Homogeneous colleters in Myrteae (Myrtaceae).

Colleters are secretory structures characteristic of the apices of more than 60 botanical families. In the Myrtaceae, three types of colleters were previously described: petaloid, conical, and euriform. In Argentina, most species of the Myrtaceae family grow in subtropical regions and a few in the temperate-cold zones of Patagonia. We evaluated the vegetative buds of five species of the subfamily Myrtoideae, tribe Myrtea: Amomyrtus luma, Luma apiculata, and Myrceugenia exsucca, native to the temperate rainforests of Patagonia and Myrcianthes pungens and Eugenia moraviana from the riparian forest of northwestern Corrientes, in order to analyze the presence and morphological types and main secretion products of colleters. Optical and scanning electron microscopy was used to identify the presence of colleters in vegetative organs. Histochemical tests were performed to identify the main secretion products in these structures. The colleters are on the inner side of the leaf primordia and cataphylls and on the edge of the petiole, where they replace the stipules. They are classified as homogeneous because they consist of epidermis and internal parenchyma, both formed by cells with similar characteristics. They lack vascularization and originate from the protodermis. The colleters are of the conical type in L. apiculata, M. pungens, and E. moraviana and of the euriform type in A. luma and M. exsucca, the latter being identified by its dorsiventrally flattened shape. Histochemical tests showed the presence of lipids, mucilage, phenolic compounds, and proteins. This is the first time that colleters have been described in the analyzed species; the taxonomical and phylogenetic importance of this structures is discussed in relation to the Myrtaceae family.

Reparación de defectos complejos de la pared abdominal y cirugía intestinal en un tiempo / Repair of complex abdominal wall defects and intestinal surgery at a time

Introducción: La reparación de la pared abdominal, presenta escenarios complejos, como los abdómenes abiertos con ostomías o fístulas intestinales, que para su tratamiento el cirujano debe buscar la táctica quirúrgica y el manejo ideal para cada caso. Objetivo: Describir los resultados en la reparación de defectos complejos de la pared abdominal y restitución de tránsito intestinal en un solo tiempo. Pacientes y método: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, prospectivo y longitudinal, de una serie de casos de 30 pacientes, ambos sexos, mayores a 18 años, portadores de defectos complejos de la pared abdominal (abdomen abierto cicatrizado por segunda intención y hernias paraestomales) y ostomías que ingresaron para cirugía electiva en la II Cátedra de Clínica Quirúrgica del Hospital de Clínicas de marzo del 2011 a diciembre del 2015. Todos los pacientes fueron evaluados con tomografía axial computarizada, según el caso sometidos a preparación con neumoperitoneo progresivo pre operatorio y manejados por equipo multidisciplinario...

Introduction: Abdominal wall repair, presents complex scenarios, as the bellies open with ostomy or intestinal fistulas, that treatment the surgeon should seek surgical tactics and ideal management for each case. Objective: To describe the results in repair of complex defects of the abdominal wall and return of intestinal transit in a single time. Patients and methods: observational, descriptive, prospective and longitudinal study, a series of 30 patients, both sexes, over 18 years, carriers of complex defects of the abdominal wall (open abdomen healed by second intention and paraestomales herniations) and ostomy admitted for elective surgery at the surgical clinic of the Hospital de Clínicas of March 2011 to2015 December II. All patients were evaluated with axial computed tomography, according to the case subject to progressive pneumoperitoneumprogressive pre operative and managed by a multidisciplinary team...

Differential transcriptional responses underlie dietary induction of intestinal carbohydrase activities in house sparrow nestlings.

Many species show diet-induced flexibility of activity of intestinal enzymes; however, molecular and genetic mechanisms responsible for such modulation are less known, particularly in altricial birds. The goal of our study was to test whether a diet-induced increase in activity of intestinal maltase and sucrase in house sparrow nestlings is matched with an increase in maltase-glucoamylase (MG) and sucrase-isomaltase (SI) complex mRNAs respectively. Both enzyme activities were significantly higher in mid-intestine of nestlings fed a medium-starch (MS) diet compared to those fed a starch-free (SF) diet. In contrast to the similar pattern of dietary induction for both enzyme activities, diet MS elevated significantly only the level of MG mRNA, but not SI mRNA. The coordinated increase in activity of maltase and in MG mRNA is consistent with the hypothesis that dietary induction of this enzyme is under transcriptional control. In contrast, the lack of such coordination for changes in activity of sucrase and SI mRNA suggests that upregulation of this enzyme may be achieved by post-translational factor(s). We conclude that genetic mechanisms responsible for diet-induced flexibility of digestive enzymes in birds may differ from that observed in mammals.

Periconceptional undernutrition modifies endocrine profiles and hepatic gene expression in sheep.

This study investigated whether a 22-day period of undernutrition (half maintenance) could affect maternal endocrine responses and liver gene expression during early pregnancy (day 7). Thirty-five ewes were fed 1.5 (n = 15) or 0.5 (n = 20) their maintenance requirements and slaughtered on day 7 of the oestrus cycle or pregnancy (oestrus = day 0). Insulin, IGF, leptin and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were determined on days -14, 0 and 7. Transcripts of the IGF family and adipokines receptors were determined in the liver by real-time RT-PCR. Underfed animals presented lower body weight and body condition, greater plasma concentration of NEFA, and lower plasma concentrations of leptin, insulin and IGF1 compared to adequately fed animals. Underfed ewes presented greater hepatic expression of IGFBP2 than well-fed ewes, but tended to have lesser expression of IGFBP5. While no effect of undernutrition on IGFBP4 and ADIPOR2 mRNA expressions was observed, they were increased by pregnancy in underfed animals. This study shows that undernutrition modifies endocrine profiles and hepatic gene expression of IGFBP2 and 5. The pregnancy status increased hepatic gene expression of IGFBP4 and ADIPOR2 mRNA in undernourished ewes.

Kinetics of human sperm acrosomal exocytosis.

The acrosome reaction is a unique event in the lifespan of sperm characterized by the exocytosis of the acrosomal content and the release of hybrid vesicles formed by patches of the outer acrosomal membrane and the plasma membrane. This unique regulated exocytosis is mediated by essentially the same membrane fusion machinery present in neuroendocrine cells. However, whereas secretion in neuroendocrine cells occurs in less than a second, the acrosome reaction is normally assessed after several minutes of incubation with inducers. In this report, we measured the kinetics of human sperm exocytosis triggered by two stimuli (calcium ionophore and progesterone) by using electron microscopy and three different approaches based on the incorporation of fluorescent Pisum sativum agglutinin into the acrosome upon opening of fusion pores connecting the extracellular medium with the acrosomal lumen. The results with the different methods are consistent with a slow kinetics (t½ = 14 min). We also manipulated the system to measure different steps of the process. We observed that cytosolic calcium increased with a relatively fast kinetics (t½ = 0.1 min). In contrast, the swelling of the acrosomal granule that precedes exocytosis was a slow process (t½ = 13 min). When swelling was completed, the fusion pore opening was fast (t½ = 0.2 min). The results indicate that acrosomal swelling is the slowest step and it determines the kinetics of the acrosome reaction. After the swelling is completed, the efflux of calcium from intracellular stores triggers fusion pores opening and the release of hybrid vesicles in seconds.

Tumor de Brenner maligno: caso clínico / Malignant Brenner tumor: clinical case

El tumor de Brenner es una neoplasia rara, que representa el 1-2 por ciento de las neoplasias de ovario. La mayoría son benignas, pero existe un pequeño porcentaje de casos de tumor de Brenner maligno, entre ellos el caso que se presenta. Se trata de una mujer de 41 años que presentó una tumoración ovárica cuyo resultado anatomopatológico fue de carcinoma pobremente diferenciado, con asociación de tumor tipo Brenner maligno. A pesar de ser diagnosticado en estadio precoz, este caso destaca por su mal pronóstico.

Brenner tumor is a rare neoplasia, accounting for 1-2 percent of ovarian cancer. Most of them are benign, but there are a small percentage of malignant Brenner tumors, including the case presented. This is a 41-year-old woman who presented an ovarian tumor. Definitive histological result showed a poorly differentiated carcinoma, with association of malignant Brenner tumor. Despite being diagnosed in early stages, this case stands out for its poor prognosis.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia due to colistin susceptible-only microorganisms.

Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are common pathogens of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The presentation and outcome of VAP due to Acinetobacter spp. and P. aeruginosa susceptible to carbapenems (Carb-S; imipenem and/or meropenem) and to colistin only (Col-S) were compared in the present retrospective study in three intensive care units. A total of 61 episodes of VAP caused by Acinetobacter spp. or P. aeruginosa were studied, of which 30 isolates were Carb-S and 31 were Col-S. Demographics, worsening of renal function and mortality were not different. The univariate analysis showed that a later onset and a previous episode of VAP, prior antimicrobial therapy for >10 days and previous therapy with carbapenems during the present admission were more frequent in patients with Col-S strains. On multivariate analysis, prior antimicrobial therapy for >10 days and a previous episode of VAP remained significantly associated with Col-S VAP. Approximately 41% of the infections caused by Col-S isolates, but none of those due to Carb-S isolates, had received prior carbapenem therapy. Colistin-susceptible ventilator-associated pneumonia episodes can be effectively treated using colistin without significant renal dysfunction. This susceptibility pattern could be suspected in patients with a previous ventilator-associated pneumonia episode or prior antibiotic therapy for >10 days preceding the present ventilator-associated pneumonia episode.

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy for complicated fetal intralobar bronchopulmonary sequestration.

Bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS), which can be intralobar or extralobar, is a rare developmental anomaly of the lung characterized by nonfunctional pulmonary tissue without communication with the tracheobronchial tree and with an aberrant systemic arterial blood supply. The intralobar type is typically within the pleural cavity with an arterial feeding vessel generally arising from the thoracic aorta and with venous drainage into the left atrium. The prognosis is poor in cases diagnosed before 26 weeks' gestation and when there is mediastinal shift, polyhydramnios and fetal hydrops. The ideal prenatal management option remains undefined. We present a series of three complicated cases of intralobar BPS treated prenatally with percutaneous ultrasound-guided fetal sclerotherapy (FST). The feeding vessel was successfully accessed percutaneously under ultrasound guidance in all cases. FST with polidocanol resulted in complete obliteration of the blood flow to the mass. Abnormal Doppler findings, ascites, hydrops and polyhydramnios resolved and all patients were delivered at term. Antenatal treatment of patients with complicated BPS can be successfully achieved with FST, which is a simple and inexpensive technique. Comparison of risks and benefits of this approach with other techniques is warranted.

Effect of plane of nutrition on endometrial sex steroid receptor expression in ewes.

The effect of plane of nutrition on progesterone receptor (PR) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) expression in ovine endometrium was investigated. Rasa Aragonesa ewes (n=26) were fed diets to provide either 1.5 (Group C) or 0.5 (Group L) times the daily maintenance requirement and were slaughtered at Days 5 or 10 of the estrous cycle (Day 0=estrus). PR and ERalpha immunoreactivity were analyzed in eight endometrial cell compartments, defined by cell type and location. Group L had less PR immunostaining on Day 5 (P<0.05), which is consistent with lesser endometrial content of progesterone found in such animals. Most cell types of Group C had down regulation of PR at Day 10, but in Group L, this pattern was observed only in three cell compartments. The lesser PR contents found at Day 5 in Group L ewes may explain the lack of inhibition of PR. No effect of treatment or day of the estrous cycle was observed in ERalpha. Results indicate that endometrial PR is affected in a cell type, in specific manner, by plane of nutrition.

The role of sex steroid receptors in sheep female reproductive physiology.

Cell responsiveness to steroid hormones is related to the number and affinity of its receptors, thus factors affecting steroid expression will influence tissue sensitivity and functionality. The present review discusses the role of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in sheep female reproductive physiology. The mechanism of steroid hormone action in the target cell is introduced first; the tissue distribution, physiological functions and regulation of oestrogen receptor subtypes and progesterone receptor isoforms in ruminants are reported. The role of steroid receptors in target tissues (with emphasis on the uterus and pituitary gland) during different physiological events is addressed in an attempt to clarify oestrogen and progesterone actions in different developmental and reproductive stages: prepubertal period, oestrous cycle, pregnancy, post-partum period and seasonal anoestrus. The present review shows how the distinct reproductive stages are accompanied by dramatic changes in uterine receptor expression. The role of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the molecular mechanism responsible for premature luteolysis that results in subnormal luteal function is discussed. Finally, the effect of nutrition on sex steroid receptor expression and the involvement on reproductive performance is reported.

Human herpesvirus 8 can be transmitted through blood in drug addicts.

Human Herpes virus type-8 (HHV-8) seroprevalence was studied in a population of HIV positive intravenous drug users (IVDUs) from Argentina. Analysis of this population also indirectly made it possible to study HHV-8 blood transmission, because these individuals frequently engage in needle sharing behavior and are capable of acquiring a broad array of blood borne pathogens, including Hepatitis B/C virus. The seroprevalence of HHV-8 in IVDUs was compared to a group of non-IVDUs and HIV negative individuals. Of the 223 individuals tested, 13.45% were HHV-8 positive, 16.99% in the IVDUs group, and 5.71% in the non-IVDUs. Among HIV positive IVDUs, 25/144 (17.36%) were also HHV-8 seropositive. The seropositivity rate of HHV-8 in HIV negative IVDUs was 11.1%. In contrast, HHV-8 seroprevalence in HIV negative heterosexual individuals without drug usage behavior was even lower (5.71%). The rate of HHV-8 infection in HIV positive IVDUs was three times as high compared to the non IVDU HIV negative individuals, suggesting that IVDU is a risk for HHV-8 infection. Furthermore, it was found that IVDUs showed a very high rate of Hepatitis B/C (52.77%), which also correlate with HHV-8 infection in this population (23.68%). All Hepatitis B/C positive individuals were also HIV positive. Our data confirm other studies showing that individuals who share needles are at risk for acquiring Hepatitis B/C and HIV infections. In addition, our results suggest that they are also at risk to acquiring HHV-8 infection by the same route.

Natural products isolated from Mexican medicinal plants: novel inhibitors of sulfotransferases, SULT1A1 and SULT2A1.

Calophyllum brasiliense, Lonchocarpus oaxacensis, and Lonchocarpus guatemalensis are used in Latin American folk medicine. Four natural xanthones, an acetylated derivative, and two coumarins were obtained from C. brasiliense. Two flavanones were extracted from L. oaxacensis and one chalcone from L guatemalensis. These compounds were tested as substrates and inhibitors for two recombinant sulfotransferases (SULTs) involved in the metabolism of many endogenous compounds and foreign chemicals. Assays were performed using recombinant phenolsulfotransferase (SULT1A1) and hydroxysteroidsulfotransferase (SULT2A1). Three of the five xanthones, one of the flavonoids and the coumarins tested were substrates for SULT1A1. None of the xanthones or the flavonoids were sulfonated by SULT2A1, whereas the coumarin mammea A/BA was a substrate for this enzyme. The natural xanthones reversibly inhibited SULT1A1 with IC50 values ranging from 1.6 to 7 microM whereas much higher amounts of these compounds were required to inhibit SULT2A1 (IC50 values of 26-204 microM). The flavonoids inhibited SULT1A1 with IC50 values ranging from 9.5 to 101 microM, which compared with amounts needed to inhibit SULT2A1 (IC50 values of 11 to 101 microM). Both coumarins inhibited SULT1A1 with IC50 values of 47 and 185 pM, and SULT2A1 with IC50 values of 16 and 31 microM. The acetylated xanthone did not inhibit either SULT1AI or SULT2A1 activity. Rotenone from a commercial source had potency comparable to that of the flavonoids isolated from Lonchocarpus for inhibiting both SULTs. The potency of this inhibition depends on the position and number of hydroxyls. The results indicate that SULT1A1, but not SULT2A1, is highly sensitive to inhibition by xanthones. Conversely, SULT2A1 is 3-6 times more sensitive to coumarins than SULT1A1. The flavonoids are non-specific inhibitors of the two SULTs. Collectively, the results suggest that these types of natural products have the potential for important pharmacological and toxicological interactions at the level of phase-II metabolism via sulfotransferases.

[Perinatal Information System. Incorporation latency and impact on perinatal clinical registry]. / Sistema Informático Perinatal. Latencia de incorporación e impacto en el registro clínico perinatal.

The Perinatal Information System (SIP) is a clinical record, local management and quality assurance software standard in Latin America and the Caribbean. The time to implement SIP in a Maternity Hospital is evaluated as well as the effect of statistics on perinatal health indicators in subsequent years. In the sample of 20 Maternity Hospitals (5 Countries, 40% Private and 60% Public) 85% had a reliable information system by the third year of use of SIP. 15% of hospitals still had problems at that time that were already clear during the second year, a time corrective measures can still be taken. The evaluation of the impact of yearly reports shows that 58% of recommendations were fulfilled, specially those regarding the complete filling-in of clinical records (62%) and to a lesser extent variables that reflect clinical practices and organization of services (52%). The conclusion is that Maternity Hospitals in Latin America and the Caribbean have the capacity to adopt a complex tool of computerized clinical records for quality assurance of perinatal care and monitoring of health indicators.

Human herpesvirus 8 can be transmitted through blood in drug addicts.

Human Herpes virus type-8 (HHV-8) seroprevalence was studied in a population of HIV positive intravenous drug users (IVDUs) from Argentina. Analysis of this population also indirectly made it possible to study HHV-8 blood transmission, because these individuals frequently engage in needle sharing behavior and are capable of acquiring a broad array of blood borne pathogens, including Hepatitis B/C virus. The seroprevalence of HHV-8 in IVDUs was compared to a group of non-IVDUs and HIV negative individuals. Of the 223 individuals tested, 13.45

were HHV-8 positive, 16.99

in the IVDUs group, and 5.71

in the non-IVDUs. Among HIV positive IVDUs, 25/144 (17.36

) were also HHV-8 seropositive. The seropositivity rate of HHV-8 in HIV negative IVDUs was 11.1

. In contrast, HHV-8 seroprevalence in HIV negative heterosexual individuals without drug usage behavior was even lower (5.71

). The rate of HHV-8 infection in HIV positive IVDUs was three times as high compared to the non IVDU HIV negative individuals, suggesting that IVDU is a risk for HHV-8 infection. Furthermore, it was found that IVDUs showed a very high rate of Hepatitis B/C (52.77

), which also correlate with HHV-8 infection in this population (23.68

). All Hepatitis B/C positive individuals were also HIV positive. Our data confirm other studies showing that individuals who share needles are at risk for acquiring Hepatitis B/C and HIV infections. In addition, our results suggest that they are also at risk to acquiring HHV-8 infection by the same route.

[Lipoprotein(a) and lipids in chronic renal insufficiency and kidney transplant]. / Lipoproteína(a) y lípidos en insuficiencia renal crónica y en trasplante renal.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the prevalence of lipid and lipoprotein (a) abnormalities in patients under hemodialysis or who underwent renal transplantation. METHODS: Forty dialyzed patients, 64 transplanted and a comparison group of 77 subjects of the general population paired by gender and age were studied. RESULTS: The most prevalent disorder in the hemodialysis was hypoalfalipoproteinemia followed by Lp(a) excess while the least common disorder was hypercholesterolemia. The transplanted patients had the lowest prevalence of Lp(a) excess and a higher proportion of hypercholesterolemia when compared to hemodialysis patients but similar to that of controls. CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed some previous findings observations of others but differed in that hypoalfalipoproteinemia and not hypertriglyceridemia was the predominant abnormality in the hemodialysis patients.

Human herpesvirus 8 as a potential sexually transmitted agent in Honduras.

The seroprevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) was studied in 326 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and -negative persons from Honduras; women constituted 77% (n = 251) of the subjects. Sera were tested for lytic HHV-8 antibodies by an IFA, and positive samples were confirmed by a radioimmunoprecipitation assay. Of the 326 persons tested, 58 (17.8%) had HHV-8 antibodies. Among the HIV-infected women, 22.7% were seropositive; 11.3% of the HIV-negative women were seropositive. HHV-8 seroprevalence was almost four times higher in HIV-positive female commercial sex workers (36%) than in HIV-negative female non-commercial sex workers (9.9%; odds ratio = 3.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.1-13; P = 0.01), suggesting that commercial sex work is a risk factor for HHV-8 infection. In the men studied, the overall HHV-8 seroprevalence was 22.6%, with a seropositivity rate of 28% for HIV-positive men compared with 12% for HIV-negative men.

[Cyclospora in 2 Mexican children]. / Cyclospora en dos niños mexicanos.

We report two patients, one symptomatic and another asymptomatic, infected with Cyclospora an enteropathogen recently described. The symptoms were: abdominal pain, hiporexia, vomit, bruxism, watery diarrhea 3 or 4 times in a day but self-limiting after 24 to 72 hours. In both children there were unsporulated oocysts with a diameter of 8.44 +/- 0.146 microns detected in feces concentrated by Faust's technique; the confirmation was achieved with a Ziehl-Neelsen stain and the observation of sporulated oocysts (two sporocysts per oocyst). In Mexico, Cyclospora is perhaps overlooked or it is mistaken with oocysts of Cryptosporidium.

Relación LH/progesterona como índice pronóstico de la respuesta ovárica a la HCG / LH/progesterone ratio as prognostic index of ovaric response to HCG

Objetivo: Seleccionar un parámetro hormonal como mejor predictor de la respuesta a la HCG, en pacientes bajo Hiperestimulación Ovárica Controlada (H.O.C.). Material y Método: Se estudiaron 43 pacientes que iniciaron un ciclo para FIV o ICSI. La descarga ovulatoria se efectuó con 10.000 IU de HCG (Profasi, Serono; Endocorion, Elea, Pregnyl, Organón), en forma prospectiva y randomizada. En todas las pacientes se extrajo sangre a las 8 a.m. de los días 0 (día de la HCG), + 1 y + 2. En cada muestra se determinaron las concentraciones de LH, P y HCG. Todas fueron medidas en el mismo ensayo (RIA e IRMA). Otras variantes analizadas fueron edad, FSH y E2 al 3er. día del ciclo previo, E2 en el día 0, número de folículos punzados y ovocitos maduros (M II y M1B) recuperados. Las pacientes se dividieron en tres grupos según su respuesta ovárica: 1) Buena, relación ovocito recuperado/folículo punzado = 60 por ciento y = 5 ovocitos maduros obtenidos; 2) Moderada, < 60 por ciento de recuperación y 3) Pobre, < 5 ovocitos maduros recuperados. Análisis estadístico: Test no paramétrico U de Mann Whitney. Resultados: La edad promedio fue 35 años (r = 25-35). Las 43 pacientes se distribuyeron en Grupo I = 24, Grupo II = 7 y Grupo III = 12. Los tres preparados de HCG utilizados no mostraron diferencias entre sí. En los 3 días, la LH del G.I fue menor al G.III (p < 0,05). En los días + 1 y + 2, la P del G.I fue mayor a los G.II y G.III (p < 0,05). El incremento de P desde el día 0 al + 1 fue mayor en el G.I vs. G.III (p 0,05). El cociente LH/P arrojó diferencia entre G.I y III (p < 0,001 en el día + 1 y p < 0,007 en el día + 2). En la distribución de frecuencias, un cociente LH/P = 0,03 en el día + 1, separó los grupos I y III en un 90 por ciento. Conclusiones: Las diferencias de LH y P estrían reflejando una mejor sincronización de las células granulosas a la estimulación exógena, en el G.I. El índice LH/P en el día + 1, fue eficaz en separar los grupos de buena y pobre respuesta; un cociente = 0,03, predice en un 90 por ciento una respuesta ovárica adecuada