeast Mexico.

The neural response of female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) to conspecific, heterospecific, and isolate song depends on early-life song exposure.

The auditory forebrain regions caudo-medial nidopallium (NCM) and caudo-medial mesopallium (CMM) of songbirds exhibit differential expression of the immediate-early gene ZENK in response to playback of different song stimuli, and dependent on early-life auditory experience. Similarly, song preferences depend both on auditory experience and unlearned biases for particular song features. We explored the contributions of early-life auditory experience and the type of song stimuli on the Zenk response in the auditory forebrain of female zebra finches. Females were raised in three different early tutoring conditions: conspecific tutors that sang isolate song, heterospecific tutors, or conspecific tutors that sang wild-type song. At maturity, these females were exposed to one of five different playback conditions: wild-type song, isolate song, tutor song, heterospecific song, or white noise. Subsequently, the number of cells immunoreactive for ZENK in CMM and NCM was measured. We predicted that birds exposed to conspecific song early in life, and during the song playback in adulthood, would have the highest neural response. Instead, we found that the Zenk response varied across playback conditions with the highest response to conspecific wild-type and conspecific isolate song. In addition, we found a main effect of tutoring, with the lowest overall Zenk response in females tutored by males singing isolate song. Most importantly, there was a significant interaction in that females tutored by wild-type conspecific or heterospecific songs showed a similar increased response to zebra finch songs (wild-type or isolate), but females tutored by isolate song showed no differential response to conspecific song and only showed elevated Zenk response to the particular songs they were tutored with. Combined, our results indicate that unlearned response biases to conspecific song elements depend on previous auditory experience. That is, early experience appears to modulate the expression of innate biases.

Identificación y sensibilidad antibiótica directas desde el hemocultivo positivo para bacilos gram negativos. Rendimiento comparativo de los sistemas Vitek 2C y Phoenix / Direct identification and susceptibility testing from positive blood cultures. A head-to-head performance comparison between Vitek 2C and Phoenix systems / Identificação e sensibilidade antibiótica diretas a partir da hemocultura positiva para bacilos gram negativos. Desempenho comparativo dos sistemas Vitek 2C e Phoenix

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar los resultados de las pruebas de identificación y sensibilidad antimicrobiana obtenidos por los sistemas Vitek 2C (bioMérieux, Francia) y Phoenix (Becton Dickinson, EE.UU.) directamente a partir de hemocultivos positivos. Se realizó un estudio observacional prospectivo en el Hospital Naval Pedro Mallo de Buenos Aires, Argentina, que incluyó 70 bacteriemias monomicrobianas por gram negativos. Se obtuvo una identificación correcta por Vitek® 2C y por Phoenix del 100% y 97% respectivamente [p: no significativa (NS)]. La concordancia categórica para todos los antimicrobianos fue 97,1% y 98,1% (p: NS) con Vitek 2C y con Phoenix respectivamente. El tiempo medio para obtener un resultado fue de 10,19 h y 13,8 h (p: NS), respectivamente. Vitek 2C y Phoenix son herramientas importantes, rápidas y confiables para la identificación y las pruebas de sensibilidad realizadas directamente a partir de hemocultivos positivos.

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the results of identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests obtained by the Vitek 2C (bioMérieux, France) and Phoenix (Becton Dickinson, USA) systems directly from positive blood cultures. A prospective observational study was performed at the Pedro Mallo Navy Hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which included 70 monomicrobial bacteremias by gram negative rods. Correct identification by Vitek® 2C and Phoenix was 100% and 97%, respectively [p: not significant (NS)]. Categorical agreement for all antimicrobials was 97.1% and 98.1% (p: NS) with Vitek 2C and Phoenix, respectively. The mean time to result was 10.19 h and 13.8 h (p: NS), respectively. Vitek 2C and Phoenix are important, rapid and reliable tools for identification and susceptibility testing when performed directly from positive blood cultures.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os resultados dos testes de identificação e de suscetibilidade antimicrobiana obtidos pelos sistemas Vitek 2C (bioMérieux, França) e Phoenix (Becton Dickinson, EUA) diretamente a partir de culturas de sangue positivas. Foi realizado um estudo observacional prospectivo no Hospital Naval Pedro Mallo em Buenos Aires, Argentina, incluindo 70 bacteriemias monomicrobianas devido a gram negativos. A identificação correcta por Vitek® 2C e Phoenix obtida foi de 100% e 97% respectivamente [p: não significativo (NS)]. O acordo categórico para todos os antimicrobianos foi de 97,1% e 98,1% (p: NS) com Vitek 2C e Phoenix respectivamente. O tempo médio para obter o resultado foi de 10,19 h e 13,8 h (p: NS), respectivamente. Vitek 2C e Phoenix são ferramentas importantes, rápidas e fiáveis para a identificação e testes de sensibilidade realizados diretamente a partir de hemoculturas positivas.

Estudio colaborativo sobre la utilidad del panel Meningitis/Encephalitis FilmArray (Biofire) en el diagnóstico de pacientes con sospecha de meningitis o encefalitis / Collaborative study on the usefulness of the Meningitis/Encephalitis FilmArray (Biofire) panel in the diagnosis of patients with suspected meningitis or encephalitis / Estudo colaborativo sobre a utilidade do painel Meningitis/Encephalitis FilmArray (Biofire) no diagnóstico de pacientes com suspeita de meningite ou encefalite

Resumen El tratamiento inicial para pacientes con sospecha de meningitis bacteriana aguda depende de una evaluación diagnóstica rápida y una terapia antimicrobiana adecuada. El panel de Meningitis/Encephalitis FilmArray (ME) (BioFire Diagnostics, Salt Lake City, EE.UU.) utiliza análisis de PCR múltiple e incluye 14 microorganismos; los resultados se obtienen directamente del LCR en 1 h. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron: a) determinar el rendimiento del ME y b) establecer el impacto del resultado obtenido en el tratamiento antimicrobiano de pacientes con meningoencefalitis. Se incluyeron 112 pacientes y 26 episodios de meningitis. Del total de resultados positivos con el panel para bacterias y hongos, 4/13 no se aislaron de cultivos y correspondieron a pacientes con tratamiento antimicrobiano. De los 26 episodios, los resultados condujeron a cambios terapéuticos en 21 casos. El ME es una herramienta rápida y útil para adecuar un tratamiento antimicrobiano en pacientes con meningoencefalitis.

Abstract The initial treatment for patients with suspected acute bacterial meningitis depends on a rapid diagnostic evaluation and adequate antimicrobial therapy. The Meningitis/Encephalitis FilmArray panel (ME) (BioFire Diagnostics, Salt Lake City, USA) uses multiplex PCR analysis and includes 14 microorganisms; the results are obtained directly from the CSF in 1 h. The objectives of this study were: a) to determine the performance of ME and b) to establish the impact of the result obtained on the antimicrobial treatment of patients with meningoencephalitis. A number of 112 patients and 26 episodes of meningitis were included. Of the total positive results for bacteria and fungi with the panel, 4/13 were not isolated from cultures and corresponded to patients with antimicrobial treatment. Of the 26 episodes, the results led to therapeutic changes in 21 cases. ME is a quick and useful tool to adapt antimicrobial treatment in patients with meningoencephalitis.

Resumo O tratamento inicial para pacientes com suspeita de meningite bacteriana aguda depende de uma avaliação diagnóstica rápida e terapia antimicrobiana adequada. O painel de Meningitis/Encephalitis FilmArray (ME) (BioFire Diagnostics, Salt Lake City, EUA) usa análise PCR multiplex e inclui 14 microrganismos; os resultados são obtidos diretamente do LCR em 1 h. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: a) determinar o desempenho do ME e b) estabelecer o impacto do resultado obtido no tratamento antimicrobiano de pacientes com meningoencefalite. 112 pacientes e 26 episódios de meningite foram incluídos. Do total de resultados positivos com o painel para bactérias e fungos, 4/13 não foram isolados das culturas e corresponderam a pacientes em tratamento antimicrobiano. Dos 26 episódios, os resultados levaram a alterações terapêuticas em 21 casos. ME é uma ferramenta rápida e útil para adaptar o tratamento antimicrobiano em pacientes com meningoencefalite.

Utilidad del sistema FilmArrayTM en la optimización del tratamiento antimicrobiano de pacientes con bacteriemia / FilmArrayTM BCID panel usefulness for the optimization of the antimicrobial treatment in patients with bacteremia / Utilidade do sistema FilmArrayTM na otimização do tratamento antimicrobiano de pacientes com bacteremia

Resumen La bacteriemia es una de las principales causas de muerte en todo el mundo y se asocia con alto costo. Los resultados rápidos obtenidos desde los hemocultivos positivos son una herramienta importante para la optimización temprana del tratamiento antimicrobiano. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron evaluar el rendimiento del panel BCID del sistema FilmArrayTM y determinar su impacto en la adecuación del tratamiento antimicrobiano. Se analizaron 127 episodios de bacteriemia. Un porcentaje significativo de los tratamientos (45,8%) fueron cambiados en base a este resultado. La identificación global correcta fue del 89,2% y del 97,2% para los microorganismos incluidos en la base de datos, en tanto que la sensibilidad para la detección de los genes mecA y KPC fue del 100%. El panel BCID de FilmArrayTM es un método rápido y confiable para la detección de los microorganismos relacionados a bacteriemia y de alto impacto en la decisión terapéutica.

Abstract Bacteremia is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and is associated with high cost. The rapid results obtained from positive blood cultures are an important tool for early optimization of antimicrobial therapy. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the performance of the BCID panel of the FilmArrayTM system and determine its impact on the adequacy of the antimicrobial treatment. One hundred and twenty seven episodes of bacteremia were analyzed. A significant percentage of the treatments (45.8%) were changed based on this result. The correct global identification was 89.2% and 97.2% for the microorganisms included in the database, while the sensitivity for the detection of the mecA and KPC genes was 100%. The FilmArrayTM BCID panel is a fast and reliable method for the detection of microorganisms related to bacteremia and has a high impact on the therapeutic decision.

Resumo A bacteremia é uma das principais causas de morte no mundo e está associada a alto custo. Resultados rápidos obtidos de hemoculturas positivas são uma ferramenta importante para a otimização precoce da terapia antimicrobiana. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar o desempenho do painel BCID do sistema FilmArrayTM e determinar seu impacto na adequação do tratamento antimicrobiano. Foram analisados 127 episódios de bacteremia. Percentual significativo dos tratamentos (45,8%) foi alterado com base nesse resultado. A correta identificação global foi de 89,2% e 97,2% para os microrganismos incluídos na base de dados, enquanto a sensibilidade para detecção dos genes mecA e KPC foi de 100%. O painel FilmArrayTM BCID é um método rápido e confiável para a detecção de microrganismos relacionados à bacteremia e tem alto impacto na decisão terapêutica.

Stable expression and characterization of a fungal pectinase and bacterial peroxidase genes in tobacco chloroplast

Background The high capacity of chloroplast genome response to integrate and express transgenes at high levels makes this technology a good option to produce proteins of interest. This report presents the stable expression of Pectin lyase (PelA gene) and the first stable expression of manganese peroxidase (MnP-2 gene) from the chloroplast genome. Results pES4 and pES5 vectors were derived from pPV111A plasmid and contain the PelA and MnP-2 synthetic genes, respectively. Both genes are flanked by a synthetic rrn16S promoter and the 3'UTR from rbcL gene. Efficient gene integration into both inverted repeats of the intergenic region between rrn16S and 3'rps'12 was confirmed by Southern blot. Stable processing and expression of the RNA were confirmed by Northern blot analysis. Enzymatic activity was evaluated to detect expression and functionality of both enzymes. In general, mature plants showed more activity than young transplastomic plants. Compared to wild type plants, transplastomic events expressing pectin lyase exhibited enzymatic activity above 58.5% of total soluble protein at neutral pH and 60°C. In contrast, MnP-2 showed high activity at pH 6 with optimum temperature at 65°C. Neither transplastomic plant exhibited an abnormal phenotype. Conclusion This study demonstrated that hydrolytic genes PelA and MnP-2 could be integrated and expressed correctly from the chloroplast genome of tobacco plants. A whole plant, having ~ 470 g of biomass could feasibly yield 66,676.25 units of pectin or 21,715.46 units of manganese peroxidase. Also, this study provides new information about methods and strategies for the expression of enzymes with industrial value.

Identificación de Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Utilidad de la tarjeta 2 NH del sistema Vitek 2C / [Neisseria gonorrhoeae identification. Usefulness of the Vitek 2C NH card].

A total of 115 unique clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and 54 strains of other genera and species included in the database of the NH card were tested by the Vitek 2C System (bioMÞrieux, Marcy L’Etoile, Francia). The gonoccocal isolates had been previously identified by conventional biochemical tests and by the latex agglutination test with monoclonal antibodies using the Phadebact Monoclonal GC Test (Bactus AB, Sweden). The NH card correctly identified 111 (96.5

) strains of 115 isolates; one strain was identified with low discriminatory power (0.86

) was misidentified (as Neisseria meningitidis) whereas the other two (1.7

) remained unidentified. The NH card for N. gonorrhoeae identification provided 100

specificity. The results were available within 6 hours. The NH card could be considered a reliable and useful tool for routine use in Neisseria gonorrhoeae identification.

Tratamiento psicopedagógico: red interinstitucional en el ámbito de la salud

Contenido: Cuerpo, juego y creatividad. Perfil cognitivo: abordaje terapéutico. Trastornos del desarrollo. Intervención temprana. Abordaje familiar en psicopedagogía. Clínica grupal...