Surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy: A non invasive alternative procedure for early detection in childhood asthma biomarkers in saliva.

The early detection of bronchial inflammation in asthma, through a non-invasive, simple method and under a subclinical state, could lead to a more effective control of this condition. The aim of this study was to identify biomarkers of bronchial inflammation in the saliva of children with asthma through immunoassay and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study in 44 children ages 6-12; the diagnosis of asthma was made according to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) standards. The children's saliva was analyzed by immunoassay for the quantification of 37 cytokines, as well as SERS analysis in a confocal Raman microscope at 785 nm. We found a significant association between bronchial obstruction and IL-8 (p = 0.004), IL-10 (p = 0.008) and sCD163 (p = 0.003). The Raman spectra showed significant amplification in the region of 760 to 1750 cm-1. The Principal Component Analysis and Linear Discriminant Analysis (PCA-LDA) method has a sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 82% and an accuracy of 84% for the diagnosis of asthma. These results demonstrate the presence of a subclinical inflammatory state, suggestive of bronchial remodeling in the population studied. The SERS method is a potential tool for identifying bronchial inflammation and its endotype, allowing for a highly sensitive and specific diagnosis.

Bioremoval of arsenic (V) from aqueous solutions by chemically modified fungal biomass.

The biosorption of arsenic (V) on nine chemically modified biomasses (with iron oxide coated) of mycelia fungi: Aspergillus flavus III, IV and V, Aspergillus fumigatus I-II, Paecilomyces sp., Cladosporium sp., Mucor sp-1 and 2 was studied in this work. This study provides evidence that the biomasses of the fungi A. flavus, IV, III and V, Paecilomyces sp., and A. fumigatus I were very efficient at removing 1 mg/L of the metal in solution, using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), achieving the following percentage of removals: 97.1, 92.3, 90.3, 89.0, and 83.4%, respectively. The results of adsorption were obtained at pH 6.0, 30 °C after 24 h of incubation, with 1 g/100 mL of fungal biomass. These results suggest the excellent potential of almost all isolated strains for bioremediation and removal of metals from contaminated sites.

Baseline plasmaccholinesterase activities in argentine saddle horses from sabana deboogotá / Activdad colinessterasa plasmática en caballos silla Argentina de la sabana de bogotá

The determination of cholinesterase (ChE) activity in domestic animals is of great importance for diagnosis and research purposes. The present work was aimed to determine the baseline plasma ChE activities (acetylcholinesterase, AChE and butyrylcholinestarase, BChE) of Argentine saddle horses sampled from equine farms of Bogota (Colombia) and its surroundings. Plasma AChE and BChE catalytic activities were measured in 60 healthy horses by spectrophotometry within the visible spectrum (405 nm). AChE mean ± SD values (nmols/ml/min) for males (n=32) were 1566 ± 301. Age intervals results were, 0.5-5 years: 1526 ± 295, 6-10 years: 1532 ± 313, 11-15 years: 1615 ± 279, and > 15 years: 1617 ± 335. As for females (n=28), mean AChE was 1323 ± 432, with age intervals as follows, 0.5-5 years: 719 ± 108, 6-10 years: 1603 ± 313, 11-15 years: 1225 ± 294, > 15 years: 1519 ± 369. BChE in males were 3304 ± 822; with age intervals, 0.5-5 years: 3383 ± 715, 6-10 years: 3360 ± 766, 11-15 years: 3267 ± 1064, > 15 years: 3206 ± 861. As for females, BChE values were 3097 ± 432, with age intervals: 0.5-5 years: 2467 ± 981, 6-10 years: 3668 ± 750, 11-15 years: 3238 ± 979, and > 15 years: 3015 ± 925. AChE was significantly different between males and females (t test, p < 0.05) and for both genders when age groups were compared (ANOVA, p < 0.05). BChE had higher values than AChE for both genders and yet no significant difference was found when genders were compared. No differences were found in BChE for age groups in both genders. In a second test, 15 random samples, kept at 4 ºC for 72 hours, were analyzed for variations when measured every 24h. Neither AChE nor BChE had significant variations in these 24h-apart measurements. The present investigation found baseline activities for the two types of plasma cholinesterases in Argentinian saddle horses. This will allow researchers and clinicians to count on reference values for diagnosis and comparative purposes.

La determinación de la actividad colinesterasa (ChE) en animales domésticos es de importancia en diagnóstico e investigación. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo principal la determinación de la línea base de actividad ChE plasmática (acetilcolinesterasa, AChE y butirilcolinesterasa, BChE) en 60 caballos Silla Argentino muestreados en fincas de equinos ubicadas en Bogotá (Colombia) y sus alrededores. Las actividades catalíticas de AChE y BChE plasmáticas fueron medidas mediante espectrofotometría visible (405 nm). Los valores promedio ± desviación estándar de actividad AChE (nmols/ml/ min) para machos (n=32) fueron 1566 ± 301. En intervalos de edad, los resultados fueron, 0.5-5 años: 1526 ± 295, 6-10 años: 1532 ± 313, 11-15 años: 1615 ± 279, y > 15 años: 1617 ± 335. En hembras (n=28), la actividad AChE fue 1323 ± 432, con valores en intervalos de edad, 0.5-5 años: 719 ± 108, 6-10 años: 1603 ± 313, 11-15 años: 1225 ± 294, > 15 años: 1519 ± 369. La BChE en machos fue 3304 ± 822; con intervalos de edad, 0.5-5 años: 3383 ± 715, 6-10 años: 3360 ± 766, 11-15 años: 3267 ± 1064, > 15 años: 3206 ± 861. En hembras, la BChE fue 3097 ± 432, con intervalos de edad: 0.5-5 años: 2467 ± 981, 6-10 años: 3668 ± 750, 11-15 años: 3238 ± 979, y > 15 años: 3015 ± 925. La actividad AChE fue significativamente diferente entre machos y hembras (test t, p < 0.05) y en ambos géneros al comparar los grupos etáreos (ANAVA, p < 0.05). BChE tuvo valores más altos que AChE, sin embargo, no en forma significativa cuando se compararon los resultados entre los dos géneros, ni cuando se compararon los grupos etáreos en los dos géneros. En una prueba adicional, 15 muestras fueron tomadas al azar y mantenidas a 4ºC durante 72 horas para ser analizadas cada 24 horas; AChE y BChE no mostraron variaciones significativas entre las mediciones hechas en este período de tiempo. El presente estudio permitió determinar lineas base de los dos tipos de colinesterasas plasmáticas en caballos tipo silla Argentino con el propósito de ofrecer valores de referencia con fines diagnósticos y comparativos para clínicos e investigadores.

In vitro kinetics of hepatic albendazole sulfoxidation in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), tilapia (Oreochromis sp.), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and induction of EROD activity in ABZ-dosed channel catfish.

Liver microsomes from market-size (n = 6) rainbow trout, channel catfish and tilapia were used to investigate in vitro biotransformation kinetics of albendazole (ABZ). ABZ was transformed to a single metabolite, ABZ sulfoxide (ABZ-SO). Catfish displayed the highest maximal velocity (V(max) = 264.0 +/- 58.6 pmols ABZ-SO/min/mg protein) followed by tilapia (112.3 +/- 8.2) and rainbow trout (73.3 +/- 10.3). V(max) in catfish was significantly different (P < 0.05) from the other two species. Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)) values (microm) varied significantly among the species: rainbow trout (3.9 +/- 0.5), tilapia (9.2 +/- 1.7) and catfish (22.0 +/- 3.2). However, V(max)/K(m) ratios showed no difference among the three species, making them equally efficient performing this phase I biotransformation reaction. In a second series of experiments, channel catfish (n = 6 per treatment) were dosed in vivo with gel-food containing ABZ (10 mg/kg, p.o.). Fish were killed at 24, 48, 72 and 120 h after dosage. Control fish were fed ABZ-free feed. Induction of ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase activity was significant (P < 0.05) in all ABZ-dosed treatments as compared with controls.

Bacillus subtilis as a bioindicator for estimating pentachlorophenol toxicity and concentration.

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and its sodium salt (Na-PCP) are extremely toxic chemicals responsible for important soil and groundwater pollution, mainly caused by wastes from wood-treatment plants, because chlorinated phenols are widely used as wood preservatives. The methods most commonly used for routine analysis of pesticides such as PCP and Na-PCP are high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). A variety of rapid biological screening tests using marine organisms, bioluminescent bacteria, and enzymes have also been reported. In this study, rapid biological screening analysis using Bacillus subtilis was developed, to assess the biodegradation of PCP and its by-products in liquid samples. An empirical model is proposed for spectrophotometric analysis of Na-PCP concentration after growth of Bacillus subtilis.

The uses of AFLP for detecting DNA polymorphism, genotype identification and genetic diversity between yeasts isolated from Mexican agave-distilled beverages and from grape musts.

AIMS: The objectives were to determine the variability and to compare the genetic diversity obtained using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers in analyses of wine, tequila, mezcal, sotol and raicilla yeasts. METHODS AND RESULTS: A molecular characterization of yeasts isolated from Mexican agave musts, has been performed by AFLP marker analysis, using reference wine strains from Italian and South African regions. CONCLUSIONS: A direct co-relation between genetic profile, origin and fermentation process of strains was found especially in strains isolated from agave must. In addition, unique molecular markers were obtained for all the strains using six combination primers, confirming the discriminatory power of AFLP markers. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report of molecular characterization between yeasts isolated from different Mexican traditional agave-distilled beverages, which shows high genetic differences with respect to wine strains.

Nematodes as indicators of wetland pollution.

Since diversity suggests that changes in nematode populations or communities may be useful indicators of environmental changes including anthropogenic disturbances, in this study the following measurements were done: pH, predominant plant taxa, nematode density and diversity at different wetland points along La Tapera creek. A random sampling was carried out and data were subject to analysis t-test. In this work, neither the diversity nor the pH changed, however the latter was high and nematode density and taxa were small but without significative oscillations between stations. However, other population indices showed consistent differences between sites, which are pointing out environmental alteration throughout the creek. These preliminary results from the wetland present a description of nematode communities existing under a particular set of conditions that have not been reported previously.

Increased immune activation precedes the inflection point of CD4 T cells and the increased serum virus load in human immunodeficiency virus infection.

The temporal relationship of serum levels of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA and of immune activation products in 10 HIV-seropositive persons who showed an accelerated decline (inflection point) in CD4 T cell counts and went on to develop AIDS and in 10 matched controls without inflection point were examined. Cases and controls did not differ statistically at the baseline time point for this study. CD4 cell inflection points occurred 18-30 months before AIDS development. Serum levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II, soluble interleukin-2 receptor, beta2-microglobulin, and neopterin increased significantly > or = 6 months before the CD4 cell inflection point. In contrast, increases in mean HIV RNA levels occurred at the time of the CD4 cell inflection point. These data are consistent with the view that in vivo immune activation precedes the increases in virus load and is followed by an accelerated and rapid loss of CD4 lymphocytes.

Natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity in cryptococcal meningitis.

There are evidences regarding the role of NK cytotoxic activity in the resistance against experimental C. neoformans infection. To assess the status of NK cell activity in human C. neoformans infection, we studied the peripheral blood of twelve patients with cryptococcal meningitis, six patients with CNS disease different to cryptococcal meningitis, and twelve healthy subjects. The number of CD16+cells and the NK cytotoxic activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was studied. The in vitro effect of exogenous IL-2 and interferon gamma on such cytotoxic activity was also studied. The number of CD16+ cells was not significantly different in patients compared to controls. However, cryptococcal patients exhibited a significant lower NK activity compared to both control groups (p less than 0.05 in both cases). The low NK activity of cryptococcal patients was fully reconstituted in vitro with the addition of rIL-2 but not with rIFN gamma. In vitro experiments suggest that the low NK activity of cryptococcal meningitis patients is not due to amphotericin B therapy or blockade of NK cells by C. neoformans-derived molecules. The results of this study suggests that patients with cryptococcal meningitis have a defective NK cytotoxic function and may aid to understand the pathogenesis of this disease.

Immune sensitization against epidermal antigens in polymorphous light eruption.

To get further insight into the pathogenesis of polymorphous light eruption, we studied nine patients with polymorphous light eruption and six healthy persons. Two skin biopsy specimens were obtained from each person, one from previously ultraviolet light-irradiated skin and another one from unirradiated skin. An epidermal cell suspension, skin homogenate, or both were prepared from each specimen. Autologous cultures were made with peripheral blood mononuclear cells combined with irradiated or unirradiated skin homogenate and peripheral blood mononuclear cells combined with irradiated or unirradiated epidermal cell suspension. Cell proliferation was assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation assay. The response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to unirradiated epidermal cells or unirradiated skin homogenate was similar in both patients and controls. However, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with polymorphous light eruption showed a significantly increased proliferative response to both irradiated epidermal cells and irradiated skin homogenate. Our results indicate that ultraviolet light increases the stimulatory capability of polymorphous light eruption epidermal cells in a unidirectional mixed culture with autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This suggests that an immune sensitization against autologous ultraviolet light-modified skin antigens occurs in polymorphous light eruption.

Fasciolasis humana epidémica, Cuba 1983: VI. Estudio clínico de 44 adultos del Hospital General de Fomento / Human epidemic fascioliasis, Cuba 1983: VI. Clinical study of 44 adults of the Hospital General de Fomento

Se estudiaron los primeros 44 adultos que aparecieron en Fomento en el curso de una epidemia de Fascioliasis. Se comprobó la ingestión frecuente y reciente de berro en la población en el 88,6% de los pacientes. La fiebre no fue un signo característico observado, pero sí la eosinofilia. El 14% de los pacientes se diagnosticó por el hallazgo de huevos de Fasciola hepática en las heces y el 69% por serología

Composition of fish filleting wastewater

Realiza análisis de temperatura, pH, sólidos, residuos totales, grasas y aceites, fosfato, nitrógeno, amoniaco, nitrato, nitrito, DBO, DQO, en líquidos residuales de la industria pesquera. Los datos se analizaron estadísticamente. Concluye que la política operacional tiene su influencia decisiva en la composición del líquido residual. Sin embargo, fueron detectadas variaciones estacionales en grasas y aceites, las cuales pueden ser correlativas a los cambios estacionales de las materias primas

Composition of fish filleting wastewater

Realiza análisis de temperatura, pH, sólidos, residuos totales, grasas y aceites, fosfato, nitrógeno, amoniaco, nitrato, nitrito, DBO, DQO, en líquidos residuales de la industria pesquera. Los datos se analizaron estadísticamente. Concluye que la política operacional tiene su influencia decisiva en la composición del líquido residual. Sin embargo, fueron detectadas variaciones estacionales en grasas y aceites, las cuales pueden ser correlativas a los cambios estacionales de las materias primas

Caracterización de aguas residuales de plantas elaboradas de filetes de pescado

La bibliografía existente referida a composición y métodos de tratamiento de efluentes líquidos de plantas fileteadoras es muy pobre y los resultados obtenidos varian notablemente de acuerdo a la materia prima procesada, y variaciones estacionales, y modalidad de operación de cada empresa. Es por ello que fue necesaria la caracterización del desag³e como paso previo a un análisis de tratamiento. Sobre el efluente (sin tratamiento previo) de plantas elaboradas de filete de merluza (merluccius Hubsii) fueron realizadas las siguientes determinaciones: sólidos totales a 102 - 2oC; pH y temperatura; sólidos sedimentables (10 min. y 2 horas); grasas (sustancias solubles en eter de petróleo); fósforo total; nitrógeno de nitrito, nitrógeno de nitrato; nitrógeno de amonio; nitrógeno según Kjeldahl; DBO; DQ 05; Relación N/P. Se cálculo la relación N/P con vista a un tratamiento biológico del efluente, y se analizan las diferentes posibilidades del mismo. Los resultados experimentales muestran en su mayoria, una distribución normal, sin haberse podido encontrar una correlación significativa entre los diferentes parámetros

Caracterización de aguas residuales de plantas elaboradas de filetes de pescado

La bibliografía existente referida a composición y métodos de tratamiento de efluentes líquidos de plantas fileteadoras es muy pobre y los resultados obtenidos varian notablemente de acuerdo a la materia prima procesada, y variaciones estacionales, y modalidad de operación de cada empresa. Es por ello que fue necesaria la caracterización del desag³e como paso previo a un análisis de tratamiento. Sobre el efluente (sin tratamiento previo) de plantas elaboradas de filete de merluza (merluccius Hubsii) fueron realizadas las siguientes determinaciones: sólidos totales a 102 - 2oC; pH y temperatura; sólidos sedimentables (10 min. y 2 horas); grasas (sustancias solubles en eter de petróleo); fósforo total; nitrógeno de nitrito, nitrógeno de nitrato; nitrógeno de amonio; nitrógeno según Kjeldahl; DBO; DQ 05; Relación N/P. Se cálculo la relación N/P con vista a un tratamiento biológico del efluente, y se analizan las diferentes posibilidades del mismo. Los resultados experimentales muestran en su mayoria, una distribución normal, sin haberse podido encontrar una correlación significativa entre los diferentes parámetros