Antioxidant capacity, reproductive response and glucose concentration and insulin of ewes supplemented prior to insemination with orange residue / [Capacidade antioxidante, resposta reprodutiva e concentração de glicose e insulina de ovelhas suplementadas antes da inseminação com resíduo de laranja]

The objective was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity, glucose and insulin concentration and reproductive performance of ewes supplemented with orange residue prior to insemination. Fifty-five multiparous ewes were divided into two corrals, and 15 unbred ewes were kept individually to measure feed consumption. Two integral diets were administered; T0: control treatment and T1: with 20% of dry matter of orange residue. Ten days after the start of supplementation, the ewes were synchronized. Supplementation was finalized prior to artificial insemination, then, a blood sample was taken to measure the antioxidant capacity and glucose and insulin concentration. An analysis of variance was made to evaluate the effect of treatment on the antioxidant capacity, glucose and insulin; and to analyze the response to estrus, percentage of gestation and prolificity a ji squared test was performed. Of 9 antioxidant compounds found in the orange residue, hesperidin (7.44%), chlorogenic acid (0.50%) and protocatechuic acid had the highest concentration. Feed intake, estrus response, percentage of gestation, antioxidant capacity, and glucose and insulin concentration were not affected by the treatment. It is concluded that inclusion of 20% of orange residue in the diet prior to insemination in ewes is possible.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a capacidade antioxidante, a concentração de glicose e insulina e o comportamento reprodutivo de ovelhas suplementadas com resíduo de laranja antes da inseminação. Cinquenta e cinco ovelhas multíparas foram divididas em dois currais e 15 ovelhas sem raça foram mantidas individualmente para se medir o consumo de ração. Duas dietas integrais foram administradas; T0: tratamento controle e T1: dieta com 20% de resíduo de laranja seco. Dias após o início da suplementação, as ovelhas foram sincronizadas. A suplementação foi finalizada antes da inseminação artificial e, em seguida, foi coletada uma amostra de sangue para medir a capacidade antioxidante e a concentração de glicose e insulina. Uma análise de variância foi feita para avaliar o efeito do tratamento sobre a capacidade antioxidante, a glicose e a insulina, e um teste do ji quadrado foi realizado para analisar a resposta ao estro, a porcentagem de gestação e de prolificidade. Dos nove compostos antioxidantes encontrados no resíduo laranja, a hesperidina (7,44%), o ácido clorogênico (0,50%) e o ácido protocatecuico foram os de maior concentração. O consumo alimentar, a resposta ao estro, a porcentagem de gestação, a capacidade antioxidante, a concentração de glicose e a insulina não foram afetados pelo tratamento. Conclui-se que é possível a inclusão de 20% de resíduos de laranja na dieta antes da inseminação em ovelhas.(AU)

Exchange-bias and magnetic anisotropy fields in core-shell ferrite nanoparticles.

Exchange bias properties of MnFe[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text]@[Formula: see text]-Fe[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] core-shell nanoparticles are investigated. The measured field and temperature dependencies of the magnetization point out a well-ordered ferrimagnetic core surrounded by a layer with spin glass-like arrangement. Quasi-static SQUID magnetization measurements are presented along with high-amplitude pulse ones and are cross-analyzed by comparison against ferromagnetic resonance experiments at 9 GHz. These measurements allow one to discern three types of magnetic anisotropies affecting the dynamics of the magnetic moment of the well-ordered ferrimagnetic NP's core viz. the easy-axis (uniaxial) anisotropy, the unidirectional exchange-bias anisotropy and the rotatable anisotropy. The uniaxial anisotropy originates from the structural core-shell interface. The unidirectional exchange-bias anisotropy is associated with the spin-coupling at the ferrimagnetic/spin glass-like interface; it is observable only at low temperatures after a field-cooling process. The rotatable anisotropy is caused by partially-pinned spins at the core/shell interface; it manifests itself as an intrinsic field always parallel to the external applied magnetic field. The whole set of experimental results is interpreted in the framework of superparamagnetic theory, i.e., essentially taking into account the effect of thermal fluctuations on the magnetic moment of the particle core. In particular, it is found that the rotatable anisotropy of our system is of a uniaxial type.

Blocking and remanence properties of weakly and highly interactive cobalt ferrite based nanoparticles.

We compare both magnetic blocking properties and remanence curves for dilute ferrofluid and powder samples of ferrite magnetic nanoparticles. Low field DC magnetization, AC susceptibility, isothermal remanent magnetization and DC demagnetization techniques are employed to investigate the role of interparticle magnetic interactions on the superparamagnetic relaxation, the magnetic anisotropy and on the super-spin-glass state in closely packed particles. The samples used herein are 3 nm sized spinel-type nanocrystals made of a cobalt ferrite core covered by a layer of maghemite on its outermost surface and can be obtained as aqueous colloidal dispersions thanks to this core-shell strategy. They show large anisotropy attributed to an enhanced surface contribution and the blocking temperature is shifted towards higher values as interparticle distance decreases. For all investigated diluted liquids and powder samples the frequency dependency of the peak temperature is well accounted by a Vogel-Fulcher law, with the insertion of a phenomenological temperature associated to the magnitude of interparticle dipolar interactions. The fractional change of the peak temperature per decade of frequency enlights the presence of interactions between particles in dilute liquids and of a spin-glass-like state in powder samples. The remanence curves always show global demagnetizing behavior, attributed to the combination of both spin surface disorder and interparticle dipolar interactions, the former being predominant in isolated nanoparticles and the latter in powder samples. However, in the most compacted powder, exchange interaction between surface ions of different particles becomes more pronounced and promotes an additive magnetizing effect.

Effects of All-Electron Basis Sets and the Scalar Relativistic Corrections in the Structure and Electronic Properties of Niobium Clusters.

In this paper, an augmented all-electron double-ζ basis set is used in calculations of the structure and electronic properties of small niobium clusters. The B3PW91 and M06 DFT functionals with and without second order Douglas-Kroll-Hess (DKH) scalar relativistic corrections are also utilized. Furthermore, an additional d Gaussian type function is introduced in the standard basis sets in order to improve the description of the clusters orbitals in the valence band. Our findings show that the extra d function is important to yield accurate results of electronic properties and, in addition, the DKH corrections can be relevant when the all-electron basis sets are used in the calculations. Our best results are obtained with the M06 functional together with the DKH second order corrections and with the extra d function added to the all-electron basis set.

Effect of Brazil's conditional cash transfer programme on tuberculosis incidence.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the Brazilian cash transfer programme (Bolsa Família Programme, BFP) on tuberculosis (TB) incidence in Brazil from 2004 to 2012. DESIGN: We studied tuberculosis surveillance data using a combination of an ecological multiple-group and time-trend design covering 2458 Brazilian municipalities. The main independent variable was BFP coverage and the outcome was the TB incidence rate. All study variables were obtained from national databases. We used fixed-effects negative binomial models for panel data adjusted for selected covariates and a variable representing time. RESULTS: After controlling for covariates, TB incidence rates were significantly reduced in municipalities with high BFP coverage compared with those with low and intermediate coverage (in a model with a time variable incidence rate ratio = 0.96, 95%CI 0.93-0.99). CONCLUSION: This was the first evidence of a statistically significant association between the increase in cash transfer programme coverage and a reduction in TB incidence rate. Our findings provide support for social protection interventions for tackling TB worldwide.

Temperature dependence of the Soret coefficient of ionic colloids.

The temperature dependence of the Soret coefficient S(T)(T) in electrostatically charged magnetic colloids is investigated. Two different ferrofluids, with different particles' mean dimensions, are studied. In both cases we obtain a thermophilic behavior of the Soret effect. The temperature dependence of the Soret coefficient is described assuming that the nanoparticles migrate along the ionic thermoelectric field created by the thermal gradient. A model based on the contributions from the thermoelectrophoresis and variation of the double-layer energy, without fitting parameters, is used to describe the experimental results of the colloid with the bigger particles. To do so, independent measurements of the ζ potential, mass diffusion coefficient, and Seebeck coefficient are performed. The agreement of the theory and the experimental results is rather good. In the case of the ferrofluid with smaller particles, it is not possible to get experimentally reliable values of the ζ potential and the model described is used to evaluate this parameter and its temperature dependence.

Magnetic and structural study of electric double-layered ferrofluid with MnFe(2)O(4)@γ-Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles of different mean diameters: Determination of the magnetic correlation distance.

Magnetic fluids based on manganese ferrite nanoparticles were studied from the structural point of view through small angle x-rays scattering (SAXS) and from the magnetic point of view through zero-field cooling and field cooling (ZFC-FC) and ac susceptibility measurements (MS). Three different colloids with particles mean diameters of 2.78,3.42, and 6.15 nm were investigated. The size distribution obtained from SAXS measurements follows a log-normal behavior. The ZFC-FC and MS results revealed the presence of an important magnetic interaction between the nanoparticles, characterized by a magnetic correlation distance Λ. The colloidal medium can be pictures as composed by magnetic cluster constituted by N interacting particles. These magnetic clusters are not characterized by a physical aggregation of particles. The energy barrier energy obtained is consistent with the existence of this magnetic clusters. Besides the magnetic interaction between particles, confinement effects must be included to account for the experimental values of the magnetic energy barrier encountered.

Thermodiffusion in positively charged magnetic colloids: influence of the particle diameter.

The Soret coefficient (ST) of positively charged magnetic colloids was measured as a function of the nanoparticles' diameter. The Z-scan technique and the generalization of the thermal lens model proved to be a reliable technique to measure ST. We show that ST is negative and increases with the particle's diameter, being best described by a functional dependence of the type ST∝d0. Potentiometric and conductometric experiments show that the particle's surface charge decreases as the temperature increases, changing the electrostatic interaction between the nanoparticles. The temperature gradient imposed in the ferrofluid by the Gaussian laser beam leads to the formation of the particle's concentration gradient. The origin of this phenomenon is discussed in terms of the decrease of the particle's surface charge in the hottest region of the sample and the thermoelectric field due to the inhomogeneous distribution of hydrogenous ions present in the colloidal suspension.

Parâmetros nutricionais e padrões nictemeral do comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros Somalis Brasileira alimentados com diferentes níveis de energia metabolizável / Nutritional parameters and nycterohemeral patterns of ingestive behavior of Brazilian Somali lambs fed different levels of metabolizable energy

O presente estudo foi conduzido para determinar o consumo e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes, bem como o comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros Somalis Brasileira, alimentados com diferentes níveis de energia metabolizável (EM). Foram utilizados 40 animais, não castrados, com peso vivo médio de 13,47±1,76kg. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com cinco dietas com diferentes níveis de energia metabolizável (1,18; 2,07; 2,25; 2,42 e 2,69Mcal/kg de MS). O consumo de MS, PB, FDN, CF (g/dia), MS (g/kg0,75) e FDN (%PC e g/kg0,75) apresentaram efeito quadrático (P<0,05), assim como os coeficientes de digestibilidade (P<0,05) da PB, da FDN e dos CF. Foi averiguado efeito linear crescente (P<0,05) para digestibilidade da MS, da MO e dos CNF com o aumento da EM na dieta. Os tempos de alimentação e ócio (h/dia) foram influenciados pelos níveis de energia (P<0,05), e as eficiências de alimentação e ruminação (g FDN/h) apresentaram efeito quadrático (P<0,05). Conclui-se que o aumento dos níveis de EM das rações influencia o consumo e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes, bem como o comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros Somalis Brasileira.(AU)

The study was conducted to determine the intake, nutrient digestibility and ingestive behavior of Brazilian Somali lambs fed different levels of metabolizable energy (ME). Forty non-castrated Brazilian Somali lambs with average weight of 13.47±1.76kg were used. The animals were assigned to a randomized block design with eight replications per block and five diets with increasing metabolizable energy (1.18, 2.07, 2.25, 2.42 and 2.69 Mcal/kg DM). The quadratic effect (P<0.05) of the ME level was determined for DM, CP, NDF and FC (g/day) and DM (g/kg0,75) and NDF(%PC and g/kg0,75) intake, as well as the digestibility coefficients (P<0.05) for CP, NDF and CF. A linear effect (P<0.05) was observed for digestibility of DM, OM and NFC with the increase of ME in the diet. Eating and idle results (hours/day) were influenced by the energy levels (P<0.05) and efficiencies of feeding and rumination (g NDF/h) showed a quadratic effect (P<0.05). It is concluded that the increase of ME levels in the diet influences intatke, nutrient digestibility and ingestive behavior of Brazilian Somali lambs.(AU)

Parâmetros nutricionais e padrões nictemeral do comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros Somalis Brasileira alimentados com diferentes níveis de energia metabolizável / Nutritional parameters and nycterohemeral patterns of ingestive behavior of Brazilian Somali lambs fed different levels of metabolizable energy

O presente estudo foi conduzido para determinar o consumo e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes, bem como o comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros Somalis Brasileira, alimentados com diferentes níveis de energia metabolizável (EM). Foram utilizados 40 animais, não castrados, com peso vivo médio de 13,47±1,76kg. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com cinco dietas com diferentes níveis de energia metabolizável (1,18; 2,07; 2,25; 2,42 e 2,69Mcal/kg de MS). O consumo de MS, PB, FDN, CF (g/dia), MS (g/kg0,75) e FDN (%PC e g/kg0,75) apresentaram efeito quadrático (P<0,05), assim como os coeficientes de digestibilidade (P<0,05) da PB, da FDN e dos CF. Foi averiguado efeito linear crescente (P<0,05) para digestibilidade da MS, da MO e dos CNF com o aumento da EM na dieta. Os tempos de alimentação e ócio (h/dia) foram influenciados pelos níveis de energia (P<0,05), e as eficiências de alimentação e ruminação (g FDN/h) apresentaram efeito quadrático (P<0,05). Conclui-se que o aumento dos níveis de EM das rações influencia o consumo e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes, bem como o comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros Somalis Brasileira...

The study was conducted to determine the intake, nutrient digestibility and ingestive behavior of Brazilian Somali lambs fed different levels of metabolizable energy (ME). Forty non-castrated Brazilian Somali lambs with average weight of 13.47±1.76kg were used. The animals were assigned to a randomized block design with eight replications per block and five diets with increasing metabolizable energy (1.18, 2.07, 2.25, 2.42 and 2.69 Mcal/kg DM). The quadratic effect (P<0.05) of the ME level was determined for DM, CP, NDF and FC (g/day) and DM (g/kg0,75) and NDF(%PC and g/kg0,75) intake, as well as the digestibility coefficients (P<0.05) for CP, NDF and CF. A linear effect (P<0.05) was observed for digestibility of DM, OM and NFC with the increase of ME in the diet. Eating and idle results (hours/day) were influenced by the energy levels (P<0.05) and efficiencies of feeding and rumination (g NDF/h) showed a quadratic effect (P<0.05). It is concluded that the increase of ME levels in the diet influences intatke, nutrient digestibility and ingestive behavior of Brazilian Somali lambs...

Influence of the spatial confinement at nanoscale on the structural surface charging in magnetic nanocolloids.

In this work we focus on the surface charging properties of core shell ferrite nanoparticles dispersed in water, namely magnetic nanocolloids. This structural charge results from the Brönsted acid-base behavior of the particles surface sites and is achieved through hydrolysis reactions. It can be modeled by considering identical charged sites behaving as weak diprotic acids. Then, electrochemical techniques could be implemented to study the acid-base equilibrium between the particle surface and the colloid bulk solution. Simultaneous potentio-conductimetric titrations are therefore performed to determine the thermodynamical constants of the p H-dependent reactions and to obtain the p H variations of the surface charge density. The results reveal that the saturation value of the structural charge strongly depends on the nanoparticle mean size. For large particles, the surface tends to be fully ionized whereas for smaller particles the saturated structural charge decreases drastically. This surface charge reduction is attributed to the existence in smaller particles of metallic surface sites, which cannot be accessible to the proton charge. The existence of such dead sites would be related to hydroxo-bonded sites with very low acidity combined with a quantum size effect, which would affect the charging/discharging process at the surface of the semiconductor ferrite quantum dot.

Filamentous fungi vectored by ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a public hospital in North-Eastern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The increase in opportunistic fungal infections has led to the search for putative sources of contamination in hospital environments. AIM: Ants in a public hospital in Itabuna, north-eastern Brazil were examined for carriage of filamentous fungi. METHODS: During a year-long survey, ants from different hospital areas were sampled. Preference was given to locations where it was possible to observe ants actively foraging. The fungi found on the ants' integument were cultured and identified. FINDINGS: A total of 106 ant workers belonging to 12 species in 11 genera were collected. A total of 47 fungal strains was isolated from 40% of the ants (N = 42). We found 16 fungal species in 13 genera associated with the ant workers. The prevalent fungal genera were Aspergillus, Purpureocillium and Fusarium. The ants Tapinoma melanocephalum, Paratrechina longicornis and Pheidole megacephala were associated with six fungal genera; and four genera of fungi were associated with Solenopsis saevissima workers. Fungal diversity was higher in the following hospital areas: nursery, hospital beds, breastmilk bank and paediatrics. CONCLUSION: Ants act as carriers of soil and airborne fungal species, and ant control in hospital areas is necessary to prevent the dissemination of such micro-organisms.

Perfil do consumo de pescado na cidade de Belo Horizonte, MG / Consumption profile of fish in Belo Horizontes city, MG

Objetivou-se determinar a frequência de consumo de pescado na cidade de Belo Horizonte e determinar principais locais de aquisição e consumo do produto. Para tanto, foram entrevistadas 396 pessoas através de um formulário contendo onze perguntas. Os dados obtidos foram tabulados em software de edição de planilha eletrônica e gráficos gerados. A carne de peixe é a menos consumida na cidade de Belo Horizonte. A frequência de consumo foi duas ou mais vezes ao mês (25,3%). O principal local de consumo foi a residência dos entrevistados (80,3%) e os supermercados foram determinados como o local de maior aquisição (71,5%). (AU)

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of consumption of fish flesh and derivatives in Belo Horizonte's city, to determine the major sites of acquisition and consumption of the product. The hundred ninety six people were interviewed through a quiz containing eleven questions. Data were tabulated in editing software spreadsheet and graphics generated. Fish is the least meat consumed less in Belo Horizonte's city. The frequency of consumption was two or more times a month (25,3%). Homes were the principal place of consumption (80,3%), and supermarkets were determined as site of largest acquisition (71,5%). (AU)

Perfil do consumo de pescado na cidade de Belo Horizonte, MG / Consumption profile of fish in Belo Horizonte’s city, MG

Objetivou-se determinar a frequência de consumo de pescado na cidade de Belo Horizonte e determinar principais locais de aquisição e consumo do produto. Para tanto, foram entrevistadas 396 pessoas através de um formulário contendo onze perguntas. Os dados obtidos foram tabulados em software de edição de planilha eletrônica e gráficos gerados. A carne de peixe é a menos consumida na cidade de Belo Horizonte. A frequência de consumo foi duas ou mais vezes ao mês (25,3%). O principal local de consumo foi a residência dos entrevistados (80,3%) e os supermercados foram determinados como o local de maior aquisição (71,5%).

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of consumption of fish flesh and derivatives in Belo Horizonte's city, to determine the major sites of acquisition and consumption of the product. The hundred ninety six people were interviewed through a quiz containing eleven questions. Data were tabulated in editing software spreadsheet and graphics generated. Fish is the least meat consumed less in Belo Horizonte's city. The frequency of consumption was two or more times a month (25,3%). Homes were the principal place of consumption (80,3%), and supermarkets were determined as site of largest acquisition (71,5%).

PCR múltiple para la detección simultánea de los genes mecA y pvl en Staphylococcus spp / Multiplex PCR for simultaneous detection of mecA and pvl genes in Staphylococcus spp

Este estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transverso tuvo por objetivo estandarizar una PCR múltiple para la detección simultánea de los genes mecA y pvl en Staphylococcus spp. Se emplearon como cepas control: S. aureus ATCC 25923, S. aureus ATCC 43300 y un aislado de S. aureus portador de los genes mecA y pvl. La extracción de ADN se realizó por el método de ebullición. El límite de detección se estableció por medio de diluciones seriadas de ADN. Se determinó la aplicabilidad de la PCR múltiple testando 41 aislados de S. aureus y 51 Estafilococos coagulasa negativo (ECN) previamente caracterizados por métodos fenotípicos en noviembre del año 2009. Los productos de PCR fueron visualizados por electroforesis en gel de agarosa al 2% previa tinción con bromuro de etidio. Los productos de amplificación de la PCR múltiple presentaron tamaño esperado de 533pb y 433pb para los genes mecA y pvl respectivamente, con límites de detección de hasta 0,5 ng/µL. El gen mecA se detectó en 13 (31,7%) aislados de S. aureus y en 29 (56,7%) ECN. El gen pvl se detectó en 2 (4,9%) S. aureus y no fue detectado en ECN. La presencia del gen mecA tuvo 100% de concordancia con los métodos fenotípicos. Esta técnica es una herramienta útil en la confirmación de cepas de Estafilococos meticilino resistentes e identificación del gen pvl, además de ser relativamente sencilla con la ventaja de detectar ambos genes en una sola reacción

The cytogenetic examination as a tool for the diagnosis of chromosomal disorders / Examinación citogenética como herramienta para el diagnóstico de los desórdenes cromosómicos

Clinically significant chromosomal abnormalities occur in about 1 percent of children born alive. The objective of this work was to offer the patients and the families in the community for the service of the Integrated Clinic of Uniara Health (Araraquara and region), the examination of cariotype (cytogenetic study) for confirmation or exclusion of the diagnostic suspicion of chromosomal abnormalities as well as information (genetic counseling) for the prevention of occurrence and/or recurrence of these anomalies. In the period of one year and four months these were carried out in the Integrated Clinic of Uniara Health and directed for the Laboratory of Cytogenetic Human of the same institution in 66 cytogenetic studies. In 44 patients (66.6 percent) the results were normal. In 22 (33.3 percent) examinations, alterations were found, meaning that the respective clinical pictures are decurrent of chromosomic alterations. The first cause within alterations noted was Down syndrome with a total of 15 examinations or 68.1 percent, the second cause of chromosomal anomaly was the Turner syndrome where the most important factor is 45, X, where 2 karyotypes of this type or 9.1 percent were found, syndromes as (Eduards syndrome, Patau syndrome, 3p- syndrome, 4p- syndrome and 6p-syndrome) diagnosed in our laboratory appeared less frequently corresponding to 22.7 percent of the studied anomalies. The work carried out constitutes a necessary diagnosis of the main chromosomal abnormalities through a low cost technique; it can be carried out easily and is reliable, making the cytogenetic examination available to the community and contributing significantly to the quality of life of patients.

Las anormalidades cromosómicas, clínicamente significativas, se presentan en aproximadamente 1 por ciento de los niños nacidos vivos. Este trabajo tiene el objetivo de ofrecer a los pacientes y /o a sus familiares el servicio de la Clínica Integrada de la Salud de Uniara (Araraquara y Región), el examen de cariotipo (estudio citogenético) para la confirmación o la exclusión de sospecha de anomalías cromosomales diagnosticadas, así como otorgar información (consejo genético) para la prevención de las posibles anomalías y /o la repetición de éstas. En un año y cuatro meses fueron realizados 66 estudios de citogenética en la Clínica Integrada de Uniara, dirigida por el Laboratorio de Citogenética Humana de la misma institución. En 44 pacientes (66,6 por ciento) los resultados fueron normales. En 22 (33,3 por ciento) de los exámenes, se encontraron alteraciones, compatibles con alteraciones cromosómicas. La primera causa de anomalías cromosómica fue el síndrome de Down, totalizando 15 exámenes (68,1 por ciento), la segunda causa fue el síndrome de Turner, con dos cariotipos (9,1 por ciento) en la forma más importante 45, X. Por otra parte, se encontró que los síndromes de Eduards, de Patau, 3p-síndrome de Down, síndrome 4p-6p, diagnosticados en nuestro laboratorio, presentaban baja frecuencia de aparición, representando el 22,7 por ciento de las anomalías estudiadas. Este trabajo permitió realizar un diagnóstico preciso de las anomalías cromosomales, principalmente a través de una técnica de bajo costo, fácil ejecución y buena confiabilidad, técnicas que están disponibles para el examen citogenético para la comunidad y así contribuir de manera significativa en la calidad de vida de los pacientes.

Two Kunitz-type inhibitors with activity against trypsin and papain from Pithecellobium dumosum seeds: purification, characterization, and activity towards pest insect digestive enzyme.

Two trypsin inhibitors (called PdKI-3.1 and PdKI-3.2) were purified from the seeds of the Pithecellobium dumosum tree. Inhibitors were obtained by TCA precipitation, affinity chromatography on Trypsin-Sepharose and reversed-phase-HPLC. SDS-PAGE analysis with or without reducing agent showed that they are a single polypeptide chain, and MALDI-TOF analysis determined molecular masses of 19696.96 and 19696.36 Da, respectively. The N-terminal sequence of both inhibitors showed strong identity to the Kunitz family trypsin inhibitors. They were stable over a wide pH (2-9) and temperature (37 to 100 degrees C) range. These inhibitors reduced over 84% of trypsin activity with inhibition constant (Ki) of 4.20 x 10(-8) and 2.88 x 10(-8) M, and also moderately inhibited papain activity, a cysteine proteinase. PdKI-3.1 and PdKI-3.2 mainly inhibited digestive enzymes from Plodia interpunctella, Zabrotes subfasciatus and Ceratitis capitata guts. Results show that both inhibitors are members of the Kunitz-inhibitor family and that they affect the digestive enzyme larvae of diverse orders, indicating a potential insect antifeedant.

Identification of a Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitor from Pithecellobium dumosum seeds with insecticidal properties and double activity.

A trypsin inhibitor, PdKI, was purified from Pithecellobium dumosum seeds by TCA precipitation, trypsin-sepharose chromatography, and reversed-phase-HPLC. PdKI was purified 217.6-fold and recovered 4.7%. SDS-PAGE showed that PdKI is a single polypeptide chain of 18.9 kDa and 19.7 kDa by MALDI-TOF. The inhibition on trypsin was stable in the pH range 2-10 and at a temperature of 50 degrees C. The Ki values were 3.56 x 10(-8)and 7.61 x 10(-7) M with competitive and noncompetitive inhibition mechanisms for trypsin and papain, respectively. The N-terminal sequence identified with members of Kunitz-type inhibitors from the Mimosoideae and Caesalpinoideae subfamilies. PdKI was effective against digestive proteinase from Zabrotes subfasciatus, Ceratitis capitata, Plodia interpunctella, Alabama argillaceae, and Callosobruchus maculatus, with 69, 66, 44, 38, and 29% inhibition, respectively. Results support that PdKI is a member of the Kunitz inhibitor family and its insecticidal properties indicate a potent insect antifeedant.

Eficacia de un programa educativo para la prevención y el control de infecciones intrahospitalarias en el Instituto Especializado de Enfermedades Neoplásicas, Lima, Perú / Efficacy of an educational program for prevention and control of nosocomial infections in the Instituto Especializado de Enfermedades Neoplásicas

Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia de una intervención educativa para la prevención y el control de las infecciones intrahospitalarias (IIH) en el personal de salud del Instituto Especializado de Enfermedades Neoplásicas (INEN), Lima, Perú. Material y métodos: Estudio cuasiexperimental. Antes y después de la implementación de un programa educativo de medidas generales para la prevención y el control de las IIH, se evaluaron los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de 378 (45,6 por ciento) trabajadores de salud seleccionados en forma aleatoria y estratificada (por profesión) de la población de trabajadores del INEN. Resultados: Después de la intervención, la proporción de trabajadores (total) con bajo conocimiento se redujo de 53,2 por ciento a 39,7 por ciento y la actitud positiva frente al curso y programas para el control y prevención de las IIH aumentó de 87,8 por ciento a 99,2 por ciento. También hubo un incremento en el cumplimiento de las buenas prácticas: de 5,6 por ciento a 37,0 por ciento para el lavado de manos, de 33,9 por ciento a 53,2 por ciento para la técnica adecuada del lavado de manos, de 33,3 por ciento a 49,2 por ciento para la técnica adecuada de asepsia y de 37,0 a 59,0 por ciento para la técnica de aislamiento. Las tendencias fueron similares en todas las profesiones. Conclusión: La aplicación de un programa educativo ha logrado incrementar tanto los conocimientos y actitudes positivas, como los índices de cumplimiento de las medidas generales de prevención y el control de las infecciones intrahospitalarias en los trabajadores de salud del INEN.

Phenolic constituents and antioxidant activity of an extract of Anthuriumversicolor leaves.

Fractionation of a methanolic extract of the leaves of Anthurium versicolor has resulted in the isolation of two main fractions, I and II. Both the extract and the fractions were assayed for their radical-scavenging activity by means of an in vitro test (bleaching of the stable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical) and showed a significant radical-scavenging effect. Subsequent chromatographic fractionation of the most active fraction, II, has led to the isolation and characterization, as major constituents, of four new flavone glycosides, acacetin 6-C-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] (1), acacetin 6-C-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] (2), acacetin 6-C-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] (3), and acacetin 8-C-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] (4), as well as vitexin (apigenin-8-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside) and rosmarinic acid. The structures of 1-4 were determined using spectroscopic methods.